Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Buffing curved panels with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=101155
Below you'll find a full picture essay showing the new RUPES BigFoot 21 Mark II and the RUPES BigFoot 15 Mark II in action!
First however I would like to thank all my friends at RUPES for their trust. I appreciate and value your trust to provide me with your newest evolution in large stroke orbital polishers to test them out here at Autogeek's Show Car Garage.
Upon finding out I would have access to these new production units I sought out just the right car put these new tools to the test while at the same time a car with a cool factor that any new tool introduction deserves.
When I first saw Larry Jone's 1951 Mercury Coupe with it's new custom paint job with flames by JoAnn Bortles owner of Crazy Horse Custom Painting I instantly recognized it as the car that Sylvester Stallone, (The Italian Stallion), drove in the movie Cobra.
Sylvester Stallone - Cobra
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...hp?file=101035
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...vie_poster.jpg
James Dean - Rebel without a cause
Another famous movie star is also associated with this Mercury coupe. James Dean drove a 1949 Mercury Coupe in the movie which is the same body style as this 1951 Mercury Coupe.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...s_Dean_001.jpg
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...s_Dean_002.jpg
Besides the cool factor being a car driven by two legendary movie stars and by the way car guys, the 1951 Mercury has a lot of curves so it makes a perfect test car for the new RUPES Mark II series tool.
Again thank you to everyone at RUPES and especially Chip Case, Todd Helme and Alberto Quiroscabrera for coordinating with me to make this project happen before SEMA.
:)
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
My take...
I'm going to share a lot of picture in this thread to really showcase the,
- Before condition of the Mercury.
- The during shots of this tool in action.
- The after shots showing the results.
Before getting to the pictures however I just want to cut to the chase to share my experience after tackling a very swirled-out paint job.
Todd and Alberto brought three Mark II polishers, two BigFoot 21s and one BigFoot 15. Since I gravitate towards the BigFoot 21 this is the tool I used for the majority of this project.
Todd and Alberto when over all the new changes and explained the practical advantages and benefits they provide. I found their information very interesting and Todd has a way of explaining things that makes understanding very easy.
After discussing the changes we went to work following this process,
1. Machine decontaminating the paint using RUPES polishers with Nanoskin Autoscrub Pads.
Performing a Test Spot to dial-in and prove our system approach.
2. Compounding with Blue/Blue
3. Polishing with Yellow/Yellow
(We stopped after machine polishing as I also have a new coating to use and share in an upcoming write-up)
My experience in one word...
Impressive
After Todd did the Test Spot and we all inspected the results I placed a RUPES 7" Coarse Foam Cutting Pad on the RUPES BigFoot 21 Mark II and started compounding the paint.
Todd and I started on the front of the car as that's where the majority of the curves are found. Pad rotation was dramatically improved both when buffing out curved panels and even when applying firm pressure. The increased performance impressed me and made quick work of removing the holograms from the paint. To be honest... there were convex curved areas that required more focus on my technique to buff completely but this was accomplished simply by adjusting how I held the tool in relationship to the panel.
Besides the increase in pad rotation and overall power and performance the other aspect that I love about RUPES tools as does everyone else I know and that is the smooth, zero vibration from the tool even after the increases in performance.
I'm happy to say RUPES has taken their long stroke orbital technology to a new and higher level.
Now on to the pictures....
:)
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Great thread, Mike. Super job polishing a true classic. Looks like I need to add a new polisher to the arsenal, and a new book. Another home run.
Walter
:thumbup:
Sent from my KFSOWI using Tapatalk
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Awesome work, Mike!
Looks like a fantastic machine.
:xyxthumbs:
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Fantastic!
Will there be a Duetto MK2?
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Great write up. Thank You. So you would say most things are the same compared to the current version except the new one has significant more power?
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
whavens
Great thread, Mike. Super job polishing a true classic. Looks like I need to add a new polisher to the arsenal, and a new book. Another home run.
Walter
:thumbup:
Thanks Walter.
The car is definitely an American icon. I was just watching Americarna with Ray Evernham and he was sharing a custom Merc of this vintage on his show.
I didn't get the name of or recognize the owner/builder but he's a rock star.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
JSou
Awesome!
Team work... Alberto and Todd are amazing behind the RUPES polishers.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
dlc95
Fantastic!
Will there be a Duetto MK2?
That would be a question for Todd or Dylan from RUPES. Whether there is or not they probably can't talk about it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
7.3powerstroke
Great write up. Thank You.
So you would say most things are the same compared to the current version except the new one has significant more power?
I know what you're asking but I also know that wording a question like this is also tricky. I think Todd is better able to answer technical questions about
more power
What I can say is my experience is that pad rotation for curved panels and at any point you're applying downward pressure is greatly improved. I think this has more to do with efficiency through engineering.
:xyxthumbs:
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
So the anti spin feature or shroud still touches the backing plate?
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Ok, you answered my question, thanks Mike!
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Wow now thats a hot detail!
Can't wait for Jan 2016 detail Competition Ready with Mike Phillips 3-Day Detailing Class.
Saweeeet
:dblthumb2:
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
axel06
Wow now thats a hot detail!
Can't wait for Jan 2016 detail Competition Ready with Mike Phillips 3-Day Detailing Class.
Saweeeet
:dblthumb2:
I have some curvy cars lined up for the January class.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...CK_ACR_001.jpghttp://www.autogeekonline.net/galler..._Coupe_001.jpg
I should have a 1956 Buick Special too that is in HORRIBLE condition! Just no picture yet.
Plus a 1965 GTO and some new cars for a class that includes the widest spectrum of cars to learn and train on.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...TO_ACR_001.jpg
Training Cars for Autogeek’s Competition Ready with Mike Phillips 3-Day Detailing Class
:xyxthumbs:
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Can wait, I just can't get enough, 1 was 2 many and 10,000 will never be enough :dblthumb2:
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
7.3powerstroke
Great write up. Thank You. So you would say most things are the same compared to the current version except the new one has significant more power?
There are a number of detail improvements, but we will reserve those for SEMA. You might be able to spy a few from the photos.
The efficiency of the system has increased by 30-40%, meaning more significantly more torque to the paint while still running very cool. When used with our pads (which the counterweights are designed for) you will experience little-to-no vibration, even in free air.
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Ok...so someone has to ask....did you feel it handled the curved panels better than the Boss. I already have a Boss 21 and will probably be adding a Rupes 15. I really want to own one of each because there is so much arguing about these two machines. I understand if you don't want to say one is better than the other in a certain situation...
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Zubair
So the anti spin feature or shroud still touches the backing plate?
I didn't pay that close of attention and now the tools have left the building. Like I wrote previously pad rotation and oscillation were impressive.
:)
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
That first picture is amazing...wow Mike
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Beautiful work guys! That Merc came out great!
Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day Mike to put such a massive thread together loaded with information for all to see.
Well done good sir. Keep it up. We all enjoy your valuable contributions and detailed write-ups.
:props:
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mp0wer
That first picture is amazing...wow Mike
Thanks! That was to show it was cloudy out..
People like to see the sun shots after the work including me. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate. I was able to get a couple of shots with pure sun and a few with clouds in the way. Best I could do before the owner's son drove off in the car.
:xyxthumbs:
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
***Update***
The owner of the car Larry told me last week that since we buffed this car out and coated it with the new Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Paint Coating, that he's shown the car twice at two car shows.
He has also taken two first place trophies.
He's brining the trophies to tonight's Lew's Crew Cruise in so I can take pictures.
:dblthumb2:
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Re: Buffing CURVED PANELS with NEW RUPES Mark II BigFoot 21 & 15 Polishers
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ceerokz
Washer mod?
Nope... none of these tools used for this project had the washer mod.
:dunno:
