Too busy not to use just the Flex3401

[HateSwirls]

Since moving my shop in busy part of town my business has picked around 20%

I'm doing about 30 Ceramic Coatings per year plus the rest of the work that comes to my shop and use anything that will get me best results including the Flex3401.

It really has cut my time down on paint corrections.

I have on hand a couple of big throw DA's along with GG6 and my Dewalt 849x that a member here gave me new few years ago , thank you man for picking me.

As some of you may know I was experiencing pain in my elbow when I first got the Flex and had to stop using it because I felt it was making it worst but since then my elbow is fine.

There is a learning curve in using the Flex but once it comes to you it's no worst than any other polisher.

If time is important to you and don't have the Flex3401 then consider buying one because it makes money for you.

I still use my other polishes to apply wax and sealants

Happy Detailing

Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

If time is important to you and don't have the Flex3401 then consider buying one because it makes money for you.

I either taught a class or tired to teach a class at MTE with the title,

How to turn the FLEX 3401 into a Money Making Machine

In order to be in compliance with the rules for class topics I had to make the class less tool specific, which I was okay with. Back then the RUPES Mille nor the Makita PO5000C and not been invented or introduced yet so the BEAST was the only gear-driven orbital game around.

Pad stalling just wastes time in two ways,


1: Mechanically - If the pad is not rotating you're not doing anything.

2: Mentally - If the entire time you're buffing out a car you not only have to monitor what your doing, (what and how your using the buffer), but also have to LOOK at the pad or the backing plate to see if the pad is rotating - this wears your brain out. With gear-driven you still have to watch what and how you're using the buffer but you certainly don't have to visually monitor the pad to see if it's rotating or not.


I don't think most people think about this aspect (the mental work of watching for pad rotation), but it is something you must do when using any brand of free spinning orbital.

 

[fightnews]

Since moving my shop in busy part of town my business has picked around 20%

I'm doing about 30 Ceramic Coatings per year plus the rest of the work that comes to my shop and use anything that will get me best results including the Flex3401.

It really has cut my time down on paint corrections.

I have on hand a couple of big throw DA's along with GG6 and my Dewalt 849x that a member here gave me new few years ago , thank you man for picking me.

As some of you may know I was experiencing pain in my elbow when I first got the Flex and had to stop using it because I felt it was making it worst but since then my elbow is fine.

There is a learning curve in using the Flex but once it comes to you it's no worst than any other polisher.

If time is important to you and don't have the Flex3401 then consider buying one because it makes money for you.

I still use my other polishes to apply wax and sealants

Happy Detailing

Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app

Absolutely its better, the learning curve on the flex is less than on a long throw. Plus it will turn the 6.5 force pads which saves a lot of time over 5.5" pads. And you don't need to change polishers to do a contour. If I could only have 1 polisher I would take the flex 3401 every time.

I think its the best polisher out there.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

2: Mentally - If the entire time you're buffing out a car you not only have to monitor what your doing, (what and how your using the buffer), but also have to LOOK at the pad or the backing plate to see if the pad is rotating - this wears your brain out. With gear-driven you still have to watch what and how you're using the buffer but you certainly don't have to visually monitor the pad to see if it's rotating or not. I don't think most people think about this aspect (the mental work of watching for pad rotation), but it is something you must do when using any brand of free spinning orbital.

That's a really good point, Mike. I wear myself out all the time thinking about things...even when I'm not polishing!

 

[fightnews]

I either taught a class or tired to teach a class at MTE with the title,

How to turn the FLEX 3401 into a Money Making Machine

In order to be in compliance with the rules for class topics I had to make the class less tool specific, which I was okay with. Back then the RUPES Mille nor the Makita PO5000C and not been invented or introduced yet so the BEAST was the only gear-driven orbital game around.

Pad stalling just wastes time in two ways,


1: Mechanically - If the pad is not rotating you're not doing anything.

2: Mentally - If the entire time you're buffing out a car you not only have to monitor what your doing, (what and how your using the buffer), but also have to LOOK at the pad or the backing plate to see if the pad is rotating - this wears your brain out. With gear-driven you still have to watch what and how you're using the buffer but you certainly don't have to visually monitor the pad to see if it's rotating or not.


I don't think most people think about this aspect (the mental work of watching for pad rotation), but it is something you must do when using any brand of free spinning orbital.

I agree I think its easy to think the pad is rotating or completely touching the paint surface but unless you have that line and you're constantly looking at it you can be fooled. Actually having the line on the machine/pad and taking the time to look at it teaches you how easy it is to stall the pad.

Plus just on the time thing alone you can effectively do a 3 square foot section instead of a 2x2

 

[Aaryn NZ]

Awesome HateSwirls. rops:

Great to read business is going well & a 20% increase is outstanding! Good for you buddy!

Couldn’t agree more about the Flex 3401. I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say - the Flex 3401 is actually a team member! These things just power through any job in front of them & in a shop situation we all know time is money.

I’m gonna be bold & say -
“I’m just like Mike” in terms of working style. I like to get in there & get it done & move on. I did this ‘37 Chevrolet Truck on Friday. Okay, I know it’s just a cab but aside from the washing/prep step, everything else - including interior detailing, wheels, chassis, engine detailing & a three step ‘Buff, Polish, Wax. :buffing:

Paint was pretty beaten up & I doubt it had seen any care since the paint was laid. I started at 7am & this truck drove away at around 4pm. Couldn’t have done this without the Flex 3401 . . . Truely is a ‘Beast’.

Great post mate, thank you for sharing you experience. rops:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

 

[dlc95]

Since moving my shop in busy part of town my business has picked around 20%

I'm doing about 30 Ceramic Coatings per year plus the rest of the work that comes to my shop and use anything that will get me best results including the Flex3401.

It really has cut my time down on paint corrections.

I have on hand a couple of big throw DA's along with GG6 and my Dewalt 849x that a member here gave me new few years ago , thank you man for picking me.

As some of you may know I was experiencing pain in my elbow when I first got the Flex and had to stop using it because I felt it was making it worst but since then my elbow is fine.

There is a learning curve in using the Flex but once it comes to you it's no worst than any other polisher.

If time is important to you and don't have the Flex3401 then consider buying one because it makes money for you.

I still use my other polishes to apply wax and sealants

Happy Detailing

Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app

Sorry Kevin, I didn't mean to hit the dislike!

 

[HateSwirls]

Sorry Kevin, I didn't mean to hit the dislike!

Not a problem.
Thanks

Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app

 

[HateSwirls]

Awesome HateSwirls. rops:

Great to read business is going well & a 20% increase is outstanding! Good for you buddy!

Couldn’t agree more about the Flex 3401. I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say - the Flex 3401 is actually a team member! These things just power through any job in front of them & in a shop situation we all know time is money.

I’m gonna be bold & say -
“I’m just like Mike” in terms of working style. I like to get in there & get it done & move on. I did this ‘37 Chevrolet Truck on Friday. Okay, I know it’s just a cab but aside from the washing/prep step, everything else - including interior detailing, wheels, chassis, engine detailing & a three step ‘Buff, Polish, Wax. :buffing:

Paint was pretty beaten up & I doubt it had seen any care since the paint was laid. I started at 7am & this truck drove away at around 4pm. Couldn’t have done this without the Flex 3401 . . . Truely is a ‘Beast’.

Great post mate, thank you for sharing you experience. rops:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

I spoke with Mike a few months ago and was asking him about the large throw polishers.

He told me he often uses his Flex because it does a great job and faster.

That's when I got to thinking more about using the Flex3401.

He was right and really got me thinking about what he said, it makes for faster corrections which means more money.

Sure it's a little heavier but who cares, right?

Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app

 

[VISITOR]

that's great news Kevin, glad you're doing well buddy! agreed, the flex 3401 rocks!

 

[fightnews]

Awesome HateSwirls. rops:

Great to read business is going well & a 20% increase is outstanding! Good for you buddy!

Couldn’t agree more about the Flex 3401. I’m sure you’ll agree with me when I say - the Flex 3401 is actually a team member! These things just power through any job in front of them & in a shop situation we all know time is money.

I’m gonna be bold & say -
“I’m just like Mike” in terms of working style. I like to get in there & get it done & move on. I did this ‘37 Chevrolet Truck on Friday. Okay, I know it’s just a cab but aside from the washing/prep step, everything else - including interior detailing, wheels, chassis, engine detailing & a three step ‘Buff, Polish, Wax. :buffing:

Paint was pretty beaten up & I doubt it had seen any care since the paint was laid. I started at 7am & this truck drove away at around 4pm. Couldn’t have done this without the Flex 3401 . . . Truely is a ‘Beast’.

Great post mate, thank you for sharing you experience. rops:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:


Sent from my iPhone using AGOnline

U must be fast that would take me a week.

 

[tpr1634]

3401 in my opinion is the best all around machine, I purchased a Rupes 15 first gen stalls to much for my liking but is a very nice polisher.

 

[Paul A.]

That's exciting to hear Cajun Kev! Like Aaryn said, 20% up is HUGE!

I couldn't agree more about The Beast. It has also sped my work up too.

 

[HateSwirls]

U must be fast that would take me a week.

Well not too fast. Ha

To be fair we're 4 total who work in my shop so I have a lot of help.

I don't have to worry about washing the vehicles.

When it gets to my stall it's clean and clayed barred so straight to work.
I have someone who removes whatever I have on the paint, I just keep moving with the DA.
They detail as we go around the vehicle.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app

 

[HateSwirls]

3401 in my opinion is the best all around machine, I purchased a Rupes 15 first gen stalls to much for my liking but is a very nice polisher.

I agree on the bogging.
It drives me insane when I don't see the pad spinning but no worries when using the Flex.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app

 

[HateSwirls]

That's exciting to hear Cajun Kev! Like Aaryn said, 20% up is HUGE!

I couldn't agree more about The Beast. It has also sped my work up too.

My shop was on the outskirts of town, about 4 miles.
It's now on the main drag so I get a lot of people who stop by.
I have my wife who is now in the office and tries her best to assist our customers without my help which most often works out.

I'm working on a deal to open another shop about an hour from me.
If I open it the only jobs that will go to it will be Ceramic Coating jobs and I'll only work there twice a week and every other Saturday

Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app

 

[Aaryn NZ]

U must be fast that would take me a week.

No one would pay me what it would cost to have me work on something for a whole week but I would love that . . . My body would like that too . . . & my Wife . . . & the Boys. rops:

Yes, yes I do work fast. I have to hustle to make money & although it’s not my main priority, I need it to keep the shop open. I’m very methodical, very efficient through 20+ years of trial, era, listening, reading & learning from others & I have a process that works well for me.


Aaryn NZ.:dblthumb2:

 

[Aaryn NZ]

My shop was on the outskirts of town, about 4 miles.
It's now on the main drag so I get a lot of people who stop by.
I have my wife who is now in the office and tries her best to assist our customers without my help which most often works out.

I'm working on a deal to open another shop about an hour from me.
If I open it the only jobs that will go to it will be Ceramic Coating jobs and I'll only work there twice a week and every other Saturday

Sent from my SM-G965U using Autogeekonline mobile app

Ahhh,

Yes, I can relate. Our shop used to be up a driveway & we were the middle shed in a row of three & unless you were looking for us, then you really wouldn’t know we were there.

Now, having moved into the new building (leased) that is situated on a busy secondary road, we are in the public eye & having a retail side as well it has made us incredibly busy. Ange helps me out when she can but her proper job is running a major electrical company & has done for almost 20 years. On the shop floor is ME, & that’s where it gets a little tricky. Whilst Ange is awesome, heck, she can swing a 3401 around no sweat at all, it’s the quotes or the product knowledge in the retail section that interrupts me during a detail that we struggle to find a solution for.


Funny you mention opening another store - this is something I have contemplated too but probably on a different level to what your plans are but another story for another day.

Interested to know more on what your plans are with your other location etc if you care to share though.

Kick ass thread mate. rops:


Aaryn NZ. :dblthumb2:

 

[SWETM]

If you want to be working fast. See if Autogeek can do a push on Flex to make a 110v version of the Flex Top Tool 2. It's a 1200w cyclo looking orbital polisher. It's belt driven DA polisher so the torque is awesome. A throw with 8mm and 2×100mm backing plates but you can use up to 160mm pads. And also since belt driven it's a very low vibrations from it. As you get used to it you learn to polish with 1 pad only on small surfaces. The handle many likes too when started to use it as it's a very relaxing and ergonomical to hold on both horisontall panels and vertical panels. Or get your own 220-240v electric outlets and you could benefit with other powertools with a higher effect on them. As a PW you can have one with 3000W on them.

This is a favorite for many pro detailers here in Sweden. And especially if you work on bigger vehicals
/ Tony