The Next REVOLUTION: The BigFoot Nano w/ iBrid Technology

[Todd@RUPES]

Rupes Bigfoot Nano iBrid Short Neck Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-ibrid-nano-short-neck.html)

Rupes Bigfoot Nano iBrid Long Neck Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-ibrid-nano-long-neck.html)

SEMA 2015
Las Vegas, NV

Almost 4 years ago to the date, RUPES SpA, an Italian tool manufacturer revolutionized the detailing industry with the introduction of BigFoot Polishing System. A combination of incredibly large diameter random orbital polishers, precisely balanced foam pads, and color-matched polishing compounds, BigFoot forever changed the way the world polishes.

RUPES SpA is proud to introduce the next revolution in polishing: The BigFoot Nano w/ iBrid technology.

The latest RUPES machine is more than just technology; it’s a design philosophy that will lead us into the future evolution of RUPES. iBrid ushers in an era of innovation, flexibility, versatility, and sustainability. The new iBrid manufacturing concept will increae process efficiency and optimize the user experience.

What is iBrid?
iBrid combines the functionality of a battery and the option of corded power supply, all without an interruption of the task at hand. The dual power supply is joined by multi-action movements that will revolution every technician’s approach to cleaning and detailing. For the BigFoot Nano, RUPES went big!

Multi-Action Movements?
The RUPES BigFoot Nano allows the user to switch between rotary, 3mm random orbital, and 12mm random orbital actions in just seconds. Additionally, a variety of brushes make detail cleaning easier than ever. Like all polishing systems in the BigFoot pedigree, careful attention has been paid to the user experience. You can expect ample torque and vibration free polishing.

The BigFoot Nano comes in two designs, each packaged in a complete kit.

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Unzipping the attractive carrying case reveals the contents:

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What’s in the bag?

First, the RUPES BigFoot Nano will come will come in two sizes. A standard and long-neck version to suit an individual’s needs.

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The BigFoot Nano is designed for single-handed use. A On/Off Speed Control Dial ranges from 0-5 (2000-5000 RPM Max). The LED Indicator glows green when the system is fully charged.

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The head of the unit features a Lock Button that engages a spindle lock to quickly change the movement of the tool with a counter-balanced set.

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Borrowing from RUPES' expertise in pneumatic tool design and manufacturing, the BigFoot Nano features a depressible Start/Stop Lever.

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Also included in the kit are two Lithium Ion batteries with a Rapid Charging Station. Each battery will provide over 30 minutes of run time under full load. The charge time of the battery will only be around 22-24 minutes. This means you will always have a battery charged and ready to go!

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The batteries are easy to change. Simply depressed the releases and slide out.

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An ergonomically designed plug & play power supply allows the technician to run the tool on the grid as well.

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To change the Nano’s movement, simply depress the Lock Button, unscrew one set and screw another set in. While only 4 sets are pictured in the photo, there will be 5. A rotary set with a 30 mm pad backing plate, two 3 mm sets with either a 30 mm pad backing plate a 50mm backing plate and two 12 mm sets with either a 30 mm or 50 mm pad backing plates

Note: The 30 mm pads will fit the LD-30 Orbital Polisher and the 50 mm pads will fit the TA-50 Random Orbital Polisher perfectly. 30 mm = 1.2 inches / 50 mm = 2.0 inches for us American folk.

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Additionally a number of spiral and sweeping brushes will be included the machine to make cleaning difficult-to-access areas easy (and fun).

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Speaking of pads, the Nano will come with both blue coarse and yellow polishing foams. 4 of each color 50mm pads and 5 of each color 30mm pads. Additionally, 100 ml sizes of the blue Zephir Coarse Compound and yellow Keramik Fine Compound will make polishing simple and easy.

Note: The new pad sizes will be available in green medium, UHS multipurpose, and white ultrafine foams as well.

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Putting the Nano to use!


Perhaps the closest thing to a super exotic motorcycle ever built, the limited edition Ducati Desmosedici is a full on race bike for the street. Basically a street legal version of their championship winning, multi-million dollar MotoGP prototype, the “Desmo” features a first ever (for Ducati) V4 engine, advanced electronics, a race-bread Ohlins suspension, Brembo brakes, and so forth. List price in 2007 was $65,000 dollars IF you could find one. Many rumors circulated about new owners paying twice as much.

This particular Ducati belongs to Bellisimoto in Las Vegas, and spends quite a bit of time on a racetrack as the engineers in Bologna, Italy intended. The BigFoot Nano, with its “take anywhere” battery design and assortment of brushes was the perfect tool to remove years of racetrack “crude.”


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Using the long bristle brush on rotary mode (it is actually designed for random orbital mode to clean leather, vinyl and even carpet) with a touch of RUPES APC was the perfect solution for many of the dirty and hard-to-reach areas.

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In just a few seconds, the gorgeous Ohlin’s lower and massive Brembo brakes look showroom ready.

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The exhaust on this MotoGP-derived Ducati exits behind the pilot’s seat. This area, made of unfinished carbon fiber is trashed by heat and exhaust fumes. The texture of the carbon weave makes it difficult to clean by simply wiping. The BigFoot Nano delivers big power, yet is small enough to go just about anywhere.

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To clean the area between the pipe and the body panel, I simply switched to one of the fine spiral brushes.

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50/50

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On to the paint:

While the cleaning versatility is an amazing “bonus” of the BigFoot Nano, it is designed and has enough power to easily polish paint, in a variety of ways, single handed, while operating for up to 30 minutes on battery power alone!

Simply depressed the Lock Button, and switch to the movement you want. I elected to start with the rotary attachment in order to remove a few deeper scratches.

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[Todd@RUPES]

In addition to the blue coarse and yellow fine pads, the UHS multi purpose foam will fit the Nano. This foam delivers impressive polishing performance in rotary mode (small pad sizes only!).

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You can see the scratches and swirl marks in the finish due to the reflection of the overhead lights.

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With the tiniest drop of UHS Easy Gloss Compound…

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In 30 seconds the carbon fiber piece as perfect.

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Alberto elected to use the 12 mm random orbital mode of the Nano to work on some haze and defects. Use the included wrench to tighten or loosen the various RO heads while depressing the lock mechanism.

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The green Medium Foam with Quarz Medium Compound was perfect to restore the finish on some of the areas covered in clear film.

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I stuck with the rotary movement to chase out a few deeper scratches with the short-head Nano while Alberto switched to the blue coarse pad and Zephir polishing compound to tackle the hazy areas where the pilot’s leg rub the fuel tank.

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Taking the Nano where no polisher has fit before…

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After cleaning the Ducati with brushes for 20 minutes and polishing for another 20 minutes (on half speed) the Nano’s light turned orange, then red to let me know the battery was in need of a recharge. The lithium ion batteries only take 20 minutes to charge and each Nano comes with two, so I simply swapped to the fresh battery and kept going.

Another advantage of rotary mode is taking the small pad and edging areas perfectly, such as under the mirrors of the “Desmo”…

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The heel guards had some scratches from the pilot’s boots rubbing against them. The Nano made quick work of these marks.

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Alberto switched to the UHS system on the long-neck Nano to get the wheel’s a nice shine.

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Finally, both Alberto and I polished the entire Ducati with Keramik fine polishing compound and the fine yellow foam pads.

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The Ducati was then wiped with a pre-production spray sealant.

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And the end result: The Beauty of Motorcycles + The Power of BigFoot

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[Dereksdtail]

Detailing to another level! Wow and cool!

[The Guz]

Looks like a great tool. Great write up Todd.

[fotomatt1]

How much will it retail for and when can I get one?

[Zubair]

Rupes just keeps on shifting the goal posts :)

[Angus]

Wow! This is so much more then i was expecting!!! Awesome.

[RaskyR1]

This looks awesome!!! Love the ability to not only switch out the offset size but to also have a rotary option as well. This is something detailers have been asking for for a while now and I'm glad to see it's finally available. The battery life and charging time is slick too, especiallu knowing you don't have to be burdened with a cord.

Well done Rupes! :dblthumb2:

[Heisenberg]

Wow. This is pretty incredible. Glad to be able to use corded power with it even though the batteries look great too.

People have been clamoring for a battery powered device that works well for a long time. Can't wait!!!

[Marc08EX]

WOW!!! This is such an amazing tool! And the head changes from rotary to DA movement as well?! And it can run on battery?! Please sign me up!!!

A very versatile tool for intricate spaces... Well done Rupes!

I want one bad! When will it be available?!?!

[KMG]

This will certainly be added to the collection as soon as I see it available

[fotomatt1]

Dying to know what it will cost. Also can't decide if I'd want the long neck or not.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Wow, such neat nifty machines,
The part where the polisher was in the wheel just made me think of the possibilities lol.

Really awesome machine and system

[DasBurninator]

Ah so this was what Dylan was hinting to me about a few weeks ago!!! What kind of price point will this be?

[Hoytman]

You lost me with a battery powered tool.

You got me back with option to plug it in.


The batteries alone, as good as they are, wouldn't have sold me, but options...gotta love options. That made this a winner!!