About to purchase a Flex, have a few questions

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Skelly

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Hello all I am close to purchasing a flex 3401 and have a few questions.

I am a little unsure of which compounds and polishes to get. I plan on detailing average cars and a few nice ones here and there. I've done some reading and it seems like people like the Menz SIP and Menz Nano to remove swirl marks.

Now what would I use next? Finish polish, glaze, paint sealant or wax? Also, Which pads would I purchase for the SIP, Nano and the above?

Thanks!
 
Like I said earlier in the other post you made, Meguiar's 105 and 205 combo works just as well if not better and it's on sale right now. Look into them.

For the deep swirls I would use an orange or white pad.

For the light swirls I would use a white or black pad.

For sealant, waxes and glazes you can use black or blue pad.

For application it is the most aggressive first so for menz it would be SIP then nano. For Meguiar's it would be 105 then 205.

If you car still has scratches from the polisher you can use menz 85RD.

Once that optional 85RD step is complete you can use a sealant and then a wax. Always put a sealant first and then the wax, but wait 12 hours before putting the wax over a sealant.

If you want to put a pure glaze on it goes before the sealant and right after 205, 85RD or nano which ever you use last.
 
maximus20895 said:
Like I said earlier in the other post you made, Meguiar's 105 and 205 combo works just as well if not better and it's on sale right now. Look into them.

For the deep swirls I would use an orange or white pad.

For the light swirls I would use a white or black pad.

For sealant, waxes and glazes you can use black or blue pad.

For application it is the most aggressive first so for menz it would be SIP then nano. For Meguiar's it would be 105 then 205.

If you car still has scratches from the polisher you can use menz 85RD.

Once that optional 85RD step is complete you can use a sealant and then a wax. Always put a sealant first and then the wax, but wait 12 hours before putting the wax over a sealant.

If you want to put a pure glaze on it goes before the sealant and right after 205, 85RD or nano which ever you use last.
Click to expand...

I really appreciate the help!

brb updating my shopping cart :o
 
How does this look guys?

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I'm not a fan of the CCS pads. Also you might be able to get autogeek to match DI's deal on the 3401 with a free Flex bag. Flex XC3401VRG plus FREE Flex Bag
 
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105 is a little finicky in heat and humiditiy. SIP has a longer working time than 105 though. The difference is diminishing vs non-diminishing abrasives. I would get both personally, Use 105 for those tough areas, then SIP for the rest. I don't use a heavy compound unless needed. Save your clearcoat a little.

As for finishing polishes, diminishing polishes finish down better. IMO I would go for 106FA over 205 any day.
 
I like 205 way better and I agree with the CSS pads. I would get some flat pads over CCS. What's wrong w/ 105? It's a great product.

I'm not sure why you are getting 82 as I think that's an old product. Instead of 85U get 85RD..it's much better in my opinion.

I would get APC+ over APC as it's more versatile and stronger and is cheaper over all..even though it on back order i'm sure they will have in VERY soon. I would also get the meguiar's bottle to go with what ever APC you choose.

Water blades may cause scratches due to it rubbing dirt particles on the paint, your call though.

Instead of 21 and 26 sealant/wax I would get Menz power lock as it's better, but that is again your call.

I would get:

  • Flex 3401
  • m105
  • m205
  • menz 85RD
  • menz power lock
  • APC+ with bottle/sprayer
  • 6.5 inch LC flat pads
  • Mothers sheep mit or chenille what ever.
  • The guzzler is good if you don't have a leaf blower
  • Cobra Indigo Microfiber Polishing Cloth 3 Pack or a 6 pack your choice
 
I would swap out the M105 for Ultimate Compund (less dust longer working time), swap APC for APC+, take the water blade off all together, swap #82 for M205 and get the bigger guzzler. You will also need more then 1 of each pad to do a whole car.
 
maximus20895 said:
What's wrong w/ 105? It's a great product.
Click to expand...

There is nothing wrong with 105. Just if you don't need to use a compound, then don't. I'm just saying to get some mid range polishes. I wouldn't shoot a mouse with a elephant gun. So why would you use 105 for mid grade swirls and not something like power finsh 203 or TSR?
 
SIP is a bit less aggressive than 105 so I guess you could get that as well. Your call :)
 
Ok guys I just placed my order and heres what I got. I wanted to say thanks to everyone who helped. I also used the sales guy's recommendations (they better be good lol)


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Qty Product Code - Product Name Price
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1 FL-XC3401VR - Flex Polisher XC 3401 VRG 309.99
1 LC-FLAT-CUSTOM - Lake Country 6.5 FLAT Pads- 6 PACK 49.99
1 M-10532 - Meguiars #105 Ultra-Cut Compound 32 oz. 20.99
1 M-20532 - Meguiars #205 Ultra Finishing Polish 32 oz. 18.99
1 MEN-PO83Q - 32 oz. Menzerna Super Intensive Polish 44.99
1 D-11101 - 128 oz. Meguiars Shampoo Plus 10.99
1 D-10301 - Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner Plus D103 6.99
2 D20100 - 32 oz. Meguiars Generic Spray Bottle 2.50
1 PIN-510K - Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay Special 29.99
1 PIN-400-B - 2 QTY 16 oz Pinnacle Gel Wheel Cleaner 24.99
1 MEN-PO85RD - 32 oz. Menzerna Polish PO85RD 29.99
1 WG-5500-SP - 16 oz. Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 34.99
1 COBRA-CK - **The Guzzler Combo Kit 27.99
1 MFC-600-6-B - 12 QTY Cobra Blue All Purpose Microfiber 19.99
1 COBRA-600JR - Cobra Deluxe Jr. 600 Microfiber Towel, 1 9.99
2 COBRA-460 - Cobra Blue Micro-Chenille Wash Mitt 12.98
1 OPT-1101 - Optimum Instant Detailer 32 oz. 19.99
1 CREDIT - Credit -73.27
1 MISC - Miscellaneous Item 0.00
1 SAMPLES - Free Car Care Sample 0.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------

This should be good to get me started.

Can't wait for it all to come.
 
Wow you got alot of things and a wide spectrum of polish/compounds. The only thing I would of changed would be menzies power lock over wg deep gloss paint sealant. I have a sample so we will see.

Have fun :)
 
You are going to need more pads if you just ordered six and one of each color. You should count on at least 3 to 4 pads per each polish phase so 3 to 4: orange, white, black. Clean pads is essential to getting best results. If you are just applying a wax by machine (using the blue pad) you do not need as many but always have at least one spare.
 
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