autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum Autogeek on TV
car wax, car care and auto detailing forumAutogeekonline autogeekonline car wax, car care and auto detailing forum HomeForumBlogAutogeek.net StoreDetailing Classes with Mike PhillipsGalleryDetailing How To's
 
Page 2 of 7 FirstFirst 1234567 LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 66
  1. #11
    Super Member Cruzscarwash's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2015
    Location
    Desert of California
    Posts
    2,425
    Post Thanks / Like

    Wink Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    I didn't know that this was asked a lot...

  2. #12
    Super Member VISITOR's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Posts
    9,690
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    Quote Originally Posted by Kamakaz1961 View Post
    The Flex is a beast!
    that it is, if there were a hall of fame for polishers it would definitely be in there. btw, i find flex's QC a little better than rupes...

  3. #13
    Super Member JRP's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Oklahoma
    Posts
    210
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    What about this comparison?
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips-bt-lt-jpg  

  4. #14
    Mike Phillips
    Guest

    Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    Quote Originally Posted by Cruzscarwash View Post



    I didn't know that this was asked a lot...

    Hi Freddy,

    I know you're joking and it is funny but it's also the truth.

    Here's a recent screenshot from my FB page...






    I could start now and take screenshots of every time this question comes up or a new thread is started asking this question to document it but no one has that kind of time and that's why I started this thread.


    Simply put, both tools are great tools but the FLEX 3401 is nothing like ANY free spinning dual action orbital polisher. It's unique.

    The RUPES tools are also unique as RUPES started the whole long orbit stroke length revolution in the paint polishing world but their engineers designed a closed system, not a tool. Most people from my observations don't read. They only look at pictures so they don't understand any of what I'm writing. They just look at pictures and then ask questions.


    Both brands also have strong and loyal fans, nothing wrong with that as long as everyone is civil about their emotions, passions and excitement for their brand of choice.



    Me?

    I'm an equal opportunity exploiter. Autogeek sells both brands and as an employee of Autogeek I represent both brands. I also show and teach both brands in all my classes and to this point I have MORE document classes for both RUPES and FLEX than anyone else in this industry including the reps and employees of these companies. It's what I do. I teach and document. Others just teach. Beside knowing how to run a buffer I know how to type and work with pictures in the blogosphere.




  5. #15
    Super Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Pasadena, CA
    Posts
    12,615
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    I have a Flex 3401 and a 15mm long throw random orbital. I will keep both. I've been polishing a lot more paint over the last couple years and I will always grab the 15mm first, as I feel it's MUCH more comfortable to use and will finish better on some paint systems. I usually can get the cut I need as well. However, there are times when I want to power(as Mike has always said) through a detail with an AIO on harder paint, I will use the 3401.
    '03 Corvette Z06

  6. #16
    Super Member BudgetPlan1's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Central OH
    Posts
    1,991
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    Picked up both (Flex 3401 and Rupes LHR15 Mk 2) in the last Holiday sales bonanza. If I wanna get it done quick, FLEX. If I wanna enjoy getting it done and take my time, Rupes. If it's needs major correction, FLEX for compounding, then Rupes for refinement. There has not yet been a clear cut winner or favorite. Sometimes (without really thinking about it) I go for a specific machine based on what's in front of me.

    There have been a few instances where I wanted something done fast and wanted to use microfiber pad so the Rupes wins that battle. But a gray LC Force Hybrid pad with Megs M101 on the Flex can sure knck down some defects in 4 passes...and still finish out well enough for production work. When I want something to be the absolute best it can be, always finish with the Rupes; using the Rupes white and yellow pads on the Rupes is just so enjoyably smooth...could polish for days with that combo.

  7. #17
    Super Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Location
    Pasadena, CA
    Posts
    12,615
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    Quote Originally Posted by BudgetPlan1 View Post
    Picked up both (Flex 3401 and Rupes LHR15 Mk 2) in the last Holiday sales bonanza. If I wanna get it done quick, FLEX. If I wanna enjoy getting it done and take my time, Rupes. If it's needs major correction, FLEX for compounding, then Rupes for refinement. There has not yet been a clear cut winner or favorite. Sometimes (without really thinking about it) I go for a specific machine based on what's in front of me.

    There have been a few instances where I wanted something done fast and wanted to use microfiber pad so the Rupes wins that battle. But a gray LC Force Hybrid pad with Megs M101 on the Flex can sure knck down some defects in 4 passes...and still finish out well enough for production work. When I want something to be the absolute best it can be, always finish with the Rupes; using the Rupes white and yellow pads on the Rupes is just so enjoyably smooth...could polish for days with that combo.
    Out of curiosity, on a flat surface, do you feel you could get more/faster cut with the grey force pads + 3401 + M101 compared to the Rupes MKII + MF cutting pad + M101?
    '03 Corvette Z06

  8. #18
    Super Member dlc95's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Rochester Hills, Mi
    Posts
    6,011
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    People have individual styles and approaches, and sometimes because of that one tool might be more appropriate than another. Unfortunately they can spend a lot of money only to realize they should have gone with something else.

    There has been a ton of hype over the long orbit tools, and rightfully so, but that doesn't necessarily disqualify the merits of other polishers, especially the 3401.

  9. #19
    Regular Member Ceerokz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Posts
    134
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    Flex,Rupes and GG's are great machines! It comes down to comfort.
    The only thing that sucks is the short power cords!

  10. #20
    Super Member DetailKitty's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    PA
    Posts
    5,026
    Post Thanks / Like

    Re: FLEX 3401 or RUPES? - A question I get asked a lot! -Mike Phillips

    I have both
    2022 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon • 2021 Ford Ranger Lariat •2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider • 2006 Buell Lightning-Bolt • 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon

Page 2 of 7 FirstFirst 1234567 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Why I call the FLEX 3401 the BEAST! by Mike Phillips
    By Mike Phillips in forum How to articles
    Replies: 29
    Last Post: 03-18-2021, 01:35 PM
  2. CBEAST Battery Life aka the FLEX Cordless 3401 by Mike Phillips
    By Mike Phillips in forum How to articles
    Replies: 13
    Last Post: 07-26-2019, 07:46 AM
  3. Replies: 2
    Last Post: 08-20-2018, 08:00 AM
  4. Book Review: How to use the Flex XC 3401 by Mike Phillips
    By Dr_Pain in forum Product Reviews
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 11-30-2014, 10:51 AM
  5. Joined the Flex family- 3401 Thanks Mike Phillips, Smack, Tato
    By Justin at Final Inspection in forum Flex Polishers
    Replies: 28
    Last Post: 07-17-2014, 10:10 AM

Members who have read this thread: 9

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  

» March 2024

S M T W T F S
2526272829 1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31 123456