rupes 12e vs 15es

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Went with the 15 :buffing:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3826/12244878116_8bf81f5c6f_b.jpg
What kind of pads are those?

[VISITOR]

^ those look like B&S pads...

[SR99]

^ those look like B&S pads...

Or Uber (same diff) would be my guess.

[ski2]

I've read good things about the performance of B&S pads (or Uber or HD Pads) on both the 15 and 21 Rupes with 5" BP--the B&S Velcro on their 5.5" pads is 4 7/8" --- exactly the same size as the Rupes 5" BP--could this contribute to the performance since centering would be spot on????

[SR99]

I've read good things about the performance of B&S pads (or Uber or HD Pads) on both the 15 and 21 Rupes with 5" BP--the B&S Velcro on their 5.5" pads is 4 7/8" --- exactly the same size as the Rupes 5" BP--could this contribute to the performance since centering would be spot on????

Different versions of the B&S 5-1/2" pads have different Velcro. On some it goes all the way to the pad edges and some are recessed. I have some of both. Not that hard to center either way. I'm not sure what you mean by affecting performance, but I can't say I've ever tried it with the pads not centered. Maybe more vibration if off centered, but I'd think the foam would still cut the same way.

[will13k7]

Yep, Uber pads.

[ski2]

Different versions of the B&S 5-1/2" pads have different Velcro. On some it goes all the way to the pad edges and some are recessed. I have some of both. Not that hard to center either way. I'm not sure what you mean by affecting performance, but I can't say I've ever tried it with the pads not centered. Maybe more vibration if off centered, but I'd think the foam would still cut the same way.

Sorry-Didn't make myself clear--some have reported that the Rupes is not as smooth and vibration free with other than Rupes pads. But I don't see those using B&S pads mentioning this so my thought was that perhaps the B&S pads with the recessed Velcro are allowing people to center the pad very well (like the hole in the Rupes pad) and so the vibration/smoothness with B&S is on par with the Rupes pads??? I think ADS is the only vendor that sells the B&S with the Velcro all the way to the edge-never could understand why.

[SR99]

Sorry-Didn't make myself clear--some have reported that the Rupes is not as smooth and vibration free with other than Rupes pads. But I don't see those using B&S pads mentioning this so my thought was that perhaps the B&S pads with the recessed Velcro are allowing people to center the pad very well (like the hole in the Rupes pad) and so the vibration/smoothness with B&S is on par with the Rupes pads??? I think ADS is the only vendor that sells the B&S with the Velcro all the way to the edge-never could understand why.

Thanks for clarifying. I guess in theory that's possible, and if you have some vibration instrument to measure it, there might be a measurable difference that isn't really detectable by human senses alone. I never really compared them though, so I guess that means it didn't stand out enough to think about it.

I'll say this much though: when I used the GG6 and the RUPES 21 side-by-side with the same 5-1/2" B&S green pad, the RUPES is noticeably smoother and less fatiguing. So even if the 21 did have slightly more vibration than when using RUPES 6/7 pads, it's still way less than the GG6, and that's the important comparison from my perspective.

[ski2]

it's still way less than the GG6, and that's the important comparison from my perspective.

This is exactly the type of info I like to hear as my GG6 has done everything I've asked of it---the smoothness and no need to use serious pressure with the Rupes is what has attracted me--now just to decide on 15 or 21. Thanks!!!!!!

[brianch]

you can actually use some apps in your iphone or android and mount the phone to the polisher to measure vibrations.

[Woob]

Used both the 15v21 polishers with B&S pads. Yes the 21 is more gruntier than the 15, pretty obvious. I've found the pad density is way more important for smoothness. If I use green/white flat pads they are smooth (ridiculous smooth on the 15) while yellow/orange pads will require way more work to buff smoothly.

[ski2]

Surprised you feel a difference between the B&S white and orange pads since they are both the dense Euro Prepolymer Foam.

On another note--Do you see much difference in the cutting and finishing ability between the orange and white??

[Woob]

Surprised you feel a difference between the B&S white and orange pads since they are both the dense Euro Prepolymer Foam.

On another note--Do you see much difference in the cutting and finishing ability between the orange and white??

We may have a different definition of white/OJ. I got a few from Autoality. The OJ (fewest I have since MFCutting pads kick butt). is 2 grades higher than the standard white pad from what I understand. Last time I remembered the OJs were the only prepolymer foam. I like open celled pads, just so easy to use / clean.

So yes, huge difference in finishing quality with white.

[ski2]

We may have a different definition of white/OJ. I got a few from Autoality. The OJ (fewest I have since MFCutting pads kick butt). is 2 grades higher than the standard white pad from what I understand. Last time I remembered the OJs were the only prepolymer foam. I like open celled pads, just so easy to use / clean.

So yes, huge difference in finishing quality with white.

Yea, we're talking about the same pads from Autoality--according to the B&S website in the 5.5" pads the yellow, orange (med cutting), white (heavy polishing) and red are all the Euro Prepolymer Foam. I was just curios about the cutting/finishing comparison between the orange and white.

[will13k7]

Gave the 15 a shot this weekend with Uber Orange and Blue Pads, and Adam's two step. Not too bad, got most the swirls out, no holograms, just a few millimeter scratches here and there the compounding didn't get out. Good enough for my Daily Driver.

Before:
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7407/12137118716_f88618fa00_k.jpg
After:
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3831/12734126655_4f06a6f832_k.jpg
http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/12734127325_12a9c7f1f7_k.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/12734613204_60f0380f99_k.jpg

I just did the hood, took 3 hours, I guess it will take awhile to get the whole car.

My Mini came in too, I'm going to try out Adam's four inch pads with this.
http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2884/12600801523_87331b4271_k.jpg
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7317/12738363414_ee98b6356b_k.jpg

:buffing: