Time to choose some new tools - Polishers... etc ( Help please )

sasson

sasson

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Hey all,
I am looking for some new tools!

First I am looking for a new 3 Inch polisher, Would this be "Rupes" For sure ? nothing else ? ( or just use a 3inch backing plate and save some $$$ ? )

Note: I have a flex 3401.

And I am looking for a New vacuum, How much power would you use? What's the best one to choose ?

I got a pressure washer ( Karcher ), I got foam cannons, and the Master Blaster...


I am still thinking what new machines would I need? If I missed anything PLEASE write that I won't forget to buy it.
Thank you all, Have a great week! :dblthumb2:
 
Griots garage has a nice 3in for 94 bucks I wanna say. I use my G110v2 with the 4in pads with no issues.
 
Thoryamaha919 said:
Griots garage has a nice 3in for 94 bucks I wanna say. I use my G110v2 with the 4in pads with no issues.
Click to expand...

I see lots of REALLY Bad feedback on the Griots 3Inch...
Do you recommend it? It really does the job right ?
Feed back please
 
I have the 3" Griots da and it serves its purpose. We have been spoiled by all of the new powerful da's which makes the smaller Griots seem anemic but with a little patience I use it on tight spots (front and rear bumpers) and motorcycles. Now I have recently had the opportunity to use the Rupes 3" air powered and it's the bomb.It is a little pricey but being a tool freak I will get one when the budget allows. It blows the Griots away. Another option you may want to keep in mind is a 3"bp for a regular da. You won't fit into some tighter spots but it is better then a 5.5 on a da. I see you have a flex3401 but a extra da would double as a back-up unit.Just a thought.
 
Why not get the Harbor Freight DA for $50 and then swap to a 3" or 4" backing plate--might not be as small as the GG3, but it certainly seems to have the power.--it's also been getting some good reviews durability wise also.
 
I use a regular 3" BP on my GG6 all the time and it works great. I also have another machine (7424) I planned to use with a 3" BP, but I find its easier to switch the BP than have to unpack and set up another machine. I can't see paying cash for a 3" machine with no power when a you need is a BP.

As for machines in general, my Metro Air Force Blaster comes in hand for endless uses. There really is no way to completely dry a vehicle without it. Also, you can use it to dry pads.
 
Thank you all, I think I will stay with the Rupes 3Inch.
Just a small question on it:
Does rupes connect to any power? or just the air compressor?
Like, do I need a 120 Volt power or There is no power?
How does it work? Because I don't live in the US, and I have 220 Volt in my country ...
Any help ?

And could I place 3inch Foam pads? or just rupes 4inch ? ( that kinda stupid no? rupes doesn't have any 3inch pads ).
 
The Rupes LHR75 3" da is air powered. You will need a air supply or compressor to power it. The Rupes LHR75 I used worked well with some 4" pads.
 
I rarely seee the need to use a 3" pad. I use 4" on PC & a RB. Have a few 3" pads that I've used on the RB mostly for headlights.

Why not get a RB since you already have the 3401 it will feel similar and the variety of pads and work that a RB can do is awesome.
 
rmagnus said:
I rarely seee the need to use a 3" pad. I use 4" on PC & a RB. Have a few 3" pads that I've used on the RB mostly for headlights.

Why not get a RB since you already have the 3401 it will feel similar and the variety of pads and work that a RB can do is awesome.
Click to expand...

Sorry but I am not that great with shorted names
What is RB?
 
2old2change said:
The Rupes LHR75 3" da is air powered. You will need a air supply or compressor to power it. The Rupes LHR75 I used worked well with some 4" pads.
Click to expand...

So what you're saying is that Rupes LHR75 Doesn't need any power BESIDES the air compressor ?
there is no power adapter or anything with the Rupes LHR75?
 
sasson said:
Sorry but I am not that great with shorted names
What is RB?
Click to expand...

Sorry. RB=rotary buffer; DA =dual action both polishers

If you want the most powerful true DA polisher then get the Rupes. The Griots could also be an option. Lifetime warranty and was the most powerful DA until the Rupes arrived. AT about $140 lot a bang for the buck.

While the Flex 3401 is a DA it is a force rotation polisher which is similar to a rotary buffer. Like a DA it rotates and osilates.
 
I use a HF rotary with a 3" backing plate as my small spot / headlight resto tool. Works great.
 
Do yourself a favor and get the correct tool for the job. If you have a air compressor that is capable of keeping up with the demands of a pneumatic tool then the Rupes could be the correct choice. Just putting a smaller backing plate on a DA designed for 6” pads will not yield the same results as using a tool designed to run a 3” pad. The polishes we us are designed to be most effective at certain pad speeds. The smaller the pad, the faster we need to run in order to be effective. When using an electric power source you may find that you get a more consistent finish, more up time and less tool maintenance. When using pneumatic tool, you are a slave to your air compressor and its abilities to handle the job.

I have a Griot’s Garage 3” DA and I use it as it was intended. I have found it to be very effective at correcting paint, damp sanding and headlight correction. I realize that it was not intended to be used on anything much bigger that a pillar or headlight and I keep my patience while using it.

Craig
 
sasson said:
I see lots of REALLY Bad feedback on the Griots 3Inch...
Do you recommend it? It really does the job right ?
Feed back please
Click to expand...



We used the Griot's 3" Mini Polisher with Rupes 4" pads last Thursday night and right in front of everyone I pushed down about 15 to 20 pounds of pressure and I could not get the pad to stop rotating. Maybe it has to do with the Rupes pads?

1987 Monte Carlo Extreme Makeover with Rupes and Blackfire BlackICE

1987_Monte_Carlo_088.jpg



We were using the Rupes LHR75 but the air compressor was turned off and instead of firing it back up I just switched over to the "electric tool".

Robert DiTerlizzi was watching me do this as well as someone else, can't remember. So what you read and what I've experienced are two different things.

I do always say you have to use PERFECT TECHNIQUE but you should be doing this anyways and all this means is hold the pad flat to the surface. It's not that hard.


Then there's this...

Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher - Extreme Demo - Warning!


I did the above about two and a half years ago...


:D



:)
 
cgreen1120 said:
I have found it to be very effective at correcting paint, damp sanding and headlight correction.
Click to expand...


I strongly agree... :xyxthumbs:

Every time I have a wetsanding class the 3" Griot's Mini Polisher is used by more people to sand than any other sanding tool by hand or machine. So yeah, I'd say it's a very good dampsander. Personally, if I have to sand down a car I wouldn't want to be without it. Here's a couple articles on the topic, not sure but I think these were the first articles ever written on the topic of using this tool to machine wetsand.

Griot's 3" Mini Polisher works great as a 3" Dampsander

Dampsanding with 3" Griot's Garage Mini Polisher


I teach using this for headlight correction in all my Detailing Boot Camp Classes also as it makes quick work of getting down to a fresh, clean base of plastic.




Machine Sanding Headlights

Machine sanding (no elbow grease)



Everyone pretty much just wanted to work by machine... here's Jeff machine sanding a headlight lens...



Here's Stephan misting some water onto the face of the sanding disc...



Stephan machine sanding a headlight lens





Don machine sanding...



Results after Machine Compounding and Polishing out the sanding marks







:xyxthumbs:
 
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