Rupes Bigfoot and Menzerna FG 400

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Mastercraft241

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I've always been into detailing, for the most part boats. Recently got into detailing friends cars on the weekdend for some side money. Initially bought the portercable 7424XP but the vibration was so unbearable i put it down and started using my Makita. I've done a couple cars, enough to afford the Rupes Bigfoot. After some research it seems the FG400 would be the best bang for the buck, as well as the best 1 step compound. Question is, without spending $600 on the rupes delux system, what pads should I buy to use with the FG400 as well as to use with the wolfgang/pinnacle swirl remover and finishing polish(already in stock). I assume I'll need to buy 3 pads. I already have the Megiuars pad cleaning bucket with the pad rejuvenator. I placed a order for the $600 rupes system but I'm going to end up canceling it as i didn't realize there was a 1 step system until i read about the FG400. I have 6 more cars lined up for the next 2 weekends so I'm assuming I'll need to order at leas the 48oz FG400 (8oz per car as per the demonstration).
 
I would get MF pads and some D300 ever paint is not the same. I use FG400 for one steps all the time but I use D300 on soft paint finishes down better for me and then I follow up with a foam pad and SF 4000 or 4500.
 
cleanmycorolla said:
IMO you'll need more than 3 pads for a car.
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I meant 3 different types of pads, apologies. I'm looking for a good 1 step starter combo with the lhr21. Ill always have the Wolfgang Puck and Pinnicale. I guess the question is rupe pads would I use with these set ups:(1) FG400 (2) swirl remover (Pinnicale and Wolfgang) (3) finishing polish (Pinnicale and Wolfgang). Ideally I'd like to be under $500 for the machine and pads. Like I said before I initially bought the $600 rupe kit but kind of backed off when I realized 1 steps were available with just as impressive results.
 
I like using the mf pads on the rupes and the fg400 with great results.
 
From personal experience, the Rupes is the best investment you will make if you have multiple paint correction in a small window and would rather a free spindle rather than forced rotation (like the Flex).

I agree that you will need multiple pads, and I would encourage you to get the 5" backing plate and some pads for it as well. The microfiber pad and FG400 is going to give you some very nice results, especially on hard paints or heavy neglect. If the scratching/hazing is light to moderate or dealing with soft"ish" paint, you will have a blast with the Rupes yellow and the PF2500. I did a review on the product a while back and fully corrected (to 90%) a 2010 Range Rover this past weekend using that combination.

As far as 8oz/correction..... hmmmmm! I don't think I ever used that much product, but never checked either. As for the multiple pads, if you want to roll, you will need 3 pads per colors (cutting, polishing) and 1 for waxing (unless you wax by hand.... I love to seal by machine and wax by hand)

Can you accomplish the same with 1-2 pads?? If you are not in a rush and can clean and let dry, and then come back to your work, then the answer is yes. If you are trying to correct in less than 4 hrs, then multiple pads is the only way to go.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/60584-review-menzerna-pf2500.html

P.S. If you want to see the Range Rover's results (Rupes w/ PF2500) I can post a pic or my FB page should have the pics over the next couple of days.
 
Dr_Pain said:
From personal experience, the Rupes is the best investment you will make if you have multiple paint correction in a small window and would rather a free spindle rather than forced rotation (like the Flex).

I agree that you will need multiple pads, and I would encourage you to get the 5" backing plate and some pads for it as well. The microfiber pad and FG400 is going to give you some very nice results, especially on hard paints or heavy neglect. If the scratching/hazing is light to moderate or dealing with soft"ish" paint, you will have a blast with the Rupes yellow and the PF2500. I did a review on the product a while back and fully corrected (to 90%) a 2010 Range Rover this past weekend using that combination.

As far as 8oz/correction..... hmmmmm! I don't think I ever used that much product, but never checked either. As for the multiple pads, if you want to roll, you will need 3 pads per colors (cutting, polishing) and 1 for waxing (unless you wax by hand.... I love to seal by machine and wax by hand)

Can you accomplish the same with 1-2 pads?? If you are not in a rush and can clean and let dry, and then come back to your work, then the answer is yes. If you are trying to correct in less than 4 hrs, then multiple pads is the only way to go.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/60584-review-menzerna-pf2500.html

P.S. If you want to see the Range Rover's results (Rupes w/ PF2500) I can post a pic or my FB page should have the pics over the next couple of days.
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Ok so im pricing it out and it roughly the same as gettnig the whole rupes system. 32oz of pf2500, 32oz of FG400 (pf2500 for soft paints, FG400 for harder paints), 3 yellow pads, a 21lhr Rupes, if someone can link me to mf pad I'll be all set. Do they make it in 7"?
 
Dr_Pain said:
From personal experience, the Rupes is the best investment you will make if you have multiple paint correction in a small window and would rather a free spindle rather than forced rotation (like the Flex).

I agree that you will need multiple pads, and I would encourage you to get the 5" backing plate and some pads for it as well. The microfiber pad and FG400 is going to give you some very nice results, especially on hard paints or heavy neglect. If the scratching/hazing is light to moderate or dealing with soft"ish" paint, you will have a blast with the Rupes yellow and the PF2500. I did a review on the product a while back and fully corrected (to 90%) a 2010 Range Rover this past weekend using that combination.

As far as 8oz/correction..... hmmmmm! I don't think I ever used that much product, but never checked either. As for the multiple pads, if you want to roll, you will need 3 pads per colors (cutting, polishing) and 1 for waxing (unless you wax by hand.... I love to seal by machine and wax by hand)

Can you accomplish the same with 1-2 pads?? If you are not in a rush and can clean and let dry, and then come back to your work, then the answer is yes. If you are trying to correct in less than 4 hrs, then multiple pads is the only way to go.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/60584-review-menzerna-pf2500.html

P.S. If you want to see the Range Rover's results (Rupes w/ PF2500) I can post a pic or my FB page should have the pics over the next couple of days.
Click to expand...
Ok perfect found everything... ordered the PF2500 and FG400 with the 6 microfiber pads and 6 yellow rupes pads, 3 for the 5" and 3 6.5"! Thanks for everything guys! Hopefully this will be a killer set up! Attached is my first detail with the porter cable 7424xp and 3 step pinnicale. Took 14 hours. Hopefully the lhr21 and menzerna set up with provide equally good results in much less time!
 
Very nice work! You will be surprised how fast the Rupes corrects. Make sure to do a couple of test spots and have fun.

The VIP Rupes package offers you the versatility of having the 6" and teh 5" backing plate, and does have decent compounds. I seriously love the detailing bag and those pads are awesome. Make sure you prime them well. It took only a few minutes to get use to the throw and once you are use to it, you will have a hard time going back to your PC (in my case my GG6). I did have to slow the speed of the machine a bit for correction but after the first hood, I was able to rock and roll!

BTW, here is a single step correction with the Menz 2500
560536_484280128301033_938738865_n.jpg
 
Oops..... The Rupes 21 VIP was last week's VIP. Don't forget to get the 5" backing plate (which I use for my collection of LC flat pads and my MF pads)
 
OK guys, i did half my hood with the mf pad and fg400. I put 3 dime size dots on the pad, primed it with a litle water. Then put an additional 3 dime size dots for the buffing (half the hood). It seemed as if it dried out pretty quick. I was spinning on "4" on the bigfoot. I cant seem to find what number stands for what rpm. Do I have to use more product? Maybe 5 dime size dots for half the hood? What "number" means what "rpm" on this machine? Attached is a picture.
 
Menzerna doesn't recommend using water to prime the Pad, you're just watering the compound and lower it's potential abrasiveness . And half a hood is way to big. Just use 40cm by 40 cm squares and 4 dots for the first pass, after that u can use 2 per square.
 
Mastercraft241 said:
OK guys, i did half my hood with the mf pad and fg400. I put 3 dime size dots on the pad, primed it with a litle water. Then put an additional 3 dime size dots for the buffing (half the hood). It seemed as if it dried out pretty quick. I was spinning on "4" on the bigfoot. I cant seem to find what number stands for what rpm. Do I have to use more product? Maybe 5 dime size dots for half the hood? What "number" means what "rpm" on this machine? Attached is a picture.
Click to expand...

You need to prime the MF pad with product not water and keep the pad clean.Here take a lot at this thread.

How to use Meguiar's DA Microfiber correction - Autopia Forums - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum
 
Pureshine said:
You need to prime the MF pad with product not water and keep the pad clean.Here take a lot at this thread.

How to use Meguiar's DA Microfiber correction - Autopia Forums - Auto Detailing & Car Care Discussion Forum
Click to expand...

Malborex said:
Menzerna doesn't recommend using water to prime the Pad, you're just watering the compound and lower it's potential abrasiveness . And half a hood is way to big. Just use 40cm by 40 cm squares and 4 dots for the first pass, after that u can use 2 per square.
Click to expand...
Thanks guys, Ill try that since I really only did 4 dots did a pass, 2 more dots and did a pass. Ill try the same method on a lot smaller area. My next question is what "number" is the what "rpm" on the bigfoot? I cannot find that infor anywhere
 
Mastercraft241 said:
Thanks guys, Ill try that since I really only did 4 dots did a pass, 2 more dots and did a pass. Ill try the same method on a lot smaller area. My next question is what "number" is the what "rpm" on the bigfoot? I cannot find that infor anywhere
Click to expand...

speed 4-5 you don't need anything higher than that with MF pads.
 
Pureshine said:
speed 4-5 you don't need anything higher than that with MF pads.
Click to expand...
Pureshine,

Its just not cutting enough with the MF pad.... maybe im doing something wrong? Can i use a yellow rupes pad or a white lake country pad? May not using enough product (3 dime size drops for 2x2 area on 4 with the rupes. Im making very very slow passes.
 
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