Harry Da Hamster
New member
- May 13, 2013
- 863
- 0
I've had the chance to try both recently, the Flex 3401 and Rupes Bigfoot 15, and i just wanted to pass on my opinion and findings to those who may be in the market for a higher end orbital polisher. I rented the Flex 3401 and loved it compared to the GG and PC i tried. But decided to buy the Rupes 15 with no first hand experience based on all the hype. For all intents and purposes, the Rupes 15 and 21 are virtually the same. In a perfect world, the Rupes 15 and 21 smash the Flex 3401. The Rupes has a giant 15 or 21mm throw, and its non-direct drive meaning it would be virtually impossible to burn paint. Where as the Flex 3401 has a standard 8mm throw but is direct drive so the user can apply heavy pressure. Theoretically a non-direct drive long throw polisher would be all that we need for what were trying to accomplish. When polishing you shouldn't have to apply heavy pressure to the point where the Rupes would stall and the long throw would allow the polishes and compounds to work better as it abrades the surface with its long throw.
BUT in the real world we have various makes and models of cars of all different shapes. Curvacious vehicles like my new Cayenne have large sweeping concave panels throughout the vehicle on the lower half of the doors, on the D pillar, and above the headlights. This makes it virtually impossible to polish using a non-direct drive long throw polisher, a la Rupes 15 and 21. Even with the Kevin Brown washer mod, which essentially gives the polisher more power. In a concave panel situation, the long throw and non-direct drive work against each other and prevent the Rupes from orbiting.
Convex panels are a little better but still not as good as the Flex 3401. I noticed i didn't have the same stalling problem on the convex panels as i did with concave panels unless i used too much pressure. But the problem here is while using very little pressure, the contact patch of the foam pad against the panel is very small. Opposed to the Flex where i can use more pressure and buff out a larger area of the curved panel.
After trying to buff only a few panels of my Cayenne with the Rupes 15, i sold it and i'm considering a used Flex. So if you have one, message me!
Hope this review helps others to make a more informed buying decision.
Picture below to give you an idea where i had a difficult time polishing. Lower half of the doors, on the D pillar, and above the headlights.
BUT in the real world we have various makes and models of cars of all different shapes. Curvacious vehicles like my new Cayenne have large sweeping concave panels throughout the vehicle on the lower half of the doors, on the D pillar, and above the headlights. This makes it virtually impossible to polish using a non-direct drive long throw polisher, a la Rupes 15 and 21. Even with the Kevin Brown washer mod, which essentially gives the polisher more power. In a concave panel situation, the long throw and non-direct drive work against each other and prevent the Rupes from orbiting.
Convex panels are a little better but still not as good as the Flex 3401. I noticed i didn't have the same stalling problem on the convex panels as i did with concave panels unless i used too much pressure. But the problem here is while using very little pressure, the contact patch of the foam pad against the panel is very small. Opposed to the Flex where i can use more pressure and buff out a larger area of the curved panel.
After trying to buff only a few panels of my Cayenne with the Rupes 15, i sold it and i'm considering a used Flex. So if you have one, message me!
Hope this review helps others to make a more informed buying decision.
Picture below to give you an idea where i had a difficult time polishing. Lower half of the doors, on the D pillar, and above the headlights.
