Rupes vs Flex vs Griot

K

Krisek

New member
Hi Guys,

My old UDM is killing me vibration performance wise ....

Looking at getting new supplies;My choices


Rupes 15
or
Flex 3401

+ Manzerna x 2 Polishes + Orange, White, Black foam pads, I read that MF pads don't perform that well on Forced machine like Flex

Vs

Griot Garage 6 + Meguiars MF pads + 300/301 Polishes


Is the Pad selection OK, what exact Manzerna polishes should I get or some
other polishes ?

This is for personal family use ....

Used with Subaru, Porsche, BMW, Hyundai and Chrysler/ Mercedes clearcoats


But mainly it will be used with softer paints; Porsche


Any advice is appreciated
 
Well, I own a Griots 3", Griots 6", a PC 7336, a Flex 3403 Rotary and a Rupes 15 if it's any help. I tend to deviate on pad selection, but I've had good luck with the Griots pads in Orange/Black/Red and Chemical Guys HexLogic pads in Orange/White/Grey. i've had absolutely stunning results with the Griots and Surbuff pads with Megs UC/UP but mine tend to be on Chrysler/Ford with the occasional Hyundai/Kia/Toyota thrown in. The Griots MF discs also work well. I tend not to buy into the flavor of the month and when I find something that works better only then I'll switch. I do experiment a lot though, and have and have tried a lot of different product as a result.

The Rupes I've stuck with their pads, and for the most part have stayed with lighter cut since I haven't had it that long. Using Menzerna 2500/4500 with that. Being new on the learning curve it's certainly a pleasure to use, but it's definitely a different beast with the throw it has. Smooth, low vibration and quieter it certainly has down pat. I know it'll do a LOT more than I'm doing with it right now but until I get it cold the GG 6" is still my go-to.

Hope that helps somewhat. My background is more of a hobbyist, with a few magazine shoots and national level show event wins thrown in over the years.
 
Krisek- I've never usedthe Rupes, but a lot of people really like them, especially the Rupes21.

I have both the Griot's and the Flex 3401, and overall I think you'd be better off with the GG if you can only have one. Note that even with not-soft clear, I don't always get the final finish I want with the Flex.

I wouldn't go with Menzerna, but rather something with nondiminishing abrasives.
 
Accumulator said:
...
I wouldn't go with Menzerna, but rather something with nondiminishing abrasives.
Click to expand...

I dunno Accum. The OP said he'd concentrate on Porsche, and I've found nothing better than PF2500 for that use. That "strength" works like a compound on the uber-soft Porsche paints, and finishes LSP ready.
 
I have both the Rupes 15 and the Flex. The Rupes feels smoother and easier to whip around but I always feel the Flex made polishing easy. You do not need to worry as much about pressure - you hold it flat on the paint and let the forced action do its job. If you like trying to force it with extra pressure to cut faster. it will work against you.
 
I don't know where your from.. I'm in NJ.
See if someone will let you take a test drive of what your interested in.
I sold my Griot's polishers. The 6 worked well but I figured after I bought a 15, it wouldnt get much use.
So i sold them for a mini.
Griots 3" was only good for applying wax.. If that.
I have a 3401 and added the Rupes 15 and mini.

The 3401 could be risky with one hand.. I could with the Griots.
Actually haven't used the Rupes yet. Next week I'm hoping.
 
I'm reading into this differently than everone else so far because I feel the emphasis on your question was regarding vibration over performance.
I own the 3401 and a 21 and a 15. Both Rupes are much smoother and easier to operate that I highly suggest the Rupes over the Flex if vibration and ease-of-use is your main concern. However, I believe the Flex is more satisfactory in the correction category. Not by too much though.
 
Ah, yeah....good catch EXPDetailing!

When somebody mentions "vibration", I don't think a Flex 3401 is the solution.

The Cycl is GREAT in that regard, but it's not the right machine for every job, and thus not the right choice for every detailer either.
 
Thank you very much guys, I appreciate all the comments....

I guess flex is best bet for functionality.. I guess I can survive vibration
 
Krisek said:
Thank you very much guys, I appreciate all the comments....

I guess flex is best bet for functionality.. I guess I can survive vibration
Click to expand...

The Flex is smoother and sounds better (more growl) than the UDM. I have a UDM. You can wear gloves but one key item is to not grasp any machine very tightly since it will make it worse. The UDM always seem unbalanced.
 
Accumulator said:
Ah, yeah....good catch EXPDetailing!

When somebody mentions "vibration", I don't think a Flex 3401 is the solution.

The Cycl is GREAT in that regard, but it's not the right machine for every job, and thus not the right choice for every detailer either.
Click to expand...

Talking about vibration for flex, is that similar to GG6 or more/less? After doing a full car with flex, do you get numbness in the hands ?



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I own a GG6 and use them with BnS 5.5 pads. I am yet to use the new Meg thin disks. I am looking for an upgrade (for the once a month others details I do) but due to pad rotation issues on curvy areas or under pressure, I find it tiring. The new thin pads may help but not sure. Would Rupes15 be a worthy upgrade from GG6 ? Or flex?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
sealthedeal said:
Talking about vibration for flex, is that similar to GG6 or more/less? After doing a full car with flex, do you get numbness in the hands ?
Click to expand...

This is gonna be subjective, and in the end *you* are the subject that matters here ;) I find i kinda hard to make some of these judgment calls, but here goes another try:

IMO, the Flex 3401 doesn't vibrate the way a PC/GG/etc. can. Rather, it "recoils" in the sense that you can feel like you're fighting it.

I can get the "white finger"/tingling hands/etc. effect. And I believe it is a *VERY* serious matter as it can lead to permanent nerve damage. Sure, the problem is just a minor annoyance that goes away.... UNTIL IT ISN'T and then it's something really serious for the rest of your life. No polished car is worth a lifetime of issues with one's hands IMO. I found the anti-vibration gloves to be a bit helpful with some equipment, but not with my polishers. So I retired my PCs and I simply don't use my GG for extended periods because I won't risk real injury. That said, I've never had the same issue with the Flex 3401, but that's just me. So OK...I guess I'd recommend that you try the Flex 3401, but my real advice is that you don't do stuff that can exacerbate the numbness/tingling issue.
 
So how does the good old Cyclo (or the new Pro 5) compare with these young bucks. Especially in way of vibration and pressure.
 
Texchappy said:
So how does the good old Cyclo (or the new Pro 5) compare with these young bucks. Especially in way of vibration and pressure.
Click to expand...

The Cyclo is the only polisher I even come close to enjoying (I just don't like doing this stuff). Wonderful piece of equipment.

ASSUMING IT'LL WORK WITH THE VEHICLE'S CONTOURS...and that can be a huge "if" as it simply won't work on my Jag...it's great as long as you don't need the more aggressive correction of something like the Rupes21 or the Flex 3401. My Cyclos are the old Model 5 without the vibration-reducing system and I don't even feel any inclination to add that system! Smooth and easy, even with one hand. Easy to apply pressure and it doesn't bog down unless you *really* lean on it.

With another caveat about that potential vehicle's contours issue, the combo of a Flex 3401 and a Cyclo is really, REALLY good IMO.
 
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