Can we talk about how much easier a good DA sander makes paint correction?

I spent years using a cheap Harbor Freight DA sander for my paint jobs. Last month I finally upgraded to a nicer brand, a Rupes LHR15. The difference in cut and finish is night and day, I finished a full truck hood in half the time with way less swirl marks. Has anyone else noticed a big jump when they switched to a higher end sander?

3 comments

3 Comments

dylan_brown301mo ago

Were you using a different pad or backing plate with the Rupes or just the tool itself? I've seen people get mixed results when they don't match the pads to the throw size. The long throw on those really shines with the right pad.

the_tessa1mo agoTop Commenter

Totally agree, matching pads isn't that deep once you get the technique down.

shane_hayes1mo ago

Oh man, actually I think the pad matching thing is a bit overblown. I was just using the stock pads that came with it and had no issues. The real trick is dialing in your speed and pressure, not so much the pad size. People overthink this stuff sometimes.