Rupes Mille vs 3401 - UPDATED Thoughts

[TTQ B4U]

Had another detail where the Mille was my go-to unit. Tesla S correction involved both the Rupes UHS System and the Rupes Coarse Wool pads vs LC Blue and Purple wool. Here are my thoughts:

UHS SYstem.....Jury is out until after I use it on an upcoming BMW M5 that according to the owner just has mild swirls. We'll see. Here on the Tesla I did I was a bit put-off by it. Didn't cut nearly as much as I expected. I did the entire Passenger side with the Grey UHS Pads and their respective UHS product. Took about 6-7 passes at moderate speed to correct the vehicle to just about perfect. Not bad for a one-step but overall, not what I'm looking for. The other half I did with 3-4 passes of LC Blue/Purple wool with CarPro Clear Cut and got better correction in far less time. Especially since my arm speed can move up too. From there, it's a snap to make 2-3 quick passes with a white pad and polish. Sounds like the two should be a wash given two wipe-offs and still 6-7 total passes but it's not. I still moved faster with the two-step. and the wipe off of Essence is super easy.

Tomorrow I'm going to try a combo of pads including the UHS System but I also just picked up and recived a bottle of Sonax Cut & Finish. It supposidly cuts very well and finishes out the same. We'll see. Could be that I'm just ultra-spoiled using ClearCut and Wool. The only other downside to that combo that I'm hoping a one step will alleviate is the dusting. ClearCut doesn't dust as much when used with foam but on wool, just about anything dusts.

Another thing I tried with the Mille is the Rupes Coarse Wool Pad. It performed ok but here too, I won't likely be adding more than the two pads I have. LC Blue/Purple wool are EXCELLENT and not only cut better but finish out excellent too. They do reduce the smoothness of the Mille but it's still better than the Flex running those same pads and still, both combo's are easy for me to use.

Stay tuned for more.

 

[JustJesus]

Thanks for the continued updates. Although I don't see a Mille in my near future, it's nice to know what's going on, how it performs, and your combination of products on both machines. Thank you

 

[The Guz]

I wonder if the UHS isn't performing as well since the Mille was designed to work with the thinner Rupes pads.

 

[TTQ B4U]

I wonder if the UHS isn't performing as well since the Mille was designed to work with the thinner Rupes pads.

Not sure. Their site shows it's optimized for gear driven units so I would imagine they are referencing the MIlle while at the same time covering the Flex 3401. "The unique construction of the UHS foam was specifically chosen to work in conjunction with the UHS Easy Gloss polishing compound and on BigFoot Random Orbital or Triple Action polishing tools."

I see no reason why it would't work with the flex and given I have a smaller backing plate, I could try it on it. I'll find out more later and update this thread.

 

[JustJesus]

Not sure. Their site shows it's optimized for gear driven units so I would imagine they are referencing the MIlle while at the same time covering the Flex 3401. "The unique construction of the UHS foam was specifically chosen to work in conjunction with the UHS Easy Gloss polishing compound and on BigFoot Random Orbital or Triple Action polishing tools."

I see no reason why it would't work with the flex and given I have a smaller backing plate, I could try it on it. I'll find out more later and update this thread.

Interesting. UHS has been out for quite a while, but the Mille not so much.

And yes, it does work with the Flex. I've used it a couple of times. Most recently, like 2 weeks ago on a Porsche GT3 (black) for a test spot. It did pretty good and left a nice enough gloss.

 

[SWETM]

Thanks for shareing your experience and thoughts about the Mille. I have my thoughts on getting one.

How is it with the opm when switch to the smaller backing plate? Does it get you lower opm with direct-drivenDA?

 

[TTQ B4U]

Interesting. UHS has been out for quite a while, but the Mille not so much. And yes, it does work with the Flex. I've used it a couple of times. Most recently, like 2 weeks ago on a Porsche GT3 (black) for a test spot. It did pretty good and left a nice enough gloss.

I think I saw that thread. My guess is the pads would be a bit better overall if thinner but time will tell if they re-release them that way like they have done the blue, yellow and white.

Thanks for shareing your experience and thoughts about the Mille. I have my thoughts on getting one.
How is it with the opm when switch to the smaller backing plate? Does it get you lower opm with direct-drivenDA?

I am using the smaller backing plate and 5.5 pads. Haven't tried it with the larger backing plate as I have my Flex 3401 set up with the large plate so I can use both when/where needed.

 

[TTQ B4U]

Did a few test spots on the M5 that's here for detail. Good news is the Rupes UHS system works in one step. This will be a HUGE time saver on this one. I'll compound the hood and trunk with CarPro ClearCut and blue wool just because they are bad and need to be perfect. No need on the rest though.

I tested Sonax cut and finish with the UHS pads and it did great too but there a slight edge to the details with UHS in finishing out a bit better.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 8 using Tapatalk

 

[ttopak]

Did a few test spots on the M5 that's here for detail. Good news is the Rupes UHS system works in one step. This will be a HUGE time saver on this one. I'll compound the hood and trunk with CarPro ClearCut and blue wool just because they are bad and need to be perfect. No need on the rest though.

I tested Sonax cut and finish with the UHS pads and it did great too but there a slight edge to the details with UHS in finishing out a bit better.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 8 using Tapatalk

Hello my friend. I want to get a rupes mille. but I am hesitant because there are not many videos. Are you satisfied with rupes mille? Do you have the opportunity to test video and do yada mille while doing some practice? Does uhs cake work alone? Do uhs have cake picture?

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[TTQ B4U]

Hello my friend. I want to get a rupes mille. but I am hesitant because there are not many videos. Are you satisfied with rupes mille? Do you have the opportunity to test video and do yada mille while doing some practice? Does uhs cake work alone? Do uhs have cake picture?

HUAWEI RIO-L01 cihazımdan Tapatalk kullanılarak gönderildi

I "might" have some time today to set up a video and get it posted. The main reason I usually don't put so much in videos and pics is I'm on a schedule time-wise but I'll certainly look at trying for you.

The Rupes UHS System is a combination of their UHS One-Step Polish/product and their UHS Pad System. Photo wise, I'll final product results for sure. However, to compared Cut/Finish side by side with UHS in a photo, the differences won't likely show. It's subtle between the two and if I ran out of one, I'd use the other. That said, in person, there is a a slight finishing edge to the UHS Product over Sonax. Further comparisons will be done as Sonax may perform well with another pad or even with some of the hybrid force pads on my Flex. There's an opportunity for me to test that combo today too and I may. I think what you would notice most in the video is the sound of the Mille being different and no so harsh when compared to the Flex and Hopefully the difference in rotational speed will show. Now that I've used it for several corrections, when I flip back to the Flex, the rotational speed is noticeably slower. Partly due to the Set up I'm running is 5.5" pads on the Mille and 6.5" pads on the Flex but part is also to the fact that they are different.

For others, this is a case of where doing a test section with various products and pads certainly pays off as the various combos do play differently depending on the vehicles finish. UHS Did not play as well on the Tesla but here on the BMW it's a big winner.

Here are a couple "BEFORE" shots as of late day yesterday. The cell pics here actually look better than it is in person. I'll have more under controlled lighting later today when I'm done as part of my write up in the Show-N-Shine Section of the forum.

Photo 1
Photo 2

 

[mbpress01]

First thank you for your unbiased review of the various tools used in your detailing business.

Based on what you have written I have recently purchased 2 of the Rupes Mille and their pads (I already have 2 of the Flex 3401) and given that time is always an issue for me (and not being a detailing professional) I am constantly exploring the most efficient way to have great looking family cars with only a one step process and then a coating. Since I bought the Rupes Mille liquids my plan was to polish my Black Lexus GS350 with the Mille polishes (either fine or extra fine), then coat with Opti Gloss Coat. 2 years ago I used Flex with Menzerna SF3500 and then Opti Coat and the car looked excellent but I wanted a smoother tool since the Flex is beast and just beats my hands up terrible.

I was wondering if you have a preferred process for the Rupes Mille with CarPro Essence since that product combines a polish with a coating and that just seems to be an unbelievable combination, if I can dial it in right. I see you have used Essence with the Mille and any thoughts on technique (how many passes, tool speed, product usage) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for these amazing write-ups - they were very informative.

 

[ttopak]

First thank you for your unbiased review of the various tools used in your detailing business.

Based on what you have written I have recently purchased 2 of the Rupes Mille and their pads (I already have 2 of the Flex 3401) and given that time is always an issue for me (and not being a detailing professional) I am constantly exploring the most efficient way to have great looking family cars with only a one step process and then a coating. Since I bought the Rupes Mille liquids my plan was to polish my Black Lexus GS350 with the Mille polishes (either fine or extra fine), then coat with Opti Gloss Coat. 2 years ago I used Flex with Menzerna SF3500 and then Opti Coat and the car looked excellent but I wanted a smoother tool since the Flex is beast and just beats my hands up terrible.

I was wondering if you have a preferred process for the Rupes Mille with CarPro Essence since that product combines a polish with a coating and that just seems to be an unbelievable combination, if I can dial it in right. I see you have used Essence with the Mille and any thoughts on technique (how many passes, tool speed, product usage) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for these amazing write-ups - they were very informative.

Hello my friend. be good. Do you have a picture of rupes mille. Will you send it to me?

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[TTQ B4U]

I was wondering if you have a preferred process for the Rupes Mille with CarPro Essence since that product combines a polish with a coating and that just seems to be an unbelievable combination, if I can dial it in right. I see you have used Essence with the Mille and any thoughts on technique (how many passes, tool speed, product usage) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for these amazing write-ups - they were very informative.

With Essence on the Rupes White Pads, I've found the working time is great. Much much better than the Lake Country White Hybrid Force Pads. IMO since the pads are smaller, thinner and constructed differently, the advantage I see is the product/lubricants stay on the paint more vs soaking in and thus allows for a longer working time and less drying out. I'm also able to work larger areas at a time now too.

The amount of working time and passes is relative to the amount of polishing needed. YMMV depending on what combo of product you may have used prior to compound and thus the haze they may have left. On surfaces that are just being polished, I have found 3-5 passes is sufficient. There too however, it will depend on the vehicle and their paint system. Soft Honda paint is super easy, harder Ford F150 paint I've had to work longer to achieve top results.

On the Mille I ran essence at speeds 5-6. It's a polish so correction is what you're after and it's nice to see vs my previous combo on the Flex I can now run slightly higher speeds and get the job done quicker without issue.

 

[TheBigGuy]

The Mille is hands down much easier to use for me. It goes clockwise instead of counter clockwise, so you’re not wrestling with it half the time. The Rupes is also much easier on your hands.

 

[TheBigGuy]

Quick question: Don’t your earplugs make it boring? You ever try getting some wireless headphones and pair it to your phone?

 

[Rsurfer]

First thank you for your unbiased review of the various tools used in your detailing business.

Based on what you have written I have recently purchased 2 of the Rupes Mille and their pads (I already have 2 of the Flex 3401) and given that time is always an issue for me (and not being a detailing professional) I am constantly exploring the most efficient way to have great looking family cars with only a one step process and then a coating. Since I bought the Rupes Mille liquids my plan was to polish my Black Lexus GS350 with the Mille polishes (either fine or extra fine), then coat with Opti Gloss Coat. 2 years ago I used Flex with Menzerna SF3500 and then Opti Coat and the car looked excellent but I wanted a smoother tool since the Flex is beast and just beats my hands up terrible.

I was wondering if you have a preferred process for the Rupes Mille with CarPro Essence since that product combines a polish with a coating and that just seems to be an unbelievable combination, if I can dial it in right. I see you have used Essence with the Mille and any thoughts on technique (how many passes, tool speed, product usage) would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again for these amazing write-ups - they were very informative.

Since you have a 3401 that took care of the heavy work..why didn't you go with the Mark 11 15, instead of another forced rotation? IMO the Mark 11 finishes better than any forced rotation.

 

[oneheadlite]

Quick question: Don’t your earplugs make it boring? You ever try getting some wireless headphones and pair it to your phone?

They also have Bluetooth ear plugs (not ear muffs) that are awesome. Great noise reduction so you don’t need a lot of volume to hear what you’re listening to.

 

[DaveT435]

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.

For an all around polish combo I prefer the yellow. IMO the white is geared more toward really soft paint, again just my opinion. I love the yellow pad and polish. Decent cut and finishes great.

 

[TTQ B4U]

For an all around polish combo I prefer the yellow. IMO the white is geared more toward really soft paint, again just my opinion. I love the yellow pad and polish. Decent cut and finishes great.

Agree but when using ClearCut with Purple Wool all that's needed is the fine polish of a white pad with some Essence. Finishes out in just a few passes and with mirror like results. I could go yellow where needed but haven't needed to yet.

 

[TTQ B4U]

Since you have a 3401 that took care of the heavy work..why didn't you go with the Mark 11 15, instead of another forced rotation? IMO the Mark 11 finishes better than any forced rotation.

I won't go with a non-forced rotation unit. I see no issues with finishing on either unit and have zero interest in working with a unit that isn't forced.