First Ever - Flex XC 3401, Flex PE-14, Other?

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payj

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I am totally new to polishing. I want to step up my game if you will...I have always washed, clayed and waxed my cars. I have never gotten into the details.

I have been doing more reading that posting here and other places for good buffers. My research has led me to Flex and Cyclo. More people lean toward the Flex it seems? Anyways, I am a huge believer in "buy once cry once" so I don't care how much I spend. I just want the "best" for my intended use.

So, my question is which one should a get as a newb? I have read rotarys will do a "better" job, but there is a risk in burning your paint. Should I be really worried about that? If so the 3401 seems to be a nice alternative...Or...????

My car colors are silver, dark blue and sand....

I would appreicate any and all feedback!!!!

THX
 
If your just doing personal vehicles, I say Flex DA. I started with the PC and just got my Flex and I should have used your philosophy and bought this first.
 
:welcome: To Autogeek Online! :props:

The Flex 3401 is a great dual action polisher however I started with the Porter Cable 7424. I prefer the correction ability of the Flex over the Porter Cable and it's a larger machine. That said, the Flex 3401 is powerful, well balanced, rugged, and with it's forced rotation feature it's in a class of it's own.

Newbie or veteran the Flex 3401 suits both perfectly.....

There's nothing wrong with the Porter Cable 7424 and the last time I looked at the numbers it outsold all of the other like dual action polishers combined.

Rotary polishers have been around for a long long time, much longer than its dual action counterpart. Rotary polisher have gained a bad reputation because of two things; Inexperience and bashing by those who have never even picked one up.

Rotary polishers are fantastic machines and with a little practice and experience you'll be shocked at how valuable they can be.

Here are my polishers from left to right;


  • Porter Cable 7424
  • Makita 9227
  • Flex 3401
  • Flex PE14-2-150

Collection_RD18.jpg
 
I too have a very small collection of polishers

  • Porter Cable 7424 xp
  • Griot's Garage 6" DA
  • Flex PE14-2-150
Being totally new, I might suggest the GG 6" with the Megs MF correction KIT
add to that a six-pack of LC 5.5" flat pads 2)orange 2)white 1)black & 1)blue
and a bottle on Megs M105, Megs M205 and optional Menz PO85 to kick it up.

A Dual Action (DA) is safer but it takes longer. These are "personal vehicles". Time is not ultra important.
My thoughts are "once you get the hang of it" with a DA then the Flex PE14-2-150 is an excellent rotary.
You will then have two great machines (DA & rotary) & the ability to tackle anything that comes at you.

This is the result with using only the PC 7424xp! You can learn to use a DA in about 10 minutes
TruckHood11.jpg


TruckHood3.jpg

The Flex costs more than the GG 6". There is a larger learning curve & greater risk with a rotary.
If you a bound & determined to spend your money then I would suggest the GG 6" and Flex PE14
If you would like to walk before you run, then I suggest the Griot's Garage 6" Dual Action Polisher
 
If I were to do it again, I would start with the 3401. As long as you are a patient person and can deal with having some control issues the first car or two you do, I think it's a fine starting tool.

I started with the PC 7424, but pretty quickly wanted something with a bit more power. Now I am mostly using the PE14 rotary, but that was/is a massive learning curve. Unless you have someone that is experienced and can train you hands on, starting on the rotary would not be the greatest decision.
 
i'm also new... so what is this that i read about the flex 3401 being not as good as the GG because of some special kit... why can't the flex use the same kit?
 
chrome- said:
i'm also new...
Click to expand...

Welcome to Autogeek Online!



chrome- said:
so what is this that i read about the flex 3401 being not as good as the GG because of some special kit... why can't the flex use the same kit?
Click to expand...

Where did you read this? Maybe start a new thread and include a link so that way people can read what you read and then post an intelligent reply.

All tools have kits available to them that helps out people that are new to machine polishing by packaging necessary components together. Different kits for different tools for different types of work to be done, simple as that.


:)
 
chrome- said:
Meguires microfiber system kits
Click to expand...

Most people find the microfiber pad and the D300 compound to be grabby as you use the Flex 3401, that is as you buff the pad does not glide over the surface smoothly but tends to somewhat grab onto the paint and cause you to have to focus more energy on controlling the polisher. The D301 does buff more smoothly.

There are still lots of options for pads and products for the Flex 3401


:)
 
ok i have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 BLACK... i have tons of scratches all over the bed of my truck and swirl marks as well... would i need to have the scratches professionally taken out or is that something that i could do with the 3401 or the pe14? i get compliments on my truck all the time but when i bring it out of the car wash you can see the scratches and swirls upclose really easy from prolly about 8 ft away from my truck its noticeable especially in the sunlight...i've never polished or buffed any vehicle ever, but it is something i'd like to do or try... does the microfiber kit get out scratches too?... i have alot of scratches but only a couple small ones are down to the metal...
 
chrome- said:
ok i have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 BLACK...

i have tons of scratches all over the bed of my truck and swirl marks as well...

would i need to have the scratches professionally taken out or is that something that i could do with the 3401 or the pe14?
Click to expand...


You don't want to learn how to use a rotary buffer on a black vehicle and for most people it's a good idea to start out machine polishing with a easier tool to learn how to use and master.

Go for the Flex 3401 or a DA Polisher like the Porter Cable 7424XP

How to choose the right polisher for your detailing project



:props:
 
I agree with a lot of people so far. If you start off with a rotary and burn through the paint or something your gonna really wish you got a DA especially a clutch system like the PC 7424XP, Griots Garage DA, or Meguiar's G110v2. The PC 7424XP is what I started off with. It seems to be overall the most reliable DA. The GG 6 inch has a little more power then the PC 7424XP. It maybe has a little less reliability but it does have a lifetime warranty. And I don't even think you can get the G110v2 right now because Meguiar's is trying to fix some reliability problems with them.

Probably the 2 most versatile compound/polishes are Meguiar's M105/M205. Many products are compared against these 2 as the standard. If you get a couple of each of the Lake Country Flat Pads or Hydo-tech pads you can go wrong.

Also you could get the Meguiar's DA microfiber system. It would be cheaper then buying all the different pads and compounds/polishes. I haven't used mine yet (its on order) but everyone seems to love it!

Good luck!
 
shoeless89 said:
If you start off with a rotary and burn through the paint or something your gonna really wish you got a DA especially a clutch system like the PC 7424XP, Griots Garage DA, or Meguiar's G110v2.
Click to expand...


Good post shoeless89 but be careful about using the term clutch when referring to the Free Floating Spindle Bearing Assembly or the Word Police will come down on you...


Everything fully explained here,

The Free Floating Spindle Assembly - The Story Behind The Story...




:xyxthumbs:
 
chrome- said:
...i have a 2003 dodge ram 1500 BLACK... i have tons of scratches all over the bed of my truck and swirl marks as well... i get compliments on my truck all the time but when i bring it out of the car wash you can see the scratches and swirls upclose really easy from prolly about 8 ft away from my truck its noticeable especially in the sunlight...
Click to expand...

First off, NEVER take a black vehicle through a car wash!
That is probably the main reason you have swirls and scratches.
Learn to use the "Two bucket method" to wash your truck.
It's fast, easy and saves a lot of paint correction polishing work.

chrome- said:
...would i need to have the scratches professionally taken out or is that something that i could do...
Click to expand...

Yes, it is something you CAN do!
Wash it correctly and keep it swirl free.

For a "newbie" I'd suggest:

Griots Garage 6" DA Polisher
Meguiars 5" Microfiber DA kit
Meguiars M105 and M205
Lake Country 5.5" flat pads.
Six Pack=2-Orange, 2-White 1-Black 1-Blue
A Mike Phillips "How to use a DA Polisher DVD"
Learn the Kevin Brown Method for polishing paint.

Timmy03.jpg


DryShine-vs-ReNuFinish.jpg


chrome- said:
...i have alot of scratches but only a couple small ones are down to the metal...
Click to expand...

For those I might suggest getting a Dr. Color Chip kit for your specific year/make/model/color.
I've had really good results hiding and/or completely eliminating paint scratch and chip issues.

I recently did a black truck with the above tools and products. (with the exception of the LSP sealant used to protect the paint)
When the owner came to pick up his truck we talked for five minutes before he realized he was standing next to his own truck!
 
I haven't used a Flex but just got a new PC and Merlin is right that it can be used effectively in about 10 minutes with good results. My teenaged daughters took to it right off as did I. Good job on that black truck Merlin.
 
jreblackGT said:
Good job on that black truck Merlin.
Click to expand...

Thanks

jreblackGT said:
...just got a new PC...it can be used effectively in about 10 minutes with good results.
Click to expand...

Notice in the truck pics above I'm using a PC 7424xp.

The results with a DA can be flat out amazing. It's safe but it just takes a little more time.
50-50Hood.jpg


As Mike P. said a DA has a "free floating spindle assembly" IMHO for a "newbie" safe is good!
For a personal vehicle time shouldn't be an issue. Doing a good "safe" job should be first concern.
 
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My vote is for the PC or Griots to start off with. I feel that they are more versatile then the Flex 3401
 
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