Pondering the Rupes LHR 12E Duetto...

[BudgetPlan1]

...to supplement my GG6. The GG6 (with 5" BP) was a great first machine but thinking maybe the Duetto might be a smoother, more 'finesse' oriented machine for a garage hack like me. Don't do a lot of cars, mostly friends, neighbors for fun so don't really need a beast like the Flex.

I understand that the Rupes have somewhat of a learning curve, which will be fun figuring out, but will it be smoother than the GG6 and can I get the same kinda correction on troubled surfaces that I have had success with using Megs D300 & their microfiber cutting discs on the GG6? I didn't encounter any issues this summer that this combo couldn't resolve, albeit with finer polishing that followed the initial D300 step. From what I've read the Rupes is more about technique as opposed to force/pressure which would be an interesting change methinks.

Also, do you really have to buy into the Rupes as a system (pads/polishes)? Already have many products/pads (Men/WG compounds and polishes& LC/Megs Pads) that work with the GG6 that I'm kinda familiar with and wouldn't want to see go to waste.

Don't really have anywhere close that I could actually handle a Rupes to even see how it feels in my hands but after 6hrs or so (yeah, I can be kinda slow) the GG6 gets wearisome on vertical panels.

In no hurry as the hobbyist season is coming to a close here in NE Ohio...just looking for something new to play with next spring. The Kamikaze backing plates seem intriguing as well, although somewhat pricey.

Don't think I need to jump to something like the LHR 15 Mk II or the LHR 21 Mk II but the Duetto intrigues me for some reason.

Maybe I'm just bored of trying different products so I'm moving on to new machines...

Thanks for any input.

 

[DasBurninator]

I guess I don't see the spending the money on the Duetto when the LHR 15 mk2 isn't that much more expensive.

 

[custmsprty]

I love my Duetto and it's the first machine I grab.

I have an LHR15, GG6, G21, Duetto and Mini.

Why?

Because the Duetto is light, easy to manuever and super smooth. It's a one handed machine on vertical panels vs. two hands with the bigger machines. That's a major plus to me. It's a great addition to any arsenal. rops:

 

[Zubair]

I love my Duetto and it's the first machine I grab.

I have an LHR15, GG6, G21, Duetto and Mini.

Why?

Because the Duetto is light, easy to manuever and super smooth. It's a one handed machine on vertical panels vs. two hands with the bigger machines. That's a major plus to me. It's a great addition to any arsenal. rops:

As far as correction power where would you place the Duetto? More than the GG6 and less than the LHR15?

 

[HUMP DIESEL]

I am seriously thinking of getting one myself.

HUMP

 

[custmsprty]

The key thing with the Duetto is don't pick it up and use it like a PC. What I mean by that is no downward pressure is needed and it works against the machine. Let the large throw and easy flow do all the work for you. :buffing:

 

[custmsprty]

As far as correction power where would you place the Duetto? More than the GG6 and less than the LHR15?

I would be more inclined to answer that question based upon a product and pad combination, not really the machine itself. And those combinations are endless.

 

[BudgetPlan1]

I love my Duetto and it's the first machine I grab.

I have an LHR15, GG6, G21, Duetto and Mini.

Why?

Because the Duetto is light, easy to manuever and super smooth. It's a one handed machine on vertical panels vs. two hands with the bigger machines. That's a major plus to me. It's a great addition to any arsenal. rops:

When looking through the forums re: the topic, a few of your posts made the Duetto stand out. The smoothness, maneuverability and I *think* it's tendency not to stall as much as the LHR 15 with less than perfect technique were some of the points I noticed.

 

[custmsprty]

When looking through the forums re: the topic, a few of your posts made the Duetto stand out. The smoothness, maneuverability and I *think* it's tendency not to stall as much as the LHR 15 with less than perfect technique were some of the points I noticed.

I'm not saying it won't stall, LOL.

If that's a prequisite for you then get a 3401.

I personally don't have a 3401 and will most likely never buy a forced rotation machine.

But that's just me and my preference.

If I could have only two tools, for me it would the 1-2 combination of a Rupes Duetto and a Mini.

That being said, it's key to let the tool do the work. With the Rupes tools you're basically just their as an operator to guide the tool and let it's design do the work.

 

[Rod73]

My Duetto is really growing on me with experience. For someone who owns a Porter Cable as well, what was said about letting the Duetto do the work as opposed how you would work the Porter Cable is very true. I have the 4 standard foam pads for the Rupes that I use. So far I use primarily Menzerna polishes with it. Its what I had at the time and knew how the polished worked. The Menzerna polish with Rupes machine and pads has worked out just fine for me.

I have been curious of about what other polishes outside of Rupes have worked well with the machines, particularly 1 step type products and non diminishing abrasives.

 

[hi end auto]

i have both,both are great but the rupes is a superior machine,less vibration for example.if you want the duetto,get it and change the GG6 to 3 inch and you will have a killer combo!!!

 

[DasBurninator]

Because the Duetto is light, easy to manuever and super smooth. It's a one handed machine on vertical panels vs. two hands with the bigger machines. That's a major plus to me. It's a great addition to any arsenal. rops:

That is an interesting point and not something I really considered.

 

[The Guz]

My Duetto is really growing on me with experience. For someone who owns a Porter Cable as well, what was said about letting the Duetto do the work as opposed how you would work the Porter Cable is very true. I have the 4 standard foam pads for the Rupes that I use. So far I use primarily Menzerna polishes with it. Its what I had at the time and knew how the polished worked. The Menzerna polish with Rupes machine and pads has worked out just fine for me.

I have been curious of about what other polishes outside of Rupes have worked well with the machines, particularly 1 step type products and non diminishing abrasives.

Not really outside of the Rupes line but the UHS polishing compound and the UHS pad work very well as a 1 step. M205 on a Rupes green pad is another good combo depending on the paint hardness. M205 also works very well on the Rupes yellow foam pad.

Also, do you really have to buy into the Rupes as a system (pads/polishes)? Already have many products/pads (Men/WG compounds and polishes& LC/Megs Pads) that work with the GG6 that I'm kinda familiar with and wouldn't want to see go to waste.

You don't have to. There is no law saying you have to go with the entire Rupes system. But the pads and polishes were designed to work with their tools as a system.

I have used the Meguiar's foam discs on my LHR15 Mark II and they were ok. The tool does work better with the Rupes pads. Meguiar's compounds and polishes work great on the Rupes pads. But I do have the Rupes polishes as well and they work great with the Rupes pads.

 

[BudgetPlan1]

I'm not saying it won't stall, LOL.
machine.

Understood...Guessing poor techniques override machine abilities...will no doubt prove that during initial learning curve.

That being said, it's key to let the tool do the work. With the Rupes tools you're basically just their as an operator to guide the tool and let it's design do the work.

That's probably for the best in my garage.

Thanks to all for the comments so far.

Will say that it would be nice to use GG6 as dedicated 3" BP machine. Despite how easy it is to swap plates on GG6 it's still a bit of an interruption to the process.



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[custmsprty]

Understood...Guessing poor techniques override machine abilities...will no doubt prove that during initial learning curve.



That's probably for the best in my garage.

Thanks to all for the comments so far.

Will say that it would be nice to use GG6 as dedicated 3" BP machine. Despite how easy it is to swap plates on GG6 it's still a bit of an interruption to the process.



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Have you already used a 3" bp on your GG6?

 

[BudgetPlan1]

Have you already used a 3" bp on your GG6?

Yep...with LC flat pads. Will likely switch to thin pros going forward. at first I'd catch an edge, pad would 'bloom' and big mess. Learned that pretty quick.

Been an interesting 'season' for sure...but in the end very productive and entertaining. Looking for a bit more finesse going forward, hence the interest in upgrading from 'basic' GG6 although it has served me well and will continue to do so. For the money, hard to beat it and its results.

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[dlc95]

That's a tough call...

I'd be inclined to say that you're fine with what you have considering the situation you're in.

That's not to say that I don't love my Duetto, but I do use it to make money, and for me, it had to pay for itself.

I've used Meguiar's and Menzerna polishes on blue microfiber, yellow microfiber, and yellow foam pads.

Meguiar's M100, and M205 work great with their pads, I actually prefer them to the Rupes polishes!

If you think you want one though, you have to scratch that itch, otherwise you'll always wonder.

 

[custmsprty]

I'm partial to the HD Polish line up with my Duetto, especially HD Speed and HD Adapt (unfortunately discontinued)

 

[BudgetPlan1]

If you think you want one though, you have to scratch that itch, otherwise you'll always wonder.

Bingo!

Actually looking for a bit more finesse...and speed as well.

As an example, Menz 3500 with a LC White pad takes about 6-8 passes with the GG6 at a relatively slow arm speed to break it down completely, using moderate pressure at first, light pressure for final passes.

Wondering if a longer throw will decrease that a bit. Save 2-3 passes, use less pressure adds up over the course of a whole car; even more so if it's a 2 step deal or if finishing with Menz 3800 on a black or blue pad to try to eek out that last little bit of gloss/clarity on darker colors.

Will a Rupes 12 or 15 get that for me...and be smoother doing it.

Sometimes using the GG6 becomes a 'process' rather than an 'art' although I'm sure some can wield the GG6 in a truly artistic fashion.

Also point blank looking to speed up the entire process.

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[dlc95]

Bingo!

Actually looking for a bit more finesse...and speed as well.

As an example, Menz 3500 with a LC White pad takes about 6-8 passes with the GG6 at a relatively slow arm speed to break it down completely, using moderate pressure at first, light pressure for final passes.

Wondering if a longer throw will decrease that a bit. Save 2-3 passes, use less pressure adds up over the course of a whole car; even more so if it's a 2 step deal or if finishing with Menz 3800 on a black or blue pad to try to eek out that last little bit of gloss/clarity on darker colors.

Will a Rupes 12 or 15 get that for me...and be smoother doing it.

Sometimes using the GG6 becomes a 'process' rather than an 'art' although I'm sure some can wield the GG6 in a truly artistic fashion.

Also point blank looking to speed up the entire process.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk

That's all hard to say. For me anyways.

I've been actually short cycling M205 with results I've never experienced, or though possible. On the PC with my blue buff and shine pads, or the duetto with their yellow foam.

You might want to consider getting a couple yellow pads, and their Keramik polish. I've found it to give as good a result if not better than the Menzerna, and is a lot easier to work with - for me anyways. It feels like it breaks down a lot faster than Menzerna, has a longer working time, dusts less, and wipes off cleaner. Their Diamond, on white pads is also another lovely combo. Just be careful to under use it. Diamond is really concentrated, and over applying the polish doesn't remove as easliy. The gloss is absolutely gorgeous too. Keramik is really close, but Diamond gets the slight edge.

While I really like Buff and Shine, Lake Country, and Meguiar's pads in general, I really prefer Rupes pads on their machines, or at least pads made with their design in mind.

The Rupes gels are fantastic, but I have so much more time logged with Meguiar's that it's easy for me to swap out polishes.

As far as smoothness, I don't often feel the vibrations associated with the PC, but when I use the Duetto, I can tell that it's a purpose built, highly engineered, highly specialized machine.