Ongoing RUPES review - all opinions welcome!!

[TrKent]

I posted this over a month ago in this thread:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/57614-tool-pron-show-me-your-tools.html#post786938

Thanks for the post RMM! :dblthumb2:

From what I gather:
Rupes is a bit like Apple in the way that everything is proprietary. The Rupes Bigfoot System is just that, a complete polishing system. From the machines to the liquids, to get the most out of it, it must be used that way. At least, that's what Paul Dalton says. I don't have the white or yellow pads for the 21 yet nor the Rupes liquids, but should have them in a few weeks. I am picking up some spare panels to do some testing this week and I also have a Porsche Cayman S coming in this weekend.

Your idea of having an independent review is good, I'll take it a step further and set up an ongoing Rupes review thread. That way I can get information out about what I have now and then update it when my LHR15 comes in, along with the rest of the pads and liquids. Hopefully others who are now getting their Rupes will chime in as well. I am about to place an AG order for some MF and Hydrotech pads for the 21, hopefully they'll be here by this weekend!

The only two machines I will have to compare it to are the Flex 3401 and PC7424. Hopefully this review thread will help AG if they are debating carrying Rupes.

With soft paint and curvy body panels, the Porsche won't be the best to test out heavy cutting. And I will likely have to use the 3401 for some parts. But I do have a swirled-to-hell black '11 Mustang GT with 42k miles the weekend after. Ford's ceramiclear should be hard enough that I can use some heavy cut on it.

My hypothesis:
This tool will not be beneficial to an amateur working on their own vehicle because of the cost of the machine and the proprietary items needed to reap its benefits.

~Travis

Because I have still not received the RUPES polishing liquids I felt that I shouldn't start this. However, there is a large group of detailers that are following a very different approach with the RUPES. Mainly using MF pads & MG SMAT compounds for correction with RUPES pads & other polishes for finishing or a 1 step. This group seems to be getting absolutely amazing results with this combination. Could the complete RUPES system truly outperform this combination? That, I cannot tell yet.

Today I was asked:

Travis, got any new input? TIA!

And in response, I answered:

here are the threads for the black mustang mentioned in the above post:
Thread:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...etail-trashed-black-11-mustang-41k-miles.html
Video Thread:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-detail-video-trashed-2011-mustang-black.html


While I didn't document this I tried a few spots of correction with the Flex 3401. Using MF pads & D300. With the same combination on the RUPES LHR21, the Flex could not finish down anywhere near as nice as the RUPES. It is my belief that had I used the Flex for compounding, this would have been a 3 step correction instead of a 2 step.

However, I still have not gotten my hands on the LHR15 or the RUPES polishing liquids despite trying for the past 4 months. I have been in contact with the 2 main distributors in attempts to get some. The current lack of distribution supports my hypothesis for now. My LHR15 should be shipping out any day now, so I could have it by late next week. There are a few cars lined up that would surely help in documenting the differences between the Flex & RUPES (especially a black Mercedes CL500 that may rival this Mustang). However, I no longer have my Porter Cable. A local well-known detailer does have a few Griots so perhaps he can lend me one for comparison.

I would also like the Griots 3in. buffer to try against the LHR75. The question here is: Is the LHR75 worth the extra $150? I can say with nearly 100% certainty that there is no better tool than the LHR75 for detailing motorcycles. But to the person who only details his own personal vehicles/bikes... is it worth the $150+ and the cost to set up a large capacity (well over 14gal) air compressor? That, I am not so certain of.
Harley Davidson Fat Boy 1/200 Skull Paint Set with EXO - YouTube

So far, my hypothesis remains:
This tool will not be beneficial to an amateur working on their own vehicle because of the cost of the machine and the proprietary items needed to reap its benefits.


To reach a personal conclusion i will need to do some more: :buffing::buffing::buffing::buffing:

 

[mjlinane]

Thanks for the info! Want one!! Two actually

 

[TrKent]

One thing to note, In the first quote I posted I mentioned the LC Hydrotech pads.

Conclusion on these pads: way too much vibration to be considered over the RUPES pads.

After using the RUPES Yellow pads on the Mustang, there is absolutely no reason to deal with the excessive vibration.
In this part of a video of a Cayman S, I am one-handing the LHR21 with the red Hydrotech. It is hard to tell from the video but the vibration was ridiculous, even when I used two hands.. With the Yellow RUPES pads I could one hand this with no vibration.
Dream Detail - Porsche Cayman S with EXO - YouTube

 

[FUNX650]

Because I have still not received the RUPES polishing liquids I felt that I shouldn't start this.

However, there is a large group of detailers that are following a very different approach with the RUPES. Mainly using MF pads & MG SMAT compounds for correction with RUPES pads & other polishes for finishing or a 1 step. This group seems to be getting absolutely amazing results with this combination.

There's always room for folks to think/act: 'Outside the Box'...IMHO. (M101, anyone)


Could the complete RUPES system truly outperform this combination? That, I cannot tell yet.

I'll ask: 'Will a person actually need the "complete Rupes-Sytem" for amazing results"?


So far, my hypothesis remains:
This tool will not be beneficial to an amateur working on their own vehicle because of the cost of the machine and the proprietary items needed to reap its benefits.

All it takes is one "amateur" (such as myself)...
With pocketsful of unlimited-discretionary-cash...
To tear asunder your above hypothesis...

Again, IMHO.



Bob

 

[TrKent]

All it takes is one "amateur" (such as myself)...
With pocketsful of unlimited-discretionary-cash...
To tear asunder your above hypothesis...

Again, IMHO.



Bob

Hmmm... perhaps the use of the word amateur is not right here. Thanks for the feedback. :xyxthumbs: Maybe i should change it to reading:

This tool will not be beneficial to a non-business owning DIY-er working on their own vehicle because of the cost of the machine and the proprietary items needed to reap its benefits.

I would consider myself still an amateur, still no official training. The main focus here I guess is the difference in cost.

 

[TrKent]

As for the other questions:

I'm definitely not limiting anyone to certain compounds, simply referring to what seems to be most widely used. I used FG400 in a few spots on the mustang. Corrected some RIDS more but finished down almost as nice as the D300.

So far it appears that the complete RUPES system is not needed to create great results. Is it needed to reap all of the benefits though? :dunno:

 

[2old2change]

Would you happen to have any Buff & Shine foam pads to compare to the Rupes pads ? Have seen a few comments that they are either the same or very similar.

 

[TrKent]

Would you happen to have any Buff & Shine foam pads to compare to the Rupes pads ? Have seen a few comments that they are either the same or very similar.

Don't have any of those. Does AG carry them? if not send me a link through PM where I can get some.

 

[FUNX650]

Hmmm... perhaps the use of the word amateur is not right here. Thanks for the feedback. :xyxthumbs:

^^^You're Welcome!!^^^


Maybe i should change it to reading:

This tool will not be beneficial to a non-business owning DIY-er working on their own vehicle because of the cost of the machine and the proprietary items needed to reap its benefits.

IMHO...This is still implying a "class system"
Do folks say: "Not everyone can afford a Flex and other items...whether they're proprietary or not"??

The main focus here I guess is the difference in cost.

Here is a thread I just started about the RUPES, trying to focus more on reviewing the polisher and comparison to others.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/58862-ongoing-rupes-review-all-opinions-welcome.html

The ultimate goal of this thread will be to determine whether the price of the RUPES is worth it to the person who only details their own cars.

From reading these two red-bolded statements, again and again, I've reached this conclusion:
-First time I've read a products/tools review that is apt to become discriminatory against a person for not allegedly
having the proper income level; or, that their personal vehicles are not deserved of such products/tools.

Just my point of view.



Bob

 

[TrKent]

Bob,
To further refine what the information i'm looking for would be to acknowledge that yes, I am looking at a person on a budget who is not sure whether they want to pony up the extra cash for this product. It's not discriminatory.

Does the extra cost provide extra results?

Are those extra results worth the extra to those on the fence about the extra expense?

If you have all the cash in the world to buy every single machine out there, then sure go ahead and buy it. I hear a lot of people talking about the extra expense of this machine and would like to acknowledge that while also getting information from many other people on what they are finding.

For a quick demonstration of what I mean:
Griot's 3in: $95 + electricity

RUPES LHR75
& air compressor to run it: $259 + $500 (or more) + more electricity

That equates to a tremendous price difference for anyone, no matter what "class" they may be in.

Does everyone buy Swissvax Crystal Rock? No, not even I am in that "class" to justify the extra expense for what may not be extra end results.

 

[g26er]

I think it's fairly easy to understand the point he is trying to make with his reviews. :dunno:

I really appreciate TrKent's efforts to share his findings with everyone!

 

[Rockeey]

From reading these two red-bolded statements, again and again, I've reached this conclusion:
-First time I've read a products/tools review that is apt to become discriminatory against a person for not allegedly
having the proper income level; or, that their personal vehicles are not deserved of such products/tools.

Just my point of view.



Bob

I do not infer from TrKent’s comments that he is suggesting I may somehow be precluded from owning a Rupes based on financial status or detailing expertise. My understanding is that he is attempting to make basic observations relative to whether the machine is capable of producing the type of “better” results that would justify the additional cost.

For example, I own an inexpensive DA and have been entertaining the thought of purchasing a Flex 3401. However, as of this writing, I am balking at making the purchase simply because I have read nothing that indicates the Flex will produce “better” results. Rather, the consensus seems to be that the only benefit to owning the Flex is achieving comparable results in less time. Since time is of little concern to me, the extra cost is not justified.

Same thing here. It would be a strange and unlikely presumption for TrKent to suggest that only a certain “class” of people are worthy to own the product. I could be wrong but I'm just not seeing his analysis going in the same direction you see it going in. Just my .02.

Looking forward to his findings since I would consider going the Rupes route rather than the Flex route if the Rupes can somehow produce "better" results.

 

[TrKent]

Thanks g26er & Rockeey, I'm glad you understand where I am going with this.

 

[Rsurfer]

TrKent
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Dulles, VA
Posts: 260

Hope you can answer this question as no one seems to want to answer this question..what happens when you need warranty work? Send it to Italy for a round trip? Italians vrs. Germans (Rupes vrs. Flex)

 

[g26er]

TrKent
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Dulles, VA
Posts: 260

Hope you can answer this question as no one seems to want to answer this question..what happens when you need warranty work? Send it to Italy for a round trip? Italians vrs. Germans (Rupes vrs. Flex)

If you want to buy one from Kevin Brown, shoot him an email and ask him. I don't want to speak on his behalf in case anything has changed and I don't want to put words in someones mouth, but I think you would be totally happy with his answer.

 

[TrKent]

Hope you can answer this question as no one seems to want to answer this question..what happens when you need warranty work? Send it to Italy for a round trip? Italians vrs. Germans (Rupes vrs. Flex)

Very good question to throw into the mix. :xyxthumbs:

This was just posted on Kevin Brown's Facebook:
"Rupes is overflowing. Parts, pads & machines are shoehorned into every nook, cranny & corner of this 43,500 square inch facility..!"

 

[2old2change]

TrKent
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Dulles, VA
Posts: 260

Hope you can answer this question as no one seems to want to answer this question..what happens when you need warranty work? Send it to Italy for a round trip? Italians vrs. Germans (Rupes vrs. Flex)

From the info listed on the company website I don't think there are any authorized repair companies in the US as of yet. Just three points of sales so far.Maybe this is the time for some deep pockets to seize this business opportunity.

 

[fenderpicks]

i cant decide on the 15 or 21!?!?!??!

 

[TrKent]

i cant decide on the 15 or 21!?!?!??!

If the 15 was out before I ordered the 21, I would have gone with that. The 21, with the large orbit and 6.5 pads covers an area that is pretty much too large for most modern cars besides the roof.

 

[g26er]

If the 15 was out before I ordered the 21, I would have gone with that. The 21, with the large orbit and 6.5 pads covers an area that is pretty much too large for most modern cars besides the roof.

Really? What about the smaller 15 backing plate on the 21? Do you think the orbit would be too large for the 5.5" pads?