I know this has been covered hundreds of times on detailing forums, but I figured I'd ask it on a Mini Specific forum. Who uses which machine, and why did you choose it? I keep going back and forth between the Rupes and the Flex. Some people have me scared about the Flex's forced rotation, but the Rupes seems limited on the type and size of pads it can use. Are smaller pads better with teh MINI's curvy bonnet? What are some of the pros and cons with either on our cars? Any help is appreciated!

 

Anybody?

 

I'm new to Mini's as well. Why is PC not a choice here?

 

The PC is a good machine. I just had an old PC7424 (non XP) that was a big underpowered for a full paint correction. I wanted a serious upgrade, which led me to the Flex 3401 or the Rupes LHR-21. Both are great machines, but the Rupes runs a bit smoother and has a longer throw, vs. the Flex which has forced rotation and a shorter throw. Both machines will accomplish the same thing...they just have different ways of getting there. They're both much more expensive than the PC as well. I happened to get a great deal on a Rupes bundle at Detailers Domain, so I went with that but haven't tried it yet. I'm also putting a 3" backing plate on my old PC to do smaller harder to get to areas.

 

Old thread bump. I use my Festool Shinex polisher with 6"/150mm pads for larger areas, and a 80mm pad on a Festool RO 90 for the tight areas. Anything smaller or hands-on will get a simple touch with a 3 or 4" hand held pad

 

i have a rupes 21 which i use on large panels and it works great. i use my 7424xp on smaller panels like the boot.

i definitely would get a flex 3401 if it had 3 inch backing plate.

 

I wound up getting the Rupes 21 and a 5" backing plate and then I got a 3" backing plate for my old PC7424 (non xp) for bumpers and small areas.