[josh.o]

I'm looking to buy a new buffer today while CG still has their 25% off sale going on. Looking for input on which of these 3 is the better deal.

I've been using a PC 7424 for around 5 years and it's time to upgrade, but I haven't really been keeping up with what's new and good. I only use it on probably 5-6 cars a year. I am by no means a professional, but I have gotten very comfortable with the PC and what it can do.


As far as budget goes, I would like to stay around 350 or under.
What's everyones opinion on these 3?
Also, anywhere else I might find a better deal on one?

http://www.chemicalguys.com/TORQ_10FX_Random_Orbital_Polisher_Kit_9_items_p/buf_501x.htm


http://www.chemicalguys.com/Flex_Polisher_and_Buffer_Complete_Pad_Kit_p/buf_101.3kit.htm


http://www.chemicalguys.com/Rupes_LHR_75E_Big_Foot_Random_Orbital_Polisher_p/buf_109.htm

 

[Fogle]

Flex is the best hands down

I linked wrong kit. I'd buy that flex kit.

I know Adams has it for 375 or so after discount with a flex bag. Cg kit is better imo

 

[MChap15]

I'm pretty sure CG's discount is on chemicals only.

Pinnaclewax is having a 20% off no exclusions except Rupes

http://www.pinnaclewax.com/flex-car-polishers.html

 

[josh.o]

Flex is the best hands down

I linked wrong kit. I'd buy that flex kit.

I know Adams has it for 375 or so after discount with a flex bag. Cg kit is better imo

I believe I'm going with the Flex.

I'm pretty sure CG's discount is on chemicals only.

Pinnaclewax is having a 20% off no exclusions except Rupes

http://www.pinnaclewax.com/flex-car-polishers.html

This is the best price I've seen so far with the discount.
Thanks for the link!

 

[kingoftroy]

I used the PC for a couple years and went to the flex and love it. I got the HD kit from autogeek with the longer cord and it is so nice not having to worry about an extension cord. I started using the lake country HD pads and am getting really good results.

The new Meg's is looking nice to. The MT300. But the extra power from the flex makes it a more versatile machine IMO


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[Faze]

Flex, Rupes, even the Cyclo polisher.

 

[SamCarroll]

I own a flex, sometimes wish I got the rupes but I don't detail for a living just some side money. So time is money, flex makes quick work of things and doesn't get hung up on a corner. It's a little torquey but you get used to it.

 

[Steve]

I have the Rupes 21 and it's an amazing machine, especially for the final polish. I also own the flex and use it a lot for compounding, especially in tight areas as I can take advantage of the forced rotation in places the rupes can't go, or where it stalls. I haven't tried the washer mod on my rupes yet, but as is, I would probably keep the flex if I could have just one.

It's worth mentioning the rupes is much less fatiguing than the flex. It's buttery smooth and it really makes a difference in how you feel post paint correction.

 

[DylanVK]

As someone who has had his hands on all 3, I'll throw my 2 pennies worth in.

No machine is perfect for every single situation. Every tool has its limitations or drawbacks, you just have to decide what you want to 'live with'.

The Rupes is awesome, very well balanced, corrects super fast... but stalls on anything even slightly curved, reducing the correcting power substantially. It also has some nagging issues with the power cord and a tendency to crack at the bale head handle. The Flex overcomes that stalling issue with the driven rotation, but your trade off is its a little more 'labor intensive' to use. I find myself having sore shoulders after any long session with the flex. It also runs very hot, so keeping the pads cool/reducing heat transfer is important so as not to impact polish/pad with excessive heat.

Between the Flex 3401 and Rupes 21mm its really a tie in terms of capability, they just go about it in different ways. Rupes with a massive stroke, Flex with high speed and driven rotation. I use both regularly and can't honestly say I'd choose one over the other all the time, there are times when one makes more sense than the other.

The Torq, i got my hands on at SEMA. It comes from (as far as I can tell) the same chinese private label machine maker as the Gloss It EVO polisher, the new Optimum Zen tool, and a host of others. I know they push the digiital control as a positive, but in practice its annoying. Each time you shut the tool down it resets to speed 0, meaning you need to push the + 5 or 6 times each time you stop/start to get back to polishing. Think about how often you stop and start during a panel, let alone a whole car. It needs a trigger setup on it and an ability to lock a speed in even after you stop. Quality - remains to be seen - hasn't been on the market long enough to comment on how well it holds up.

FWIW - I've had generic tools from that same factory in my garage for months now... they make the HF polisher as well. In terms of the feel on the unbranded ones I have, they feel cheesy... super hollow, think plastic housings, and not built to last at all. I will say that the ones they did for CG, Opt, and GlossIt all felt better than the unbranded versions I played with and the owners at each company told me they had the tool tweaked and customized to their spec so those issues are potentially ones that don't translate over.

 

[red94chevv]

I only have the flex and haven't used any of the others besides the PC. So obviously I don't have much input as far as comparison but the flex does everything I have ever asked it to do. My only problems with it is that the head gets pretty hot and I don't have a backing plate for small pads (not sure if they make one for it).

 

[kingoftroy]

I only have the flex and haven't used any of the others besides the PC. So obviously I don't have much input as far as comparison but the flex does everything I have ever asked it to do. My only problems with it is that the head gets pretty hot and I don't have a backing plate for small pads (not sure if they make one for it).

Yeah lake country makes one
http://www.autogeekmobile.net/flex-xc3401-backing-plates.html
I have it. Works great. I'm using it with the lake country 5" HD pads.

Had to force myself to buy one after I did not oil the felt seal on my stock backing plate.



I completely agree with Dylan. No clear coat or paint is the same. What may work for your truck will work on your neighbors car but may not perfect it. Any of those machines are great choices. The PC is still a fantastic tool even. I think your pad and chemical choice makes a bigger factor in the equation IMO.


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[red94chevv]

Yeah lake country makes one
http://www.autogeekmobile.net/flex-xc3401-backing-plates.html
I have it. Works great. I'm using it with the lake country 5" HD pads.

Had to force myself to buy one after I did not oil the felt seal on my stock backing plate.



I completely agree with Dylan. No clear coat or paint is the same. What may work for your truck will work on your neighbors car but may not perfect it. Any of those machines are great choices. The PC is still a fantastic tool even. I think your pad and chemical choice makes a bigger factor in the equation IMO.

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What are you supposed to oil? I've never oiled anything on mine.

 

[kingoftroy]

The felt liner on the backing plate. Some people don't have issues. Mine burnt up and started spitting out black pieces and squeaking. I might have been using to much pressure on a car trying to get out heavy defects but I know other people have had the same issues.


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[red94chevv]

Gotcha, I haven't had anything like that yet but I'll keep an eye on it.

 

[josh.o]

Thnx for the input everyone. I went with the flex, can't wait to try it out. Also got a few lake country pads coming as well

 

[Javier J Garcia]

I have a TORQ15DA. To be quite honest, this polisher hands down is a work horse. I detail cars, boats, trucks, RV's, ect, and it just keeps making me money. I have a portercabnle 7424xp as well, but the TORQ is a far superior polsiher. You can see before and after pics of the torq15da on my Instagram page JDs_auto_detailing. I need to buy another polisher and will inquire about the RUPES line, however I've used this TORQ and I know what it is capable of.

 

[Heckwine]

I have a TORQ15DA. To be quite honest, this polisher hands down is a work horse. I detail cars, boats, trucks, RV's, ect, and it just keeps making me money. I have a portercabnle 7424xp as well, but the TORQ is a far superior polsiher. You can see before and after pics of the torq15da on my Instagram page JDs_auto_detailing. I need to buy another polisher and will inquire about the RUPES line, however I've used this TORQ and I know what it is capable of.

I'm glad you joined the forum just to answer this. I'm sure he's been waiting for such a thorough answer over the past five years before making his final decision!