When coarse isn't enough

[mrasmussen]

really dumb question, how do you know if a particular polisher is gear driven or free spinning? the Rupes in the pic above looks very similar to my LHR21. I assume the product details will tell me the spinning mechanism?

Maybe I should purchase a gear driven polisher for trim, something that takes a 2 or 3 inch pad? Any recommendations?

Pic issue fixed (obviously), I assume the issue was the file size, I was just over 5MBs originally, resizing in Paint (windows 10) worked.

[Mike Phillips]

Take your finger and try to spin the backing plate.

IF the tool, any brand, is a free spinning polisher you can spin the backing plate with your finger - easily.

If the tool is gear-driven orbital - you'll have to physically GRAB the backing plate and force it to rotate/oscillate.

Good question - I show this in all my car and boat detailing classes BECAUSE it drives home a simple point that most people can then wrap their brains around.

I'll show that in the live class today.

[Mike Phillips]

^^ is the above going to be recorded and posted on YouTube or anything?

Yes.

All our live classes are hosted on the AG YouTube channel and I add them to this growing list here on the forum.


Complete List of Live Broadcast Videos on YouTube - Yancy Martinez & Mike Phillips

[fly07sti]

You may also want to look into some fiber pads to do your cutting with. Check out LC purple wool and the Rupes wool. Will help with pad rotation and cut more than the blue Rupes foam pad.

[mrasmussen]

I watched the video, really good info. I should have gotten a gear driven polisher. Also, instead of using the 4 steps from Rupes I would rather have done 1-2 steps for a daily driver.

I see Flex has a trim polisher with a battery (sold out it appears). Is that a gear driven tool?

[Mike Phillips]

I watched the video, really good info. I should have gotten a gear driven polisher. Also, instead of using the 4 steps from Rupes I would rather have done 1-2 steps for a daily driver.

And just to note - RUPES also has a gear-driven polisher called the Mille

I see Flex has a trim polisher with a battery (sold out it appears).

Do you mean the FLEX PXE 80 ? I've never seen nor heard of it called a Trim Polisher.



Pictures: New FLEX PXE 80 10.8-EC by Mike Phillips

Is that a gear driven tool?

If you mean the PXE - the answer is a 2 part answer.

Yes - The PXE is gear-driven when you have the rotary drive unit installed.

No - The PXE is free spinning random orb it when you have either the 3mm or the 12mm drive units installed.



At this time - there are no small or micro-tools that are gear-driven orbital.



Or do you mean one of the other compact FLEX tools?


FLEX XFE 7-12 3" Mini Polisher

FLEX PE8 Kompakt Rotary Polisher, motorcycle polisher


And never heard these referred to as trim polishers but "yes" all three above would be functional for polishing trim or thin panels.