Tool Pron: Show me your tools!!!

[TrKent]

Idea for thread:
Post pictures of the tools you use to detail

Here are mine, the Rupes just came in today!!


Rupes LHR21e and LHR75
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8062/8202386784_f9e3d4a245_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8206/8201293411_9bafcd1019_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8202387060_45d7e18112_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8061/8202387252_580867ff47_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8197/8202387424_ac98347c12_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8070/8201294245_94f661029e_b.jpg

Left to right: Dewalt 15gal 200psi compressor, 20vLi-Ion Brushless 3-Speed drill, adjustable heat gun with temp display, 12v infared thermometer with lcd display
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8202387912_be678a7c5c_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8487/8201294677_9475148570_b.jpg

after a coating of Gtechniq C4:
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8064/8201294911_dd827f5d97_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8489/8202388594_c485b07949_b.jpg

C4 definitely darkened the finish here
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8489/8202388890_0b513d3f69_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8340/8202389246_ea5f514c4c_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8488/8202389462_7a0d8b70fc_b.jpg

[Hoytman]

:lock::laughing: Game over already...no one else can win, so there's no use in posting.

[IID]

YUP,......We have a winner!

[TrKent]

lol! Someone has to have a big collection of tools. I've seen a lot of pictures with people lining up about 8 buffers that they own!! That's pretty cool

[RMM]

Hello TrKent,
First of all, congrats on your tools!
I posted this on another thread:
"I have read a lot of threads about the Big Foot (namely at autopia and detailing world) and still can't understand the hype about this machine: it sure seems to be smooth and fast at correcting but it's very expensive (it's a regular DA), it can't be used in tight areas (you will always need a second machine, either a DA or a rotary) and it seems to "chew pads like a mad man" (a Portuguese detailer that has been using it for more than 6 months has written that some pads don't even last a single car!). I hope you guys in the US start using it regularly and start doing independent reviews so that I can formulate an educated opinion about it. :props: "
Could you do a review about the Big Foot? Up till now, only people affiliated with Rupes have been posting about it - they are pros, with a lot of machines, and not someone like me that only takes care of their own cars. From all read, I cannot see any justification for an amateur to own this machine.

[TrKent]

Hello TrKent,
First of all, congrats on your tools!
.....
Could you do a review about the Big Foot? Up till now, only people affiliated with Rupes have been posting about it - they are pros, with a lot of machines, and not someone like me that only takes care of their own cars. From all read, I cannot see any justification for an amateur to own this machine.


Thanks for the post RMM! :dblthumb2:

From what I gather:
Rupes is a bit like Apple in the way that everything is proprietary. The Rupes Bigfoot System is just that, a complete polishing system. From the machines to the liquids, to get the most out of it, it must be used that way. At least, that's what Paul Dalton says. I don't have the white or yellow pads for the 21 yet nor the Rupes liquids, but should have them in a few weeks. I am picking up some spare panels to do some testing this week and I also have a Porsche Cayman S coming in this weekend.

Your idea of having an independent review is good, I'll take it a step further and set up an ongoing Rupes review thread. That way I can get information out about what I have now and then update it when my LHR15 comes in, along with the rest of the pads and liquids. Hopefully others who are now getting their Rupes will chime in as well. I am about to place an AG order for some MF and Hydrotech pads for the 21, hopefully they'll be here by this weekend!

The only two machines I will have to compare it to are the Flex 3401 and PC7424. Hopefully this review thread will help AG if they are debating carrying Rupes.

With soft paint and curvy body panels, the Porsche won't be the best to test out heavy cutting. And I will likely have to use the 3401 for some parts. But I do have a swirled-to-hell black '11 Mustang GT with 42k miles the weekend after. Ford's ceramiclear should be hard enough that I can use some heavy cut on it.

My hypothesis:
This tool will not be beneficial to an amateur working on their own vehicle because of the cost of the machine and the proprietary items needed to reap its benefits.

~Travis

[Old Tiger]

Travis, got any new input? TIA!

[TrKent]

Travis, got any new input? TIA!

here are the threads for the black mustang mentioned in the above post:
Thread:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/58686-dream-detail-trashed-black-11-mustang-41k-miles.html
Video Thread:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/58849-dream-detail-video-trashed-2011-mustang-black.html


While I didn't document this I tried a few spots of correction with the Flex 3401. Using MF pads & D300. With the same combination on the RUPES LHR21, the Flex could not finish down anywhere near as nice as the RUPES. It is my belief that had I used the Flex for compounding, this would have been a 3 step correction instead of a 2 step.

However, I still have not gotten my hands on the LHR15 or the RUPES polishing liquids despite trying for the past 4 months. I have been in contact with the 2 main distributors in attempts to get some. The current lack of distribution supports my hypothesis for now. My LHR15 should be shipping out any day now, so I could have it by late next week. There are a few cars lined up that would surely help in documenting the differences between the Flex & RUPES (especially a black Mercedes CL500 that may rival this Mustang). However, I no longer have my Porter Cable. A local well-known detailer does have a few Griots so perhaps he can lend me one for comparison.

I would also like the Griots 3in. buffer to try against the LHR75. The question here is: Is the LHR75 worth the extra $150? I can say with nearly 100% certainty that there is no better tool than the LHR75 for detailing motorcycles. But to the person who only details his own personal vehicles/bikes... is it worth the $150+ and the cost to set up a large capacity (well over 14gal) air compressor? That, I am not so certain of.
Harley Davidson Fat Boy 1/200 Skull Paint Set with EXO - YouTube (http://youtu.be/EmFxJsc5nxE)

[JSou]

That's some heavy artillery you got there. :props:

[TrKent]

Rupes review conversation moving here:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/off-topic/58862-ongoing-rupes-review-all-opinions-welcome.html

Thanks JSou

[Old Tiger]

here are the threads for the black mustang mentioned in the above post:
Thread:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/58686-dream-detail-trashed-black-11-mustang-41k-miles.html
Video Thread:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/58849-dream-detail-video-trashed-2011-mustang-black.html


While I didn't document this I tried a few spots of correction with the Flex 3401. Using MF pads & D300. With the same combination on the RUPES LHR21, the Flex could not finish down anywhere near as nice as the RUPES. It is my belief that had I used the Flex for compounding, this would have been a 3 step correction instead of a 2 step.

However, I still have not gotten my hands on the LHR15 or the RUPES polishing liquids despite trying for the past 4 months. I have been in contact with the 2 main distributors in attempts to get some. The current lack of distribution supports my hypothesis for now. My LHR15 should be shipping out any day now, so I could have it by late next week. There are a few cars lined up that would surely help in documenting the differences between the Flex & RUPES (especially a black Mercedes CL500 that may rival this Mustang). However, I no longer have my Porter Cable. A local well-known detailer does have a few Griots so perhaps he can lend me one for comparison.

I would also like the Griots 3in. buffer to try against the LHR75. The question here is: Is the LHR75 worth the extra $150? I can say with nearly 100% certainty that there is no better tool than the LHR75 for detailing motorcycles. But to the person who only details his own personal vehicles/bikes... is it worth the $150+ and the cost to set up a large capacity (well over 14gal) air compressor? That, I am not so certain of.
Harley Davidson Fat Boy 1/200 Skull Paint Set with EXO - YouTube (http://youtu.be/EmFxJsc5nxE)
Thanks so much!

[pixelmonkey]

just to throw this out there... might select a better name for the title in future threads.

red flag flying high with the title of this thread.
chris<pixelmonkey>:D

[TrKent]

lol I don't care if someone wants to change the title or close it down.

Transmitted from the Dream Detail studio.

[RMM]

just to throw this out there... might select a better name for the title in future threads.

red flag flying high with the title of this thread.
chris<pixelmonkey>:D

:laughing:

[Johny B]

To OP great arsenal.