Up Close & Personal: Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher

[Nick McKees37]

"Does that thing really have the power to remove paint defects?"...arguably the most frequently asked question about the Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher. My answer has always been an enthusiast YES!

"Mini" (ie: 3 inch) polishers aren't exactly known for being powerhouses, but Rupes is changing that trend with the recently introduced LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher. In America we call that "having your cake and eating it."


Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher


Rupes LHR 75E = An easier way to polish small and intricate body panels

The Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher is a professional detailer’s dream come true. You will finally be able to remove swirls and scratches from small and intricate body panels with speed and precision. The Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher is the first and only mini dual action car polisher that was developed with the professional detailer in mind. The Rupes LHR 75 Mini Random Orbital Polisher and its compact design, powerful 400 watt motor, and massive 12 mm throw will make this versatile car polisher a vital component of every detail.

My answer to the obvious question about the Rupes LHR 75E and its immense correction ability is usually followed with prove it. Prove it I shall!

Fortunately enough, Andre's Kona Blue Mustang had a handful of Type II water spots on the hood, making it the perfect test subject for proving how capable the Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher is at removing defects.


3 - Types of Water Spots - Type I, Type II and Type III

Type II Water Spots are actual etchings or craters in the paint because something corrosive in a water source has landed on the paint and was not removed before a portion of the paint was eaten or dissolved by the corrosive substance.

Type II water spots on the hood of a Kona Blue Ford Mustang

Rupes Microfiber Pads

Rupes is known for setting trends in the automotive refinishing industry, and their revolutionary new microfiber cutting and polishing pads continue this tradition. Designed and manufactured entirely in house, Rupes Microfiber Pads promise to offer superb cutting and finishing abilities along with outstanding durability.

Rupes Microfiber Pads feature several new industry-firsts, including a polyurethane resin that is injected directly into the structure between the Velcro interface and the microfiber fabric. The resin adheres directly to both materials to provide a stable and secure bond without using adhesives. This enables Rupes Microfiber Pads to outlast and outperform other microfiber pads on the market.

Thanks to the unique molding technique, Rupes is able to offer a pad that can conform to convex shapes during the polishing process, similar to a traditional foam pad. This ensures that Rupes microfiber pads are making contact with the surface 100% of the time, reducing polishing time and improving the overall finish quality.

Rupes Microfiber Pads are the first of their kind to offer spiral slots in the design of the pad. The innovative spiral slots represent an important technical improvement with a unique design. These spiral slots dissipate heat at an enormous rate, allowing the pad and the paint to stay cooler.

Rupes Microfiber Pads are available in two configurations and multiple sizes:

Rupes Blue Microfiber Cutting Pad
Rupes Blue Microfiber Cutting Pad is designed for removing heavy swirl marks, oxidation, scratches, water spots, and sanding marks from all paint systems. The Rupes Blue Microfiber Cutting Pad features a short and dense microfiber pile and is perfect for use with heavy cutting Rupes Big Foot Polishing Compound, like Zephir Gloss or Quarz Gloss. The special microfiber material allows for the true correction power of the product used.

Rupes Yellow Microfiber Finishing Pad
Rupes Yellow Microfiber Finishing Pad is designed to restore the depth and clarity to your vehicle’s paintwork. The long and soft microfiber pile is perfect for removing light swirl marks, holograms, and water spots using an ultra fine Big Foot Polishing Compound, like Keramik Gloss or Diamond. Rupes Yellow Microfiber Finishing Pads eliminate light imperfections while delivering a perfect finish.

I've been itching to demonstrate Rupes' new microfiber pads (color coordinated just like their foam pads), so I went ahead and slapped one on my LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher, grabbed a bottle of Rupes Zephir Gloss Compound, and went to work!

Up Close & Personal: Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher

Rupes, a pioneer in the polishing industry, listened to the requests of professional detailers and car care enthusiasts and created a 3 inch mini polisher that is powerful enough to remove swirls and scratches with ease. The Rupes LHR 75E features a massive 12 mm orbit, giving it the correction ability that professional detailers demand. The powerful 400 watt motor ensures the LHR 75E doesn’t bog down under light loads. The Rupes LHR 75E includes a 3 inch backing plate that is designed for 3, 3.5, and 4 inch pads.

Ergonomically Perfect
With its non-slip rubber inserts on the front cover, the LHR 75E is perfect for all polishing operations in difficult to reach areas. The operator can work in perfect comfort to produce the best possible results.

On-Off Switch Lock
Lined in non-slip rubber, the on/off switch of the Rupes LHR 75E ensures a controlled soft start, giving the operator full control over the tool.

Design
The attention to detail is not limited to just the innovative and attractive design. The modern lines and exceptional technical quality are combined with a number of details that are the result of meticulous research aimed at achieving maximum operator comfort. The non-slip rubber inserts are numerous and have many functions. In particular, the insert on the machine body is used to support the polisher when placed on a surface.

Color Coordinated Pads & Chemicals

Just like their foam pads, Rupes Microfiber Pads are color matched to their compounds and polishes.

Rupes Zephir Gloss Coarse Gel Compound is the 1st step in the Rupes Big Foot Polishing System. This ultra-heavy cut compound utilizes advanced abrasive technology that quickly eliminates up to 1500 grit sanding marks on fresh paint while leaving little to no haze.

Here's Andre handling the Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher. Speed 4, medium downward pressure, and a slow arm speed.

Lookin' good!

To further refine the surface and increase clarity, Andre polished the area again using a Rupes Microfiber Finishing Pad and Rupes Keramik Gloss Polish.

Speed 3, light downward pressure, and a medium arm speed.

Easy wipe off

One thing I've always like about Rupes compounds and polishes is the fact that they're easy to remove.

Goodbye water spots, hello glossy paint!

The Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher equipped with Rupes Microfiber Pads and Rupes Compounds removed the type II water spots with little effort. Even at speed 4 and moderate downward pressure, the machine still maintained pad rotation.

If you've been looking for a mini polisher that packs a punch, your search is over thanks to the Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher.

Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher

Rupes Big Foot Random Orbital Polishing System

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Nice review and say good bye to those water spots. Thanks for putting it together.

 

[SR99]

Thanks for the review.
So...4 dots of compound...is it time to re-visit the great pad priming debate?

 

[Ray@Autogeek]

I think I know what I'm buying my motorcycle for Christmas This would be perfect for small motorcycle panels.

 

[Tresca]

I know it may be difficult to tell from a picture, but there doesn't appear to be much change with the second step. Can the Rupes Zephir Gloss Coarse Gel Compound be used as a single step with the blue pad? Did the Rupes Microfiber Finishing Pad and Rupes Keramik Gloss Polish make a noticable improvement?

 

[Nick McKees37]

Thanks for the review.
So...4 dots of compound...is it time to re-visit the great pad priming debate?

I didn't feel it was necessary to prime the pad for a small spot repair, as the area I was polishing was only about 4" x 8".

I know it may be difficult to tell from a picture, but there doesn't appear to be much change with the second step. Can the Rupes Zephir Gloss Coarse Gel Compound be used as a single step with the blue pad? Did the Rupes Microfiber Finishing Pad and Rupes Keramik Gloss Polish make a noticable improvement?

That's a testament to the quality of Rupes' abrasive technology - all 4 of their polishing compounds finish very well. On hard paint systems, you probably could stop at Zephir Gloss and nobody would complain, but the extra polishing step does take the gloss up another level, which I found to be worth the extra step.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Nothing like paint on the harder side. Finishes so good.

Thanks, Nick!

all 4 of their polishing compounds finish very well.

On soft paint, I disagree. I think Rupes geared their whole system more towards harder paint.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

On soft paint, I disagree.

I think Rupes geared their whole system more towards harder paint.

Can you point to any write-ups of cars you've detailed showing pictures of your results?



:dunno:

 

[Mike lambert]

I did a new Honda Thursday and found it to be the softest tinted clear I have ever seen. Used the rupes system as shown wit no hazing and no difference from any other paint system.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I did a new Honda Thursday and found it to be the softest tinted clear I have ever seen. Used the rupes system as shown wit no hazing and no difference from any other paint system.

I agree.


I've buffed out all cars with paint on both ends of the spectrum, (extreme hard and extreme soft), and everything in-between and can share full write-ups of all the cars, including before, during and after shots and I've found the Rupes compounds and polishes to consistently finish out show car perfect on everything I've touched.

Once you're assured the abrasive technology is top shelf by real-world, hands-on experience then the the only other factor that play into the equation is technique.



:xyxthumbs:

 

[KS_Detailing]

How many speeds are on the Mini? Can you use a 3" on speed 5 or 6? I have usually use a 3" on a lower speed.

 

[swanicyouth]

It seems the consensus is the Rupes polishers are great, the pads are pretty good, and the polishes are just OK. When used together as a system, I find these products to work flawlessly. They have enough combos, and now MF pads, to be used on any type of paint. I'm wondering if those who weren't thrilled with the polishes were using them not as part of a system, but with different pads?

One thing I find with the Rupes polish is that very little is needed. I'm not sure what the ingredients are, but the polishes seem polymer heavy to me, as they have long work times and don't dry out while polishing - they sort of remind me of Optimum standard polishes. IME these type of polishes require very little polish on the pad the be effective. I also find priming a Rupes pad with a Rupes polish is too much polish. Instead, a single spritz of pad spray is quite sufficient. Often times using too much polish makes wipe off quite difficult. Anther thing I've noticed is the pads do not gum up like traditional type DAs with other pads/polishes.

I can't imagine a better or easier to use system.

 

[custmsprty]

I think I know what I'm buying my motorcycle for Christmas This would be perfect for small motorcycle panels.

Just bought mine Wednesday can't wait for it to ship!

 

[Woob]

So tempting these MF pads and machines!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

It seems the consensus is the Rupes polishers are great, the pads are pretty good, and the polishes are just OK.

I disagree. I find all three to be top notch. I think the compound and polishes will go head to head with any top tier brand on the market that I've used. At least that's my experience to date and I've buffed out a pretty broad spectrum of paint systems so far including teaching the Rupes "system" in my last three detailing boot camp classes.

Including the last class where we buffed out a 1963 Ford Galaxie with a customer Basecoat/Clearcoat paint job that I would say was in the sweet spot of paint hardness and paint softness, that is not too hard and not to soft, somewhere in-between.

And keep in mind, for most of these guys, this was the first time they ever used the Rupes polishers and Rupes system and the paint on this hotrod Ford went from a swirled-out mess to a flawless show car shine. Lots of before, during and after pictures in the thread I created to document not only the project but what people get to do at our classes.

Rupes Detailing Classes at Autogeek!

When used together as a system, I find these products to work flawlessly. They have enough combos, and now MF pads, to be used on any type of paint.

I agree and this has been my experience to date.

I'm wondering if those who weren't thrilled with the polishes were using them not as part of a system, but with different pads?

Good point.

One thing I find with the Rupes polish is that very little is needed. I'm not sure what the ingredients are, but the polishes seem polymer heavy to me, as they have long work times and don't dry out while polishing - they sort of remind me of Optimum standard polishes.

I agree. Very little is needed and instead of the term polymer heavy I would probably describe them as concentrated on the abrasive side and ample polishing oils to provide a long working time.

I can't imagine a better or easier to use system.

I agree. I think color coding the products to the pads makes the system fairly Bubba-Proof. I've had a number of my students, after going through the class choose the Rupes system for the color coding reason plus product performance.

 

[Mike lambert]

Stealing from Paul Dalton , I have found the rupes green pad and the zephir compound work great as a one step!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Stealing from Paul Dalton , I have found the rupes green pad and the zephir compound work great as a one step!

That's interesting... I've only used their compound with their blue cutting pad and always been impressed with how well this combo removes defects and finishes out.


I'll have to try the above recipe...

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

I read straight from the Rupes site that the yellow polish is designed for hard clear coats. :dunno:


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

On soft paint, I disagree.

I think Rupes geared their whole system more towards harder paint.

I read straight from the Rupes site that the yellow polish is designed for hard clear coats.

Thanks for the follow-up...


I'd say these recent cars buffed out using the Rupes system all had soft to medium paint as far as hardness goes, certainly none of them had what I would call hard paint.



Black Label PC on Fearless - John Mayer's 1935 Ford Cabriolet at SEMA in the Absorber Booth

Ready for the Mud!

Rupes Detailing Classes at Autogeek!

Removing #1500 Sanding Marks with Rupes Bigfoot 21 Polisher

1987 Monte Carlo Extreme Makeover with Rupes and Blackfire BlackICE

North Miami Beach Police Mobil Command Unit - Show Car Makeover

Rupes side by side detail - 1955 Crown Victoria

[video=youtube_share;v7FjGcMCTEg&hd=1"]RUPES 21ES Vs 15 ES time..." target="_blank">RUPES 21ES Vs 15 ES time...[/video]​

Can't forget the 1959 Impala I used at my last Advanced Class...

Pictures: The Art of Polishing Paint Advanced Detailing Classes

I'd say the Rupes compounds and polishes work great and most important they work consistently across a wide spectrum of paint systems and that's probably the hardest thing there is to do when creating a line of polishes.