Rupes 15 pads
- Thread starter Denali2011
- Start date
Denali2011
New member
- Aug 14, 2013
- 29
- 0
- Thread starter
- #22
Newbie question, I have always used MG MF pads and never have used any foam pads what's the major difference between the results of micro fiber vs foam ? I only use my stuff to detail my own cars so don't bash me to hard please haha
MF will give faster cutting (correction) and foam will polish down better (newbie too based on what I read. I use foam all the time, but yet to use MF).
I used LC 5.5" flat white pad with SF4500 this weekend with a Rupes 15 and was really impressed with it. Taking the pad off the Rupes BP was a pain compared to a LC BP.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 7
Good question by Denali2011 and great answer by rstark....
Here's my comment for what it's worth, notice how I word this as I'm always very careful with each word I post on a discussion forum.
Foam pads will finish down more consistently on a wider spectrum of paint systems than any "fiber" pad.
Fiber is and can be used as a mild form of an abrasive and so can foam. But with fiber pads, and it doesn't matter what the type, (think Wool buffing pads for a rotary buffer, that's a fiber pad, or Surbuf pads, or PFWs), as each of the individual fibers are being pushed against the paint and moved over it in some fashion, in and of themselves they can inflict their own mark.
Foam on the other hand offers a smooth, uniform surface.
Denali2011
New member
- Aug 14, 2013
- 29
- 0
- Thread starter
- #25
Good question by Denali2011 and great answer by rstark....
Here's my comment for what it's worth, notice how I word this as I'm always very careful with each word I post on a discussion forum.
Foam pads will finish down more consistently on a wider spectrum of paint systems than any "fiber" pad.
Fiber is and can be used as a mild form of an abrasive and so can foam. But with fiber pads, and it doesn't matter what the type, (think Wool buffing pads for a rotary buffer, that's a fiber pad, or Surbuf pads, or PFWs), as each of the individual fibers are being pushed against the paint and moved over it in some fashion, in and of themselves they can inflict their own mark.
Foam on the other hand offers a smooth, uniform surface.
So for correction I should use the mf and the foam pads for polishing or just stick to all foam ? Thanks for the reply mike have learned a lot from reading your write ups
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 7
Let me break your three questions up a little...
Kind of depends on what you're working on and what's working for you.
The Meguiar's Microfiber DA Correction System is a very well dialed-in system. It's primarily for use on factory baked on paints as there can be micro-marring, also called DA Haze, also called Tick Marks when this system is used on softer paints.
You won't know until you do some testing.
Plus they recently introduced their new D302 DA Microfiber Polish, which is designed to do a number of things and one of those is to finish out nicer on a wider spectrum of paint finishes using microfiber pads.
D302 DA Microfiber Polish
Foam is a tried and tested way that has a history of working on just about anything.
Thank you sir. For what it's worth, I tend to use mostly foam pads for all my detail work.
Kind of depends on what you're working on and what's working for you.
The Meguiar's Microfiber DA Correction System is a very well dialed-in system. It's primarily for use on factory baked on paints as there can be micro-marring, also called DA Haze, also called Tick Marks when this system is used on softer paints.
You won't know until you do some testing.
Plus they recently introduced their new D302 DA Microfiber Polish, which is designed to do a number of things and one of those is to finish out nicer on a wider spectrum of paint finishes using microfiber pads.
D302 DA Microfiber Polish
Foam is a tried and tested way that has a history of working on just about anything.
Thank you sir. For what it's worth, I tend to use mostly foam pads for all my detail work.
Denali2011
New member
- Aug 14, 2013
- 29
- 0
- Thread starter
- #27
Let me break your three questions up a little...
Kind of depends on what you're working on and what's working for you.
The Meguiar's Microfiber DA Correction System is a very well dialed-in system. It's primarily for use on factory baked on paints as there can be micro-marring, also called DA Haze, also called Tick Marks when this system is used on softer paints.
You won't know until you do some testing.
Plus they recently introduced their new D302 DA Microfiber Polish, which is designed to do a number of things and one of those is to finish out nicer on a wider spectrum of paint finishes using microfiber pads.
D302 DA Microfiber Polish
Foam is a tried and tested way that has a history of working on just about anything.
Thank you sir. For what it's worth, I tend to use mostly foam pads for all my detail work.
Any thought on what brand of foam pads to buy with the rupes I was thinking of going with LC but your the man would love you input for a newbie
Feed back please
Kitoy22
New member
- Aug 24, 2011
- 168
- 0
Hi Parttimer, did you experience premature breakage of your pads, when used with your rupes polisher?
Kitoy22
New member
- Aug 24, 2011
- 168
- 0
This what i use most of the time, since this system really saves me time and does the job as advertised. Just to help you identify a DA haze left by compounding with MF cutting pad, here is a pic of what mike is talking about.
This was done with a MF cutting pad and d300 at speed 4 in GG6
MF Finish by ej_bebe, on Flickr
and here is a close up shot
MF Finish Close Up by ej_bebe, on Flickr
Here is another shot compounding with a special foam pad and D300 in speed 5 and finished at speed 4 in GG6, less DA Haze
Spider Sandwhich Finish by ej_bebe, on Flickr
Up close
Spider Sandwhich Close up by ej_bebe, on Flickr
parttimer
Active member
- Aug 5, 2013
- 1,564
- 0
I've not had any issues running any pads on the Rupes as of yet. I have only used in on 5-6 autos/trucks so far but all my pads are still in good condition.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 7
I'm a systems guy, that means I tend to like to stay inside a system if a company has already invested time, research and money into dialing in a system.
Rupes has a great system and it includes their pads.
I've read other guys have had good luck using multiple different pads so maybe some others can chime in with their experience but to date I've pretty much used the Rupes polisher with the Rupes pads and polishes.
I have used the Rupes polisher and pads with Wolfgang Uber Compound and to date it's been a very good combination.
Some questions on Rupes 15 and 21:
1) What is the thread size of Rupes 15 and 21?
2) Common DA polisher like PC7424XP, we can change to different backing plate (brand, size 3", 4", 5", 6", etc) as long as the thread size is right. Can the Rupes 15 and 21 do the same? For instance has anyone see someone attach a 3" backing plate on a Rupes before?
1) What is the thread size of Rupes 15 and 21?
2) Common DA polisher like PC7424XP, we can change to different backing plate (brand, size 3", 4", 5", 6", etc) as long as the thread size is right. Can the Rupes 15 and 21 do the same? For instance has anyone see someone attach a 3" backing plate on a Rupes before?
As far as I know, you can't change the backing plate to another Vendor's BP. BP's from LC and others have the bolt on the BP that's permanent. The Rupes BP has a hole for a bolt with an Allen head.
You can change between Rupes brand BP though. I did read somewhere that you can use the Rupes 3" BP on the 15 or 21 ES polishers.
You can change between Rupes brand BP though. I did read somewhere that you can use the Rupes 3" BP on the 15 or 21 ES polishers.
The reason I asked my question (1) in my last post is because I never seen a Rupes personally before. But guessing from your reply here, I think my 1st question is not applicable to Rupes 15 and 21 because instead of using a screw like other common DA polisher does, Rupes 15 and 21 use allen bolt, am I right?
From your reply, that means anyone who is using a Rupes 15 or 21 is pretty much "lock" into the Rupes backing plate system? If the user wishes to change to another size backing plate, he has no choice but basically back to the catalog of Rupes to choose one from there only, am I right to say so?
KS_Detailing
New member
- Aug 13, 2013
- 649
- 0
During my time on AG I have always read that you can not put a 3" bp on a 15 or 21. Anyone have a pic of a 3" bp or can try it out? I was wondering the other day if you could put the 3" on the duetto.
Yes, Allen bolt, you are right. You are locked into the Rupes BP "system". Is that so bad? With the 5" BP, you can use many different pads if you want to. I used LC flat 5.5" while I was waiting for my 6" Rupes pads to come in. Now that they are here, I'm not sure what pad I'll be using since the 5.5" LC flat pads are doing very good and no extra vibration from them. Others use different vendor pads with great success. Using the Rupes pads is another highly rated option that many use with great success (along with Rupes polishes/compounds).
That was the case until the Rupes mini came out and made the Rupes 3" BP available. This should not be a problem for any Rupes ES or Duetto polisher (I believe) http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-3-inch-backing-plate.html
KS_Detailing
New member
- Aug 13, 2013
- 649
- 0
we need to find someone who has tried it out to get a confirmation
Agree, and I'd even go so far as to say that the allen bolt attachment method is more user friendly (easier access) than having to slide a low profile wrench into the gap between a base plate with an integrated attachment screw, and the housing. Plus with the Rupes, even with the washer mod, there isn't space for that.
On the small 3-4" pads and associated base plate, I believe the issue is more about balance (the counterweight is designed to counter the weight of the 5" backing plate and rupes pads for the 15 and the 6" backing plate and rupes pads for the 21).
Going to the 5" BP and non-rupes pads on the 21 still seems to have good balance, but going to a 3 or 4" (even if it screws into place) might stretch the balance margin too far and you'd need to also add different/lighter counterweights or it might run rough. The large-body machines might also feel awkward with such a small pad and be harder to control compared to a machine with a smaller body. Especially on non-horizontal or non-flat surfaces. Just guessing though.