Buying a 3401, what pads?

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Joea

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I'm pulling the trigger and making the purchase. I can't afford to buy pads I don't need. The machine will be used primarily for waxing/sealing. I'm getting the package with 3 ccs pads i was thinking white, grey and red. I welcome all thoughts and opinions.
 
Just a thought - the 3401 is a great tool but may be overkill for applying wax / sealant. That being said, congrats on the purchase and your pad selection is right on.

I'd recommend the interchangeable backing plate setup with 5.5" hybrid pads of the colors you indicate above.

Have fun!
 
Buy a Porter Cable 7424XP if you're just mainly waxing and sealing. That way you have the perfect machine and can be used for correction if needed.

Would be sad to hear a Flex 3401 only gets used for extremely light duty tasks and doesn't live up to its full potential.
 
Thanks everyone. I can't wait for the damn weather to break to get to work.
 
Joea said:
The machine will be used primarily for waxing/sealing.
Click to expand...


There's two very DIFFERENT types of waxes/sealants

Cleaner Waxes or Cleaner Sealants

Finishing Waxes or Finishing Sealants


Waxes and Sealants that CAN clean
Cleaner/waxes and cleaner/sealants are for doing one-steps to neglected cars and in most cases you need a polishing pad.

Cutting pad = Most aggressive
Polishing pad = Medium aggressive
Finishing pad - Soft, not aggressive
Waxing pad = Softer than a finishing pad, not aggressive
Jewelling pad - Softest pad of all.


I'm sharing the secret to doing one-steps for money in my class this Sunday.

How to use the Flex 3401 to detail faster and maximize profits!



NON-Cleaning Waxes & Sealants
Finishing Waxes or Finishing Sealants are for sealing paint that is perfect already, that is clean and smooth, either because the car is,

  • Brand spanking new with no contaminants or swirls and scratches
  • A brand new paint job that is past 30 days air cure.
  • An older paint job that has already been polished and restore so it's like brand new.

Joea said:
The machine will be used primarily for waxing/sealing.
Click to expand...

So what condition is the paint on the car that you will be primarily waxing/sealing?


:)
 
I wouldn't get a 3401 just to apply wax. I'd get a Griots 6" and use the extra money for more stuff. If your just using it to apply wax, you only need grey OR red pads (not both) - as neither has any cut. If just for a finishing wax, get 3 red or grey pads.

If you plan on using an AIO or cleaner wax - white pads would be good for that.
 
I'm +1 that won't get a 3401 just to apply wax.

But believe me, once you get a Griots 6", a Meg's G110v2 or a Porter Cable to apply wax, you'll try to polish some area, then you'll start trying to correct some swirls, then you'll...

...

Buy a 3401! lol

That time, you'll have spent money twice (like I did). Now I'm willing to sell my Meg's DA to buy more pads and polishes.

I would say for you to 'get out from the closet' and say the truth, you want a polisher to do a full detail on yours and your friends car! You can even charge for that.

You are also willing to place beautiful pictures of your weekend work at Show'n'Shine area of this forum to receive compliments from our friends! Am I wrong!?

I know how you're feeling, but don't worry. Once you get the taste for it, things will become much worse... lol!

Kidding apart, there's nothing wrong to start with the 3401.

Let me see if cost / benefits examples encourages you:

In my country, a Porter Cable / GG / G110v2 costs TWICE or even more the price you can pay for a Flex 3401 in US.

I'm saying that because if amateurs in Brazil starts with ~$650 polishers (the ones said above), why can't you spend $349 and go for the best?

The 3401 in my country passes the $1100 mark in price. Believe me, $349 for a 3401 is almost 'For FREE'.

I have both a Meguiar's DA and a 3401 (ordered at AG), and the advantages of the 3401 are not only the power (yes, it's years ahead more powerful than a conventional DA). It's also VERY smooth and pleasurable to use.

The vibration you get with a Meguiar's DA is very annoying (we can handle that), but once you get the smoothness of the Flex you won't turn the vibration machine on again without complaining.

Also, the 3401 have a better trigger to start/stop, is much less noisy, and is much better to handle.

Even if it's just to START (or applying wax like you're saying), you'll benefit from a 3401.

I want to say, if you can afford it, go for it.

Yes, I know PC machines corrected paint for years, but we all must admit things evolve with time and 3401 is sweet even at lower speeds.

If you're planning to machine Wax your car, how much have you read already from this forum?

Keep in mind that before waxing, it's great to wash and clay your vehicle, to get rid of contaminants.

After claying, you can go for waxing, but at least one polishing step (to eliminate clay marring) is advantageous.

Also, independently of which sealant or wax you'll use, the great contribution to GLOSS we all look for comes from POLISHING paint, not from Waxing.

Since you'll benefit from a polishing step, you'll benefit using 3401.

With a white polishing pad and OTC product like Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and/or Ultimate Polish will give you professional results in YOUR garage.

Please, read my comments with a 'funny view' (I've tried to be fun!), and not as a rule.

I've only tried to add more ideas for you to think about and try to decide which will be better for YOU.

Hope I've helped,

Kind Regards.
 
The Hybrid pads are great. Black for wax. They also have a 4.25' backing plate. That is also good to have with the flex as well. Some bonnets are also an option. I purchases a few to remove the wax but have not used them. I love my FLEX 3401.
 
Tato. Isn't Brazil have different electricity plugs than US ? How do you use you polishers ? I'm asking because I live in Middle East and have bought my Rupes 21ES from the US while I'm studying there and I'm using 110V to 220V transformer which I find it annoying to carry it around with me I'm thinking to sell my Rupes 21ES and buy Euro version price difference is higher than US for sure let say the Rupes Duetto price here is $530 vs $320 US price thet's $210 difference I dunno why is expensive :poke:

Sorry OP to hijack your thread
 
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