Polisher choices? New guy. Rupes Mini?

[Boejoula]

Ok so I will do my best to help you narrow this down with my best unbiased, biased, opinion lol.

I personally do not like the Porter Cable, or any of the free spinning DA's. At my job we are given tools and chemicals. We are now using the Flex 3401 and I do love it for many reasons. In my opinion, it cuts better. I like the forced rotation and 6" back plate.

A co-worker bought a Porter Cable and I tried it out. Way more vibration than the flex. Too much pressure would cause the back plate to stop spinning. Also, the fact that there was no "rear handle" drove me crazy being used to the flex. We have aquired another free spinning DA that closely resembles the 3401 in shape/size. It has no name on it so I'm not sure what it is. I still like the flex better.

I believe that you can achieve great results with a Porter Cable and for how much use it will get, it should last you years. A smaller unit would be useful for getting into smaller places but if this isn't making you money, it doesn't make sense. It will take twice as long to get the job done which will put twice the strain on the unit. You can wax/seal the smaller areas by hand so how much use are you really going to get from having the smaller unit?

 

[ski2]

Is there any disadvantage to a long throw like the G15?

The only disadvantage is that you can't do all the tight areas thus the suggestion getting the Harbor Freight. The G15 is a pleasure to use because it is so smooth and if you're using pads designed for long throw machines it doesn't eat pads.

I have a GG6 and have used a PC and to me there is no difference in the amount of vibration, but the GG6 doesn't stall on curved panels like the PC and the GG6 has the lifetime warranty.

Even if you're just polishing you'd appreciate the smoothness of the G15.

 

[AdminAdmin is verified member.]

You can pick the GG6 up for about $110 from Advance Auto

That would be a great thing to share on the Advanced Auto Detailing Discussion Forum.

you could pick up a Harbor Freight random orbital

That would be a great thing to share on the Harbor Freight Auto detailing discussion forum.


Neither of the two forums mentioned above exist.

That means the customer support for their products doesn't exist in the forum world. Autogeek.com provides this forum as a form of customer support to support the products sold on the Autogeek.com store.

Why would anyone tell people on this forum that have come here for help/support to go somewhere else to purchase their supplies? While your intentions are good it's poor etiquette and it's also against the forum rules.


Here's the forum rules that you're breaking when you post this type of information.

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:nomore:


Also - Autogeek offers price matching.

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If you find a product sold somewhere else for less money than it's offered on Autogeek.com simply contact Customer Care.

 

[DarrylR]

Thanks for posting this. I have a 2014 Toyota Venza and I’m in the same situation. I would likely do 1-3 cars a year and have never used any tool for the job. I almost jumped on the Flex deal a few days ago. The price isn’t a huge factor but certainly a consideration and based on comments here the PC may be all I need. And that picture of the before and after is amazing! I do find with all these options your head starts spinning as to what else is needed and I’m kicking my ass I didn’t grab the BOGO Uber compound deal.

 

[Ccrew]

Wow. Thanks for all the advice! The GG6 seems to be widely recommended for new guys. What concerns me about that one is the noise and vibration.

I find my Flex 3401 is noisier and has more gear clatter than my GG 6"

In my experience the GG6 with a 5" backing plate and thin pads can certainly stand it's ground to a Flex 3401 and a Rupes 15. It's not as fast, but can certainly get the job done - well. Mainly the reason coupled with the warranty that many of us recommend it.

That said, don't even think about the GG3. It makes a good wax applicator is about all.