which orbital polisher is better?

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by dparm

Just wash it like any other car. If the film is damaged, take it to a local XPEL shop and have them check it out. The films are sort-of self-healing, but only up to a certain point.

Lol!

My biggest fear is swirl marks. Got to stock up on supplies and use the two bucket method. want to buy a foamer for soaking. Then need all sorts of chems and a polisher too.

[admranger]

I have a Rupes 15 and an old Griot's branded porter cable. That Adams unit looks like a rebranded Rupes or Flex (I've used a friend's Flex too). My bitch with the Rupes is it is so powerful it eats pads up. Overheats them easily, even Rupes pads. Clearly I'm not doing things right as there's no way a pro would stand for the pad degradation I'm seeing.

If I had it to do over again I'd get the Flex and be done with it. Very nice polisher.

My Griot's has been relegated to a 3" backing plate and pads for the smaller, hard to reach areas. It has enough power for those.

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by admranger

I have a Rupes 15 and an old Griot's branded porter cable. That Adams unit looks like a rebranded Rupes or Flex (I've used a friend's Flex too). My bitch with the Rupes is it is so powerful it eats pads up. Overheats them easily, even Rupes pads. Clearly I'm not doing things right as there's no way a pro would stand for the pad degradation I'm seeing.

If I had it to do over again I'd get the Flex and be done with it. Very nice polisher.

My Griot's has been relegated to a 3" backing plate and pads for the smaller, hard to reach areas. It has enough power for those.

Damn. The Flex is even more expensive than the Rupes.

[KawBoy]

For me there is nothing like "Das Best", http://www.autogeek.net/flex-car-polishers.html

[doogee]

I use a Flex 3401. Been very curious to try a Rupes 21.

[buddalun]

I too, use a FLEX 3401. I love it.

Forced rotation is nice. The polisher "teaches" you how to use it . When it starts walking, correct it. Be smooth and don't use too much pressure.

Get the FLEX or Lake Country backing plate adapter (to use smaller pads) and you can do nearly anything.

[KawBoy]

Originally Posted by buddalun

I too, use a FLEX 3401. I love it.

Forced rotation is nice. The polisher "teaches" you how to use it . When it starts walking, correct it. Be smooth and don't use too much pressure.

Get the FLEX or Lake Country backing plate adapter (to use smaller pads) and you can do nearly anything.

THIS.

Pair it with Menzerna and some LC hybrid 5" pads and the results are amazing. Top it of with Gtechniq and you are good to go for several years.

[carenthuziast]

OK, here are the options:

Presa Turbine 6" - $90
Porter Cable 6" - $120
Griot's Garage 6" - $149
Meguiar's MT300 - $188
Adam's Swirl Killer 15mm - $250
Flex 3401 - $389.99
Rupes LHR 15ES - $299
Torq 22D - $300
Rupes 21ES - $319

[JJH]

I have access to this Flex and having tried most polishers around, this one really gets fantastic results > http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html

[ghostofsenna]

Originally Posted by carenthuziast

OK, here are the options:

Presa Turbine 6" - $90
Porter Cable 6" - $120
Griot's Garage 6" - $149
Meguiar's MT300 - $188
Adam's Swirl Killer 15mm - $250
Flex 3401 - $389.99
Rupes LHR 15ES - $299
Torq 22D - $300
Rupes 21ES - $319

Thanks for putting this together.

I was thinking of going to Griot's 6inch unless someone can clearly articulate why I should spend $320 on the Rupes.

[cclinard1]

I still say spend a little more and get the Adams swirl killer for $229. It is excellent and superior to the Griots, which I also own.

http://adamspolishes.com/adam-s-swir...-polisher.html

Or the Chemical Guys Torq 10FX. Also superior to Griots for just a little more $. But I still like Adams more.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/TORQ_10F..._p/buf_501.htm

All those polishers listed there are not even in the same league. Very difficult to compare IMO.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by ghostofsenna

Thanks for putting this together.

I was thinking of going to Griot's 6inch unless someone can clearly articulate why I should spend $320 on the Rupes.

6" pad is too large. You'll be polishing night and day if you have anything more than super fine scratches. With RIDS, you need more power. The Rupes 21 has more power than the Griot's (I have a Griot's and a Rupes, albeit the Rupes 15). Griot's is in the nicer case, but it's a dusty case as I just don't use it anymore after getting the Rupes. YPMV.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by cclinard1

I still say spend a little more and get the Adams swirl killer for $229. It is excellent and superior to the Griots, which I also own.

http://adamspolishes.com/adam-s-swir...-polisher.html

Or the Chemical Guys Torq 10FX. Also superior to Griots for just a little more $. But I still like Adams more.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/TORQ_10F..._p/buf_501.htm

All those polishers listed there are not even in the same league. Very difficult to compare IMO.

I think the Adams is the older Rupes with a new name plate. Where is it made? The chemical guys one looks like a PC polisher to me.

[cclinard1]

Originally Posted by admranger

I think the Adams is the older Rupes with a new name plate. Where is it made? The chemical guys one looks like a PC polisher to me.

Adams is made in China. I've certainly wondered if some of these are just re-branded.

[ghostofsenna]

Originally Posted by admranger

6" pad is too large. You'll be polishing night and day if you have anything more than super fine scratches. With RIDS, you need more power. The Rupes 21 has more power than the Griot's (I have a Griot's and a Rupes, albeit the Rupes 15). Griot's is in the nicer case, but it's a dusty case as I just don't use it anymore after getting the Rupes. YPMV.

So avoid a 6inch Rupes and go for the Rupes mini?

[cclinard1]

Originally Posted by ghostofsenna

So avoid a 6inch Rupes and go for the Rupes mini?

You can just go with a smaller backing plate...prob 5inch plate and use smaller pad.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by ghostofsenna

So avoid a 6inch Rupes and go for the Rupes mini?

Originally Posted by cclinard1

You can just go with a smaller backing plate...prob 5inch plate and use smaller pad.

I should have been more specific...tired after a long day in the office.

A 6 inch pad on a porter cable will not cut as well as a 5 inch pad on a porter cable.

The Rupes has more power than the PC so it can run a 6 inch pad. Perhaps the new PC units can power a 6" but the one I had could not do it (Griot's didn't want people damaging their paint so they gave it too large of a pad).

[Detailers Domain]

I have used just about all the tools out there and honestly spend the money on the Rupes, it's just a better balanced and powered machine, Rupes occupies about 90 percent of our paint correction tool space at the shop. Hit me up if you like to pick one up, maybe the Rupes LHR21ES would be a good fit for you.

[carenthuziast]

Originally Posted by DetailersDomain

I have used just about all the tools out there and honestly spend the money on the Rupes, it's just a better balanced and powered machine, Rupes occupies about 90 percent of our paint correction tool space at the shop. Hit me up if you like to pick one up, maybe the Rupes LHR21ES would be a good fit for you.

Is it possible to attach a 3" backer to this model of Rupes?

[Detailers Domain]

you would need to pick up a 3 inch polisher

[carenthuziast]

Refined List:



Adam's Swirl Killer 15mm - $250
Rupes LHR 15ES - $299
Torq 22D - $330
Flex XC3401VRG - $389

[carenthuziast]

Leaning towards these 3 now...in order of ranking

1) Flex (German made) XC3401VRG kit with pads and polish = $441
- most expensive
- Positive-Drive Rotary-Orbital
- high ratings on amazon
- high power
- 8 mm orbital movement
- acceleration trigger


2) Rupes (Italian made) LHR21ES = $319
- random orbital
- soft start
- underpowered?
- 21 mm throw
- highest amazon ratings
- 6.5" pads


3) Torq (no idea where made) BUF502X TORQ22D combo kit = $329
- knock is that it lacks power
- random orbital
- comes with pads and polish
- 21 mm throw

thoughts anyone?