Say Hello To My Little Friend... Rupes Nano iBrid

[Tony Prodigy]

G'Day Gents,

I added another amazing tool to my detailing kit. I've wanted one of these for ages and Rupes have released the latest incarnation of the very popular iBrid Nano mini polisher. 

You have the option of a short or long neck. Short neck version is a bit cheaper. I prefer the long neck so it's able to reach into those deeper recesses you normally wouldn't otherwise.

This version comes in a really tidy and sturdy "deluxe" cabinet which has two layers in it to accommodate everything neatly.

Rather than list everything I'll provide this link if you're interested in reading further about it.

It will be so good having this machine in addition to my regular duty Flex XC3401 to get into those tight spots and narrow edges the Flex cannot. The iBrid will tackle these areas just perfectly with the choice of two polishing pad sizes, 30mm and 50mm with the option of short or long throw adapters. Having battery power also gives you the freedom to hit those small spots quickly without having to hook up to a lead and drag it around with you. It also has the option of mains power adapter if the job calls for an extended period of usage.

Here are some pics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 25, 2020 by Tony Prodigy

[KAA]

OMG.what a fantastic kit Tony...as typical with Rupes it contains everything you could wish for in one well designed and well secured case..Well Done

I can imagine your brain swirling with what to try it on first and look forward to a test report

Keep Safe and Thanks as always for the Pic's made me start to drool

KAA

[Tony Prodigy]

10 hours ago, KAA said:

OMG.what a fantastic kit Tony...as typical with Rupes it contains everything you could wish for in one well designed and well secured case..Well Done

I can imagine your brain swirling with what to try it on first and look forward to a test report

Keep Safe and Thanks as always for the Pic's made me start to drool

KAA

Thanks Robert. Glad you liked the pics. Threads like this are worthless without pics aren't they ?

Rupes make some high quality gear and when I first saw this kit, I was in total awe !. I had always imagined if there was a polisher that could tackle those tight spots I'd love to have one, but unfortunately, nothing of its type had existed back in the day until Rupes came out with this little beauty. It was pretty much a manual labour affair with cloth over finger to get in there and polish, (very unsophisticated with average results).  The iBrid has been out for several years and I had delayed purchasing one until now to wait and read the reviews and see how well the quality has held up. I'd heard no negative reports thus far and so my decision to take the plunge was made very easy.

This link  provides a pretty comprehensive review of this product, by the world famous "Autogeek" team. The earlier versions came in a suitcase style pack.

Not only can it be used for areas I described, you can get creative and if need be, you could use it in engine bays, engine components, door jambs, sills, trims pieces (especially those black plastic pieces for the "B-pillars" that always cop a hammering) and interior work. You can clean the leather with the horse hair brush, polish those clear coated interior trim pieces, be it, wood or carbon fibre that we find more and more of today. 

 

 

[KAA]

Yes you certainly are the man for toys..and I love toys also mate..Thanks for the extra info as it is always good to have the facts from the experts that use the toys all the time..They know what can and can't be tackled to get the premium results..now all we need is Tony's personal test results so hope it drys off soon for you to get to enjoy the new find..as it looks like this whole week will be wet mostly I imagine your in the planning process, I have had one good thing from all this rain, all of my tanks we added to the house are full, and I have been able to switch the house over to them after checking and cleaning all the pumps..so off town water and on to self supported..handy for the house the garden and saves money in water bills..

Keep Safe My Friend

KAA

[campbeam]

1 hour ago, KAA said:

I have had one good thing from all this rain, all of my tanks we added to the house are full, and I have been able to switch the house over to them after checking and cleaning all the pumps..so off town water and on to self supported..handy for the house the garden and saves money in water bills..

In the last few days, tyres treated with Aerospace 303 Protectorant, headlights cleaned and wiper blade inserts replaced. Now we are in for 2 days of thunderstorms then some hot weather. Car should get a good soaking out on the road. I reckon that the neighbour's swimming pool will be overflowing.

After looking at those posted pictures, maybe some time on the weekend to try and give the interior some attention.

[KAA]

Yes Ash seems a lot to dump on us for days yet, fortunately where I am it is very sandy soil so it drains away fast when the rain stops..I was going to do some work on the wheels but after yesterday's dumping it washed them for me when we went shopping, so decided to fix the rubber boot button beside the number plate lights..it had that melting issue and had bugged me for years..so after removing the switch assembly and not being able to find one at any wreckers I raided the storage cupboard belonging to "She Who Must Be Obeyed" I located a flat small section of silicone and cut and fitted it..perfect seal and works fine..so felt I actually got something accomplished..and also was not smothered in my sleep for raiding her secret hide away place..😲

KAA

[Tony Prodigy]

8 hours ago, campbeam said:

After looking at those posted pictures, maybe some time on the weekend to try and give the interior some attention.

I tend to get that way too, not giving the interior enough attention, but when I do I tend to go the whole hog.

One thing I love doing is to remove everything from inside the car, get my car blower dryer out and blow the dust out of every nook and cranny. If you have a fine detailing brush, go over the the cracks and crevices including the air vent louvres. Blow everything out so then all is left to give it a wipe with a warm soaked microfibre cloth. I also have the Meguiars interior cleaner spray which I use. It leaves a nice fresh, subtle fragrance I like too.

 

[Tony Prodigy]

3 hours ago, KAA said:

I located a flat small section of silicone and cut and fitted it..perfect seal and works fine..so felt I actually got something accomplished..and also was not smothered in my sleep for raiding her secret hide away place..😲

Nice one Robert. Good bit of Macgyvering mate. You'll have to sleep with one eye open after that shameless raid of "who she must be obeyed's" secret stash 🤣

[campbeam]

2 hours ago, Tony Prodigy said:

If you have a fine detailing brush, go over the the cracks and crevices including the air vent louvres.

I have got a fine brush which is actually a cosmetics brush [that I acquired in my bower bird/recycling activities] which will do that task quite nicely. I am sure that it was one that the girlfriend was going to throw away. Definitely not "acquired"from her secret stash. 

[Tony Prodigy]

On 10/27/2020 at 5:24 PM, KAA said:

Yes you certainly are the man for toys..and I love toys also mate..

Haha, yeah I am. I much prefer car related tool toys rather than electronic gadgets that will break. Quality tools can last a very long time if not a lifetime with proper care, so I see it as an investment. Buy once and you'll never have to dip in your pocket again for the foreseeable future anyway. 

On 10/27/2020 at 5:24 PM, KAA said:

They know what can and can't be tackled to get the premium results..now all we need is Tony's personal test results so hope it drys off soon for you to get to enjoy the new find..as it looks like this whole week will be wet mostly I imagine your in the planning process,

It's been busy work wise and we've had plenty inclement weather to be able to do much outside. Once I get my carport up I'll have a bit more freedom to tackle those nice little jobs. I am planning to do the "B-pillar" plastic mouldings on the doors as they look shocking at the moment. So hopefully I'll be able to post up a small DIY on how to restore these.

On 10/27/2020 at 5:24 PM, KAA said:

have had one good thing from all this rain, all of my tanks we added to the house are full, and I have been able to switch the house over to them after checking and cleaning all the pumps..so off town water and on to self supported..handy for the house the garden and saves money in water bills..

I'm with you on that Robert. I love the idea of being self sufficient and not have to keep handing money over fist to the utility companies. Unfortunately I don't have rain water tanks but I can appreciate the idea of having them. I may have to consider this one day.

Cheers mate 

[Tony Prodigy]

21 hours ago, campbeam said:

I have got a fine brush which is actually a cosmetics brush [that I acquired in my bower bird/recycling activities] which will do that task quite nicely. I am sure that it was one that the girlfriend was going to throw away. Definitely not "acquired"from her secret stash. 

Those brushes are excellent to use "if" you can get one lol.. My wife doesn't wear make up, so there's zero possibility of having scored one for the detailing collection. 

[ZZT86]

Just saw this - detailing porn. Rupes & Flex are two of the greatest brand names in the detailing world, imo. Beautiful, and bloody expensive.

Edited October 29, 2020 by ZZT86

[Tony Prodigy]

3 hours ago, ZZT86 said:

Just saw this - detailing porn

Hahaha yeah, it's kind of like that 😁😜

3 hours ago, ZZT86 said:

Rupes & Flex are two of the greatest brand names in the detailing world, imo. Beautiful, and bloody expensive.

100%. Spend a bit extra, get quality that will last and makes the job more pleasurable. Expensive yes, but I was able to get a better deal than the usual "advertised" price from a local tool shop who imported a few pallets of these. They keep selling out due to the high demand, go figure..

[KAA]

Yes Tony is our Detail Porn Provider..finds these pretty and cute toy's to tease us with all the time LOL 😜😜😜

KAA

[Tony Prodigy]

I was a little bored today and with my OCD-ness I decided to use Cera Trim on the Nano iBrid plastic section of the machine to not only try out the product but to lay down a ceramic based protection to keep it from staining or other possible chemical contamination. I love to preserve things as best I can as you all know.

I purchased some sponge brushes off Ebay as these have the wooden handles,tapered tips and allow ease of application. The Cera Trim formula is in a gel form and you don't really need all that much to put a layer down. Since the iBrid is new, there was no cleaning required, just a quick wipe down and it was ready for the application.

The instructions calls for an even application, allow to stand for around 20 mins and then buff off the residue. This allows the product to penetrate the pores of the plastic and form a tight bond. After I wiped off the residue with a microfibre cloth, you could see the deeper lustre it has laid down and it feels very slick indeed so it will look like it will be ok. Full cure time is 24 hours for this product. While I had the sponge brush loaded with product I decided to do my keyboard too lol.. Gave it a quick wipe down with isopropyl alcohol, brushed out the crevices of all the dust accumulation and gave it a coat, let it stand and buffed off. I must say this stuff is pretty amazing. Keyboard looks like new again and my keys are so slippery it makes typing so much nicer. So all in all you can literally use this stuff on anything plastic. Doesn't have to be auto related. 

These Pics are the before shots.

 

These Pics are the after shots.

 

Definitely has a nice low sheen lustre to it. Naked, untreated plastic tends to look dry and after applying the coating you can see and feel the nourishment and protection such a product gives. I'm pretty amazed how good the modern day products are.

 

Edited November 1, 2020 by Tony Prodigy