Machine Polishers - Any professional valleters on here?

[projectgt]

I have had the use of a Makita rotary polisher for the past 4 years with 3M pads and Menzerna polishes.

I now wish to purchase my own rotary polisher (not a fan of the DA machines). I have noticed quite a few other brands at the same price point £230 ish are lighter weight.

What do you guys recommend? Stick with Makita or switch to 3M or Rupes etc?

[PJ S]

Rupes is good, the 3M is a rebranded something (it's just alright) and there's Metabo and Milwaukee AP12 there too.
Might be worth checking ebay to see if anyone is selling a Festool one, pre-owned.

[nickg123]

Flex wins hands down for me, Festool is good and the 3M Machine is certainly not bad at all just a bit screechy so recommend a set of ear plugs at least with it.

It all depends what you want to spend but the Flex is awesome in my opinion!

[arfur]

I've got a Subaru Forester (black) that has never been cleaned properly. Covered in scratches and car wash marks.

Anyone in the Reading area want to come and give it a real polish and tidy it up ?

PM me

Arf

[anonymous-user]

PJ S said:

Rupes is good, the 3M is a rebranded something (it's just alright) and there's Metabo and Milwaukee AP12 there too.
Might be worth checking ebay to see if anyone is selling a Festool one, pre-owned.

The Rupes is a DA if i am not mistaken, the difference between it and other DA's, is it has a much larger footprint than the others. The Flex is a good machine and highly rated

[PJ S]

Sadly you are mistaken, the Rupes is a rotary – http://www.powertoolsalesuk.com/lh18ens.html

[anonymous-user]

PJ S said:

Sadly you are mistaken, the Rupes is a rotary – http://www.powertoolsalesuk.com/lh18ens.html

Interesting then that one of the top detailers in the country once commented that Rotary's are old school, the Rupes is the way forward. Would that not suggest that the Rupes is not a rotary?

http://www.prweb.com/releases/auto-detailing/rupes...

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 11th September 09:01

[PJ S]

slopes said:

Interesting then that one of the top detailers in the country once commented that Rotary's are old school, the Rupes is the way forward. Would that not suggest that the Rupes is not a rotary?

http://www.prweb.com/releases/auto-detailing/rupes...

Not when we're talking about two different models.
He was referring to the "Big Foot" as in your link, and I was referring to the rotary, as per the link in my last reply.
Rupes is just a brand name, much like Lexus/BMW/etc are – there are a few models to choose from.

In my first reply, you should have noticed all brands mentioned were rotaries.
I had forgotten about the Big Foot, but then I also left out the Flex brand, who have both types, but is known more for their XC3401 VRG random orbital.

Edited by PJ S on Wednesday 11th September 11:49

[nickg123]

PJ S said:

Sadly you are mistaken, the Rupes is a rotary – http://www.powertoolsalesuk.com/lh18ens.html

To be fair anyone that talks about polishing these days is blatantly going to be referring to the Big Foot when mentioning RUPES...

Lots of people using them now, lots of people loving them but still a few not convinced! It's mainly down to personal choice, oh and the cost (about £500) and the fact it eats its own Blue pads...

[LordGrover]

That rupes bigfoot likes like a smashing piece of kit. Sadly, I can't justify that price for twice a year.

[PJ S]

nickg123 said:

PJ S said:

Sadly you are mistaken, the Rupes is a rotary – http://www.powertoolsalesuk.com/lh18ens.html

To be fair anyone that talks about polishing these days is blatantly going to be referring to the Big Foot when mentioning RUPES...

Lots of people using them now, lots of people loving them but still a few not convinced! It's mainly down to personal choice, oh and the cost (about £500) and the fact it eats its own Blue pads...

Obviously not, when you read the op – DA/RO not an option – so in the context of a reply based on the OP's post, I thought it'd be safe to presume the discussion was about rotaries, unless otherwise noted.

[Tony Starks]

I've had my Makita for about 8 years now and when I detailed for a living the weight issue wasn't really a problem, but the ergonomics of it could be a pita.

Since I gave all that up I've used it maybe 4 times in the last 5 years and the weight is a big issue and your arms soon get tired.

My recommendation would be to go for the lightest possible one you can find and as long as the speed range is good you'll be ok.

Also check the ergonomics of it too, I really should have gone for the Metabo as the handling position was much better, but I foolishishly went for the one I could get more discount on.

Now you have the 3M, Festool, Flex, Rupes, Milwaukee and Dodo offers so the choice is so much better.

[Tony Starks]

slopes said:

PJ S said:

Sadly you are mistaken, the Rupes is a rotary – http://www.powertoolsalesuk.com/lh18ens.html

Interesting then that one of the top detailers in the country once commented that Rotary's are old school, the Rupes is the way forward. Would that not suggest that the Rupes is not a rotary?

http://www.prweb.com/releases/auto-detailing/rupes...

Edited by slopes on Wednesday 11th September 09:01

Don't forgot that a lot of these guys have modified theirs to make it better and that if you don't use the Rupes pads it voids the warranty.

And if you want to use smaller spot pads you have to buy a whole separate machine, you just can't swap the backing plate like you can on a rotary or DAS polisher.

[Kidders]

I use a EP800 from Cleanyoucar.co.uk, they no longer do this model though, been superceded by the EP801.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/polishing-machines/c...

I've been using the EP800 on a near daily basis for nearly 2 years now and it was the best £85 I've ever spent, its lightweight, good speed control and good torque, we now use it more than ever and its never had an issue.

Just purchased the EP801 in addition as we do far more detailing work now and I hope its as good as the old model. For £100 you cannot go wrong if you only intend to use it a few times a year.

[Envy Valeting]

You may well be able to buy a Metabo for just over £200 still.
I bought 1 as my 1st rotary and the 1st one did well, then was replaced under the XXL warranty at 2 years old.
The 2nd one began to get too hot and started to fling oil after 1 year (and I am a kind user!) so again was replaced under the XXL warranty.
The 3rd one used twice, started to grind and flung oil pretty soon after it was out the box! That one was sent back for repair, and I now use a FLEX!