RUPES Polishers Now Available @ Autogeek!

Wow. If only I didn't have a ticket to pay I'd be all over this.
 
What's the main benefit of these machines? Larger throw, faster correction?
 
What's the main benefit of these machines? Larger throw, faster correction?
Yes, they are also said to run quieter and have less vibration plus they are comfortable to use. Some reports say they cut polishing time by 1/3 compared to the Porter Cable.
Win win?
 
Wow. If only I didn't have a ticket to pay I'd be all over this.

That sucks. Don't tell me it's a camera citation. I hate those damn cameras so much.




Yes, they are also said to run quieter and have less vibration plus they are comfortable to use. Some reports say they cut polishing time by 1/3 compared to the Porter Cable.
They called it - The Stig.

Edited for effect.



On a serious note, this is something I'm keeping a very close eye on. I don't mind paying for quality tools, just not sure which (this or Flex). Showed the wife the complete kit, and she just smiled and said, "That's nice." lol
 
Showed the wife the complete kit, and she just smiled and said, "That's nice." lol

That's funny, my fiance said the same exact thing, I even got a pat on the head...

I'm definitely investing in the 3" pneumatic but what is the difference between the 15 and the 21?
Does the 15 go with the 5" pads and the 21 for the 6" pads?
 
The one thing in all the research of the rupes is a good comparision between them and the flex3401. I have the flex and i'm interested in the rupes21 but not if its not any better then the flex.
 
But they are so expensive :( On German Ebay a LHR 21ES Set with some Compunds and 4 pads it costs 645 € that's about 865 $.....
 
The one thing in all the research of the rupes is a good comparision between them and the flex3401. I have the flex and i'm interested in the rupes21 but not if its not any better then the flex.
from what I can see, more backing plate options with the flex.
 
I am also curious how it compares to the Flex as I recently purchased one. Also, as someone asked earlier, can you only use the Rupes products with the pads?
 
Just because Autogeek decided to carry a new machine doesn't mean I have to have one!!

  1. I have enough polishers
  2. I do not need a Rupes polisher
  3. I have no place for a new polisher
  4. No one can make me buy a Rupes polisher
  5. I am not buying a Rupes polisher
  6. It does seem like a well designed and built machine
  7. Ergonomically perfect
  8. Well placed controls right ay my fingertips
  9. Everyone give this new polisher two thumbs up
  10. Why did I hit add to cart?
  11. Who took out my Amex card?
  12. There's simply no way I hit the place order button!!
It's a conspiracy I tell you!!
 
Both kits to seem the same price...

Which to get...I am leaning towards the 15mm....good thing I am out of the country so I can't order right now..


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
On the general question about how the Flex 3401 compares to the Rupes polishers...


A better comparison is the Rupes to a PC/Megs G110v2/Griot's DA because all of these tool use A TYPE OF free floating spindle bearing assembly, that is they are NOT direct drive.

The Flex 3401 is direct drive.


Now follow me on this because I pointed this out already in my intro to the Rupes thread here...


The RUPES LHR21ES Random Orbit Polisher and Polishing System by Mike Phillips


Note the bold part...


Mike Phillips said:
What makes the RUPES LHR21ES Random Orbit Polisher different from similar random orbital polishers?

The RUPES LHR21ES Random Orbit Polisher offers a huge 21mm long orbit or stroke. This is huge, or more technically this stroke is dramatically longer than the 8mm orbit offered by tools like the Porter Cable 7424XP, Meguiar's G110v2 and Griot's Garage 6" DA Polishers.

This longer stroke working together with the RUPES engineered system of precisely matched abrasive compounds and polishes to matched foam pads gives you a polisher that has the ability to remove all types of below surface paint defects quickly and easily and do it without creating excessive heat to the surface or instilling holograms at the same time.


Another unique characteristic in the design of the long orbit stroke with the matched compounds, polishes and pads is the ability to remove below surface defects without the need for extreme downward pressure to the head of the polisher during the buffing procedure.

Most other random orbital polishers rely on firm downward pressure to engage the pad and the abrasives against the paint in order to effectively remove small particles of paint and thus remove the defects. Not so with the RUPES design.

With the RUPES Random Orbit Polisher, you truly let the machine do the work while all you have to do is guide it over the paint.


With the PC "style" DA Polishers, anyone that's used one for any length of time knows that in order to get good abrading or correction ability out of one of these tools you need to apply firm pressure to the head of the of the polisher. The problem with this is it can stop from rotating especially if you hold the tool so the pad is on edge or if you're buffing out concave or convex curves.

The Rupes Engineers designed their tool with it's long orbit to be used specifically with their design of foam pads and polishes to cut and polish without having to exert firm or even extreme downward pressure. Thus pad rotation stopping while buffing isn't an issue like it is with the PC style tools.

Of course pad rotation stoppage isn't an issue with the Flex 3401 because it uses a gear drive design that provides forced rotation.


Good questions all throughout this thread and the one I posted.


If you want to test out all of these tools, sign up for one of my classes and then you can test them all out before you buy and decide which tools are a best fit for you and your detailing needs.


From my post above...

Mike Phillips said:
I've been buffing out cars all my life and teaching others how to machine polish paint with every type of polisher common to the body shop and car detailing industry and after using the RUPES polishers one time I was impressed.

So impressed that I will now include them in all my Detailing Bootcamp Classes as well as all my advanced classes.


Detailing Bootcamp Classes - Interior & Exterior
My next Detailing Bootcamp Class that focuses on both interior and exterior detailing will be May 4th and 5th. At these classes you have the chance to use all the RUPES polishers and sanders as well as all the other popular polishers and then you can make your own decision as to which polisher works best for you and your unique detailing needs.


Register for the May 4th & 5th Detailing Bootcamp Class



Advanced Paint Polishing - Production Detailing & Show Car Detailing
My next advanced paint polishing class that focus on maximizing profitability for production detailing and wetsanding, cutting and buffing for a show car finish will be February 23rd and 24th. This class is limited to 8 people and is already almost full.

Register for the February 23rd & 24th Advanced Paint Polishing Class


At both of these classes you will get to not only learn how to use the full arsenal of tools carried on the Autogeek.net store but also all of the RUPES polishers including,

RUPES LHR21ES Random Orbit Polisher
RUPES LHR21ES Random Orbit Polisher
RUPES LHR75 Mini Random Orbital Polisher (pneumatic)
RUPES RH156 Skorpio 6" Orbital Air Sander


For the above classes I've already confirmed these very cool projects for the students to work on...

1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass - Fresh PPG Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint System - Wetsand, Cut and Buff

1959 Impala - Basecoat/Clearcoat Paint System - Remove Swirls


These classes will fill up fast so clear your schedule and reserve your seat.


:)
 
Yes sir! Wow. Should I get the Rupes? Wait let me rephrase this, should I add another tool to my arsenal, I guess only time will tell, ( Mike's review ) but then again like Mike stated, it never hurts to have extra wrenches in our tool boxes! The more the better.
 
Seems every year or so the next revelation in car care comes along.

Having said that, buying this (or any other product that gets rave reviews) is no guarantee of anything. It ALL ABOUT TECHNIQUE, not about spending your way to success.

Tiger Woods can let me borrow his golf clubs (in exchange for a cheap set from Walmart)...and I think he would still win (just a hunch...).
 
Seems every year or so the next revelation in car care comes along.

And that's a good thing! :xyxthumbs:



Having said that, buying this (or any other product that gets rave reviews) is no guarantee of anything. It ALL ABOUT TECHNIQUE, not about spending your way to success.

I always agree that technique is important, even have an article on that...

Technique is everything...


The caveat is this however, besides good technique you still need quality pads, products and tool and this is especially true for abrasive technology.

If a person is using a compound, polish or even cleaner/wax that doesn't use good abrasive technology then using good technique won't make up for faulty abrasive technology. The crucial factor being modern clear coats while harder than traditional single stage paints are scratch-sensitive, that is they scratch easily.



Tiger Woods can let me borrow his golf clubs (in exchange for a cheap set from Walmart)...and I think he would still win (just a hunch...).

Ha ha...

:laughing:
 
Seems every year or so the next revelation in car care comes along.

Having said that, buying this (or any other product that gets rave reviews) is no guarantee of anything. It ALL ABOUT TECHNIQUE, not about spending your way to success.

Tiger Woods can let me borrow his golf clubs (in exchange for a cheap set from Walmart)...and I think he would still win (just a hunch...).

That surely is true, but I'm interested to see how the normal detailer experimentation works out as far as using different pads and polishes (other than Rupes) and what I've heard about using the 5" backing plate on the 21ES machine.
 
Why no mention of the: "washer mod"??

Just curious.

:)

Bob
 
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