Which buffer would you buy out of these two and why?

[VincenzaV]

Hi, I want your advice on which detail DA polisher I should buy to use mostly on headlights (I started a business doing mobile headlight restoration).

I have been on this foam and it seems that best bang for the buck is the PC 7424XP is a contender at $130-ish.

The one I see as the "top of the line" detail sized DA is the Italian made Rupes Little Foot at $300.

I will be running 3" discs and pads (along with the occasional 1"/2" pads I bought here).

For the sole purpose of headlights, is the Rupes really $170 better than the PC? I hear it is relatively vibration free, but size/performance why are they very similar? The price is not the main concern for me. I really want value. If the Rupes is really that much better, I'll get it. If it is not worth the difference, I won't. The 7424XP seems pretty well represented here, can anyone speak from personal experience on the Little Foot?

Thank you.

[cardaddy]

You're not going to be able to run anything BUT at least 5" pads on the Rupes Duetto. It doesn't have interchangeable backing plates. Well... none do actually.

As for machines like the PC, or GG6, then yes, you can change backing plates, but even then it's a 4", 5" or 6". Don't know where you'd be able to come up with a plate to run a 1" or 2" pad with those machines. Much less how to hold the machine and make that pad work! :eek:

As far as bang for the buck... the GG6 wins, hands down. Not hard to find 30% off code for Advance Auto and get a GG6 under a hundred bucks. ;) OTOH, Nick said recently that AG would match that deal. :dunno:

[VincenzaV]

I may have messed up the model for the Rupes. This is the one I am talking about...Rupes LHR 75E Mini Random Orbital Polisher, rupes mini polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/rupes-lhr-75e-polisher.html)

That one says you can run the 3" pads. Is this backing plate removable? I have the Flex 2" and 1" backing plates (With the screw adapter thing for my drill too)

Some of the reviews for the GG seem to say it has such little power that if you look at it wrong, it stops spinning. I'm not putting it on the paint, so I do not need the safety feature of "low power". Regular power is just fine for me.

Thanks for the code. Is that for A.A. Parts, or ???

[MarkD51]

The baby Griots does lack power, it basically only has one speed that works for correcting if you baby it, and that's all out on speed 6.
It might work better with thin MF 3" pads, but it truly is not a "professional machine".

Meaning you start hammering this machine for professional work, you'll be going through a lot of them. I've never used the mini-rupes, but am sure it's a hands down winner.

The PC- and larger Griots GG6 can be downsized to 3" pads, with a 2-7/8" LC backing plate, and while it will work, the machine is sort of large for such an application, you have that largish shroud, and these machines probably aren't optimally balanced for using smaller backing plates and pads.

As some wise would say, when you spend a little more money for something, and you get something that's good and you're happy with, you've only wasted a little of your money.

But buy something cheaper, and it's not working, and you're not happy, then you've wasted "all your money".

[VincenzaV]

Thank you MarkD51, that is solid advice. I am hoping someone with the mini Rupes can comment.

[custmsprty]

I have the Rupes Mini, it's a winner and worth the $$. BP's are not interchangeable, it is a dedicated tool.

[RFrommann]

Why not get the flex kompakt rotary if you're only doing headlights?

FLEX PE8 Kompakt Rotary Polisher, motorcycle polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-pe8-compact-rotary-polisher.html)

[GSKR]

I agree you will not get favorable results with a da on headlights.maybe to finish them down perhaps.

[VincenzaV]

Wow, I missed that Flex.

I thought a DA would be superior for minimizing scratches? No?

I am currently using a corded drill, and it sucks. I won a contest through my school so with the prize money I am buying a replacement for my worn corder drill. Ergonomically, the drill kills my bad wrist anyway.

Please explain the advantage of the rotary vs. da for headlights?

I already have the Flex 1" and 2" backing plates and two different types of Flex foam pads for each.

I need something that can run my 3M velcro backed sanding discs as well. Will the Flex do that? Thank you.

[VincenzaV]

Custmsprty-since the Rupes backing plates seem proprietary, are they at least velcro? Can I run my 3M sanding discs (velcro backed 3" sized)

[RFrommann]

Wow, I missed that Flex.

I thought a DA would be superior for minimizing scratches? No?

I am currently using a corded drill, and it sucks. I won a contest through my school so with the prize money I am buying a replacement for my worn corder drill. Ergonomically, the drill kills my bad wrist anyway.

Please explain the advantage of the rotary vs. da for headlights?

I already have the Flex 1" and 2" backing plates and two different types of Flex foam pads for each.

I need something that can run my 3M velcro backed sanding discs as well. Will the Flex do that? Thank you.

I would definitely get the pe8 for headlights. I will be buying it specifically for headlight restorations cone spring time. And currently I have a gg6, flex3401, and a regular size rotary.

Some people also chose to use pneumatic tools for headlights, but it seems like you are mobile, so the pe8 would definitely be your best bet.

As for advantages, will be quicker work time, can use your existing backing plate and pads, easier to get along edges and tight spaces (due to lack of orbiting)

[VincenzaV]

Thanks for the advice. I am REALLY leaning that way now...

[custmsprty]

Thanks for the advice. I am REALLY leaning that way now...

I have the PE 8 too, my best advice is to get some beat headlights from a junk yard to practice on if you buy the PE 8.

[VincenzaV]

Custmsprty-Great advice, I have been doing that with my drill. The drill is bad on my wrist (ergonomically for my old wrist injury. Maybe not for everyone).

The dedicated polisher will allow me to adjust to multiple positions which is really important for me.

I was thinking that the rotary would leave more scratches than the DA? Here is my drill results. Hard to photograph the scratches. They are there. Most would be happy with this however I am trying to reach black belt status in the headlight restoration business.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w268/oshanac/photo%204-10_zpscvpml6xz.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/oshanac/media/photo%204-10_zpscvpml6xz.jpg.html)

Here is another junk yard light. My third one I did. I did better on the above picture.
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w268/oshanac/photo-9_zpsn8yqudsx.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/oshanac/media/photo-9_zpsn8yqudsx.jpg.html)

[Matt@Revive]

i used the PC for about a year, i upgraded to the Rupes 75e a few month back, the difference is massive!!!! the PC was vibrating my hands numb on longer jobs, the rupes is super smooth.

you can run a 3 inch sanding disc and other 3 inch pads.

its hard to swallow the cost of the Rupes, but in a year or so you will be glad you don't have to upgrade. plus the 12mm throw will help get more work done faster!