G15 0r G21?

[banzaitoyota]

Any advantages or disadvantages to either one. Hobby detailer, mainly my cars and my neighbors cars

[Marc08EX]

Advantage of the G21 over the G15 is the longer throw (21mm vs 15mm).

Disadvantage of the G21 is that it's harder to use on curved panels because of its 21mm throw and the use of 6.5" pads with the 6" BP. This can be alleviated slightly by swapping out the 6" BP for the 5" BP and use 5.5" pads instead.

If you want speed and larger coverage, I would suggest the G21. But if you want the ultimate versatility, I would suggest the G15 but you'll have less area that you'll cover.

[banzaitoyota]

I have a Fiat ABARTH, there is not a lot of real estate to cover

[Marc08EX]

I would recommend the G15 for you. Don't feel like you're missing out by choosing a 15mm over a 21mm. It's already a big improvement over the standard DA polishers. You will love this machine.

[banzaitoyota]

I have a porter cable already, probably should have mentioned that

[JSFM35x]

3" Rupes for that. Really.

I have a Fiat ABARTH, there is not a lot of real estate to cover

[custmsprty]

Advantage of the G21 over the G15 is the longer throw (21mm vs 15mm).

Disadvantage of the G21 is that it's harder to use on curved panels because of its 21mm throw and the use of 6.5" pads with the 6" BP. This can be alleviated slightly by swapping out the 6" BP for the 5" BP and use 5.5" pads instead.





If you want speed and larger coverage, I would suggest the G21. But if you want the ultimate versatility, I would suggest the G15 but you'll have less area that you'll cover.

Except for the machine selection. Go G21.

I bought a Rupes 15 a couple years ago and regretted not getting the 21.

I went with the G21, the larger throw is awesome. I got a 5" BP for it for versatility. It's a beast.

[custmsprty]

I have a Fiat ABARTH, there is not a lot of real estate to cover

Get the 3.5" LC backing plate for that if you don't already have it and run 4" pads for correction and LSP's and your good to go. I do love my Rupes Mini but that's a whole other investment.

[d33p]

Id go g15 for most flexibility. You can always buy a 6" plate for the g15 too.

[jetman624]

I have a porter cable already, probably should have mentioned that

I also have the PC and use it with a 3.5" backing plate and 4" pads. This combined with the G15 I just purchased, I feel, is a great combo.

I did a full paint correction on my Tundra this past weekend (the paint had faded/oxidized to a nice flat white). I used the G15 on all the large, open, surface areas and followed up with the PC on the tighter spots and smaller areas that the 5.5" pad on the G15 was too big for.

This is a full size, four door, truck. I had previously (a few years ago) done the whole truck with the PC and 4" pads. And while the G15 with its longer throw and bigger pads is certainly nice, the extra coverage I got from the G15 wasn't life changing by any means. That said, even though I have not tried the 21 myself, I find it hard to wrap my head around the "extra coverage" argument people like to make in choosing the 21 over the 15. I don't know if the 21 is indeed a bit more difficult on curved panels, but I will say that the 15 definitely needs some technique to keep the pad spinning.

The good news is you really can't go wrong with either machine.
Don't over think it.
Good luck.