Need your advice to help me decide which product I should buy

[Flame113]

Hi everyone,

I already have GG 3" Palm Grip Holder with some pads and I'm ready to buy my first polisher. I'm still new on this and will polish my car & my friend cars only.

Have my eyes on Flex 3401 & Rupes but I've found out that Rupes is cheaper than Flex in my country (even a 21" MK II Deluxe kit is still cheaper than 3401 itself).
I will buy Rupes Mini and 15/21 MK II but can't afford to buy both at the moment.

So which product should I buy first or should I wait until I have enough budget to buy both?
- Rupes Mini
- Rupes 15 MK II
- Rupes 21 MK II

Many thanks

[VISITOR]

i would buy the flex 3401. it's more versatile, and with the different backing plates you can use different size pads. also, it's forced rotation (gear driven) which means the pad will not stop spinning/rotating...

[Flame113]

i would buy the flex 3401. it's more versatile, and with the different backing plates you can use different size pads. also, it's forced rotation (gear driven) which means the pad will not stop spinning/rotating...

Here are converted prices to USD:
- Flex 3401 (polisher only): $530
- Rupes LHR15II Deluxe kit: $460
- Rupes LHR21II Deluxe kit: $493

A deluxe kit will include:
- 1 x LHR15II or 1 x LHR21II
- 2 x Compound 250ml
- 4 x Pads
- 4 x Microfiber cloths
- 1 x Apron
- 1 x Toolbag

So I think I could save some money with Rupes

[VISITOR]

both the LHR15/21 can only use the supplied backing plates which is either the 5" with the 15 and 6" with the 21. unless you have another polisher you can use for tighter/smaller areas (A/B/C/D pillars, bumpers, etc.) then it wouldn't make sense to get either of those. the flex 3401 comes with a 5.5" backing plate which will allow you to use 6"-6.5" pads. there's also the 4.5" backing plate in which you can use 5.5" pads and also the 4" interchangeable backing plate which you can use 4"-5" pads...



FLEX XC3401 4 Inch Changeable Backing Plate System

FLEX XC3401 Mini 4.5 inch Backing Plate

[Valky]

Go for MK2, it’s not make sense that 3401 would be more expensive than MK2. Also 3401 have much less correction ability unless you put quite a pressure on them, and it’s will wear you out pretty quick. Rupes on the other hand could stop spinning, but all you need to do is learning the trick and after that you could do almost anything with them. Also with the price in your country you can still buy a small rotary to use with tight area, any big DA with small backing plate will have problem using on tight area because of it orbit and body.

[Flame113]

Thanks everyone,

I've decided to go with Rupes 15 MK II since there is a distributor here while Flex doesn't

[custmsprty]

Good choice!

[Rsurfer]

Thanks everyone,

I've decided to go with Rupes 15 MK II since there is a distributor here while Flex doesn't

Smart thinking!

[Flame113]

I visited a local distributor today and a rep also suggested me to use Duetto as my first polisher due to following reasons:
- The kit is cheaper than LHR15II so I can spend money on pads & a Rupes Penlight.
- Same backing plate with LHR 15 but smaller throw --> easier for a newbie like me.
- It is also a wet sander while LHR 15 isn't.

Any thought?

[BudgetPlan1]

Also 3401 have much less correction ability unless you put quite a pressure on them,

Well, that's just completely false...