Need your advice to help me decide which product I should buy

[Flame113]

Hi everyone,

I already have GG 3" Palm Grip Holder with some pads and I'm ready to buy my first polisher. I'm still new on this and will polish my car & my friend cars only.

Have my eyes on Flex 3401 & Rupes but I've found out that Rupes is cheaper than Flex in my country (even a 21" MK II Deluxe kit is still cheaper than 3401 itself).
I will buy Rupes Mini and 15/21 MK II but can't afford to buy both at the moment.

So which product should I buy first or should I wait until I have enough budget to buy both?
- Rupes Mini
- Rupes 15 MK II
- Rupes 21 MK II

Many thanks :)

[VISITOR]

i would buy the flex 3401. it's more versatile, and with the different backing plates you can use different size pads. also, it's forced rotation (gear driven) which means the pad will not stop spinning/rotating...

[Flame113]

i would buy the flex 3401. it's more versatile, and with the different backing plates you can use different size pads. also, it's forced rotation (gear driven) which means the pad will not stop spinning/rotating...

Here are converted prices to USD:
- Flex 3401 (polisher only): $530
- Rupes LHR15II Deluxe kit: $460
- Rupes LHR21II Deluxe kit: $493

A deluxe kit will include:
- 1 x LHR15II or 1 x LHR21II
- 2 x Compound 250ml
- 4 x Pads
- 4 x Microfiber cloths
- 1 x Apron
- 1 x Toolbag

So I think I could save some money with Rupes

[VISITOR]

both the LHR15/21 can only use the supplied backing plates which is either the 5" with the 15 and 6" with the 21. unless you have another polisher you can use for tighter/smaller areas (A/B/C/D pillars, bumpers, etc.) then it wouldn't make sense to get either of those. the flex 3401 comes with a 5.5" backing plate which will allow you to use 6"-6.5" pads. there's also the 4.5" backing plate in which you can use 5.5" pads and also the 4" interchangeable backing plate which you can use 4"-5" pads...

http://allinfoaboutautorepairs.com/uploads/images/ford/78390573.gif

FLEX XC3401 4 Inch Changeable Backing Plate System (https://www.autogeek.net/flex-xc3401-backing-plates.html)
https://sep.yimg.com/ay/autogeek/flex-xc3401-changeable-backing-plate-system-13.gif
FLEX XC3401 Mini 4.5 inch Backing Plate (https://www.autogeek.net/flex-xc3401-mini-backing-plate.html)
https://sep.yimg.com/ca/I/autogeek_2268_175884982

[Valky]

Go for MK2, it’s not make sense that 3401 would be more expensive than MK2. Also 3401 have much less correction ability unless you put quite a pressure on them, and it’s will wear you out pretty quick. Rupes on the other hand could stop spinning, but all you need to do is learning the trick and after that you could do almost anything with them. Also with the price in your country you can still buy a small rotary to use with tight area, any big DA with small backing plate will have problem using on tight area because of it orbit and body.

[Flame113]

Thanks everyone,

I've decided to go with Rupes 15 MK II since there is a distributor here while Flex doesn't

[custmsprty]

Good choice!

[Rsurfer]

Thanks everyone,

I've decided to go with Rupes 15 MK II since there is a distributor here while Flex doesn't

Smart thinking!

[Flame113]

I visited a local distributor today and a rep also suggested me to use Duetto as my first polisher due to following reasons:
- The kit is cheaper than LHR15II so I can spend money on pads & a Rupes Penlight.
- Same backing plate with LHR 15 but smaller throw --> easier for a newbie like me.
- It is also a wet sander while LHR 15 isn't.

Any thought?

[BudgetPlan1]

Also 3401 have much less correction ability unless you put quite a pressure on them,

Well, that's just completely false...

[kkritsilas]

Up here in Canada, the Rupes Mark II polishers both cost more than the XC3401, as does the Mark I 21mm. As do the Flex XFE7-15 150 and the PE14-2. This is for the polishers themselves, not wtih kits.

[Flame113]

Up here in Canada, the Rupes Mark II polishers both cost more than the XC3401, as does the Mark I 21mm. As do the Flex XFE7-159 and the PE14-2. This is for the polishers themselves, not wtih kits.

Yeah normally in my country, things are much more expensive if compared to US (some Meguiar's & CG products will cost x3).
After my yesterday visit I've also found out that they have some very good price products as well:
- 3M
- Scangrip system.

P/s: they are authorized distributor of Rupes since that company is listed on Rupes main website (http://distributori.bigfootrupes.it)

[FUNX650]

I visited a local distributor today and a
rep also suggested me to use Duetto as
my first polisher due to following reasons:
-The kit is cheaper than LHR15II so I can
spend money on pads & a Rupes Penlight.
-Same backing plate with LHR 15 but smaller
throw --> easier for a newbie like me.
-It is also a wet sander while LHR 15 isn't.

Any thought?
•I’m thinking that:
-If you go with the Duetto, et al,
they ought to throw in the Rupes
Swirl Finder Pen Light as a welcome
to the “World of RUPES” gift. http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/smileys-and-emoticons/yes-and-no/smileys-yes-and-no-068329.gif (http://www.picgifs.com/smileys/)


Bob

[JCDetails]

If you had to pick just one to go with, the duetto would be a great choice. 12mm orbit, 5" backing plate, would probably get you most of the way to where you need to be on just about any paint surface, minus the REALLY small stuff.

Shame they don't make a conversion kit for the duetto to go down to the 3" plate of the Mini.

[Todd@RUPES]

Well, that's just completely false...

I disagree and I say your opinion that it's "just completely false" is absolutely false...

It depends on the person, but a large-diameter random orbital is going to have an advantage on most gear-driven polishers when it comes to pad speed. Generally, guys who find that they have better correction with gear-driven polishers tend to use heavy pressure and tend to polish at an angle (many of them think they are flat). Guys who hold polishers truly flat and have really good technique with large-diameter random orbitals will find that they will get more correction with those style machines.