3401, how much of a time saver in reality?

scooterguitar

scooterguitar

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I've been using the old PC since joining here and learning all the cool stuff that's possible.
So now that the bug hit me again this year I've been thinking about the 3401.
As personal demands continue to take more and more of time, it's harder to commit to full details for family and friends, but I love doing it when I can.

A typical car I'll do for a pal is going to be a daily driver, washed at the typical wash for a year or two, so 4/5 times I have to start with an aggressive pad and light compound.
So, if ( I know I will get one by spring regardless) about how much of an actual time saver would using the 3401 save me on the heavier polishing steps you think? 25% perhaps?

Also, what about work load on your body? As I get older, yep CTS, tendonitis, etc has began to set in :<( So after an above such session, my arms are hurting pretty bad.
 
Time saved if you know how to get the most out of both tools... Not sure as I never used the PC. With the 3401 vs GG it is some difference in time but not like your cutting off a major percentage. For me it's not the time saved that is the huge factor but among many things it's the fact I enjoy using the 3401 while the GG was something I wish I could forget.

I never used the PC but comparing the GG to the 3401 is a HUGE difference in comfort. 3401 is comfy and I have loved it since it replaced my GG.

GG vibrated like a concrete jackhammer until it luckily broke down after two hours.... Brand new too...
 
CEE DOG said:
Time saved if you know how to get the most out of both tools... Not sure as I never used the PC. With the 3401 vs GG it is some difference in time but not like your cutting off a major percentage. For me it's not the time saved that is the huge factor but among many things it's the fact I enjoy using the 3401 while the GG was something I wish I could forget.

I never used the PC but comparing the GG to the 3401 is a HUGE difference in comfort. 3401 is comfy and I have loved it since it replaced my GG.

GG vibrated like a concrete jackhammer until it luckily broke down after two hours.... Brand new too...
Click to expand...

User error :laughing:
 
3401 goes way faster and it just has the feel of a rotary ...
Would say I saved about 30 minutes per car on a one stepper (151) - 1 Hr vs 1.5hs
 
Rotary???
I was going to call you a noob but I see you have nearly 6000 posts so I'm hoping you've done a handful of cars... And if you have you would know that it is impossible to finish holo free with a rotary...
I've been detailing for 10+ years and can tell you that while I might be able to finish out almost clean it's not worth the 5 jeweling passes to clean things up when the same can be done with the 3401
Feel me?
 
fredcandetail said:
Rotary???
I was going to call you a noob but I see you have nearly 6000 posts so I'm hoping you've done a handful of cars... And if you have you would know that it is impossible to finish holo free with a rotary...
I've been detailing for 10+ years and can tell you that while I might be able to finish out almost clean it's not worth the 5 jeweling passes to clean things up when the same can be done with the 3401
Feel me?
Click to expand...
It is possible to finish down easily with a rotary if you know what you are doing.
 
If the reason to go 3401 over the DA (ie:PC) then even with a rotary which is more powerful than the 3401 you can always follow up with the DA. I agree knowing and using the buffer you choose is the real key. They all have a place.
 
Are you speaking from experience or based off something you have read on here?? Because anyone. That does this for a living I would think would not try to hand over a car to a customer after hitting it with a one stepper and a rotary ... Unless you are a hack-detailer


If you have done this - please tell me your pad/product combo please.
 
I don't have that much experience, but I just switched over from a 10 year old PC to a 3401.
Main difference is the flex can easily handle 6.5 inch pads, has more power, less vibration. I would say that on hard jobs I'm saving 40% time, and on lighter work 20%.
 
I sold my 3401 and gg6. Retained my pcxp and just use 4inch pads. Use mf pads mainly. Then crimson Pads for finishing if necessary.
 
scooterguitar said:
So, if ( I know I will get one by spring regardless) about how much of an actual time saver would using the 3401 save me on the heavier polishing steps you think? 25% perhaps?
Click to expand...


Definitely saves you time because it's a forced rotation so no pad slippage.

The places this would be most important are curved body panels, tight areas and raised thin panels as all these places can hinder a pad from rotating during correction work with the PC "style" of tools.

The 5" Hybrid pads are the way to go in my opinion but it means purchasing the Lake Country Backing Plate adapter system in order to be able to use them.


NEW - New 5" pads for 4" Backing Plate on Flex 3401

New 4" and 6" Backing Plates for Flex 3401

My friend and forum member Tom Risk tried them out, he said,


"They make using the Flex 3401 easier than any other pad"



Forum Member Tom Risk aka ShineTimeDetail visits Autogeek.net

Here's Tom using a 4.5" Hybrid Pad on the Flex 3401

TomRVisit01.jpg



1965Plymouth009.jpg


1965Plymouth010.jpg


1965Plymouth011.jpg


1965Plymouth012.jpg




:)
 
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