Todd@Rupes need your thoughts

[coolcobramatt]

Todd...I used my new Mark II le15 this past weekend and to my dismay had the following results. I used a Lake Country CCS 5.5" yellow pad @ speeds 4 and 5 to paint correct a new m3 for a friend. After only half the hood I noticed the center of the pad beginning to "cave in" for lack of a better term. It was also very warm to the touch. I knew something was up so I pulled the pad only to find the pad had literally melted to the hook and loop of the Rupes. It had gotten so hot the backing plate was fused to the pad. My only recourse was to completely pull the pad off, which caused the black part of the backing plate to rip off the Rupes. I am just a hobbiest so my Rupes does not get a workout and this is my fourth rupes (having owned two first gen le15's and a duetto). I've never seen it get so hot so fast and never had it melt the pad! Is my machine bad or what? I obviously need a new backing plate now. This thing isn't even a month old yet.

[Billy Baldone]

My only thought is that there is a reason there are pads made specifically for long throw machines, and the CCS pad is not one of them. Good luck

[coolcobramatt]

Ive used Lake Country with all my other Rupes for years, never any issue. Plus AG recommended them long ago. I can't stand the Rupes pads...way too stiff, can't grip the surface and slings product everywhere.

[Mike@ShineStruck]

Go low pro or thin pro
Thin pro will have the best balance

[Nick McKees37]

Heat was the culprit of the pad failure.

There's a reason Rupes, Buff & Shine, Griot's Garage and Lake Country all have a hole in the center of their foam and microfiber pads designed for large throw machines. That design feature is to lower temperatures, thus increasing performance and longevity of the pad.

I would recommend:

1. Using a pad, preferably one manufactured by Rupes, designed for large throw machines.
2. Rotating your pad often. After you polish one section, take that pad off and replace it with another. Continue to alternate pads as you work your way around the vehicle.

[coolcobramatt]

I will try those. Damn if I didn't stock up on ccs pads over winter.

[Eldorado2k]

Ive used Lake Country with all my other Rupes for years, never any issue. Plus AG recommended them long ago. I can't stand the Rupes pads...way too stiff, can't grip the surface and slings product everywhere.

Recommended them a Long time ago... This is the new and improved tool. Embrace your upgrade. It only warns you with a label over the backing plate when you unbox it..
Use pads with holes in them.

...It'd be like buying a brand new Cadillac, and putting 13" Dayton wire wheels on it...



And then wondering why it doesn't ride like a Cadillac. Lol. Smh..

[Rsurfer]

I will try those. Damn if I didn't stock up on ccs pads over winter.

You can still use the ccs pads, just change them out more often.

[coolcobramatt]

Recommended them a Long time ago... This is the new and improved tool. Embrace your upgrade. It only warns you with a label over the backing plate when you unbox it..
Use pads with holes in them.

...It'd be like buying a brand new Cadillac, and putting 13" Dayton wire wheels on it...



And then wondering why it doesn't ride like a Cadillac. Lol. Smh..

Pads with no holes, Rupes LE15 (albeit Gen 1) right there in the pic.

Lake Country ThinPro Foam Pad System 5.5 Inch 6 Pack - Your Choice!

[Nick McKees37]

You can still use the ccs pads, just change them out more often.

This, and also keep the speed down. Like someone else mentioned, the Mark II is far more powerful (about 30%) than the Mark 1.