Ongoing RUPES review - all opinions welcome!!

I haven't read through all the threads here, so I hope I'm not repeating someone else's concerns. I already have the flex 3401 and over 100 pads (lake country) along with my personal favorites of polishes and compounds.

From what I understand, in order to run the Rupes, you should have the the complete set. Rupes recommends that you use ONLY their pads and polishes for the machine, am I correct? With being true (if it is), I would need to invest in an arsenal of supplies in addition to what I use for my flex.

I detail 7 days a week all day long, so I'm not talking small inventory here. This is one of the factors preventing me into looking into the Rupes any further. I never liked products that insist that you must use their system with their tools in order to get the best (or perhaps void any warranty) results. To me, that is the down side of making this purchase.
 
scrubs147 said:
I haven't read through all the threads here, so I hope I'm not repeating someone else's concerns. I already have the flex 3401 and over 100 pads (lake country) along with my personal favorites of polishes and compounds.

From what I understand, in order to run the Rupes, you should have the the complete set. Rupes recommends that you use ONLY their pads and polishes for the machine, am I correct? With being true (if it is), I would need to invest in an arsenal of supplies in addition to what I use for my flex.

I detail 7 days a week all day long, so I'm not talking small inventory here. This is one of the factors preventing me into looking into the Rupes any further. I never liked products that insist that you must use their system with their tools in order to get the best (or perhaps void any warranty) results. To me, that is the down side of making this purchase.
Click to expand...

It's marketing. Of course they want you using they're products and pads, that's money in their pocket. The whole system was designed to be used together to achieve "optimum" results. However, if you read around, nearly everyone with the machine uses the products and pads that they prefer with outstanding results.
 
scrubs147 said:
I haven't read through all the threads here, so I hope I'm not repeating someone else's concerns. I already have the flex 3401 and over 100 pads (lake country) along with my personal favorites of polishes and compounds.

From what I understand, in order to run the Rupes, you should have the the complete set. Rupes recommends that you use ONLY their pads and polishes for the machine, am I correct? With being true (if it is), I would need to invest in an arsenal of supplies in addition to what I use for my flex.

I detail 7 days a week all day long, so I'm not talking small inventory here. This is one of the factors preventing me into looking into the Rupes any further. I never liked products that insist that you must use their system with their tools in order to get the best (or perhaps void any warranty) results. To me, that is the down side of making this purchase.
Click to expand...

I have limited experience with the Rupes 21,15,and air powered 75. On both soft and hard paints , a multiple of pads from various manufacturers were used with great results. I was given both micro fiber and foam pads to try and had no problems to speak of. After being able to try these machines a few times it won't be long before a 21 is sitting on my bench and the collection of pads I now have will work just fine.
 
scrubs147 said:
I haven't read through all the threads here, so I hope I'm not repeating someone else's concerns. I already have the flex 3401 and over 100 pads (lake country) along with my personal favorites of polishes and compounds.

From what I understand, in order to run the Rupes, you should have the the complete set. Rupes recommends that you use ONLY their pads and polishes for the machine, am I correct? With being true (if it is), I would need to invest in an arsenal of supplies in addition to what I use for my flex.

I detail 7 days a week all day long, so I'm not talking small inventory here. This is one of the factors preventing me into looking into the Rupes any further. I never liked products that insist that you must use their system with their tools in order to get the best (or perhaps void any warranty) results. To me, that is the down side of making this purchase.
Click to expand...
C'mon man, it's marketing. ;) We all know that isn't true, not even close!
 
Didn't feel like making a new thread so I'm bumping this.

Just received my Rupes 21 the other day. I also ordered the 5" backing plate. I noticed when I opened it up the 6" backing plate had an oily residue all over it, is this normal? I wasn't sure if it needed to be oiled or not, because my 5" backing plate has no trace of oil on it.

Also what size washer are you guys using for the washer mod? I was hoping I wouldn't have to trim the washer after I bought it.
 
Yes, there is some grease on top of the backing plate. You can just wipe it clean if you are doing the washer mod.

Finding a washer and grinding down the sides works best.

Lastly, IMO the best backing plate size for the Rupes is 5 3/8". Kevin Brown can make them to that size from the 6" backing plate. 5 3/8" gives you "to the edge" on MF pads, optimizing the support and utilizing the entire pad. 5 3/8" will also fit great on 5 1/2" pads and are a perfect fit on 6 1/2" LC Hybrid pads. Sure you need to be careful and not bump the pad against things like mirrors, but I love the fact that almost all 5.5" and 6.5" pads will work on my 5 3/8" backing plate.


KillaCam said:
Didn't feel like making a new thread so I'm bumping this.

Just received my Rupes 21 the other day. I also ordered the 5" backing plate. I noticed when I opened it up the 6" backing plate had an oily residue all over it, is this normal? I wasn't sure if it needed to be oiled or not, because my 5" backing plate has no trace of oil on it.

Also what size washer are you guys using for the washer mod? I was hoping I wouldn't have to trim the washer after I bought it.
Click to expand...
 
SonOfOC said:
Yes, there is some grease on top of the backing plate. You can just wipe it clean if you are doing the washer mod.

Finding a washer and grinding down the sides works best.

Lastly, IMO the best backing plate size for the Rupes is 5 3/8". Kevin Brown can make them to that size from the 6" backing plate. 5 3/8" gives you "to the edge" on MF pads, optimizing the support and utilizing the entire pad. 5 3/8" will also fit great on 5 1/2" pads and are a perfect fit on 6 1/2" LC Hybrid pads. Sure you need to be careful and not bump the pad against things like mirrors, but I love the fact that almost all 5.5" and 6.5" pads will work on my 5 3/8" backing plate.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info.
Did you use the 5/16" washer and trim it?
 
Yes, 5/16 washer. Use either a bench grinder on angle grinder. A file or Dremel will take a long time.
 
TL,DR...

Quick question: I know the Rupes will behave just like a normal DA and stop rotating under heavy pressure; however, I'm curious will it still stop rotating under pressure with the washer mod?
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
TL,DR...

Quick question: I know the Rupes will behave just like a normal DA and stop rotating under heavy pressure; however, I'm curious will it still stop rotating under pressure with the washer mod?
Click to expand...

It will and has for me. I did a test spot to see if there was a significant difference if I used less or more pressure. I've found that I do not have to add much pressure using this machine at all and the pad and product will do the work as you guide it along the panel in the respective passes.
 
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