Flex 3401 vs. traditional DA thoughts...

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WRAPT C5Z06

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I've changed my mind about the 3401 at least 10 times! :laughing: Anyhow, the best cut and finish I've found with any polisher(outside of a rotary) is a traditional DA, MF pad, and a good compound. However, with a traditional DA NOT being forced rotation, technique becomes huge, because the pad rotation is constantly changing depending on pressure and curved surfaces. With the Flex 3401, once you get passed the buffer trying to control you, you're getting CONSISTENT polishing results because the pad never stops rotating, regardless of pressure or non flat panels. With that said, I'd say a newbie can get better results from using a Flex 3401 compared to a traditional DA. All you have to do is keep the pad flat and go to town! :props: It's takes a bit of getting used to not letting the polisher control you, but it sure is a great machine!! :righton: I'm still trying to find a pad/polish combo with the 3401 that cuts AND finishes as well as a traditional DA and MF pad.
 
hahaha





Mark, your explanation makes a ton of sense to me. I agree. Although the technique of learning a traditional DA (to keep pad spinning) might be easier than the technique of not letting a machine walk you around they car like the Flex 3401 may do for a beginner.
 
LuxuryMobile said:
Mark, your explanation makes a ton of sense to me. I agree. Although the technique of learning a traditional DA (to keep pad spinning) might be easier than the technique of not letting a machine walk you around they car like the Flex 3401 may do for a beginner.
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Stephan,

You do bring up a good point, but, I really think it depends on the type of curves a car has. It can be a real PITA trying to polish a car with a traditional DA that has a lot of curves. :eek:
 
Yea...not much more frustrating than using a DA, especially at a lower speed and trying to manage to keep the pad moving. And forget about low speeds and curves with anything other than a Griots.
 
ever since I got my Griots and MF pads and using 7/8" hydrotechs..i sold my flex months ago and not missed it once.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Do you find the Cyan pad to finish with a lot of marring on soft paint?
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havnt used a cyan pad yet..I mainly use the Crimson pad and the MF disc...I dont do alot of buffing since I mainly only do my car and very rarely do others..but I did my neighbors Impala and trailblazer..I started out with the Flex and tangerine pad and power finish..half way through i got sick of the flex and fighting it anytime i went a little off kilter and the dust..switched to my griots and a finishing pad with the power finish and got better results faster. I have used the tangerine pad in the past with 85RD on my soft black paint and it finished out well.
 
I need a freaking new machine. I am tired of my PC... when applying wax on low speeds I want to hurl it down the driveway....

I think its time for me to trade it in for a Griots perhaps.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
With that said, I'd say a newbie can get better results from using a Flex 3401 compared to a traditional DA. All you have to do is keep the pad flat and go to town!
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I did not start with a Flex but there is some truth that while newbs struggle with down pressure, arm speed, polish breakdown, etc, the Flex will still deliver results.

The choice is not different with other tools like the Metro vac vs a normal wet/dry vac. The Metro has lots of advantages in specific areas but the typical shop vac still is a good all around performer.

The question is just what works best in your process. Some want one machine, one polish, etc, to do everything but others do not.

Mark, in your case have you ever had to return the Flex for any mechanical reason? I think you have had issues with every other DA you have had.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Do you find the Cyan pad to finish with a lot of marring on soft paint?
Click to expand...

It tell you Mark! These cyan pads finish down better than anything for the cut they give!!! Their finish is not a question for me. How long they last is the problem. Luckily the rest of the HT lineup lasts much longer.

Btw, I'm laying in bed with the iPad (just woke up) but going to get up any second and put that primo hydro sample to use! Thanks buddy! Im the MAN

Bunky said:
I did not start with a Flex but there is some truth that while newbs struggle with down pressure, arm speed, polish breakdown, etc, the Flex will still deliver results.

The choice is not different with other tools like the Metro vac vs a normal wet/dry vac. The Metro has lots of advantages in specific areas but the typical shop vac still is a good all around performer.

The question is just what works best in your process. Some want one machine, one polish, etc, to do everything but others do not.

Mark, in your case have you ever had to return the Flex for any mechanical reason? I think you have had issues with every other DA you have had.
Click to expand...

Very well said Al!!
 
So Mark, do you still have your flex then or have you given up on it?
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
I've changed my mind about the 3401 at least 10 times! :laughing: Anyhow, the best cut and finish I've found with any polisher(outside of a rotary) is a traditional DA, MF pad, and a good compound. However, with a traditional DA NOT being forced rotation, technique becomes huge, because the pad rotation is constantly changing depending on pressure and curved surfaces. With the Flex 3401, once you get passed the buffer trying to control you, you're getting CONSISTENT polishing results because the pad never stops rotating, regardless of pressure or non flat panels. With that said, I'd say a newbie can get better results from using a Flex 3401 compared to a traditional DA. All you have to do is keep the pad flat and go to town! :props: It's takes a bit of getting used to not letting the polisher control you, but it sure is a great machine!! :righton: I'm still trying to find a pad/polish combo with the 3401 that cuts AND finishes as well as a traditional DA and MF pad.
Click to expand...

:laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing::laughing:

I think you probably found it Mark, you just haven't realized it yet......(cyan ht/105)



CEE DOG said:
It tell you Mark! These cyan pads finish down better than anything for the cut they give!!! Their finish is not a question for me. How long they last is the problem. Luckily the rest of the HT lineup lasts much longer.
Click to expand...

:iagree::iagree:+ 100000000000
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Do you find the Cyan pad to finish with a lot of marring on soft paint?
Click to expand...

Mark, this is VERY soft 10 year old paint. This picture was taken after only a few passes with the Flex3401/cyan ht/m105...

GEDC0331.jpg
 
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