Using the Flex

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mcpp66

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I have a Flex 3401 but haven't had the pleasure of using it yet. I read the manual and it says to start the machine before applying the pad to the surface to be polished. This is the opposite of what I'm used as I've been using a PC. If this is the way to do it then you obviously can't put product on the pad because it would be slung around everywhere. Now I saw Mike's video of using the Flex with the '57 Bel Air and he put a bead of product on the surface of the car and picked it up that way. I tried doing that with my PC and the product just slung everywhere. How do you guys handle this? Also, why can't (or shouldn't) you just start the Flex with the pad in contact with the surface to be polished?
 


mcpp66 said:
I read the manual and it says to start the machine before applying the pad to the surface to be polished.

I tried doing that with my PC and the product just slung everywhere.
Click to expand...

That can very well happen.



mcpp66 said:
why can't (or shouldn't) you just start the Flex with the pad in contact with the surface to be polished?
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I actually prefer (after lightly spritzing the pad) to put some product on the finish, or the pad, & then gently smear it into the finish, thus preventing the stuff from flinging everywhere.

Maybe the reason why Flex recommends starting the machine with the pad in the air is to prevent gouging the paint???

Anyhoo, I tried to pick up product like you, that is, start the machine with the pad off of the finish, and then pick up the product that was spread onto the paint. Guess what? The $hit flew everywhere. Ever since that moment, I now gently smear product with the pad, and then start the machine with the pad on the paint.

I'm not like some of the guys on here that literally have hundreds, even thousands of hours performing fine auto detailing. To me, it's just not worth the risk of flinging the stuff everywhere. Imagine if this stuff were to get on a convertable top??? Imagine if spots of product were allowed to dry on a convertable top??? Get my drift? You would have a hell of a time removing hardened product off of a convertable top.





 
Fly bye said:
Ever since that moment, I now gently smear product with the pad, and then start the machine with the pad on the paint.
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So you basically do the opposite of what the manual tells you? I assume that's worked okay for you?
 
I put the product on the pad then I rub it around the section I’m working on with it off. Then I put my Flex on 2-3 and go over the section then I turn it up to what ever speed I want. Once you have spread the product you should be able to run the machine off the car on 2-3 with out slinging the product.
 
I've been "slunged". Made the mistake ONCE of starting the machine before placing the pad on the car. Took an hour to clean the garage, car and ME
 
In order to pick up a bead of polish without it slinging all over, you should run the polisher at a low speed and hold the pad at a slight angle. The rotation and angle you hold it should be such that as soon as the bead touches the pad, it is immediately pulled between the paint and the pad. Vary the angle and point that the bead contacts the pad to spread the polish evenly onto the surface. Well, that's how I got it to work.

But I don't even do that normally. Usually (I use a Flex 3401) I'll put several very small dots on the pad then dab that around the area to be polished. Similar to how Adam (O.C.Detailing) demonstrates at 50 seconds into the video below. For me it gives consistent even spreading.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CAPN4I2Oo4o]YouTube - How to polish a car[/video]
 
I have never had a problem picking up a bead with my flex or any machine for that matter. It is so natural for me now Im not sure how I actually do it. I will pay attention next time and Write a quick little review
 
I wonder why Flex says to start the pad moving before putting it on the surface.
 
mcpp66 said:
I wonder why Flex says to start the pad moving before putting it on the surface.
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Maybe it's easier on the tool to start the motor without it being under any load?

Either way, I've never followed that advice (I don't think I've even so much as glanced at the manual... I just pulled it out of the box, mounted a pad, plugged it in and got to work) and I've never had a problem.
 
This is why I like the variable speed trigger on the Flex so much. I put the product on my pad, spread it around on a very low speed (low trigger pressure), then bump it up to a full trigger pull once it is fully spread.
 
[email protected] said:
This is why I like the variable speed trigger on the Flex so much. I put the product on my pad, spread it around on a very low speed (low trigger pressure), then bump it up to a full trigger pull once it is fully spread.
Click to expand...

:whs: I do the same thing with my Flex.
 


Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Maybe it's easier on the tool to start the motor without it being under any load?
Click to expand...


You're prolly right. I mentioned that I start the machine with the pad on the finish, but...with virtually hardly any pressure at all. This way, I am not bogging the motor upon initial start, as well as preventing the flinging of product everywhere, & subsequently having to spend extra time cleaning product where it does not belong.





 
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