Rupes LHR usage

[rrmccabe]

 So I have a Rupes LHR Mark II.  Last weekend I did a full paint correction using some new Rupes microfiber pads. I think this is the 4th vehicle I have buffed with the exception of some spot work with bird etchings.

 

About 1/2 way through the pads were starting to slip off center and would not hold.  I could see some smearing on the velcro print on the back of the pad and they were warm.

 

At times I had the speed up to 4 and 5.   I really did not make long runs with about 90 seconds being the longest pass I would guess.

 

I am thinking I overheated the pads and toasted the backing plate.  I have a new backing plate on order and will see how that goes.  I have tried to research the subject and only thing I found was Dylan talking about the Mark II having more power than the first generation and to slow things down.

 

So it appears to me, with microfiber pads I need to keep the speed to 3 or less and clean with air to cool between passes.

 

Anyone with similar experiences?  A backing plate is almost $50 with shipping so I cant afford to be replacing backing plates.

 

Thoughts?

[The Guz]

Sounds like the backing plate has lost its ability to hold on to the pad.  With an LHR MKII, staying around speed 4 to 4.5 is the sweet spot.  Also not cycling pads or overloading them with product will heat up the pad.  Microfiber pads do generate more heat. 

[rrmccabe]

This might have reared is ugly head now because in the past I have only used smooth and waffle foam pads.

 

Does not appear there is much room for error when using microfiber so I am just going to have to keep that in mind.

 

Unfortunately this was an expensive endeavor because once you lose the packing plate ($50) and the pads don't hold, you ruin pads too. So trying to get this thing finished at the 3 setting so I could coat it, destroyed 4 or 5 NEW pads possibly. Will know more once the new backing plate gets here.

[mc2hill]

I trashed the backing plate on my MkII 15 after heating up a microfiber pad.  I was able to use it for a while until I finally got a new backing plate.  Another reason to switch to wool pads - they run much cooler, and correct better.

[rrmccabe]

Yea my new backing plate fixed things.  I really don't think I was abusing it with heat but apparently so.  I think I would hesitate to loan this Rupes out because of that.  Need to pay attention when using Microfiber.  I might have to try wool. Any downside?   I have always used wool on rotary but never DA.

[falcaineer]

Wool generates a lot of heat, too.

[rrmccabe]

Well I know one thing. I am pretty sure if I ran this long I would destroy another backing plate.

 

 

 

Edited February 19 by rrmccabe