The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas!

[Mike Phillips]

The RUPES iBrid in ACTION! - Thin panels and tight areas! (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/rupes-bigfoot-oribital-polishers/101969-rupes-ibrid-action-thin-panels-tight-areas.html)


See the full write-up for this water spot removal class here,


1955 Chevy Bel Air with a $15,000.00 Custom Paint Job - How to remove water spots (http://tinyurl.com/jgkthff)





Time for some precision surgical polishing using RUPES Nano iBrid shot neck and the RUPES TA50


Here's Robert working the posts with the RUPES Nano iBrid short neck

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105765

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105766

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105767



The 2" RUPES coarse blue foam cutting pad with the McKee's 37 Fast Compound worked great for removing water spots in the tight areas.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105768

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105769



The front valance or splash apron between the front bumper and the grill was dull, as though it had NEVER been polished after the paint job. So Robert and Jay tackled it using the Nano iBrid and the TA50 with these new pads Nick gave me to test out.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105770

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105771

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105772

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105773

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105774

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105775



This is Frank testing out the Nano iBrid

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105776

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=105777



On Autogeek.com


Rupes Bigfoot Nano iBrid Short Neck Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-ibrid-nano-short-neck.html)

Rupes Bigfoot Nano iBrid Long Neck Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-ibrid-nano-long-neck.html)



:)

[Dylan@RUPES]

Great shots. Well done.

[idriveblackcars]

Awesome tool!

[GSKR]

It is amazing with plenty of power as well.Getting one next week.

[Red Hawk]

Wanting to order both versions of this tool, I simply could wait no longer. I ordered the short neck Saturday. Am psyched about getting some 1 1/4" pads. Got my own narrow panels to tackle.

[rlmccarty2000]

Ok Mike I'm going to put you on the spot. Rupes Nano vs. Flex pe-8. $400 difference?

[991 TTS]

While I am not Mike, I thought I'd give my opinion anyway. I've had the PE-8 for a while, and got the Bigfoot iBrid Nano a few weeks ago. Having used both side by side, I would say that if you didn't have the PE-8, the Nano would be ok since it will do both rotary and DA in one tool. There are caveats to this, particularly the amount of time it takes to switch out the rotary bit for the counterweighted DA bit. If you have a PE-8, I'd say you'll find the iBrid to be an incremental upgrade, at best, and it may not even be worth using the DA part on small surfaces when the PE-8 is a lightweight, easy to use machine, with slightly better ergonomics (in my opinion). I was probably too excited when I bought my iBrid, and have since felt it was a bit overhyped. There isn't much you can't do with the PE-8, and you can get the entire kit with pads for a fraction of the cost of the nano kit. Also, you can use an extension post with the PE-8 to make it way easier to get into weird nooks and crannies.

The iBrid is a nice tool to have, but if you already have a mini, and a PE-8, the Bigfoot iBrid Nano MAY not be worth it. Since I don't detail professionally, I likely would have purchased it anyway just to have it and try out a new toy, but if you're looking to buy it to save you time by making it easier to get to small areas, or to improve your workflow, consider the PE-8 as a lower-cost alternative. If you must have the latest, and likely not the greatest, the Bigfoot is an expensive tool, and you'll use it as often as you make yourself use it.

Notes: The Nano is a well built tool, has decent(ish) ergonomics, the kit comes with a lot of stuff and the whole thing is packaged nicely. Once the system price drops by ~$150 bucks, I think it will be a great buy. The ability to polish without a cord is nice but, honestly, swapping batteries every 20 to 30 minutes can be annoying, and the cord isn't particularly obtrusive, so I use it corded most of the time. I like the Nano, but it's just not the ultimate detailing tool. Things I would do for a future revision:

Ability to lock the tool "on"
Longer battery run time, even at the expense of more weight
Lower price point
Full selection of pads with system, not just the blue and yellow
Modular cord kit that would work with other Rupes polishers. In other words, have one cord for all your Rupes polishers, and be able to simply plug it into whichever device you're using. Easier to store, less cords running everyone, easier to switch machines.
Future battery system that would be interchangeable with all Rupes polishers, a la Dewalt, Ryobi, etc.

[991 TTS]

Actually, now that I think about it, I'm going to see if I can mod all of my polishers with something like a neutrik locking connector so I can use one cord for all of my polishers, regardless of brand.

[Mike Phillips]

Good summary post from someone with both tools...


Excellent suggestions....




Ability to lock the tool "on"
Longer battery run time, even at the expense of more weight
Lower price point
Full selection of pads with system, not just the blue and yellow
Modular cord kit that would work with other Rupes polishers. In other words, have one cord for all your Rupes polishers, and be able to simply plug it into whichever device you're using. Easier to store, less cords running everyone, easier to switch machines.
Future battery system that would be interchangeable with all Rupes polishers, a la Dewalt, Ryobi, etc.





:)

[Mike Phillips]

Ok Mike I'm going to put you on the spot.

Rupes Nano vs. Flex pe-8. $400 difference?



I think they both have their strengths and their weaknesses as they are such different tools.

The oscillating action and small buffing pads make the iBrid perfect for the perfectionist detailer. I remember that before we had the iBrid most of the times you could knock out thin panels and hard to reach areas by hand.

One of the things I teach at my 3-day classes uses these three words, anyone that's attended my 3-day class knows what I'm talking about,


Big Picture Detailing


The Flex PE8 on the other hand is a hard working compact rotary buffer. Completely different than the dainty iBrid.


Both tools are what I would call want to have tools, not must have tools. For anyone starting out I'd suggest starting with the basics of a good dual action polisher. Get great at big picture detailing and then hone your skills and become great at surgical precision detailing.


Good question...


:)

[991 TTS]

I remember that before we had the iBrid most of the times you could knock out thin panels and hard to reach areas by hand.


People forget that is still an option. Honestly, for people just getting into detail with no prior experience, DON'T RUSH TO GET A MACHINE. Learn how much work or how little work goes into removing swirls and scratches by hand. This will be an eye opening experience in showing how easy it is to correct light swirls in the paint. Many people probably jump into detailing, throw their newly bought machine on max speed, with an aggressive pad, and never get to realize that you could have gotten the same results with a much less aggressive method. Testing a few spots by hand allows you to see how hard the paint is, and helps those that have been enjoying this hobby as long as I have, appreciate how much machines help us work more quickly.

I'm not THAT old, but perhaps I'm dating myself a bit.

[LEDetailing]

Prior to AGO, Mike, and all the members it puzzled me as to how to polished narrow and tight areas. I started out with a rotary and 8" 3m pads. Then progressed on to 5.5" pads on both rotary and Rupes Mark II. Now I have 1" & 2" pads from Flex with my rotary. The ability to "surgically" polish is so rewarding. I have wanted a Nano since I first read about them on AGO. Price point is prohibiting me from getting one.

It is awesome to see the areas that can be polished with ease on the beautiful Chevy with the Nano. I think a motivated detailer could pay for his Nano in one afternoon by doing some very selective demos with said Rupes Nano. Someone suggested it on AGO awhile back, doing small demos using the Nano. This tool would be so easy to carry with you and give demos of the detailer's is paint correcting abilities. Think Kirby/encyclopedia salesmen meets detailer. "That's gold Jerry, gold"

[Crispy]

I have used it quite a few times and so far very impressed. The blue pads and coarse compound ruin the pads with the rotary tool (you also cannot avoid sling. I have tried various speeds and applying minute drops of product to no avail. At first I thought it was because the surface was not flat and therefore the problem. Not so as I did the barrels of my wheels and still lots. Only switching to the orbital tool worked. These were with the 1" pads (2" even worse, but with the rotary yoi are not supposed to use the 2"). Anyone had a fix or similar experience?

[runrun411]

It seems as if once you have the PE-8, you are all set because you can adjust speeds and fine tune your work. I'm sure the iBrid is a great tool but it's so expensive.

[GSKR]

I have used it quite a few times and so far very impressed. The blue pads and coarse compound ruin the pads with the rotary tool (you also cannot avoid sling. I have tried various speeds and applying minute drops of product to no avail. At first I thought it was because the surface was not flat and therefore the problem. Not so as I did the barrels of my wheels and still lots. Only switching to the orbital tool worked. These were with the 1" pads (2" even worse, but with the rotary yoi are not supposed to use the 2"). Anyone had a fix or similar experience?sling is a promblem.using the blue pad with one little drop of polish,and you can be dry buffing causing marring.I love the tool but to much fumbling switch da to rotary.nice tool overall though.