What should my next tool be?

[KirkH]

I am a part time detailer. During the warm months I detail 6-15 cars per month. I also have a nice car ('16 Camaro) and 2 beaters. The beaters need a lot of correction.

I have a PC7424XP and a Cyclo Pro 5. I have 5", 3", and 2" rotary buffer plates for the PC. I feel like I have mastered those tools.

Which tool would you recommend for me next? Forced orbital? Rotary? Flex, Rupes,

My goals would be faster correction, professional results, and learning new techniques. Price is not really a factor. Good tools cost what they cost.

Thanks in advance!


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[Mike Moore]

I'm personally a big fan of the Rupes 21 with a 5" backing plate for correction and finishing.

Do you have a Paint Thickness Gauge? Mine has paid for itself many times over.

[Rsurfer]

If most of your details are not in good condition and need a 2 step correction or more, get a Flex 3401. If most of your details are in pretty good shape and a one step is all it needs, get a big throw like a Rupes.

I agree with Mike, if your doing correction work, get a paint gauge.

[Zubair]

If you want old school get a 3401. If you want latest, greatest get a Rupes MKII. The MKII's have significantly more cutting power than any other freefloat or forced rotation DA, so whether you doing 1,2 or 10 steps they will out correct anything else out there and do so more comfortably. Take it from someone who owns 3 Flex's and 3 Rupes.

[Mike Moore]

Rupes 21....Smoooooth!

[KirkH]

Thanks everyone. That's good info. I would say 95% of my details need at least 2 step correction. That's kind of what I sell. I mostly get referrals, but sometimes I set up my mobile hand wash n wax service at a gas station or parking lot, do cheap hand wash n wax and try to sell them on swirl removal.

Paint gauge getting ordered today. I know I need it.

[dlc95]

What kinds of pads and products have you tried with your PC?

Sometimes simply experimenting with good product can make a major change in the performance of you and the machine.

[VISITOR]

Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher
or
Griots Garage BOSS Long Throw Orbital Polisher System

[Mike Moore]

Thanks everyone. That's good info...

Paint gauge getting ordered today. I know I need it.

Good choice...otherwise you are polishing blind! You'll find some paint is way to thin to polish.
I occasionally find a panel much thicker than others. To me this indicates paint shop/bondo etc.
But remember even with a PTG, it's only a tool. Nothing is 100% you still need good judgment.

I like to use Mike P's Vehicle Inspection form and document the paint all the way around first!
I use the PTG after it's washed & before claying to make sure there's room to polish the paint.

[KirkH]

What kinds of pads and products have you tried with your PC?

Sometimes simply experimenting with good product can make a major change in the performance of you and the machine.

I try to use only what is highly rated. In my arsenal:

Optimum hyper compound and polish
Optimum compound II and polish II
Pinnacle advanced swirl and advanced finishing polish
Meguiars 105 compound, 205 polish and ScratchX
Chemical Guys V 32, 34, 36, 38 and VSS
Wolfgang Uber All in one
CarPro Essence Plus

Pads:
mostly Hex Logic and Buf n Shine


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