Rupes Mille vs 3401 - UPDATED Thoughts

[TTQ B4U]

So after my Initial Thoughts were less than impressive based on using the Mille vs my Flex 3401 I sat back and looked at what the options were. After sinking $400 into it I had no choice but to try the Rupes Pads in order to see if it would be less grabby and more to my liking. I ordered 6 of the Rupes Mille Ultra Fine White Foam Pad - 5.5" and 6 Rupes Mille Fine Yellow Foam Pad - 5.5" Today I had an opportunity to corrected a badly sun damaged and swirled out BMW M5 that had 15 years of Sunshine life in Florida and decided to incorporate both the Flex 3401 with LC Purple and Blue wool pads and the Rupes Mille with white polishing pads.

What I found is the Rupes did indeed RUN SMOOTHER and not at all grabby with their polishing pads. Contrast this to running it last week with the LC Hybrid Force Pads where it wasn't much different than my Flex 3401. It works just fine with them mind you, but it was not as smooth nor easy at I had hoped.

So now in the end, hindsight 20/20, as a Flex User, I should have just stayed with that system and not had to re-invest in the Rupes Pad System. However, thinking it through I'm glad I stayed with the Flex for a couple reasons.

• Trying something new never hurts.
• I have my Mille set up to run 5.5" pads where on the Flex I run 6" Pads
• The Mille has a smaller orbit and while it's only 3mm smaller it's VERY Noticable and allows me to get just about right up against any trim or moldings whereas the Flex with Hybrid Force Pads is no where near as easy to finesse into these areas
• The Mille runs in the opposite direct which I found helped give my arms a rest. Compounding in one direction and controlling the force one way, then switching to the opposite hand grip and rotation kept me feeling fresh through the polishing phase.

Other points worth noting about the Mille are that it is quieter than the Flex. I've not measured decibels between the two but it is less harsh sounding at least. My point about it being "taller" still stands as does my opinion on the other ergonomics of the unit pointed out in the previous thread. All in all it's not a perfect unit and again, I still give a big edge to the Flex 3401 overall, I still find the Mille Enjoyable now and a tool that I will keep in my cabinet.

 

[TTQ B4U]

As a further follow up, I jumped in a bit deeper and ordered up a couple of the 5.5" Rupes Coarse Wool Pads to pair up with CarPro Clear Cut. Normally I do all my cutting with LC Purple Wool and Clear cut the Flex 3401 so I'm interested to see if with their wool pad on the Mille if I can get a bit more efficiency out of things. It does spin faster and has more orbits and thus if I can save even one pass or get better corrections on the passes I do make, combined that could translate into measurable savings which equals time which equals money!

I also added in some of their UltraFine Polish to pair up with the White Polish pads. After using clear cut and purple wool there's hardly any hazing but it's still there and just a few passes with a polish brings everything to perfection. Curious to see how their polish performs against the likes of Gyeon's Primer and CarPro's Essence. The latter has some fillers which I love having as on dark colors it really creates some depth. That said, I'm always looking at refining things through better products.

 

[Kamakaz1961]

Thank you for your update on the comparison. I am a Flex 3401 user and love it. I put ear plugs in when I am using that DA. But I used it last night on a very scratched up MB 300 and IMO no other DA could have repaired it as quick as the Flex. But that being said, IMO the Flex is loud henceforth,, ear plugs. When I use my mini/LSP DA the PC7424XP I use no ear plugs.

The Flex 3401 is sledge hammer and just corrects like crazy.

Again, thank you for your opinon.

 

[SWETM]

If you did not have any of them before. Which one do you hold on to between the 3401vrg and Mille if you where to chose? Or it's maybe to soon to tell till you have tested compounding with the mille too.

 

[java]

Have you tried the Rupes pads on the Flex, to see if there any improvements?

 

[joleyred]

I always use earplugs with my 3401 too. It's very noisy and my ears ring if I don't use hearing protection. I am still in the learning phase with the Mark II. I think I prefer the forced rotation. If I don't hold the Rupes just right, it stalls. You've gotta be on your toes, for sure.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[TTQ B4U]

If you did not have any of them before. Which one do you hold on to between the 3401vrg and Mille if you where to chose? Or it's maybe to soon to tell till you have tested compounding with the mille too.

No need for me to wait. I would choose the flex. Ergonomics are better. That said some users might not like the reverse rotation. My plan is to use them both.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 8 using Tapatalk

 

[TTQ B4U]

Today I dove a bit deeper into the Rupes System as I've committed to giving the Mille a good workout. Ordered up the Rupes UHS Easy Gloss system including 6 of the 6" pads. So far for my one-step polish jobs that require the removal of say medium level swirls I'm using Meg's Ultimate Polish and either a green or orange LC Hybrid Pad on my Flex. I used to do a lot of AIO jobs but with Gyeon CanCoat I've all but eliminated them so now I'm interested in seeing if the UHS Polish and Pads can make my life a bit easier and yield as good if not better results.

 

[JustJesus]

The UHS is pretty good. I started with a pad or two and a smaller bottle. Shortly after trying it a couple of times, I bought the 1L bottle and more pads.

 

[jjackkrash]

What size wool pads fit and what size do I want to use with the Mille for 20" ski boat? I am about to place an order. Thanks.

 

[TTQ B4U]

What size wool pads fit and what size do I want to use with the Mille for 20" ski boat? I am about to place an order. Thanks.

You can run either the 5.5 or 6.5" Personally I went 5.5 as I already have 6.5's on my flex and wanted to keep the Mille Smoooother and more efficient in terms of cutting speed.

 

[jjackkrash]

The online store here has 6" and 7" wool pads for Rupes, so 6" would would best you think?

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

You can run either the 5.5 or 6.5" Personally I went 5.5 as I already have 6.5's on my flex and wanted to keep the Mille Smoooother and more efficient in terms of cutting speed.

With forced rotation, a bigger pad will cut faster than a smaller pad. FYI, the Mille has a 5mm throw, not 3.

Sent from my LG-H932 using Autogeekonline mobile app

 

[TTQ B4U]

FYI, the Mille has a 5mm throw, not 3.

Check. I noted it's 3mm smaller....than the 8mm throw on the Flex. Although IIRC I think the mille is a 5.5mm throw as noted in the Flex learning center vids.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Check. I noted it's 3mm smaller....than the 8mm throw on the Flex. Although IIRC I think the mille is a 5.5mm throw as noted in the Flex learning center vids.

Whoops, my fault.

 

[TTQ B4U]

My Rupes Mille will be moving into my first-place spot

Another update as my use of the Rupes Mille Continues.

Good news is that I honestly have come nearly a full 180* on my thoughts about the Mille. I have absolutely found the RUPES Pads are the difference maker here. If you own a Mille or are looking to buy one, get the pads to be 100% satisfied. I have all of them now and have used the Yellow and White on recent details and the difference between them and the Lake Country and other pads is night and day. They did do a great job pairing the two.

I am now at the point since I've used the Mille on my last two jobs that it's going to be my go-to polisher vs my Flex units. I love my 3401's and ergonomically they are better, but the Mille is noticeably quieter and with the Rupes Pads, it is noticeably smoother too. Just feels way more precise if that makes sense. The Flex is definitely a "beast" but the Mille is one also. I'm a gun guy so it's like firing a nice pistol with a suppressor and a red dot vs no suppressor and some good old fashion fiber optics sights.

I will say however, the Rupes also feels like it corrects much faster. The rotational speed side by side is faster full-on with Speed 6. I even found myself dialing it back to speed 5 for even more control and yet still amazing correction speed. On the STi I corrected, it was me and friend using both units and while I was much more skilled in terms of using both and it was his first time using a Flex vs a traditional DA, I was 1 to 1.5 panels ahead after working on the sides together. I think Joe from NextLevel said it best that the Mille is a "swirl eraser" as I found that to be so true. It more precisely erasers swirls vs brutally removing them.

More thoughts to come but I did want to share my updates as I'm sure I'm not the only Flex User wondering if there indeed is something better out there. I have two 3401's that both get a lot of use, one more than the other, so now my only long long term thoughts will be on durability down the road. I hope the Rupes lasts as long and does as well durability wise as my Flex units have. Time will tell.

Thanks for reading!

 

[Ronin47]

I stated 9 months ago the Mille corrects faster than the 3401 and runs smoother, cooler etc. Wait till you get more hours behind it and that difference will grow larger.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I stated 9 months ago the Mille corrects faster than the 3401 and runs smoother, cooler etc. Wait till you get more hours behind it and that difference will grow larger.

I'm not sure about running cooler though. Maybe on the paint surface..... Perhaps it's that on Mille I find the better grip for me is to cup my hand around the base vs using the palm grip that to me is too narrow. That's part of what I mean with ergonomics in that the grip on the flex is flat, wider and more easily used and comfortable. I just can't find myself using the one on the Mille as much for that reason.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Re: My Rupes Mille will be moving into my first-place spot

Another update as my use of the Rupes Mille Continues.

Good news is that I honestly have come nearly a full 180* on my thoughts about the Mille. I have absolutely found the RUPES Pads are the difference maker here. If you own a Mille or are looking to buy one, get the pads to be 100% satisfied. I have all of them now and have used the Yellow and White on recent details and the difference between them and the Lake Country and other pads is night and day. They did do a great job pairing the two.

I am now at the point since I've used the Mille on my last two jobs that it's going to be my go-to polisher vs my Flex units. I love my 3401's and ergonomically they are better, but the Mille is noticeably quieter and with the Rupes Pads, it is noticeably smoother too. Just feels way more precise if that makes sense. The Flex is definitely a "beast" but the Mille is one also. I'm a gun guy so it's like firing a nice pistol with a suppressor and a red dot vs no suppressor and some good old fashion fiber optics sights.

I will say however, the Rupes also feels like it corrects much faster. The rotational speed side by side is faster full-on with Speed 6. I even found myself dialing it back to speed 5 for even more control and yet still amazing correction speed. On the STi I corrected, it was me and friend using both units and while I was much more skilled in terms of using both and it was his first time using a Flex vs a traditional DA, I was 1 to 1.5 panels ahead after working on the sides together. I think Joe from NextLevel said it best that the Mille is a "swirl eraser" as I found that to be so true. It more precisely erasers swirls vs brutally removing them.

More thoughts to come but I did want to share my updates as I'm sure I'm not the only Flex User wondering if there indeed is something better out there. I have two 3401's that both get a lot of use, one more than the other, so now my only long long term thoughts will be on durability down the road. I hope the Rupes lasts as long and does as well durability wise as my Flex units have. Time will tell.

Thanks for reading!

Is this with non-rupes polishes?

 

[TTQ B4U]

Re: My Rupes Mille will be moving into my first-place spot

Is this with non-rupes polishes?

No. I've used CarPro Essence, Gyeon Primer, Meg's Ultimate Polish so far. I've yet to really "use" the Rupes Polishes. I do plan to. I'm going to use their UltraFine Polish on their white pads for my car prior to re-coating it. I'm also planning on the UHS System for two upcoming details that are what I would define as Medium Swirls. To much for a polish but not so bad I need to compound and two-step if I can avoid it. One is on a hard GM Vette paint, the other on a Tesla S.

I did do a test spot of their ultrafine vs essence and it did appear to have a bit more clarity. One other finding is that with Essence on their yellow pads the work time was much better than the flex with a white pad. I think it's a combination of the pad and less heat.