How to use the Rupes Bigfoot Polisher - Detailing Class

[Mike Phillips]

Hey Mike, I am looking forward to the 2016 classes.

When will the 2016 schedule be released?




It's already released.


Here's the deal... as a company we decided 5 years ago to pick dates for our Detailing Boot Camp Classes and then stick to them. They repeat the SAME TIME each year.

This way, people in the U.S. and people around the world can more easily make their travel arrangements including, airlines, hotels and rental cars.

We have people that travel from all over the country and the world to attend these classes and keeping the dates the same time each year is really the best way for all involved.

Part of my job is to ingrain in the brain of every member and lurker that visits this forum the dates.

I always post a thread for the dates for each new year before the year starts in the Sign-up For Detailing Bootcamp Class - 2 Day Class (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/sign-up-detailing-bootcamp-class-3-day-class/) forum group.


So here they are from this thread,


Detailing Classes at Autogeek for 2015 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/sign-up-detailing-bootcamp-class-2-day-class/88088-detailing-classes-autogeek-2015-a.html)



Last weekend of January.
First weekend of May
Third weekend in July
Last weekend in September


So while the "number" of the date for the above weekends may fluctuate due to normal calender changes from year to year, the WEEKENDS are always consistent.


And to reserve a seat in any of the classes all you have to do is contact Autogeek via phone, e-mail or the registration page.






Thanks. Congrats for the results.

Great job everyone!
Rafael




Thanks for the comments and questions Rafael. This write-up is to document a real class using the Rupes Paint Polishing System. I think it's the 4th or 5th documented class using the Rupes tools since Autogeek picked up the brand.

I've tried hard to document each class with pictures showing the people that attend this class don't sit in a chair and talk about the tools but in fact... have them in their hands buffing out not just cars... but cool cars.

Here's two more "dedicated threads" showing just the Rupes portion from past classes. I takes a lot of time to process these pictures and create these threads so I can't always do one for every class but here are two...


Rupes Bigfoot Polishers Detailing Class & Extreme Paint Restoration (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-saturday-detailing-101/85862-rupes-bigfoot-polishers-detailing-class-extreme-paint-restoration.html)

Rupes Bigfoot Polishers Detailing Class - Swirled-out 1964 Impala (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-saturday-detailing-101/80096-pictures-detailing-classes-autogeek-may-2014-a.html#post1096256)

VIP Guest Marco D'Inca from Rupes at Autogeek's Detailing Boot Camp Class (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/69635-vip-guest-marco-d-inca-rupes-autogeek-s-detailing-boot-camp-class.html)



:)

[AZ Mike]

The great thing about the class is that is about 10% to 15% power point and sit down. The remaining 85% to 90% of the class is hands on. That is the best thing about attending. You get to actually use the tools and products on real interesting cars.
The SL500 Mercedes convertible had ceramiclear paint and was not as hard to correct as we all thought it would be. This was good learning experience that I recommend to all.

[Bunky]

More classic Mopar! They had some interesting styling in the early to mid-60's.

[RMCY]

Mike, I appreciate your reply. Clearly understood!

One more question. Is there a minimum age to attend the classes? 16, 18, 21?

Rafael

[RMCY]

Did this class have the chance to use the UHS system from Rupes? Or only had time for their "regular" polishes and pads? I'm kind of interested in this one step solution. I look forward to get training on this system at the bootcamp class that I wish to attend in the near future, if possible.
thanks in advance.

Rafael

[Mike Phillips]

Great thread!

My better half wanted me to go to this one, but funds said otherwise.



Everything in its own time. We're certainly not going anywhere and as a trend, each class seems to get better and better and always with a good mix of cars to train on.






I understand that as of now Rupes doesn't feature a protective step in their range,



On that note... while I was at the Rupes International Sales Meeting in Milan, Italy I had the opportunity as a guest speaker to share my thoughts on the detailing industry as it is now and as it will evolve into the future. At the end of my presentation I pointed out that Rupes is in the same predicament that Meguiar's was in from the early 1900's to 1950 because Meguiar's offered compounds and polishes for the automotive industry but they didn't offer their first wax or at least finishing wax until 1951.

Right now if you polish paint to perfection using any portion of the Rupes Paint Polishing System afterwards you are forced to go outside the brand in order to seal the paint be it with a wax, a synthetic sealant or a paint coating.

I pointed this out at the meeting and my recommendation was to bring out 4 products and let their customer's decides which of these products would best suit their taste and needs...

1. High end Carnauba Finishing Wax.
2. 100% Synthetic Paint Sealant.
3. Hi-Tech Paint Coating
4. One-step Cleaner/Wax (for production detailing)


Last I heard from my contacts at Rupes was at this time there are no plans to introduce any sealing products.

In some ways that's a good thing as it lets us choose and use our favorite brands.


Polished with Rupes and sealed with Synergy

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90050


Polished with Rupes and sealed with BlackICE

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90063







Polished with Rupes and sealed with Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90256


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90257






but what would be the most efficient way to install wax or sealant using the Bigfoot machines?



I've used the Rupes Mini with a Rupes White Foam Finishing Pad on the 1 speed setting. I've also used the Rupes Bigfoot 15 & 21 using their white finishing pads on the low speed settings.

Key is get the polishers moving as soon as you turn them on to get that initial product trapped between the pad and the paint spread out.


Their white foam finishing pad is very nice. If you look at the hood of the Trans Am, keep in mind I machine polished that 37 YEAR OLD VINYL GRAPHIC using their white foam finishing pad the Diamond Ultra Fine Polish and then machine sealed with the Blackfire BlackICE and this combo removed decades of road film off the graphic and really brought back vibrancy to the colors.

I mean look at it...


Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90051



After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90062



The Trans Am is one of the most dramatic before and after transformations I've ever seen.


Good questions!


:)

[conman1395]

Polished with Rupes and sealed with BlackICE

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90063



Their white foam finishing pad is very nice. If you look at the hood of the Trans Am, keep in mind I machine polished that 37 YEAR OLD VINYL GRAPHIC using their white foam finishing pad the Diamond Ultra Fine Polish and then machine sealed with the Blackfire BlackICE and this combo removed decades of road film off the graphic and really brought back vibrancy to the colors.

I mean look at it...


Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90051


After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90062



The Trans Am is one of the most dramatic before and after transformations I've ever seen.


Good questions!





Hey Mike, is there a video or thread link you can give on that Trans Am?

:)

[Mike Phillips]

Hey Mike, is there a video or thread link you can give on that Trans Am?




There will be something in March.


:D

[dlc95]

Everything in its own time. We're certainly not going anywhere and as a trend, each class seems to get better and better and always with a good mix of cars to train on.





On that note... while I was at the Rupes International Sales Meeting in Milan, Italy I had the opportunity as a guest speaker to share my thoughts on the detailing industry as it is now and as it will evolve into the future. At the end of my presentation I pointed out that Rupes is in the same predicament that Meguiar's was in from the early 1900's to 1950 because Meguiar's offered compounds and polishes for the automotive industry but they didn't offer their first wax or at least finishing wax until 1951.

Right now if you polish paint to perfection using any portion of the Rupes Paint Polishing System afterwards you are forced to go outside the brand in order to seal the paint be it with a wax, a synthetic sealant or a paint coating.

I pointed this out at the meeting and my recommendation was to bring out 4 products and let their customer's decides which of these products would best suit their taste and needs...

1. High end Carnauba Finishing Wax.
2. 100% Synthetic Paint Sealant.
3. Hi-Tech Paint Coating
4. One-step Cleaner/Wax (for production detailing)


Last I heard from my contacts at Rupes was at this time there are no plans to introduce any sealing products.

In some ways that's a good thing as it lets us choose and use our favorite brands.


Polished with Rupes and sealed with Synergy

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90050


Polished with Rupes and sealed with BlackICE

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90063







Polished with Rupes and sealed with Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90256


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90257





I've used the Rupes Mini with a Rupes White Foam Finishing Pad on the 1 speed setting. I've also used the Rupes Bigfoot 15 & 21 using their white finishing pads on the low speed settings.

Key is get the polishers moving as soon as you turn them on to get that initial product trapped between the pad and the paint spread out.


Their white foam finishing pad is very nice. If you look at the hood of the Trans Am, keep in mind I machine polished that 37 YEAR OLD VINYL GRAPHIC using their white foam finishing pad the Diamond Ultra Fine Polish and then machine sealed with the Blackfire BlackICE and this combo removed decades of road film off the graphic and really brought back vibrancy to the colors.

I mean look at it...


Before
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90051



After
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=90062



The Trans Am is one of the most dramatic before and after transformations I've ever seen.


Good questions!


:)

Mike, thanks so much for the insight!

That Trans Am.... Literally took my breath away. To see such a transformation, on my favorite car since I even knew what a car was. My Aunt Liz had a 1976, which was the year I was born. She had it into the 80's, and I absolutely loved that thing. Fantastic broke and after on that.

[Mike Phillips]

Mike, thanks so much for the insight!



No problemo... always happy to help where I can...






That Trans Am.... Literally took my breath away.

To see such a transformation, on my favorite car since I even knew what a car was.




The owner, my buddy Mark was going to put this car up for sale at one of the big auctions but after the transformation he fell in love with the car again and says he's not selling it. At least not for now.

Not only does this car look good but just like Burt Reynolds showed us in Smokey and the Bandit, (and this is the same car he drove), this car will get it on!


:dblthumb2:

[H8Rain]

Hi Mike,

Did you every get a video or thread on the complete detailing of that Trans Am? I have a 1977 and would like very much to see how you handled all of the pin stripes and various decals. I suspect it's a monumental masking task.

Although the attached pic does look good, the paint does need some work to get it to the next level.

Thanks so much!

[Mike Phillips]

Hi Mike,

Did you every get a video or thread on the complete detailing of that Trans Am?




I have a complete write-up with pictures that will be available in the near future.



:)