Review: Griots Garage Boss 21 Long Throw Polisher - Comparison To Rupes 21ES

[Marc08EX]

Nice comparison. I am glad I am not in the market for a long throw polisher. It would be really hard to choose between the two. I love my Rupes 21es, but the lifetime warranty would be hard to turn down.

Totally agree!!! You can`t beat the lifetime warranty.

Marc, If I could make one request...

Would you be able to test if the GG21 BP "fits" on the LHR21 and vice versa? Just curious and would like to see if it would work.

I`ll paypal you for your troubles.

I`ll try to do that tonight. Will let you know the results. No need to paypal - I`m happy to help.

[4u2nvinmtl]

Really great review (FYI: the white balance was off in your unboxing pictures)! I`ve been on the fence for a while about my next polisher and was one click away from pulling the trigger on the Boss 21 during last sale but figured I`d wait for more reviews like this before I committed to Boss over Rupes.

Now that I have my own space to detail car`s I`ve been doing about two a week and IMHO the PC is just lacking in correction speed compared to Rupes/Flex/Boss... I figure if I can save time with the Boss over the PC then it`s worth it (money isn`t as much of an issue as time is).

How much faster (in percentage) are the large throw tools at correcting (swirls/RIDS) compared to a PC (assuming same pads, compound, and technique were used)?

Yes, I know rushing a correction is never a good idea, but still, I`m sure I`m not the only one looking to save time (it`s really just my last deciding factor before purchasing).

[ShawnF350]

Marc, If I could make one request...

Would you be able to test if the GG21 BP "fits" on the LHR21 and vice versa? Just curious and would like to see if it would work.

I`ll paypal you for your troubles.

Also see if you can put a sound level app on your phone and give us a db level on each.
Thanks Marc

[Marc08EX]

Marc, If I could make one request...

Would you be able to test if the GG21 BP "fits" on the LHR21 and vice versa? Just curious and would like to see if it would work.

I`ll paypal you for your troubles.

Hey jsou,

It seems that the GG spindle is slightly larger than the Rupes. The Rupes BP doesn`t fit the GG polisher but the GG BP fits the Rupes polisher.

Here are a few images that try to illustrate that:

The included washer from the Griot`s Garage BOSS polisher package and the GG BOSS backing plate:


The washer fits snugly in the GG BOSS BP:


But the same washer doesn`t fit the Rupes BP:


Hope this answers what you wanted to know.

IMHO, even if they were interchangeable, I wouldn`t recommend doing that.

[Marc08EX]

Also see if you can put a sound level app on your phone and give us a db level on each.
Thanks Marc

Hey Shawn,

Here are your videos. Sorry the phone`s brightness is getting washed out in the video. I couldn`t adjust it...

[RaskyR1]

Hey jsou,

It seems that the GG spindle is slightly larger than the Rupes. The Rupes BP doesn`t fit the GG polisher but the GG BP fits the Rupes polisher.

Here are a few images that try to illustrate that:

The included washer from the Griot`s Garage BOSS polisher package and the GG BOSS backing plate:


The washer fits snugly in the GG BOSS BP:


But the same washer doesn`t fit the Rupes BP:


Hope this answers what you wanted to know.

IMHO, even if they were interchangeable, I wouldn`t recommend doing that.

I haven`t tried it myself but I know a few users are currently using the Rupes BP on the G21/G15. Just make sure there is adequate gap between the plate and the shroud if you decide to go that route.

[Marc08EX]

I haven`t tried it myself but I know a few users are currently using the Rupes BP on the G21/G15. Just make sure there is adequate gap between the plate and the shroud if you decide to go that route.

I couldn`t get my Rupes BP to fit the GG polisher. I didn`t want to pound it in.

[RaskyR1]

I couldn`t get mine to fit. I didn`t want to pound it in.

Is it just the washer, or the plate itself?

[ShawnF350]

Hey Shawn,

Here are your videos. Sorry the phone`s brightness is getting washed out in the video. I couldn`t adjust it...

I would say a 3db difference is minimal and barely noticeable.
Thanks for the videos too.

I`m sure sound absorption related to different size pads and pad density will give different db levels too.
Even the paint thickness or metal vs fiberglass hood might affect the sound levels.

Haha

[Ccrew]

I would say a 3db difference is minimal and barely noticeable.

+3db is more than noticeable. Especially when you put it into context and understand that +10db = twice as loud.

[jsou]

You`re the man Marc! I appreciate this info very much.

I have a Billet backing plate that I use on the Rupes and was planning to use it on the GG15 that arrives tommorow! I just can`t leave things the way they are...

Thanks again!

[Marc08EX]

You`re the man Marc! I appreciate this info very much.

I have a Billet backing plate that I use on the Rupes and was planning to use it on the GG15 that arrives tommorow! I just can`t leave things the way they are...

Thanks again!

What billet BP is this?!?! Please let us know how it goes.

[The Driver]

Kamikaze backing plate? Have to let us know how that handles the heat.

+1

I NEED TO STOP TOASTING PADS!!! I`ve ruined about 300$ in pads already...

[jsou]

Kamikaze backing plate? Have to let us know how that handles the heat.

I plan to do a comparison/review between it and the Rupes 5" BP with KB Washer mod. Look out for that soon.

[RaysWay]

Back on topic. I apologize Marc, I didn`t want to take away from your review!

You should start your own separate thread on the "Beast" and "Katana" Plates by Kamikaze so we can continue this discussion without getting off topic from the original post.