First time with Flex 3401

Emm

Emm

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I finally got to use my new flex 3401 on my truck this weekend.( I had tried it out on my hood) I used Dodo need for speed and a green LC 6.5" pad. Finished up with a coat of Swissvax Concosro sp?, applied with a PC and a red LC 6.5" pad.

I really liked the feel of the flex, It was a little difficult getting used to the way it walks on you if you let it. The lack of the jiggling effect and the power it spins the pad at was great.

My truck had some light swirls from the winter and need for speed and the flex took care of them. Very easy product to remove and once the pad was primed I used very little product.

I would def. recommend need for speed and will post pics. later, as far as Swissvax it is now my favorite wax. It looks that good, and very easy to remove. I will update on endurance.
 
I just bought a new to me 3401 from a well respected forum member. He is a pro and uses a rotary and a DA more so Im taking it off his hands! I plan to keep my GG's for Megs DA MF Systems.
 
Emm said:
I finally got to use my new flex 3401 on my truck this weekend.( I had tried it out on my hood) I used Dodo need for speed and a green LC 6.5" pad. Finished up with a coat of Swissvax Concosro sp?, applied with a PC and a red LC 6.5" pad.

I really liked the feel of the flex, It was a little difficult getting used to the way it walks on you if you let it. The lack of the jiggling effect and the power it spins the pad at was great.

My truck had some light swirls from the winter and need for speed and the flex took care of them. Very easy product to remove and once the pad was primed I used very little product.

I would def. recommend need for speed and will post pics. later, as far as Swissvax it is now my favorite wax. It looks that good, and very easy to remove. I will update on endurance.
Click to expand...

Ed,

I couldn't agree with you more!

The Flex 3401 is a dream polisher and every time I use it only makes me wish I had bought it sooner.. :props:
 
Emm said:
The lack of the jiggling effect
Click to expand...

This is THE reason I ordered the 3401, and I love it. Before my hands would go numb and tingly with the PC. Plus now I can use 6.5'' pads, the PC just could not handle the larger pads.

I still have the PC around for LSP application, and pretty soon some carpet brushes, but I am finding that even my 3401 is starting to win for LSP as well.
 
LegacyGT said:
This is THE reason I ordered the 3401, and I love it. Before my hands would go numb and tingly with the PC. Plus now I can use 6.5'' pads, the PC just could not handle the larger pads.

I still have the PC around for LSP application, and pretty soon some carpet brushes, but I am finding that even my 3401 is starting to win for LSP as well.
Click to expand...

I haven't used it for LSP application, you like the Flex to apply wax/sealant?
 
LegacyGT said:
This is THE reason I ordered the 3401, and I love it. Before my hands would go numb and tingly with the PC. Plus now I can use 6.5'' pads, the PC just could not handle the larger pads.

I still have the PC around for LSP application, and pretty soon some carpet brushes, but I am finding that even my 3401 is starting to win for LSP as well.
Click to expand...


:iagree: This is THE reason I love the Flex... besides all the great build quality, location of controls, etc. etc.
 
Emm said:
I haven't used it for LSP application, you like the Flex to apply wax/sealant?
Click to expand...

I just finished up an SUV this weekend with the 3401 with Hydro Tech red pad and WG Fuzion and it turned out amazingly well. The 3401 was a pleasure to use, even with LSP.

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1247362242_kpngD-L.jpg


1247364075_pDwDh-L.jpg
 
How did you apply the fuzion to the LC pad?
 
Emm said:
It was a little difficult getting used to the way it walks on you if you let it. The
Click to expand...


This walking-effect is due to the larger size of the orbit in it's oscillating action and take place anytime you're not holding the pad completely flat.

In a way, the tools corrects and teaches you to hold the pad flat because you tell instantly when you're not holding the pad flat by the walking-effect. Since in most cases good technique means holding the pad flat to the surface... the self-teaching provided by the tool is a good thing...


:xyxthumbs:
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
This walking-effect is due to the larger size of the orbit in it's oscillating action and take place anytime you're not holding the pad completely flat.

In a way, the tools corrects and teaches you to hold the pad flat because you tell instantly when you're not holding the pad flat by the walking-effect. Since in most cases good technique means holding the pad flat to the surface... the self-teaching provided by the tool is a good thing...


:xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Yes as soon as I went on a slight angle it would start to walk, I got the pad flat pretty quick after that and I'm looking forward to using the Flex 3401 again. Mike have you used the flex to apply wax?
 
Emm said:
Yes as soon as I went on a slight angle it would start to walk, I got the pad flat pretty quick after that and I'm looking forward to using the Flex 3401 again. Mike have you used the flex to apply wax?
Click to expand...

Yes, it works for me just fine but I try to do as many procedures by machine as possible. Use a soft finishing or waxing pad on around the 2-3 speed setting...


:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Yes, it works for me just fine but I try to do as many procedures by machine as possible. Use a soft finishing or waxing pad on around the 2-3 speed setting...


:)
Click to expand...


I do too, but I've been using my PC for wax application. I haven't tried using the flex for LSP.
 
I'm new to detailing by DA, and I have just used my Flex 3401 twice, but the results have been amazing; I'm thinking how is it going to look when I get good at it, because I know I'm really inexperienced and I'm feeling my way along with the help of you guys and the tutorials. The Flex 3401 is forgiving of my inept ways and gives you a result that is unmistakable. Awesome machine!
 
I'm contemplating, getting the flex 3401!

Can anyone tell about the noise and vibration it makes, compared to PCXP ?
 
sohail99 said:
I'm contemplating, getting the flex 3401!

Can anyone tell about the noise and vibration it makes, compared to PCXP ?
Click to expand...

It doesn't "jiggle" like the PC, it isn't the noisest machine I've used. I like it, it has a great feel to it. Correction time is much faster. I'm glad I got it, and I still use my PC for wax/sealant application. I would go for it and get it!!
 
Emm said:
I haven't used it for LSP application, you like the Flex to apply wax/sealant?
Click to expand...

I do.... I use LC blue super finishing pad and apply wax or sealants with it... makes it a breeze. 15 minutes and you're done!
 
i had been eye balling the flex 3401 for a while now...... but i decided i rather master the rotary and do all my work with it. i have a pc for waxes and sealants but the rotary is just a beast and i know that with practice it will definitely get the job done! some forum members here gave me the inspiration to do so! :dblthumb2:
 
I used my conventional DA polisher(like the PCXP) but the vibration from it caused my hands to go stiff and pain for weeks after any detail!!!

I seriously am looking for better options that actually make the polishing experience more pleasurable, quieter(neighbors eye me all the time I fire up the DA at odd times of the day or night! lol)
and most of all, decreased fatigue from using the machine so that I can carry out another detail the other day!

Is Flex 3401 for me?(sry for the very traditional way to put the question lol! :D)

How's the weight of the polisher for vertical panels?
 
sohail99 said:
I used my conventional DA polisher(like the PCXP) but the vibration from it caused my hands to go stiff and pain for weeks after any detail!!!

I seriously am looking for better options that actually make the polishing experience more pleasurable, quieter(neighbors eye me all the time I fire up the DA at odd times of the day or night! lol)
and most of all, decreased fatigue from using the machine so that I can carry out another detail the other day!

Is Flex 3401 for me?(sry for the very traditional way to put the question lol! :D)

How's the weight of the polisher for vertical panels?
Click to expand...

The Flex will take more effort on vertical panels since you have to both hold it flat and guide it than a non-forced rotation DA. The key is learning how to hold it properly (for example, 8am tail, 2pm head position) with both hands. You should not just hold it out with one hand like you can with a regular DA.

It has a smoothness that instantly feels like it is a great machine. I did not like the tingling feeling left with my original DA.

Now Cyclo fans should show up and tell you the Cyclo is the best of both worlds. I used one for about 15 seconds. It is an interesting machine.
 
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