??Flex 3401 VRG??

keepitclean

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Basically I detail my own cars and a few others. Mostly friends and friends of friends and a lot of times I work on a barter system. You hook me up with a few rounds of golf for a great looking car, etc.

I fell I'm pretty decent at what I do and can accomplish. I'm don't wet sand, etc. but decent at paint correction, etc.

My question is I've use a PC 7424 XP for years. Naturally I would love to have another polisher......although I don't really need one. Thinking about a Flex 3401 in addition to the PC but I'm wondering do I really need it and does a part time detail junkie need a $350 expenditure when the PC has been fine for many years.....Wants out weigh the needs right now.
 
if your looking for more power. The Griots machine has twice the power and so much better to use then the PC as it hardly ever bogs down compared to the PC..They are around same price. I am not a fan of the Flex. I owned one hated it and sold it. If your looking to spend that I would recommend the Rupes 15 over the flex. I love my new 15 and its much more enjoyable to work with compared to the flex. Also the larger throw corrects faster so less passes so dont have to spend as much time on the car
 
I love my flex. Haven't picked up a PC since getting it. Gets the job done in less time with excellent results. With all the talk between Flex and Rupes on the forum it still seems that Flex gets the advantage. Maybe because it has been around a bit longer but it is a good machine.
 
My question is I've use a PC 7424 XP for years.

Naturally I would love to have another polisher......although I don't really need one. Thinking about a Flex 3401 in addition to the PC but I'm wondering do I really need it and does a part time detail junkie need a $350 expenditure when the PC has been fine for many years.....Wants out weigh the needs right now.


Guess what?

One of our forum members paid us a visit with a similar story, he's owned and used successfully a PC for years. While Eric was here he tested out the Flex 3401 and the Rupes 21 and then purchased the Flex 3401.


See what he says in post #15 and #18 of this thread...

Rupes 21 & Flex 3401 Comparison + Detailer's Paint Coating



Then the next weekend he used the Flex 3401, (instead of the PC), to buff out his car and I'd like to say I'm impressed with the wetness and shine in the paint.


2000 Pontiac Trans Am Freak


My personal opinion is if you're going to get the Flex 3401 it works great out of the box with 6.5" pads, but down the road do like women do with their clothes and...

Accessorize!


Add the 4" LC backing plate and get a collection of 5" Hybrid Pads.


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

New 4" and 6" Backing Plates for Flex 3401




:)
 
Thanks Mike. I've actually looked at this thread many times.

It was great help.
 
I haven't tried the Rupes but it is on my detailing bucket list. I have however, thanks to Mikes advice, used the 3401 on my last 3 details. What a machine!! My PC is now used for interior duties, headlights and windshields, and tight spots on the exterior, and applying wax. The Flex is far more powerful than the PC, it's easy to use and makes detailing faster. Since the majority of my clients want full interior plus a one step, the time we've saved allows us to be able to do 2 clients in a day.
 
I own a PC and have done several vehicles already but had the opportunity to use the Flex at one of the Thursday night clinics. After using it, I almost immediately knew that I needed to upgrade and purchased it a day later. Not only is the build quality noticeably higher with the flex, but the amount of power behind the machine is far greater than the PC. It cuts the time down significantly and produces much more professional results since the pad is always spinning and polishing. In tough areas you can essentially just push harder and muscle through scratches or heavily swirled areas, while still appearing to not be overly aggressive like a higher speed rotary.

I was lucky enough to get a 15% off on it and free shipping, so it was just shy of $320 shipped, although I probably would have likely purchased it even without the discount.

The biggest differences to me are:
-Power: lots more and gets out more swirls / scratches without having to do tons of passes
and
-Convenience: being able to have two machines and not constantly change the backing plates to work on the pillars, corners, etc. 3.5" backing on the PC and the 5.5" on the Flex. Saves lots of time plus keeps the job flowing smoother.
 
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