Dodge Ram, Opti-Coated 328 revisted, now with more Rupes 21!

Scottwax

New member
2012 Dodge Ram, sits outside 24/7, belongs to my customer's son. Prom in tomorrow so he asked us to detail it inside and out. Nothing crazy, just make sure its really clean. Perfect vehicle to start out with my very recently acquired Rupes 21 Bigfoot DA polisher. Flat panels so it would be easier getting a feel for it. Was not disappointed, very smooth, doesn't pull you all over the place like a Flex does and it takes serious pressure to stop the pad from spinning. And does it make swirl removal faster! :)



ONR Wash, Opti-Raser pink to clay

Optimum G-P-S using an Optimum MF polishing pad and my Rupes 21 DA

ONR wash and wax @ 32:1 to clean glass

Armor All on tires/wheel wells



Even with just G-P-S, I was getting about 80-90% of the swirls and marring out, really impressive considering that wasn't really the goal with this detail. What was more impressive was the finish, just terrific. I had fears that the added power would mean I'd need to use a regular DA polisher to finish out, but after talking to Kevin Brown about it, he assured me that because the Rupes makes full use of the pad and it not loading up as much due to the design of the buffer, I'd get a better finish

































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2013 BMW 328. Owner took delivery of it about 11 months ago and pretty much drove from the dealership to me to have Opti-Coat applied. He's been happy with the protection and look, and that using ONR on the coating makes washing, something he used to dread, very easy and quick. Unfortunately, the dealership didn't listed to his request they not wash the car (more than once) and had marred and swirled up the sides. Not severely, but with the horizontal panels not showing any swirls or marring, it bothered him. Plus while he was out of town, an egg fell out of a bird's next and landed on the driver's side rear fender and part of the trunk lid. Since he just got back yesterday, he hadn't had a chance to wash it and wasn't sure how long it had been there.



Once washed, I got a look at the mess (notice the lack of swirls)







Opti-Coat did its job and kept the egg from etching the actual paint, in a mere 45 or so seconds of polishing, this was the result







Most of what was in the sides was really light, didn't show up with my camera. I did notice that the worst of the light swirling was tire height and lower, leading me to believe whatever they run the cars through at the dealer to clean the wheels is what is marring the sides.



ONR wash (paint was very smooth, didn't clay)

Optimum Hyper Polish using an Optimum MF cutting pad and my Rupes 21 DA

ONR wash

Optimum Coating on the sides and area of the trunk that was repolished.

Armor All on tires/wheel wells



No sun shots, sorry. Where the vehicle was located was right in downtown Dallas where two one way streets intersect, so not way to easily move the car to the other side of the building to the parking lot in the sun. And with the owner being at work, didn't want to even ask about moving it. At least my access to the highway was good!























 
Dodge looks super wet, for white! Nice to see owners take care of there Opti-Coated vehicles! I've debating to get the Rupes? I talked to somebody who uses a Flex like me and he didn't see much of a difference on clean-up with foam. Did say runs allot smoother. But doesn't use MF pads. I guess I'm just used to the "FEEL" and noise of the Flex. I got allot more questions, we'll have to talk.
 
I've had no issues using microfiber pads with the Rupes so far, Kevin said it works well with microfiber and foam and to play around with pad/polish combos to see what works best for me.
 
Great job as always Scott. Are you using the 5 inch backing plate and 5 inch pads, or are you using 6 inch pads with the 21? I'm considering getting a Rupes soon and can't decide to go with 5 or 6 inch pads.
 
Right now, I'm using the 6" backing plate with 6.5" pads. Guess I need to pick up the 5" BP for tighter areas. I'd recommend getting both. You get a lot more cut with the larger pads with the Rupes than with a regular DA and smaller pads.
 
Great job Scott. So the Rupes is a super comfortable ride and the Flex is an American muscle car with a rough ride? Decisions and decisions!
 
My understanding from those who've used both is that the Rupes cuts better. I tried a flex and it pulls you all over the place, way more than a rotary does.
 
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