Rupes

RUPES BigFoot Polishers, Pads & Compounds for Professional Paint Correction

RUPES is the Italian tool maker that changed machine polishing. The BigFoot random orbital system — long-throw dual action polishers matched with color-coded pads and compounds — is the setup professional detailers reach for when paint correction has to be fast, safe, and repeatable. Shop the full RUPES lineup: LHR21 and LHR15 Mark V polishers, the gear-driven Mille LK900E, the compact iBrid Nano2, plus DA System pads, compounds, backing plates, and complete kits.

Founded in Milan in 1947 and still family-owned, RUPES has spent decades building professional tools — and the BigFoot system brought that engineering to detailing. Whether you're buying your first serious random orbital polisher or outfitting a shop, this collection covers every BigFoot machine, pad, and polish we stock, ready to pair with a compound and quality microfiber for a complete correction setup.

What Is the RUPES BigFoot System?

BigFoot is RUPES' complete approach to machine polishing: long-throw random orbital polishers engineered to work as a system with matched pads and compounds. The long orbit (12mm, 15mm, or 21mm depending on the machine) covers more paint per pass than a standard short-throw DA, while the random orbital action spreads heat so it stays forgiving on clear coat. Because the machines, pads, and compounds are designed together and color-coded to match, you spend less time guessing combinations and more time correcting paint.

Which RUPES Polisher Is Right for You?

LHR21 Mark V (21mm throw): the big-panel workhorse. Maximum coverage per pass — ideal for trucks, SUVs, and high-volume correction on large, flatter panels. LHR21 Mark V or the Complete Kit.
LHR15 Mark V (15mm throw): the all-arounder. Slightly higher operating speed and a pad size that handles curves, contours, and midsize vehicles better. LHR15 Mark V or the Complete Kit.
Duetto LHR12E (12mm throw): control-first. The shorter orbit excels at edges, profiles, and tighter work — and it doubles as a sander with foam-backed abrasives. Duetto Complete Kit.
Mille LK900E (gear-driven): forced rotation that never stalls under pressure — strong, planned cutting with minimal steering, popular for boats and heavy correction. Mille Complete Kit.
iBrid Nano2 & HLR75 Mini (spot work): compact machines for emblems, pillars, mirrors, interiors, and spot repair a full-size polisher can't reach. Nano2 with Battery · HLR75 3" Battery.
iBrid HLR15 / HLR21 (cordless): full-size correction without the cord — mobile-detailer favorites. iBrid HLR15 · iBrid HLR21.
LH19E (rotary): the traditional spinner for experienced hands — heavy defect removal and sanding-mark refinement. LH19E Complete Kit.

The Mark V generation runs noticeably quieter than earlier BigFoot models, with a lower center of gravity and refined balancing for better control during long sessions. Budget option: previous-generation LHR21ES and LHR15ES machines deliver the same BigFoot correction at a lower price.

The RUPES DA Pad Color System, Explained

RUPES color-codes its D-A System pads by cut level, so pairing pad and compound is simple:

Blue = Coarse: heavy cutting for serious defects and neglected paint. D-A Coarse Foam Pad, Coarse Extreme Cut Microfiber, or Coarse Wool for maximum bite.
Yellow = Fine: the balanced middle — moderate correction that finishes clean on most paint. D-A Fine Foam Pad.
White = Ultra-Fine: final gloss, haze-prone or soft paint, and applying sealants or waxes. D-A Ultra Fine Foam Pad.

Match them with the compounds built for the system: D-A Coarse Compound ($18.99) for cutting, D-A Fine Polishing Compound ($15.99) for refining, and UNO Protect ($45.99) when you want one-step polish and sealant protection in a single pass. For show-car final gloss, finish with UNO Pure Ultra Finishing Polish.

Quick Guide: Choose Your RUPES Setup

Your Goal	Best Pick	Why
Fast correction on trucks & SUVs	LHR21 Mark V	21mm throw covers the most paint per pass on large panels
One machine for everything	LHR15 Mark V	15mm throw balances speed with control on curves and contours
First RUPES on a budget	LHR21ES ($335)	Previous-gen BigFoot correction at the lowest entry price
Edges, contours & sanding duty	Duetto LHR12E Kit	12mm orbit gives exceptional control; doubles as a sander
Heavy cutting without stalling	Mille LK900E Kit	Gear-driven forced rotation keeps cutting under pressure
Emblems, pillars & spot repair	iBrid Nano2	Compact, battery-capable spot polisher for tight areas
Cordless mobile detailing	iBrid HLR21	Full-size 21mm correction with no cord to manage

How to Build a Complete RUPES Correction Setup

Pick your machine. Most detailers start with the LHR15 Mark V for versatility or the LHR21 for big panels — or grab a Complete Kit that bundles pads, compounds, and the BigFoot bag.
Stock both cut levels of pads. A few blue Coarse pads and yellow Fine pads cover most jobs; add microfiber or wool for harder paint.
Match the compounds. D-A Coarse to cut, D-A Fine to refine — or UNO Protect for one-step jobs.
Add the supporting cast. A spare backing plate, color-matched RUPES microfiber towels for residue removal, and accessories round out the bag.
Prep before you polish. Wash and decontaminate first — then protect the finished paint with a ceramic coating or sealant.

RUPES FAQ

RUPES LHR21 vs LHR15 — which should I buy?

Go by the vehicles you work on. The LHR21's 21mm throw and larger pad cover big, flatter panels (trucks, SUVs, vans) fastest. The LHR15 runs a slightly higher operating speed with a smaller pad, which makes it the better all-arounder on curved, contoured, and midsize vehicles. If you only buy one, most detailers pick the 15.

What's better about the Mark V generation?

The Mark V machines are noticeably quieter than previous BigFoot generations, sit lower in the hand (reduced center of gravity for better control and less pad slipping), and carry refined balancing and ergonomics for smoother long sessions. Previous-generation ES models remain excellent value — same BigFoot correction, earlier ergonomics.

What do the RUPES pad colors mean?

Blue = coarse (heavy cutting), yellow = fine (balanced correct-and-finish), white = ultra-fine (final gloss, soft paint, and spreading waxes or sealants). The D-A compounds follow the same coding, so blue pad + Coarse compound and yellow pad + Fine compound are the intended pairings.

What is the Mille LK900E and when do I want gear-driven?

The Mille is a gear-driven (forced rotation) dual action: the pad always rotates, so it can't stall under pressure or on curves. That means consistent, planned cutting with minimal steering — a favorite for heavy correction and marine gel coat. Random orbital BigFoots stay the more forgiving choice for finishing.

Is a RUPES polisher worth the price?

If you correct paint regularly — yes. You're paying for smoothness, low vibration, and ergonomics that reduce fatigue over hours of polishing, plus a matched system of pads and compounds that removes guesswork. Weekend detailers on a budget can start with a previous-generation ES machine or compare options in our full polisher collection.

Should I buy the single tool or a kit?

Kits bundle the machine with system pads, compounds, and the BigFoot bag — usually the cheaper route to a working setup than piecing it together. Compare the Starter and Complete kits; buy the single tool when you already own pads and polish.

Do RUPES pads fit other polishers?

RUPES D-A System pads use standard hook-and-loop backing, so they mount to any machine with a matching backing plate diameter — and the reverse holds for quality third-party pads on a BigFoot. Keep the pad slightly larger than the plate to protect paint from plate contact, and replace worn backing plates with RUPES originals.