Rupes LHR15ES or Flex XC3401 VRG?

Discussion in 'Tools - Machine Polishers, Pressure Washers, Detai' started by crxtone, Feb 2, 2013.

  1. Delgiorno12

    Delgiorno12 Birth of a Detailer

    Yea that's what I figured, I have the gg 3" so don't really need the 75 yet till that takes a shot
     
  2. Delgiorno12

    Delgiorno12 Birth of a Detailer

    Yea that's what I figured, I have the gg 3" so don't really need the 75 yet till that takes a shot
     
  3. .:RTime

    .:RTime Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    Rupes is a no braine. Got to use it this weekend at Detailers Domain and i was blown away.
     
  4. Danny

    Danny Nuba Guru

    Do you suggest I run the washer mod or use it how it is I have the 15. I haven't done the washer mod I'm still debating on doing it since I read that Mike Phillips stated after talking to the R&D manager at Rupes, doing the washer mod changes the original 50/50 ratio of oscillation and rotation to 90 % rotation an 10% oscillation this made me sort of stay away from doing it. I read this post on AGO after looking up how to do the mod.
     
  5. Legacy99

    Legacy99 Wax on..Wax off

    I read exactly the same thing. Went back to look for the thread and it was gone. Seems funny that it disappeared.
     
  6. junebug

    junebug Jedi Nuba

    FWIW - any Rupes questions, the man to ask is Kevin Brown. PERIOD!
     
  7. RaskyR1

    RaskyR1 Jedi Nuba


    Or you can wait a week or two and the Ohio retailer will likely be posting the same info. :D
     
  8. Bunky

    Bunky DB Forum Supporter

    If it was incorrect, I am glad it was deleted so as not to spread misinformation. In my simple testing, I did not see that big of a difference in the ration. I definitely prefer it over my UDM 1.0 for basic work so far (glass polishing, wax spreading).
     
  9. sulla

    sulla Virgin Detailer

    Ago is a very active forum threads move down really fast.. The thread you're looking for is still there the title is 'washer or not'
     
  10. Auto Concierge

    Auto Concierge DB Pro Supporter

    The washer mod is not required for the machine, unless you do not want to optimize the performance of the machine.

    Yes even a few years ago some of the things we all do in paint correction that Kevin Brown brought to the forefront of everyones mind was scoffed at, this stuff cannot be made up.............................. I liken what Kevin says to the Bible, as even if you do not believe in it does not mean it is not absolutely true(Most people know deep down this is true).

    When a thought or technique comes along I go with the "trust but verify" school of thought(From our last President in recent history who suffered not from low T) the Rupes 21 I own just works better with the washer installed as the backing plate is now not rubbing on the rubber bladder/shroud and spins free and smooth and optimizes the machines performance like a set of BBS Fi wheels with the incredible "Unsprung weight" loss helps a sports car performance with rotational inertia, lateral runout, etc.......................

    Do not take what I say as the truth because I work on a occasional nice car(Tongue implanted firmly in cheek) but do it because I to not tell tall tales when it comes to this stuff and Mr KBM is a really smart guy who WANTS to help even the unwashed masses.................... ignoring the above advice will cause a mental picture of me kicking you in the arse so hard that my leg will go in up to my kneecap in the aforementioned orfice(This will be "Very painful..................for you") as I have big calves.
     
  11. daveinsweethome

    daveinsweethome DB Forum Supporter

    agree wholeheartedly with bob on kevin's credentials. read em yourself. as for big calves i thought concierge's had to be French and live at least in Blackhawk, Ca. and be small guys with mustaches. oh well
     
  12. Danny

    Danny Nuba Guru

    I guess I will be giving it a go then thanks for the reply man. Any idea on the size and depth of the washer needed to run with the LHR15ES also I saw that it seems like it needs to be trimmed did you do that to make yours fit?
     
  13. daveinsweethome

    daveinsweethome DB Forum Supporter

    yes i used a dremel and just took a little off each side.
     
  14. Auto Concierge

    Auto Concierge DB Pro Supporter

    Go to the articles page here on the site, KBM covers it all with pics!!............. third article down.
     
  15. Danny

    Danny Nuba Guru

    Thanks man I appreciate you taking the time to reply and let me know your take on it.
     
  16. alphauto

    alphauto Virgin Detailer

    Wouldn't it be safe to assume that with the same pad and polish the Flex should correct quicker due to the forced rotation?

    I tried out the Rupes yesterday and it is very easy to use and very easy on your body. Not a huge fan of the ergonomics - or maybe I just haven't held it long enough.

    In terms of correction time which is the winner? And here I was about to order the Flex when I read about another machine.. Too many products to little time.
     
  17. Auto Concierge

    Auto Concierge DB Pro Supporter


    Have you compared the Rupes with a Flex side by side?, if you cannot than take the word of many detailers who have switched from the Flex to a Rupes(Flex is well built and I am sure might come up with a machine that is similar in the future or maybe even better possibly) but for now Rupes is the leader. I sold my Flex forced rotation machine way before (Over two years ago) as the Griots had more options in correction and finishing down the paint.
     
  18. alphauto

    alphauto Virgin Detailer

    It's not that I don't trust the advice of others here. I take the advice into deep consideration. I am just seeking general info on which cuts faster. It just seems logical to me that a forced rotation would cut faster than a regular DA.

    Both the griots and rupes are not forced rotation from what I know. It seems like the rupes still circulates rather slow under pressure.
     
  19. Auto Concierge

    Auto Concierge DB Pro Supporter


    Well you have all the info to make a informed choice, sounds like you need to compare them both side by side(* Note the Rupes should have the washer mod to best optimize the performance.............. a must have*).A rotary cuts the fastest but sometimes you need more finesse as opposed to brute cutting force, the Rupes does it all..........cutting and finishing, but more important cutting while leaving a finish that is easier to polish down in the subsequent steps afterward thus giving you "Smooth speed".
     
  20. alphauto

    alphauto Virgin Detailer

    I agree. I have used the Rupes and it does seem to finish down very nicely - especially with a MF pad.

    Does the FLEX not finish down well? Is that the problem?

    So is it correct to assume the FLEX does cut faster? But the Rupes is easier/smoother to use and finishes down nicer?
     

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