swanicyouth
09-20-2013, 05:40 PM
I tried my Rupes 15 for the first time today. Prior to this, I've only used a PC and Griots. I mainly bought the machine as a luxury item, as I didn't need another machine and was getting by fine with what I had. Really my goal was to get something that was less fatiguing and had less vibration.
The Rupes was all that and more. I don't have any cars with real defects at this point, so I just buffed out my hood with SF 4500 using a white Rupes pad.
Overall, I found the machine just more enjoyable and pleasant to use than a regular PC style polisher. It seems to have some type of "speed control" built in, where if you push down a bit the pad spins faster. I didn't do the washer mod, and don't plan on it. The machine seems plenty powerful the way it is for me.
The longer body style makes the polisher easier to mover around. The machine itself seemed plenty powerful for what it is, I stayed under speed 5. Since your not using much downward force, everything stays pretty cool.
The speed control knob isn't "indexed" which I thought was kind of odd. It just turns like you were changing stations on an old radio. I accidentally changed the speed once because of this.
The "slow start" is a little unique. Basically, the first time I used it I though the machine was broken, because I pulled the trigger and nothing happened. It takes a few seconds to get spinning up to speed.
The backing plate and Rupes pads works well together and the conform to different angles well. I really like the Rupes pads, and that's all I think I will use with the machine. I even ordered some Rupes Finishing polish to test that out. The Rupes pads seem a little nicer than LC pads, and the little hole in the center comes in handy when your rinsing them clean.
Overall, I was quite pleased. The machine is smooth and balanced. Much more so than a PC or Griots. The learning curve from a PC is almost zero, basically its like a PC, but smoother and easier to use. It does have a trigger lock that I missed engaging a few times, as opposed to an on/off switch.
The machine also seems quieter than a PC or Griots. For whatever reason, the plug on it just slides in and out of my extension cord too easily, I had to secure it to stay plugged in. But my Griots does the same thing, maybe its my extension cord. The plug is not grounded and the cord is more plastic like than rubber.
The machine itself seems to be built pretty well. Everything felt solid and well built together. But it's all plastic, so I don't think it would survive a drop to well. One great thing is, it perfectly (and solidly) balances itself upside down (pad facing up), unlike a lot of other machines that tend to want to tip over.
The thing is, you really can only use one size pad with this machine, so I'll still be using my Griots at least anyway for smaller pads.
I was considering this or a Flex 3401. Basically, I don't need to pull out a polisher very often, and didn't want to have to go through any learning curve with a Flex. The Rupes seems almost idiot proof, basically its super easy to use, so I know I got the right machine for me.
The Rupes was all that and more. I don't have any cars with real defects at this point, so I just buffed out my hood with SF 4500 using a white Rupes pad.
Overall, I found the machine just more enjoyable and pleasant to use than a regular PC style polisher. It seems to have some type of "speed control" built in, where if you push down a bit the pad spins faster. I didn't do the washer mod, and don't plan on it. The machine seems plenty powerful the way it is for me.
The longer body style makes the polisher easier to mover around. The machine itself seemed plenty powerful for what it is, I stayed under speed 5. Since your not using much downward force, everything stays pretty cool.
The speed control knob isn't "indexed" which I thought was kind of odd. It just turns like you were changing stations on an old radio. I accidentally changed the speed once because of this.
The "slow start" is a little unique. Basically, the first time I used it I though the machine was broken, because I pulled the trigger and nothing happened. It takes a few seconds to get spinning up to speed.
The backing plate and Rupes pads works well together and the conform to different angles well. I really like the Rupes pads, and that's all I think I will use with the machine. I even ordered some Rupes Finishing polish to test that out. The Rupes pads seem a little nicer than LC pads, and the little hole in the center comes in handy when your rinsing them clean.
Overall, I was quite pleased. The machine is smooth and balanced. Much more so than a PC or Griots. The learning curve from a PC is almost zero, basically its like a PC, but smoother and easier to use. It does have a trigger lock that I missed engaging a few times, as opposed to an on/off switch.
The machine also seems quieter than a PC or Griots. For whatever reason, the plug on it just slides in and out of my extension cord too easily, I had to secure it to stay plugged in. But my Griots does the same thing, maybe its my extension cord. The plug is not grounded and the cord is more plastic like than rubber.
The machine itself seems to be built pretty well. Everything felt solid and well built together. But it's all plastic, so I don't think it would survive a drop to well. One great thing is, it perfectly (and solidly) balances itself upside down (pad facing up), unlike a lot of other machines that tend to want to tip over.
The thing is, you really can only use one size pad with this machine, so I'll still be using my Griots at least anyway for smaller pads.
I was considering this or a Flex 3401. Basically, I don't need to pull out a polisher very often, and didn't want to have to go through any learning curve with a Flex. The Rupes seems almost idiot proof, basically its super easy to use, so I know I got the right machine for me.