Rupes LHR 15 Mark III - pad and speed

[Mustang94]

Hi,


I recently purchased a Rupes LHR 15 Mark III, and I usually use Meguiar's M205 for polishing. Before, I had the Porter Cable 7424XP, and I was using a white hex logic pad on speed setting 4.


I have purchased a Rupes yellow 'fine' pad since I have read that people say M205 works excellent with that pad. Would I be better off using a Meguiar's pad instead? Also, what speed should I be setting the Rupes to (since it is a more powerful machine)?


As for the cars I will be doing, one is a black 2013 Chevy Cruze LTZ, and the other is a red 1994 Mustang. I want to get out some minor scratches and swirls that have accumulated over the years. The paint on both cars still looks good.




Thanks for your help; it is very much appreciated!

[Rsurfer]

I would use the Rupes yellow on speed 4-5.

[Mike Phillips]

When using the BigFoot 15 or 21 I'd recommend sticking with RUPES pads.

See my article here,

The Air Test - Using NON RUPES pads on RUPES Polishers by Mike Phillips (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions/103119-air-test-using-non-rupes-pads-rupes-polishers-mike-phillips.html)


The Air Test

In this picture, this RUPES BigFoot 21 is running on the 6.0 speed setting and is vibration free.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90067







:)

[Mustang94]

For Meguiars M105 would I use the green or blue Rupes pad? So far I have yellow and white.

Thanks!

[The Guz]

I would use the Rupes yellow on speed 4-5.

I agree with this. I have a MKII and stay within 4-4.5.


For Meguiars M105 would I use the green or blue Rupes pad? So far I have yellow and white.

Thanks!

What cutting pads do you own? Are you dead set on this compound?

[Mustang94]

The only cutting pad I have for this machine at the moment is a Lake Country CCS - Orange, from my understanding the Rupes pads seem to work better with these machines. Before when I was using my Porter-Cable, I used orange for M105, white for M205 and black for wax (these were hex logic 6.5-inch pads).

I am not dead set on M105, I find it can be difficult to work with at times and it creates a lot of dust. Is there another compound that would be recommended? I mainly only used compound to try to get rid of the white clear coat scratches. They especially show up on my black Cruze.

[Mustang94]

Would M105 and a Rupes green pad match up? I did read somewhere that the Rupes blue pad would be too rough for M105. I also use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound as well.

I have read on here that the Rupes white pad can be used for waxing.

[dwaleke]

M105 is pretty old stuff. I would not buy it but if you already have it you can use it. Seems you know the challenges with it.

If I were buying a compound today I'd look at Griots Garage Fast Correcting Cream, 3D ACA 500, or even Meguiars newest cutting compound M110 (just to name a few). Rupes also has a new compound called DA Course. Might be worth trying if you want to stay inside the Rupes system. Although now that I said that I can't find it for sale here yet.

High Performance Cut Polishing Compound – D-A Coarse - Rupes tools (https://www.rupes.com/product/high-performance-cut-polishing-compound-d-a-coarse/)

If I'm cutting I like to use microfiber or modern wool pads (Rupes has the blue wool pad - Buff and Shine has the Uro-wool and Lake Country has a couple lambswool options). Wool doesn't heat the panel (and product) as much as microfiber.

I'll let others chime in about their experience with the Rupes blue and green foam pads. Other than M105 being a pain to work with I don't see why those pads wouldn't work for you. Although I've read a few negative reviews on the Rupes blue foam pad.

Start with a test spot using less agressive combinations. You may not need that aggressive of a compound / pad combo.

[The Guz]

The only cutting pad I have for this machine at the moment is a Lake Country CCS - Orange, from my understanding the Rupes pads seem to work better with these machines. Before when I was using my Porter-Cable, I used orange for M105, white for M205 and black for wax (these were hex logic 6.5-inch pads).

I am not dead set on M105, I find it can be difficult to work with at times and it creates a lot of dust. Is there another compound that would be recommended? I mainly only used compound to try to get rid of the white clear coat scratches. They especially show up on my black Cruze.

The Rupes pads work best on the machine due to Rupes designing the pads for the machine per Mike's link up above. Now that does not mean you can not use either pads. You will just notice the balance off a bit which may lead to a bit more vibration.

As far as compounds I would recommend Meguiar's M110, Sonax Cut Max or 3D ACA.


Would M105 and a Rupes green pad match up? I did read somewhere that the Rupes blue pad would be too rough for M105. I also use Meguiar's Ultimate Compound as well.

I have read on here that the Rupes white pad can be used for waxing.

You certainly can use M105 on the green pad. It will cut more than the Rupes yellow but less than the Rupes blue. It is not that the Rupes is too rough it is still a cutting pad. One has to factor in the cut of the abrasives of the compound. One thing to keep in mind is that the blue pad is open cell and will dust. Add that to the dusting of M105 and I could see a nightmare.

The Rupes white pad has the lightest cut which can be used for a finishing polish or wax/sealant application.

[Reno]

i dont see the reason to use other pads. for me with green pads and yellow i am hitting everything with success. you also should try for one step, rupes yellow pad with sonax perfect finish. great combo. one of my favourites.
i found that the sweet spot for this machine is between 3,5-4,5. most of the time i am working with this speed

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Rupes recommendation is correcting/polishing at speed 4, generally speaking. You may increase speed on concaves or if the surface is grabby and not allowing proper rotation. Use Rupes pads.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mustang94]

I wanted to try out Rupe's new polishes I own two cars, a 2013 Chevy Cruze (black metallic paint) and a 1994 Ford Mustang convertible (Rio Red). The paint on them is good; however, with the Cruze being a black car, it will show anything.

What speed settings would you recommend for the following (I am still using the Rupes LHR 15 Mark III);

1) Rupes ultra finishing polish (Uno pure) (https://www.rupes.com/product/ultra-finishing-polish-uno-pure/) with Rupes white pad. Is it safe to use this combination once a year? I would assume this would remove very little clear coat.

2) Rupes high-performance fine polishing compound (D-A fine) (https://www.rupes.com/product/high-performance-fine-polishing-compound-d-a-fine/) with Rupes yellow pad. Would this combination take off much clear coat (would it be safe to do once a year)?

3) Meguiar’s hybrid ceramic wax with a Lake County black pad. I usually do this at a very low speed, such as 1 or 2.


I do own a Rupes blue pad and the old Rupes Zephir Gloss Coarse Gel Compound (I think that has been discontinued)? However, I very rarely ever use that combination, the only time being if there was significant damage to the paint.


Thanks for the info!

[Todd@RUPES]

I wanted to try out Rupe's new polishes I own two cars, a 2013 Chevy Cruze (black metallic paint) and a 1994 Ford Mustang convertible (Rio Red). The paint on them is good; however, with the Cruze being a black car, it will show anything.

What speed settings would you recommend for the following (I am still using the Rupes LHR 15 Mark III);

1) Rupes ultra finishing polish (Uno pure) (https://www.rupes.com/product/ultra-finishing-polish-uno-pure/) with Rupes white pad. Is it safe to use this combination once a year? I would assume this would remove very little clear coat.

2) Rupes high-performance fine polishing compound (D-A fine) (https://www.rupes.com/product/high-performance-fine-polishing-compound-d-a-fine/) with Rupes yellow pad. Would this combination take off much clear coat (would it be safe to do once a year)?

3) Meguiar’s hybrid ceramic wax with a Lake County black pad. I usually do this at a very low speed, such as 1 or 2.


I do own a Rupes blue pad and the old Rupes Zephir Gloss Coarse Gel Compound (I think that has been discontinued)? However, I very rarely ever use that combination, the only time being if there was significant damage to the paint.


Thanks for the info!

Hey Mustang94,

Both combinations you listed are fairly mild. While I would never say that anything is 100% safe to use any number of times, for any number of years... assuming your technique is solid and your paint is healthy, you could use either combination a large number of times with minimal impact on paint thickness. Of course, there are always exceptions to the rule, and even the mildest combination run on speed 5 with heavy pressure directly on the edge of the paint can do damage..

Remember that paint correction (regardless if we are sanding, compounding, or just light polishing) is a process that requires removing the paint above the scratch to create a new level surface. One bad wash can require a half a day of paint correction.. which is effectively saying that one pad wash removes more paint (in isolated areas) than a light polishing session. Focus on good washing and drying techniques and your paint will reward you with a happy and long-service life.

As far as speeds, I would use 2-to-4 for the white pad, and 3-to-4 for the yellow pad.

Enjoy!