Differences between Dual actions

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unionauto

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Looking at ordering a new Dual action since my Meguiars G110 just died. I've looked around here and been able to find any posts comparing the different dual action polishers. My short list is the Porter Cable, Flex and the Dewalt, but if there is something that I should be looking at let me know. I liked the G110 for power and performance if that means anything, but I'd like to get something that'll last for a long time and would like to know the advantages of each brand.
 
Here you go...

Here's an in-depth article on the topic...

How to choose the right polisher for your detailing project


An overview with demonstrations of the Porter Cable 7424XP, Meguiar's G110v2, Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital Polisher, Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher, Flex 3401, Flex 603, Flex 3403, Cyclo Polisher, Makita 9227C, DeWalt 849,



Part 1 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project​
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtrdTvnZX3I]YouTube - Part 1 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project[/video]


Part 2 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project​
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k92m5cJxCk]YouTube - Part 2 - How To Pick the Right Car Polisher for your Detail Project[/video]



The Flex 3401 in action...​
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CtUaI_8HhE]YouTube - Performing a "Test Spot" to the paint on a 1957 Chevrolet Belair[/video]




:xyxthumbs:
 
alot of Griots R/A users here too ... might add to your short list.
 
:welcome:

The DA polishers like the Porter Cable, Griott's, and Megs are polishers that have http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ting-spindle-assembly-story-behind-story.html, meaning it will stop spinning and just "jiggle" against the surface if too much pressure is applied. This is a safety measure allowing just about anyone to polish a car without the worry of "burn through".

The Dewalt 849 Polisher is a Rotary Polisher. There is no "dual action" to a rotary. It just spins. These polishers will correct exponentially faster but brings the danger of polishing all the way through the paint or "burn through", heat is built up quickly requiring special attention on plastic or otherwise non-metal painted surfaces.

The Flex XC 3401 is a hybrid of these. It combines the dual action of the DA's with the forced rotation of the Rotary's. I own a Flex 3401 and highly recommend it. Very well built machine and all controls (speed dial, trigger and cruise control) are intuitively placed and accessible in one hand (right hand). I also have the FLEX L3403 VRG Lightweight Circular Polisher, it's amazing and I also highly recommend it if your comfortable with moving to a rotary.

:cheers:
 
Is the use of polisher really that important?

If you have a surface that does not have scratches and all you doing is applying Klasse AIO and WG 3.0 paint sealant do you get better results by polishing the products in or is it the same as doing it by hand?

After applying paint sealant and letting it cure for 30-45 minutes, do you run the risk of stripping it by using a polisher instead of buffing it out with the hand?
 
:welcome:To Autogeek!

A great place to hang out and of course participate! The folks here are a great bunch and ready to help with honest opinions and direction. The products available through Autogeek are many and the best you'll find anywhere.

Enjoy!!

I have the Flex 3401 and Porter Cables 7424. Both are great machines but the Flex get the nod for paint correction and polishing and the Porter Cable does the sealants and wax.
 
If you can swing the price for the Flex, there is no comparison.
 
chief said:
Is the use of polisher really that important?

If you have a surface that does not have scratches and all you doing is applying Klasse AIO and WG 3.0 paint sealant do you get better results by polishing the products in or is it the same as doing it by hand?

After applying paint sealant and letting it cure for 30-45 minutes, do you run the risk of stripping it by using a polisher instead of buffing it out with the hand?
Click to expand...

Also to expand on this, is using a polisher bad for the clear coat or paint job? If used correctly with Klasse AIO, will it still eat away at clear coat little by little?
 
RTexasF said:
If you can swing the price for the Flex, there is no comparison.
Click to expand...


If you can swing the price for a random orbital, there is no comparison. :eek:



Ahh-ha! :joking:

Really, though... a random orbital will cost you substantially less dough, and its performance can equal or rival the results achieved by a forced rotation orbital or rotary machine.

A random orbital is comfortable to use.
Unlike a forced rotation machine (such as the Flex) or a rotary buffer, it will not steer itself in various directions as the pad encounters panel-shape changes.

Since you are BRAND NEW to machine polishing, you'll want a versatile machine. You'll be able to use a random orbital for paint cutting, polishing, and waxing. You can also remove wax with it by implementing a wax removal bonnet over a foam pad. There are even brush attachments available so that you can use the machine to scrub floormats, carpets, upholstery, and vinyl tops with it! Im the MAN

For the price of the Flex, you can purchase a random orbital, a complete set of buffing pads and the buffing liquids needed to get started with your new paint-polishing ADDICTION!
 
chief said:
Is the use of polisher really that important?

If you have a surface that does not have scratches and all you doing is applying Klasse AIO and WG 3.0 paint sealant do you get better results by polishing the products in or is it the same as doing it by hand?
Click to expand...

There's a polishing action provided by a machine that is hard consistently by hand over an entire car. A machine never gets tired but if you're good with your hands then you can achieve great results.

For a finish in the condition you describe your process will work fine by hand.


chief said:
After applying paint sealant and letting it cure for 30-45 minutes, do you run the risk of stripping it by using a polisher instead of buffing it out with the hand?
Click to expand...

Sure, this thread kind of touches on that topic. The type of pad, speed setting, time and pressure would all be factors but generally speaking after applying one product you don't want to be buffing on it.

Factors that affect how aggressive or non-aggressive a product is...



chief said:
Also to expand on this, is using a polisher bad for the clear coat or paint job? If used correctly with Klasse AIO, will it still eat away at clear coat little by little?
Click to expand...

Seen a lot of questions like yours over the years and "bad" becomes a relative word.

If you're car's finish has swirls, scratches or water spots then the only way to remove them is to abrade the finish until you remove enough paint to level the highest point of the surface to the lowest depth of the defects you're trying to remove.

If you don't want to abrade the finish and remove a little clear paint then you can,

A. Live with the swirls and scratches
B. Have the car repainted and then make sure everyone that comes into contact with the car and the new paint after it comes out of the paint booth never instills any swirls or scratches or you'll be back to either abrading the paint or learning to live with the swirls and scratches.


So... bad is a relative word, just depends upon what you want for your car's finish.


About the

make sure everyone that comes into contact with the car and the new paint after it comes out of the paint booth never instills any swirls or scratches

part, see this article...

The story of 3 H's - Horrendous, Horror Story and Hack Detailers...

:)
 
Thanks for your help. Is using a polisher to put paint sealant or buff it off with a finishing pad eat away at the clear coat protection like it does with a cutting pad during prep work?
 
Kevin Brown said:
Unlike a forced rotation machine (such as the Flex) or a rotary buffer, it will not steer itself in various directions as the pad encounters panel-shape changes.
Click to expand...
Instead, the pad will stop spinning. :laughing:
 
chief said:
Thanks for your help.

Is using a polisher to put paint sealant on or buff it off with a finishing pad eat away at the clear coat protection like it does with a cutting pad during prep work?
Click to expand...

Not at all the same, completely safe and harmless. Just as safe and harmless as apply and removing by hand.

Probably would have been a good idea to start your own dedicated thread about your questions about the DA Polisher instead of tagging on to the OP's thread.

Just a suggestion...


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Not at all the same, completely safe and harmless. Just as safe and harmless as apply and removing by hand.

Probably would have been a good idea to start your own dedicated thread about your questions about the DA Polisher instead of tagging on to the OP's thread.

Just a suggestion...


:)
Click to expand...

yeah, I was going to, but inadvertently hijacked op's thread. My bad unionauto.
 
BobbyG said:
I have the Flex 3401 and Porter Cables 7424. Both are great machines but the Flex get the nod for paint correction and polishing and the Porter Cable does the sealants and wax.
Click to expand...

RTexasF said:
If you can swing the price for the Flex, there is no comparison.
Click to expand...

Sorry, but come on guys...let's not go there. Anyone that says that can't get great paint correction from a pc, is not using the proper technique. With the advent of non-diminishing abrasives, HT and surbuf pads, DA's are rivaling forced rotation hybrids and in the proper hands even surpassing them.

Look @ the correction work achieved in this thread using only a pc and ht pads, then tell me the only thing it's good for is sealants and waxes http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/24212-f-150-complete-turn-around.html :nomore:
 
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DARK HORSE said:
Sorry, but come on guys...let's not go there. Anyone that says that can't get great paint correction from a pc, is not using the proper technique. With the advent of non-diminishing abrasives, HT and surbuf pads, DA's are rivaling forced rotation hybrids and in the proper hands even surpassing them.

Look @ the correction work achieved in this thread using only a pc and ht pads, then tell me the only thing it's good for is sealants and waxes :nomore:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/24212-f-150-complete-turn-around.html
Click to expand...

I totally agree that DA's are fully capable of producing flawless results, in the right hands with proper technique, I don't think they were saying the DA's can't do the work.

The thing about the Flex 3401 is that it does what it does, consistently, in anyone's hands, all the time. Of course the user must possess the skill to operate their choice of machine. It's all been said before, but the user friendly controls, consistency in the motion/speed of the pad along with the general quality and "feel" of the Flex 3401 all make it worth it and therefore "better" IMO. :o
 
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