Accumulator
Well-known member
Qs for those with experience using the 21mm throws- no issues with that throw being too much for areas that aren`t really broad? How does it finish out?
Time to upgrade my polisher. Advice needed.
- Thread starter Desertnate
- Start date
Desertnate
Active member
That brings up a good question. Which finishes out better between a 15mm through or a traditional DA like the G9, or is there any real difference? I typically keep my vehicles in good enough shape I can do a one-step with the right pad and product combo.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Desertnate- That was something I`d wondered about too. When I asked the GG rep he said the BOSS15 would finish out every bit as nicely as the smaller-throw units. And I did stress that I was talking about infinitesimal diffs that the average person could never notice. (I absolutely do notice that the finish my Flex 3401 leaves isn`t up to my standards no matter what pad/product I use.)
DaveT435
Member
I love my G21 with a 5” backing plate setup. I don’t run into any issues where I think it’s too much. The hood of my Camaro has some pretty sloped areas on each side. I can’t run it right down the middle, but it’s easy enough to rn paths that accomplish polishing the entire surface. I like trying different machine. I’ve had the Rupes Mark II 15 and 21 and the G15 and 21. I sold both the 15’s. I like the 5” setup on the 21 much better. I bought a new Rupes 21 Mark III and unfortunately it was the second new a Rupes Machine I had issues with, rather than go through what I went through with the first one I pitched it. I plan on buying the new version G21 so I’ll have a backup 21 mm machine.
The finish I get from it is incredible!
Accumulator
Well-known member
DaveT435- Ah, appreciate the feedback!
Maybe my view of the potential issues with the longer stroke are partly influence by how I can only use certain (and pretty short-throw) polishers on numerous areas of my Jag, at least if I want things nice and uniform.
Maybe my view of the potential issues with the longer stroke are partly influence by how I can only use certain (and pretty short-throw) polishers on numerous areas of my Jag, at least if I want things nice and uniform.
Dr Oldz
New member
I would suggest a Flex 3401 or the newer version. No worries about pad stalling. You can actually edge with to use on thinner panels. It may be more physical on you but it can do some serious correction fast.
On the other hand most quality long throw polishers have a much more user friendly experience but you ha e pad stalling to worry about.
Be nice if you can try both styles and then make your own choice.
As far as an 8mm vs a 15 mm for finishing capabilities, there are very few times when I feel a 8mm will finish better. This is always on soft sensitive paint. I’m sure if I played with speeds and technique, I could make the 15mm work but it’s just easier for me to grab the old PC. My PC doesn’t see much use anymore.
On the other hand most quality long throw polishers have a much more user friendly experience but you ha e pad stalling to worry about.
Be nice if you can try both styles and then make your own choice.
As far as an 8mm vs a 15 mm for finishing capabilities, there are very few times when I feel a 8mm will finish better. This is always on soft sensitive paint. I’m sure if I played with speeds and technique, I could make the 15mm work but it’s just easier for me to grab the old PC. My PC doesn’t see much use anymore.
jrock645
New member
I hate a Rupes 15 and a 21. After a while, I just didn’t see much use in the 21 so I sold it. 21 might correct more area, but the 15 seemed to correct a slightly smaller area more quickly so it just seemed more efficicient. Also, the 21 wasn’t that good to me when dealing with smaller areas. 21 could have its place, but def not as your only polisher. If you’re just getting one, get a 15.
The only 8mm I ever used was a 3401 I had for a while and sold. Great, very capable machine, but some people aren’t happy with the finish. For me, it just beat me up too much after getting used to a Rupes, and my back doesn’t need to take any more of a beating- been through plenty, thanks.
Accumulator
Well-known member
jrock645- Ah, so some people *have* had the issues I wondered about with the 21! Guess this is just gonna be one of those (legitimately) subjective things where different subjects are gonna have different takes.
-AND-
As regulars here know, I love the Flex 3401 for serious correction, but have never had it finish out OK. I don`t mind its, uhm...user unfriendliness..but there`s no way I could have it as my only unit.
Dr Oldz- I gather you follow up with the 15 or even the PC after using the Flex, right? I`ve never tried the Flex on soft paint, but given how it finishes on hard clear I imagine it`s pretty bad on anything truly soft.
-AND-
Dr Oldz said:
As regulars here know, I love the Flex 3401 for serious correction, but have never had it finish out OK. I don`t mind its, uhm...user unfriendliness..but there`s no way I could have it as my only unit.
Dr Oldz- I gather you follow up with the 15 or even the PC after using the Flex, right? I`ve never tried the Flex on soft paint, but given how it finishes on hard clear I imagine it`s pretty bad on anything truly soft.
Dr Oldz
New member
Accumulator.,
I will often, as you said, cut with the 3401, the CBEAST (or a rotary). Then finish down with the Flex Finisher or sometimes an 8mm free spinning DA is the paint is sensitive. While I can usually get the 3401 to finish OK, there are times it doesn’t finish to perfection on some paints. . Also after cutting, I like the easy ride of the free spinning DA.
When it comes to AIO jobs, it’s the 3401 or CBeast.
I agree with you as the 3401 as not an only machine but the OP has a polisher that will be able to follow it up and finish down flawlessly for him.
I will often, as you said, cut with the 3401, the CBEAST (or a rotary). Then finish down with the Flex Finisher or sometimes an 8mm free spinning DA is the paint is sensitive. While I can usually get the 3401 to finish OK, there are times it doesn’t finish to perfection on some paints. . Also after cutting, I like the easy ride of the free spinning DA.
When it comes to AIO jobs, it’s the 3401 or CBeast.
I agree with you as the 3401 as not an only machine but the OP has a polisher that will be able to follow it up and finish down flawlessly for him.
Desertnate
Active member
Thank you for keeping the conversation going. Even more to consider.
The Flex and Rupes polishers are really more than what I want to spend, but the nuances of 15 vs 21 vs 8mm throws has been educational to say the least. Dr. Oldz`s comment regarding the better finish with the 8mm machine on soft paint really caught my interest. The two of the three vehicles in our family fleet with the most flat, open area where a bigger throw might really come into their own both have really soft paint I can easily correct with a medium pad and finishing polish. I`d hate to turn a one step job into two steps. If I was to turn my current DA into a 3" polisher, I`d lose the ability to bounce between a longer throw and short throw without having to constantly swap backing plates.
Hmmmm. More things to consider.
The Flex and Rupes polishers are really more than what I want to spend, but the nuances of 15 vs 21 vs 8mm throws has been educational to say the least. Dr. Oldz`s comment regarding the better finish with the 8mm machine on soft paint really caught my interest. The two of the three vehicles in our family fleet with the most flat, open area where a bigger throw might really come into their own both have really soft paint I can easily correct with a medium pad and finishing polish. I`d hate to turn a one step job into two steps. If I was to turn my current DA into a 3" polisher, I`d lose the ability to bounce between a longer throw and short throw without having to constantly swap backing plates.
Hmmmm. More things to consider.
The comment about 8mm DA being "better suited" to soft paints is akin to the comment Autopian All-star Mike lambert made about the new G9 and its 9mm throw being better suited to today`s ultra-thin finishes (clear coat & paint) being used with modern vehicle production. He would put this new G9 up against any 15mm throw machine (his words, not mine) in terms of correction and over-all finishing. Mitigating damage to ultra-thin finishes (AKA, burn-through) during necessary detailing correction and polishing to the vehicle finish at some time by anyone is paramount to having a vehicle`s finish outlive or last as long as the vehicle loan payment on a 60-to-84 month (5 to 7 years) loan.
DaveT435:
What kind of problems did you have with your Rupes polishers and were they ever resolved? Sounds like not, since you got rid of the Bigfoot MarkIII 15mm. I am curious because Rupes has such a good reputation by Autopian members, both professional and hobbyists, who own and use them.
DaveT435:
What kind of problems did you have with your Rupes polishers and were they ever resolved? Sounds like not, since you got rid of the Bigfoot MarkIII 15mm. I am curious because Rupes has such a good reputation by Autopian members, both professional and hobbyists, who own and use them.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Desertnate- Just wanna commend you on really thinking this through and taking the time/effort to make the right decision.
Dr Oldz- Hey, that`s interesting about using the Flex 3401 (and/or other aggressive units) with an AIO, never would`ve thunk of it, but then I never like the finish it leaves...*never*..(even on my hard clears). I bet the AIOs do much better correction with something like that (mine basically give *zero* correction).
Different people sure do have different experiences with this stuff!
Dr Oldz- Hey, that`s interesting about using the Flex 3401 (and/or other aggressive units) with an AIO, never would`ve thunk of it, but then I never like the finish it leaves...*never*..(even on my hard clears). I bet the AIOs do much better correction with something like that (mine basically give *zero* correction).
Different people sure do have different experiences with this stuff!
Dr Oldz
New member
To add: I’m not saying my Flex Finisher doesn’t finish well on all soft paints. It usually does amazing TBH. It’s just a few rare cases. I’d say it works amazing on 98-99% of the time. Those damn soft sticky paints can be troublesome.
Accumulator
Well-known member
Dr Oldz- My heart goes out to you guys who have to work on those problematic paints! I`d simply...well...heh heh, no thanks 