Convince me I need a Flex 3401

If you ever get involved in a job like this
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and you have a 3401 you'll be glad you have it. I get involved in some pretty extreme projects and the Flex 3401 will save me at least a full day's worth of labor on a job like this one. I can do a one step correction hologram free on this trailer with the flex 3401 a lot quicker than using a traditional DA. Using a rotary would create too much mess on a job like this with holograms and sling and the like and would likely need to be followed with a DA to look it's best. It's jobs like this where I need the 3401. On cars I can easily get by with and prefer the rotary.
 
LuxuryMobile said:
Someone convince me I need this machine, or maybe convince me I don't.

Not sure why I am having such a hard time deciding.

I currently have a PC 7424 (carpet brushes only) PCXP and Griots DA.

With the new MF systems out that work great with these DAs, should I still add a Flex 3401??

About 1/4 of my work are correction jobs or one steps. Another 1/4 are AIO and the rest maintenance and wash/wax jobs. Is it worth it in your opinion?

Thanks guys.
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Sounds like you convinced yoursef already. I think you are just trying to justify the purchase.:props:
 
tuscarora dave said:
If you ever get involved in a job like this
002-30.jpg

and you have a 3401 you'll be glad you have it. I get involved in some pretty extreme projects and the Flex 3401 will save me at least a full day's worth of labor on a job like this one. I can do a one step correction hologram free on this trailer with the flex 3401 a lot quicker than using a traditional DA. Using a rotary would create too much mess on a job like this with holograms and sling and the like and would likely need to be followed with a DA to look it's best. It's jobs like this where I need the 3401. On cars I can easily get by with and prefer the rotary.
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I've hired a helper to work on this job tomorrow. He has only run a polisher once in his life, on the big aluminum truck we did a few weeks ago. I'll have him run the 3401 and I'll run my G110V2 with the same pads and product. I'll polish one side and have him polish the other side and we'll see who gets more accomplished. Him with no learned polishing skills using the 3401, or me with some DA experience using a traditional DA. Of course you'll have to take my word for it. It should be a fun contest that will make the both of us more productive in the end. I'll post photos to this thread as well as the thread that I do on the job in total.
 
tuscarora dave said:
I've hired a helper to work on this job tomorrow. He has only run a polisher once in his life, on the big aluminum truck we did a few weeks ago. I'll have him run the 3401 and I'll run my G110V2 with the same pads and product. I'll polish one side and have him polish the other side and we'll see who gets more accomplished. Him with no learned polishing skills using the 3401, or me with some DA experience using a traditional DA. Of course you'll have to take my word for it. It should be a fun contest that will make the both of us more productive in the end. I'll post photos to this thread as well as the thread that I do on the job in total.
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I can't wait! :props: Sounds like a good experiment, but maybe you guys could switch machines halfway through. See how the new guy does with the G110 too. :props:
 
tuscarora dave said:
I've hired a helper to work on this job tomorrow. He has only run a polisher once in his life, on the big aluminum truck we did a few weeks ago. I'll have him run the 3401 and I'll run my G110V2 with the same pads and product. I'll polish one side and have him polish the other side and we'll see who gets more accomplished. Him with no learned polishing skills using the 3401, or me with some DA experience using a traditional DA. Of course you'll have to take my word for it. It should be a fun contest that will make the both of us more productive in the end. I'll post photos to this thread as well as the thread that I do on the job in total.
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Good idea. Considering the skill lever difference though you will have to make sure the end results are comparable too, and not just focus on time aspect...most people new to polishing tend to rush the job. ;)
 
tuscarora dave said:
I've hired a helper to work on this job tomorrow. He has only run a polisher once in his life, on the big aluminum truck we did a few weeks ago. I'll have him run the 3401 and I'll run my G110V2 with the same pads and product. I'll polish one side and have him polish the other side and we'll see who gets more accomplished. Him with no learned polishing skills using the 3401, or me with some DA experience using a traditional DA. Of course you'll have to take my word for it. It should be a fun contest that will make the both of us more productive in the end. I'll post photos to this thread as well as the thread that I do on the job in total.
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Excellent idea! I eagerly await the results.
 
I purchased a 3401 a few weeks ago and tried it out on a friends GMC Yukon. I have to say I spent quite some time deciding what to purchase. Getting to end-of-job faster and the forced action was the seller for me. I was unsure about its power and wary about damaging the paint for sure.

I purchased a test panel from a local salvage yard and gave it a try; no issues.

So I went to the Yukon with XMT 360 and a white polishing pad. My friend doesn't need perfection and since I was going to take it easy on my first try I figured it was a good win-win. One panel was pretty marred up with light swirls so I went with a light polish before the 360 and I wound up removing a fair amount of the swirls with the exception of a few.

Overall, I figure I didn't have much of a problem with the 3401 because of all the construction work I do and my experience with a PC DA orbital sander I have. The techniques are similar and combined with everything I read in the forum I was able to adjust easy enough. I had no trouble controlling the 3401. If it "ran away", it happened maybe 1-2x and I knew it was going to happen. However, not once did it over-power me. The variable-speed trigger was useful; going to use that more. :-) And man-o-man is this a well balanced device; weight distribution seems "perfect" for lack of a better word.

I'm happy with the purchase.
 
CEE DOG said:
Stephan, It sounds like you are very happy and comfortable with your mf system and traditional D/A. So stick with what you have.

If you ever decide you want a d/a with better placed controls, much less vibration, and some bells and whistles then go for it. In your situation I would test drive one before buying since you are so comfortable with what you use now.
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05xrunner said:
Keep what you have and dont spend the extra money...with the low profile 5.5" hydrotechs and the MF system I sold my flex as i had no need for it with my Griots as well. I actually find the griots more pleasing to work with as your not in a fight with it
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I have a Griots and a Flex. I have buddies come over and we correct and coat their vehicles. To a man or woman they all prefer the GG. I prefer the Flex. I agree with both positions above. . I use the GG with MF to cut and the Flex to finish with foam. The GG-MF combo will cut faster than the Flex and a Cyan HT FWIW.
 
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I apologize but I was unable to provide the results of the proposed experiment. I did work with both the Flex and the G110V2 but found that taking the time to achieve the results with the G110V2 was something that I could not afford to do on this project. After a quick test section with the G110V2 on the paint I felt this job would have taken a month to finish using it on the paint. I was able to get the desired result with the G110V2 but it took literally 5X longer than with the Flex 3401.

I brought in one helper on Saturday and two helpers on Sunday and still the job isn't completed. In the below photo you can see one helper running the Flex and the other helper on the scaffold running the metal wheel on the top aluminum border.

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This paint is severely cracked up and oxidized but here are the results achieved in 2 section passes using a finish pad with M-205 and the Flex 3401.

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The G110V2 was however useful in evening out the look of the metal work after my helper "Juan" ran the metal polishing wheel on the aluminum. Here's a before and after of the metal.

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This job not only convinced me that I need my Flex 3401 but that I need another Flex 3401. I feel that if I had 2 of these machines I could have got this job completed this weekend.
 
Thanks for posting Dave. The trailer is huge.

Im pretty convinced that I could use one in certain situations if I had one. I did have a client ask me about a horse trailer so I guess it would be smart to pick one up before than.

Thanks for sharing those pictures and that information. That trailer will have a lot of time invested in it. Seems like a great money maker though.
 
tuscarora dave said:
This job not only convinced me that I need my Flex 3401 but that I need another Flex 3401. I feel that if I had 2 of these machines I could have got this job completed this weekend.
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It just comes down to using the right tool for the job and when working on other people's projects for money, sometimes the best tool for the job is the one that offers lots of correction power without the fear of burning through the paint or instill swirls throughout the paint.

DA polishers, all of them, are tools you can give to people with less experience machine buffing without the concerns or risks associated with handing them a rotary buffer.

It's nice to have a selection in your tool arsenal so you can match the right tool to the job.


:)
 
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