Whats your go to polisher?

[mnehls86]

I just have my cheapo HF Chicago Electric. Comparable to PC. Clean and fresh pads are a must to keep cutting and it takes quite a while. Hopefully one day I can pick up a Flex or Rupes. It`s just hard to pull the trigger on something that much. Even though I know it`ll be well worth it.

[chuck2417]

I usually go to the rupes 15 or the GG 6 inch. Next one will be a the Flex DA when I can afford it. Honestly value and price wise it`s hard to beat the GG 6 inch, lots of power and lifetime warranty. The rupes is just a bit more comfortable to use.

[AndrewBigA]

rupes 21, every day. rotary? i am a changed man, for the better! i use a rotary...not often anymore & cant remember the last full car i polished with one...has to go back to before i got my rupes 21 LOL.

[bswombaugh]

I just have my cheapo HF Chicago Electric. Comparable to PC. Clean and fresh pads are a must to keep cutting and it takes quite a while. Hopefully one day I can pick up a Flex or Rupes. It`s just hard to pull the trigger on something that much. Even though I know it`ll be well worth it.

Nothing wrong with that polisher. I have 2 of them myself. My Flex is my go to for major corrections but my HF gets its share of workouts. I think they are great machines for the price. I have yet to have one to break on me.

[jtford95]

The only 2 I have. Snap On rotary & A old 7424 Porter Cable. Mainly use the rotary.

[mc2hill]

GG 6" and a pre-XP PC.

[VetteMan]

So I`m assuming that if coin is not an issue, the FLEX 3401 is the way to go. I`m looking to buy and there is many options out there. Rupes seems to be a great option as well.

[Stokdgs]

Just make sure you can adapt to counter-clockwise rotation.. I had no problem with this..

Its built very solid, and I remember when they first came out believe 9-10 years ago, there were some saying they got hot with constant use..

But cannot remember anyone ever saying " MY Flex blew up" (like the Griot machine)...

The company that makes this machine makes machines that polish stone..
Dan F

[psynx]

3401 all day!

[512detail]

I have the duetto, but would like to own the 3401 some day

[Bunky]

I like the Flex since I get consistent results. I also have a Rupes 15 too but still have not used it much for polishing. The Rupes seems to have a similar flaw as my other non-forced DA (UDM 1.0) where the backing plate/pad can get very hot at higher speeds. It seems to work best under speed 3 for paint cleaning.

[Zelfiris]

I like the Flex since I get consistent results. I also have a Rupes 15 too but still have not used it much for polishing. The Rupes seems to have a similar flaw as my other non-forced DA (UDM 1.0) where the backing plate/pad can get very hot at higher speeds. It seems to work best under speed 3 for paint cleaning.

Hi Bunky, I know this may not be the best thread to ask but can you elaborate more about the backing plate/pad getting hot at higher speeds? Are you using Rupes pads or a lot of pressure?

Last year I was using BnS MF pads with my Rupes 15 and sure enough, with my experience using the GG6 I had put down a lot of pressure while polishing which led to over heating the pads causing them to deform, warp and backing plate to split. With a BnS black foam pad I found the foam near the backing plate to split as well, except this time with almost no pressure.

This year I changed over to Rupes MF pads and Rupes foam pads using medium to light pressure and to my surprise the pads are cool to the touch after every section. Also note I do change a pad after 3-4 sections to prevent overheating.

[The Driver]

I agree, the bns pads hate the rupes. I`ve ruined a bunch of them.

[Bunky]

Hi Bunky, I know this may not be the best thread to ask but can you elaborate more about the backing plate/pad getting hot at higher speeds? Are you using Rupes pads or a lot of pressure?

I am not using Rupes pads (B&S, LC) and not using a lot of pressure. My Rupes did not like the Crimson HT pads very much.

In my limited use with finishing polishes so far, if you crank up the speed of the Rupes (anything at 4.5 to 5, after 5 I see little increase in speed anyway) the polish will dry out quickly and loads the pad. I tend to believe that Rupes would work better with Rupes pads but not planning on buying more pads. I got Rupes for quick finishing/waxing or using mf pads along with the smooth operation (no vibes like my other non-forced DA). I have considered trading the Rupes 15 for a Duetto.

[Orinda Auto Detail]

If I`m going to a 100000000 polishing shoot out with Kevin Brown and could only bring 1 polisher.... I`d show with a rupes21 and hope he left his home I know every polisher has its place but I do 90% of anything I do with a Rupes21 and a 75e mini.