Just used my Flex 3401 and Rupes MKII 15 back to back...

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WRAPT C5Z06

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Haven't had the MKII 15 for very long. Did a test spot on a door. Reached for my 3401 first equipped with an LC Force Orange pad. Went about the test spot and man, what A LOT of energy it took to control that thing! Results were good, however. Reached for my MarkII 15 next and tried a test spot on another door. WOW, the 15mm took WAY less energy than the 3401!! Needless to say, I finished the rest of he car with the 15mm. Yes, I had to pay attention to my technique more to limit stalling, but I was still pretty fresh after I finished the car. Will be reaching for my 15mm first from here on out.
 
Yeas,with Rupes you get faster results with less effot and fatigue. Do you have washed mod and What pad did you use with Rupes? 21mk is even faster correcting than 15.
 
WRAPT C5Z06 said:
Haven't had the MKII 15 for very long. Did a test spot on a door. Reached for my 3401 first equipped with an LC Force Orange pad. Went about the test spot and man, what A LOT of energy it took to control that thing! Results were good, however. Reached for my MarkII 15 next and tried a test spot on another door. WOW, the 15mm took WAY less energy than the 3401!! Needless to say, I finished the rest of he car with the 15mm. Yes, I had to pay attention to my technique more to limit stalling, but I was still pretty fresh after I finished the car. Will be reaching for my 15mm first from here on out.
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It didn't take me long to sell my 3401 after getting my Griot's G21 and Rupes 15 Mark II. The Flex is a good machine, at my age, and the fact that I do this for pleasure, the 3401 wasn't for me.

Guys please don't turn this into another 3401 vs long throw thread. Everyone knows the 3401 is a good machine, it's just not for everyone.
 
That's one of the reasons it's called "the beast" it definitely works you out.

The rupes was nice and smooth but in the end I like my BOSS Polishers better. Everyone has Thier preference but they are all great machines

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Say it isn't so Mark! I do agree with the Rupes being less taxing, but the 3401 just "feels" right to me.
 
Joel1979 said:
Yeas,with Rupes you get faster results with less effot and fatigue. Do you have washed mod and What pad did you use with Rupes? 21mk is even faster correcting than 15.
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I used the 15mm with a BnS green foam pad. Yes, it’s softer than the orange force, but still, the 3401 is really a “beast” as Cruz said. I always use the washer mod.


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fly07sti said:
Say it isn't so Mark! I do agree with the Rupes being less taxing, but the 3401 just "feels" right to me.
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Don...LOL

I will never sell my 3401, but it sure is taxing.


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Long throws viz. Rupes MKII’s beat forced rotation in ease and speed of correction anyday. I own and use a variety of machines and theres no denying that. The 3401 is the more entertaining to use polisher though in smaller doses or softer paints with milder defects.
 
Totally agree man. Put my 3401 on the back burner once I really started noticing how much more efficient and effective my g21 is.
 
WRAPT C5Z06 said:
Haven't had the MKII 15 for very long. Did a test spot on a door. Reached for my 3401 first equipped with an LC Force Orange pad. Went about the test spot and man, what A LOT of energy it took to control that thing! Results were good, however. Reached for my MarkII 15 next and tried a test spot on another door. WOW, the 15mm took WAY less energy than the 3401!! Needless to say, I finished the rest of he car with the 15mm. Yes, I had to pay attention to my technique more to limit stalling, but I was still pretty fresh after I finished the car. Will be reaching for my 15mm first from here on out.
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Yes! I was using the flex for correction job I had on Ford F-150 by the time I finish compounding the whole car I was ready to go sleep I was so tired grabbed my rupes and just had a "AHHH" moment of relief on my shoulders


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WRAPT C5Z06 said:
Forced rotation DA doesn't finish nearly as well as any free spinning DA on soft paint.
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I can’t tell the difference in finish between the Rupes and 3401, both finish so well in my eyes on all paints. Correction wise Rupes is superior however in finish as in haze free they too close to call. Has the 3401 not finished properly or left defects behind? If the latter, thats lack of correction power not lack in finishing.
 
Let me be clear, the 3401 is a major bonus, as it will NEVER stop spinning! Much more taxing on the body compared to a long throw. Pros and cons of both.
 
Since I see more and more as I read about people reaching for their long throws vs a forced rotation or other da, what long throw do you guys reach for more or I should say which is more versatile...your 15 or your 21 and disregard the brand I'm just curious what you find you use more? I'd love a 3401, 15 and 21 but being I can only afford 1 I'm trying to make informed decisions. I do like reading threads like this though as it helps me form a decision.

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minerigger said:
Since I see more and more as I read about people reaching for their long throws vs a forced rotation or other da, what long throw do you guys reach for more or I should say which is more versatile...your 15 or your 21 and disregard the brand I'm just curious what you find you use more? I'd love a 3401, 15 and 21 but being I can only afford 1 I'm trying to make informed decisions. I do like reading threads like this though as it helps me form a decision.

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Refer to the comment I just made above.

15mm is more versatile, IMO. If you don't own your own detailing business, go with the 15mm.
 
minerigger said:
Since I see more and more as I read about people reaching for their long throws vs a forced rotation or other da, what long throw do you guys reach for more or I should say which is more versatile...your 15 or your 21 and disregard the brand I'm just curious what you find you use more? I'd love a 3401, 15 and 21 but being I can only afford 1 I'm trying to make informed decisions. I do like reading threads like this though as it helps me form a decision.

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15 is more versatile with the shorter throw fitting easier into tighter areas. The 21 is all out correction power, also stalls the least.
 
Thank you sirs. Fall is here as well as snow so my hopes of starting up this year were greatly diminished so now my aim is March/April next year but I want to pick up another machine and get some seat time in before hand.

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I too prefer the feel of the long throws over the 3401! My 3401 is uber reliable and will always have a place on my shelf, but for me, the smoothness of the PE14 and XFE handle 90+% of the cars I work on in a timely manner.
 
WRAPT C5Z06 said:
Forced rotation DA doesn't finish nearly as well as any free spinning DA on soft paint.
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You'd (And I'd) think so but I used the 3401 w/ Scholl S40 and a LC Hydrotech crimson pad on a black Honda recently and I'm not sure my Rupes coulda finished any better.
 
BudgetPlan1 said:
You'd (And I'd) think so but I used the 3401 w/ Scholl S40 and a LC Hydrotech crimson pad on a black Honda recently and I'm not sure my Rupes coulda finished any better.
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What speed did you use?


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