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Any advice on DA Polisher

Mamps66

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Joined
Mar 3, 2019
Messages
30
Location
Lexington Ohio
I am trying to decide between a Torq and Rupes. The Rupes Mark III is significantly more than the Chemical Guys Torq. The are both 21 throw. Is the Rupes with the additional money? Any advice is appreciated.

My situation is I really enjoy working on my vehicles and boat. None are show quality, more like very nice condition daily drivers. I am considering doing some detailing on the side to support my addictive spending on detailing supplies.
 
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mikec35

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Jun 17, 2011
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1,258
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NC
Have you checked out Autogeek forums? If not you'll get a ton of info there.
 

ard

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Feb 16, 2015
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4,391
Location
Sierra Foothills... California
If spending more money makes you feel like you are more successful and have the best, then the Rupes is the one....

:)

Somehow ive been quite successful w the PC7224.

Agree that autogeek is a wealth of info. Of course the trap is that it tend to the extremes...and youll be in a rupes with a GG6 and PC as backups!
 

SGKent

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Feb 12, 2010
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Citrus Heights CA
The old timers at my large autobody supply who sells all the brands to the detailers around here felt for the money one of the Dewalt line was the best value unless it was going to be used daily professionally in which case why ask here instead of a detailing forum. If it get a chance later to pull it down I'll post the model number. Jerry's Paint and Autobody Supply is well known here in a community of 3 million people. My detailing supply house who serves all of NorCal agreed with the decision so I went with the dewalt.
 
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2level

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Apr 10, 2008
Messages
1,146
Location
Washington
Another vote for Porter Cable #7424 (or #7336 if you can find one).
 
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bob15

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Dec 8, 2011
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Northeasten, CT
I thought the GG6 was the best one out there nowadays......

Or is it the PC?

I ask as well because I'll be buying a DA polisher in a few months......
 

jayoldschool

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Joined
Apr 23, 2006
Messages
2,121
Location
Canada
Like many others, I use the PC 7424XP. Lake Country plate and pads. I use Meguiar's off the shelf Ultimate compound/polish, and a few different waxes. I take care of old single stage, modern new clear, and a bunch in between.
 

Kaizen

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Jan 9, 2015
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6,948
Location
New England
I got this torq. Just could justify getting the rupee for the same machine. However I won’t be doing this for hours either. This one to me feels like a heavy machine with more vibration then I expected. If I was going to spend 8 hours using this I’d recommend going to the high end which I’ve heard is smoother.
TORQ TORQX Random Orbital Polisher Kit (9 Items) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01BKT63XM/?tag=atomicindus08-20



Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
 
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mikegt4

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Sep 12, 2005
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3,271
Location
sw ohio
I bought a Flex 3401 for my son about 4 years ago for his birthday (he works at a body shop). I used it to compound, polish and wax the 40 year old badly oxidized hull on a 24 ft. sailboat that I bought. Nice and shiny now.
 

ZRX61

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TMcCay

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Jun 5, 2011
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SW. Oklahoma
I tried to find out if Griot's is discontinuing them and all I could find is forum chatter about a suspected cosmetic update.
 

foodie

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Mar 16, 2018
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Location
Michigan
I have read the Griots is a very good product especially because of the lifetime warranty, I have been thinking about that one myself. Check out Apex Detail on YouTube. This guy is awesome and gives no BS on brands of everything. He is not skewed to one brand and gives you the pros and cons.
 

1redTA

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May 17, 2006
Messages
731
Location
Pace FL
another porter cable user, though I did recently get the adjustable speed dewalt polisher
 

jshillin

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Nov 9, 2008
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5,601
Location
PA
It depends on how much you plan to use it. I have the PC, a Rotary and Flex 3401. The Flex is an excellent machine. Rupes makes nice machines also, but I don't have any experience with them. I have no problem suggesting you to get the Flex though, I've used it for years.
 

mikec35

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Jun 17, 2011
Messages
1,258
Location
NC
I use the PC7424 & use it with both the original 5in backer & 3in backers. All sorts of 3in stuff on Amazon. Started with these backers:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FVX1EJG/?tag=atomicindus08-20


Already had some 3in pads, but will be adding something like this shortly:


https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JDK4CS7/?tag=atomicindus08-20


I also have a variable speed Dewalt rotary buffer that has enough power to throw a fender across the shop.


Thanks for the 3" link!
 

C. Charles Hahn

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Nov 23, 2015
Messages
26
Location
Lansing, MI
Do your research on an actual detailing forum instead of on here, if you want to get accurate and thorough information. If you take the word of the Porter Cable voters without further information, you're being sold an orange when you asked for an apple.

You need to consider your use case before just plopping down cash for a tool; the PCXP isn't a bad tool, but it is an 8mm orbit machine whereas you were asking about 21mm polishers. Two totally different worlds.

For serious paint correction a 21 will be significantly more efficient, but also is limited when it comes to the ability to do panel edge work, and you won't be able to swap smaller backing plates on it (5-6" are the only options you have). The 8mm orbit tool is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-few tool in that you can put lots of different sized backing plates on it down to 2-3", but it won't be as efficient at heavy paint correction as a large stroke tool.

So, are you looking to only own one polisher ever, or would you consider building out a suite of polishing tools over time as your needs develop and grow? How serious are you about this hobby?

And as far as the large stroke tools are concerned, I am admittedly a bit biased toward Rupes since they not only originated the category (the Torq and other brands are mostly Chinese knock-offs) and are now USA made (previously they were all Italian imports, but now made in a factory in Colorado), they also have wide repair parts availability and technical support should you need it. Just my $0.02.
 

roc_on_the_rocks

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Mar 14, 2010
Messages
1,533
Location
South central Indiana
I have read the Griots is a very good product especially because of the lifetime warranty, I have been thinking about that one myself. Check out Apex Detail on YouTube. This guy is awesome and gives no BS on brands of everything. He is not skewed to one brand and gives you the pros and cons.

Thanks for the tip, I've Apex Detail really good!

 

TMcCay

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Jun 5, 2011
Messages
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Location
SW. Oklahoma
Thanks for the heads up on Apex Detail, foodie. I hadn't checked his channel out yet, but will today.
 

MAYOR28

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Joined
Mar 22, 2010
Messages
786
Location
Southern MD
Love my Porter Cable #7424/7336. Can't remember exactly which one I have.


As a bonus, it is a absolute unit of a wood sander. I have thrown some 40 grit paper on there and basically been able to plane a cutting board. It has some serious power.

...
 

foodie

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Mar 16, 2018
Messages
1,342
Location
Michigan
Roc and TM my pleasure in recommending Apex detail site, always glad to help. I have been detailing my own SUV for the last 2 years and researched many forums. Apex Details info is spot on and I really like his honesty. I know you will find a lot of good info with him. Also he is very accessible for personal questions that someone may have. He gives his email info so if you are stuck on a certain aspect he is very glad to help.
 

sqznby

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Joined
Oct 26, 2013
Messages
982
Location
Coastal NC
Do your research on an actual detailing forum instead of on here, if you want to get accurate and thorough information. If you take the word of the Porter Cable voters without further information, you're being sold an orange when you asked for an apple.

You need to consider your use case before just plopping down cash for a tool; the PCXP isn't a bad tool, but it is an 8mm orbit machine whereas you were asking about 21mm polishers. Two totally different worlds.

For serious paint correction a 21 will be significantly more efficient, but also is limited when it comes to the ability to do panel edge work, and you won't be able to swap smaller backing plates on it (5-6" are the only options you have). The 8mm orbit tool is a bit of a jack-of-all-trades, master-of-few tool in that you can put lots of different sized backing plates on it down to 2-3", but it won't be as efficient at heavy paint correction as a large stroke tool.

So, are you looking to only own one polisher ever, or would you consider building out a suite of polishing tools over time as your needs develop and grow? How serious are you about this hobby?

And as far as the large stroke tools are concerned, I am admittedly a bit biased toward Rupes since they not only originated the category (the Torq and other brands are mostly Chinese knock-offs) and are now USA made (previously they were all Italian imports, but now made in a factory in Colorado), they also have wide repair parts availability and technical support should you need it. Just my $0.02.

This :thumbup:

I am very happy with my Rupes Duetto and will be adding a couple more (a Bigfoot and smaller model) in the very near future.
 
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