Beginner help please

Cmike2780

The only thing I really hate about the PC is the handle.

I was thinking of upgrading to a Flex polisher, but the PC does more than I really need.

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

cheshirecat

If you're thinking about upgrading, Rupes is the only way to go.

Junkman2008

I wouldn't consider the Flex or the Rupes polisher an upgrade. I would consider them a compliment to the PC. You can do more with the PC than both of those polishers combined, it just takes longer. The most important thing about the PC is you are not removing more clear coat than necessary when all you need is a touch up of your paint. In terms of upgrading, less is more with these three polishers.

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"Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."

Cmike2780

A flex polisher would give me faster results and with better ergonomics, so in my opinion, I would consider that an upgrade over a PC. You know as well as I, that technique is everything. You can technically removed more clear than necessary with a PC if used incorrectly. By that same token, you can achieve the same level of repair with the Flex polisher without taking more clear than necessary.... if done correctly. I guess my point is, speed has nothing to do with the end result. The PC is technically safer since it's not correcting as fast, but the Flex would allow me to tackle heavy corrections in a lot less time than a PC.

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

Junkman2008

You are EXACTLY correct. The speed of either polisher is not what makes them safe or dangerous. It is the fact that they Flex and Rupes polisher both have direct rotation that CANNOT be bogged down or stopped. That rotation is measured in RPM's, just as a true rotary polisher is. With that in mind, the Flex and the Rupes will remove more clear coat than the PC by design, no matter what technique you use. It is inevitable by the design of both machines.

That's not the case with the PC because of the free floating spindle design. You can completely stop the rotation and thus, the amount of clear coat than can be removed is limited. As you brought up, that's why it takes so long to get any major work done with the PC. Light work on the other hand is a breeze with a solid technique.

That's why I say that both polishers compliment each other by offering you a choice as to how much work you are trying to get accomplished.

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"Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."

Cmike2780

Right, the Flex and the Rupes will remove more clear coat than the PC per pass, but all that means is a shorter time polishing. You make it sound like it's impossible to do light work with Flex. The way I see it, it's like driving a 1/4 mile in a Prius vs driving a 1/4 mile in a GT-R....same finish line, half the time.

I'm not even knocking the PC, and like I said it's a great tool for most of what I need. I just don't think owning both would be much of a compliment since there is a 95-100% overlap from an end result point of view.

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[09][MB][6-Spd MT][Touring][Stillen Gen III][K&N][Borla CBE][Evo-R]

Junkman2008

Or, you can look at it as removing more clear coat than necessary. Whenever I touch up my paint, all it takes is ONE pass with the PC, a light polish and the white pad. One pass with that combination fixes whatever damage I may find. That same pass with the Flex or the Rupes is going to remove MORE clear coat than the PC will. With the work time being equal, using a more powerful machine not only offers no advantage, it removes more clear coat than necessary. If you are needing the power of something like the Flex to do light work on your paint AFTER you have completely corrected it, then there is something flawed in your paint maintenance process.

For heavy work, I agree. For light work, the PC is a smarter choice when considering the preservation of your clear coat.

You kinda lost me there but but I think the rule of using the least aggressive method to repair you paint damage when it is not severe is basically the rule of thumb that I always preach. You can always buff more clear off the car but you can't buff it back on.

__________________
"Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."