rupes21 stall too much

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lekejian

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I was planning to have a rupes 21 for my Christmas gift but after I saw this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwHh0tT0BLM, I am very disappointed because about 1/2 time, the pad seems like stall or rotates very slowly. My duetto works way better than that. It will stall on certain panel too. but at least I can finish 90% of my car ,then leave the rest for GG6 with 4 inches bp.

Detailing is my hobby , I am not like any pro to have many tools so that they can use certain tool for certain panel. For me duetto plus GG6 is sufficient for my needs now.
 
lekejian said:
I was planning to have a rupes 21 for my Christmas gift but after I saw this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwHh0tT0BLM, I am very disappointed because about 1/2 time, the pad seems like stall or rotates very slowly. My duetto works way better than that. It will stall on certain panel too. but at least I can finish 90% of my car ,then leave the rest for GG6 with 4 inches bp.

Detailing is my hobby , I am not like any pro to have many tools so that they can use certain tool for certain panel. For me duetto plus GG6 is sufficient for my needs now.
Click to expand...

flex 3401 (forced rotation) + GG6 = :dblthumb2:
 
I agree, I find myself reaching for the Flex more often than not. Perhaps more people that have the HD pads will chime in, only if they used to have stalling issues before. I can't bring myself to muster up $13 a pad for them after having already bought the full array of Rupes pads. Maybe in the spring I will. Right now, I'll keep my hybrid pads and Flex spinning.
 
I'm going to say that video is not the best representation of the machine - nor is it the way I would go about it. I would have removed the pinstripe in one step - then polished the fender in another. The situations where Rupes' stalling becoming an issue is rare.

I don't think they are the best pads for the machine either. Basically, your better off if you just stick with Rupes stuff if your going that route.

But if you already have a Duetto - you may be better served by getting a Mini instead of a 21.
 
parttimer said:
I agree, I find myself reaching for the Flex more often than not. Perhaps more people that have the HD pads will chime in, only if they used to have stalling issues before. I can't bring myself to muster up $13 a pad for them after having already bought the full array of Rupes pads. Maybe in the spring I will. Right now, I'll keep my hybrid pads and Flex spinning.
Click to expand...

I have used the HD pads on my Rupes 15, though they are very good pads, I personally didn't notice much of a difference as far as handling curved panels.
 
lekejian said:
I was planning to have a rupes 21 for my Christmas gift but after I saw this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwHh0tT0BLM, I am very disappointed because about 1/2 time, the pad seems like stall or rotates very slowly. My duetto works way better than that. It will stall on certain panel too. but at least I can finish 90% of my car ,then leave the rest for GG6 with 4 inches bp.

Detailing is my hobby , I am not like any pro to have many tools so that they can use certain tool for certain panel. For me duetto plus GG6 is sufficient for my needs now.
Click to expand...

I didn't bother watching the video, but I will say I have been using the Rupes 21 for over 2 years now and I simply don't have stalling issues some seem to have. There may be a slight learning curve for some on how to adjust the machine in certain areas, but LOTS of pros use these machines day after day without issue because they put the time into learning how to use it. Virtually all cars will require a different tool and/or 2"-4" pads to get into tight areas. Even when I had my Flex I was using 3" pads on a different tool for hard to reach areas. Yes, the large throw of the Rupes 21 will limit it in certain areas, but the faster correction, better finish, and butter smooth operation is worth it. :props:

There is no ONE tool when it comes to detailing.
 
Nicholas@Autowerx said:
Washer mod.

Sent from my N9810 using AG Online
Click to expand...

I have done the washer mod to my 21 and although it helps, it still stops rotating if the panel isn't flat enough. Don't get me wrong, I still really like the machine and it is the most pleasant buffer to use in my experience. I also had a flex 3401 and I never found a panel I couldn't get it to power through. However, if you're going to be polishing for hours, the flex is noisier and more physically fatiguing compared to the rupes. Just thought I'd add my 2 cents.
 
I had the 15 and did the washer mod...still kept stalling on me. I eventually sold it and got the Flex. I'm glad that I did...
 
Are these machines easier to stall than a PC 7424xp?
 
As I contemplate the purchase of a Rupes 15 or 21 threads like this are very confusing. A number of full time detailers report NO problems with the Rupes stalling and use it exclusively in their detailing business (of course they use a conventional DA with small pads for tight areas). All report the Rupes operation is so smooth and effortless (because there is no need for more than very light pressure) that they find it much less fatiguing and most report it has cut there time required by 30% because the Rupes finishes so well it eliminates a step in many cases.

It is confusing when there are posts claiming the Rupes stalls and people have moved on to forced rotation machines.

So what is the secret to success with the Rupes??
 
lekejian said:
I was planning to have a rupes 21 for my Christmas gift but after I saw this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwHh0tT0BLM, I am very disappointed because about 1/2 time, the pad seems like stall or rotates very slowly. My duetto works way better than that. It will stall on certain panel too. but at least I can finish 90% of my car ,then leave the rest for GG6 with 4 inches bp.

Detailing is my hobby , I am not like any pro to have many tools so that they can use certain tool for certain panel. For me duetto plus GG6 is sufficient for my needs now.
Click to expand...

We have both and I usually use the 21 and my partner the Duetto. Both are washer modded. I noticed his pad spins a lot slower than mine.

I wouldn't go off one video no matter what I was researching. There is another review I just happened to read last night that was written soon after the Rupes was released. The guy said he actually did two panels with it. One using only the weight of the machine and the other enough force to hear it bog a little but not stall the pad and it was his opinion the side with very little downward pressure actually came out better and faster.

I have only been in the business about 4 months and until then I had never touched a polisher of any type. Rupes was the first. I read like crazy about them. From my research (not experience) the machine defies a persons natural tendency to push harder to correct more. It seems to be quite the opposite.

I use slow arm movements with about the weight of my hand on it. I have seen some pretty amazing correction with just a megs MF finishing pad and XMT AIO. Also the Meg's DA system works great on it for multi step.

The fact that you DON'T have to apply pressure and you AREN't fighting the machine should be considered a huge benefit. Let the long throw do the work for you.

And as I said above, I am new to this so take what I say with that in mind. I lack actual experience with the machine but read and watched just about everything that exist online about it.

Not sure if it was mentioned but go to Kevin Brown's Buff Daddy sight, the guy seems to have this thing down to a science, literally. :)

ski2 said:
As I contemplate the purchase of a Rupes 15 or 21 threads like this are very confusing. A number of full time detailers report NO problems with the Rupes stalling and use it exclusively in their detailing business (of course they use a conventional DA with small pads for tight areas). All report the Rupes operation is so smooth and effortless (because there is no need for more than very light pressure) that they find it much less fatiguing and most report it has cut there time required by 30% because the Rupes finishes so well it eliminates a step in many cases.

It is confusing when there are posts claiming the Rupes stalls and people have moved on to forced rotation machines.

So what is the secret to success with the Rupes??
Click to expand...

I think somebody said it earlier, they don't take the time to learn it. I am a complete NOOB with the thing and I don't get the stalling EXCEPT when it's my fault. I can go over all sorts of body lines. I follow the contour. I don't just do a Monster Trunk run over everything like it's flat. Maybe some people like that and the Flex is better for that.

BTW the guy that detailed my car before I got in the business had just about every polisher produced. He has been in the business for I think 25 years. When I dropped my car off he was showing me the tools he uses. He went on and on about the Rupes and he doesn't even have the washer mod. It's actually because of him we bought 3 of them when we opened shop.
 
Rsurfer said:
Explain why it's a "Hack".:confused:
Click to expand...
Not designed by Rupes. If you talk to them at a show they will tell you it is not suggested and not necessary. They further say that if you must it will not void your warranty.
 
ski2 said:
As I contemplate the purchase of a Rupes 15 or 21 threads like this are very confusing. A number of full time detailers report NO problems with the Rupes stalling and use it exclusively in their detailing business (of course they use a conventional DA with small pads for tight areas). All report the Rupes operation is so smooth and effortless (because there is no need for more than very light pressure) that they find it much less fatiguing and most report it has cut there time required by 30% because the Rupes finishes so well it eliminates a step in many cases.



It is confusing when there are posts claiming the Rupes stalls and people have moved on to forced rotation machines.



So what is the secret to success with the Rupes??
Click to expand...


The learning curve is just steeper with the Rupes. Early on, I had rotation issues as well. It just takes a while, and after you get some experience with handling the machine, most of your rotation issues will go away.
 
washer mod?

the regular rupes plate and machine are tightly connecting together. when you do polishing ,the body itself and the center spindle will hold the vibration and hand pressure or any weight unbalanced . but when you have a spacer between,the ceter spindle will this mostly heavy job only. I don't know what kind of rupes spindle looks like because I never opened it , but my GG6 's spindle was broken before 2 months ago ,just because the center spindle worn off too much ,and I couldn't tight it anymore and this spindle is the only part to connect backing plate and machine body. I'm not a physicist, I don't know what happened if you keep using washer mod on rupes,maybe it will be fine .I am just saying what's in my mind
 
after reading every replies ,seems like stalling issue caused by bad technique but The guy in the video is chemical guys detailer,Isn't he supposed to have much experience on polishers?

why he uses this machine in terribly way, I am confused too
 
RaskyR1 said:
I didn't bother watching the video, but I will say I have been using the Rupes 21 for over 2 years now and I simply don't have stalling issues some seem to have. There may be a slight learning curve for some on how to adjust the machine in certain areas, but LOTS of pros use these machines day after day without issue because they put the time into learning how to use it. Virtually all cars will require a different tool and/or 2"-4" pads to get into tight areas. Even when I had my Flex I was using 3" pads on a different tool for hard to reach areas. Yes, the large throw of the Rupes 21 will limit it in certain areas, but the faster correction, better finish, and butter smooth operation is worth it. :props:

There is no ONE tool when it comes to detailing.
Click to expand...

I agree with Rasky on this one. I hated the 21 when I first purchased it but after I spent the time learning this tool, I love it.

Rasky: Just curious, did you washer mod? I haven't done it to mine and was wondering if it is worth it? Seems to work great as it is with cutting pads and 205. not sure if the washer mod has a bigger advantage or increases cutting ability and saves even more time.


-Beach
 
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