Do I take the Leap or wait for it?

D

Damnhor2

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Hey guys!
well I have gotten to the point of ordering new buffing pads, all of my CCS orange pads are done, torn and worn.

The question now is, do I order new 5.5" Hydro tech pads for my PC, or do I take the plunge and get 6.5" Hydro tech pads and a Flex XC3401 VRG?
I don't want to get 5.5" pads for my PC only to get them replaced a little while after, as for my understanding the Flex works better with 6.5" pads?

Also I have gotten to the point where I polish at least 2 cars a week and the PC is just to much work, I am looking to work faster and this might just be the opportunity.

What do you guys think?
 
Whether you use a DA, a Flex, or a rotary, with hydro tech pads you are going to be replacing them often. They cut and finish so well but the life of the pad is not the greatest at this point. I understand your pain of correcting with a DA and taking forever. I'm about to buy a rotary. Have you given a rotary much thought instead of a Flex DA?
 
Damnhor2 said:
I don't want to get 5.5" pads for my PC only to get them replaced a little while after, as for my understanding the Flex works better with 6.5" pads?
Click to expand...

The backing plate on the Flex 3401 is approximately 6" in diameter, so you need to use a 6.5" pad to provide a little safety margin. Somewhere on this forum I have pictures that show the backing plate on a 6.5" pad to give you a reference as to the size of backing plate to pad.

5.5" pads work best for correction work on DA Polishers because the smaller total surface area in contact with the paint is easier for these types of tools to keep rotating. You don't have that issue with the 3401 since it's a direct drive tool.

5 1/2 inch and 6 inch Buffing Pads on Autogeek's Online Store

5" and 6" Backing Plates on 6.5" pads (Pictures to show safety margin)


Damnhor2 said:
Also I have gotten to the point where I polish at least 2 cars a week and the PC is just to much work, I am looking to work faster and this might just be the opportunity.

What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

The Flex 3401 will speed up the correction step as it will give you more power to remove defects more quickly.


:)
 
i LOVE my flex and 6.5 inch hydro tech pads. they are all i use now...
 
I got my 3401 as a Christmas present. Best gift ever received for sure. Quality is absolutely top notch. I use HT pads on mine with great results.

If you've got the cash and don't feel that a rotary is warranted, or you simply don't want to deal with the learning curve, go for the Flex. You wont be disappointed.
 
I absolutely love the Flex and suggest one to all providing they can cover the expense. That said, I still find standard flat pads work well too and never could get into all those pad options. I must be getting old huh ???
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
I absolutely love the Flex and suggest one to all providing they can cover the expense. That said, I still find standard flat pads work well too and never could get into all those pad options. I must be getting old huh ???
Click to expand...

:iagree: I absolutely love my Flex and recommend it to anyone who can justify the cost. Flat pads are my favorite as well (Hydro-techs are flat too :D).
 
I absolutely agree wth everybody here. Abosolutely LOVE the Flex 3401.
I have used 5 1/2" pads on the Flex and the backing plate goes right to the edge. Rather scary and really no reason to risk it.

The flat pads are great. I use mostly HT pads. I do use flat white, grey, and blue pads. If I was starting out today getting pads (with the crimson ht pad available) I might go straight to all HT pads and a few blue flat pads.

I've got a ton of the ccs pads that I'll use someday. Bought a bunch before I got hooked on the flats and ht's.
 
I was using my Flex 3401 and would never be without one. It's allot more powerful than my Porter Cable 7424 and "its" primary role is now glazes, sealants, and waxes. If I get into a tight area I'll swap backing plates and mount some 4" pads.
 
CEE DOG said:
I absolutely agree wth everybody here. Abosolutely LOVE the Flex 3401.
I have used 5 1/2" pads on the Flex and the backing plate goes right to the edge. Rather scary and really no reason to risk it.

The flat pads are great. I use mostly HT pads. I do use flat white, grey, and blue pads. If I was starting out today getting pads (with the crimson ht pad available) I might go straight to all HT pads and a few blue flat pads.

I've got a ton of the ccs pads that I'll use someday. Bought a bunch before I got hooked on the flats and ht's.
Click to expand...

So you are using 6.5-in pads?
 
rwright said:
Whether you use a DA, a Flex, or a rotary, with hydro tech pads you are going to be replacing them often. They cut and finish so well but the life of the pad is not the greatest at this point. I understand your pain of correcting with a DA and taking forever. I'm about to buy a rotary. Have you given a rotary much thought instead of a Flex DA?
Click to expand...
Have you used the Flex 3401? It makes correcting so much faster and easier than a regular DA(I've had both).
 
Well, I'm sold :)
You guys totally knocked it out of the park.
Plus with the Meguiars products so cheap now I can really get a good value order out.

Thanks to all those who helped!
 
Damnhor2 said:
Well, I'm sold :)
You guys totally knocked it out of the park.
Plus with the Meguiars products so cheap now I can really get a good value order out.

Thanks to all those who helped!
Click to expand...

Wooo hooo! Your gonna love it!!!

Im the MAN :buffing: :drool: :cruisin: :awesome:
 
Hey guys, when u say that the Hydro-tech pad's life span is short, how short do u mean?
I am from Israel and since we have nothing here and shipping costs a fortune I really need to be picky about what I order.
 
I spoke with Eric today, the owner of lake country buffing pads. I told him that I have the flex 3401, and he recommended the original LC flat or CCS pads. He said the hydro tech pads take a beating on the flex 3401, and the foam composition of these pads may not last very long.
 
Well, I took the leap!
Just finished my order of:

Meguiars #205 Ultra Finishing Polish 32 oz.
Meguiars #105 Ultra-Cut Compound 32 oz.
FLEX XC 3401 VRG 230/CCE Orbital Polisher
16 oz. Pinnacle Micro Rejuvenator
4x 3 Pack Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch (6xCyan, 5xTangerine, 1xCrimson)

Just waiting for Autogeek to e-mail me with the shipping costs and hopefully I'll be getting at polishing faster in no time :)
 
best move i made .. my customers love my results now and it really cuts my time down.. i am currently looking into the hydro tech pads.. cause im looking for a faster cut.. i too would like to know whats the shelf life.. im averaging about 2 details a day.
 
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