Flex 3401- what can't it do?

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graham

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Hi,
I have been looking at the flex for a while. the sale that popped up on here recently has got me wanting to bit the bullet and get it. I am wanting to use it as a hobby , but on boats, airplanes and modern/classic cars.
Do yall think it will be a good fit?

Can you polish aluminum boat pontoons?

I just really want to get the right polisher the first go around!

Thanks
Graham
 
I have used my Flex 3401 for correcting vehicles. I do know a person that uses his Flex 3401 for gel coats on boats.

I have used it to polish chrome grills too. IMO it is the Best DA out there...PERIOD. With the 15% Discount as well as additional discounts you can't go wrong. JUST GET IT and you will know what I mean!!
 
I have used mine on a lot of different vehicles with very soft paint to very hard paint. Have also done 2 ski boats with it and performs great on everything. I told BusyMind that if he didn't like his, that I'd buy it off him for 100% of what he paid for it. Its that good!
 
I would tend toward a rotary for doing large scale aluminum polishing, but for the task, the 3401 would be the best DA, IMHO.
 
graham said:
Can you polish aluminum boat pontoons?
Click to expand...


In my new boat detailing book I have chapters on,

  • How to machine sand aluminum pontoon boats using the Flex 3401 with Mirka Abralon sanding discs.
  • How to machine polish aluminum pontoon boats to remove your sanding marks using the Flex 3401 after the sanding step.
  • How to machine seal aluminum pontoon boats using the Flex 3401 after the polishing step.
  • How to machine sand gel-coat boats using the Flex 3401 with Mirka Abralon sanding discs.

And there's a huge push on showing guys how to slap a wool polishing or wool cutting pad on a Flex 3401 and then use a one-step cleaner/wax to do a one-step process to a gel-coat boat. (the fastest way to buff out an oxidized boat)


You don't want to machine sand car paint though. Aluminum is thick and gel-coat is thick so you can not only get away with using the Flex 3401 to machine sand but it makes quick work of the job and it's a LOT faster than hand sanding or using a Porter Cable to machine sand or any air powered DA sander.


:xyxthumbs:
 
This boat project is used in my new boat detailing book and the only tool we used was the Flex 3401.


Before
watermark.php




After
watermark.php




:)
 
The 3401 can certainly polish Aluminum. Its the tool of choice when it come to restoring the Aluminum on Air Force One!

Aluminum Before


After:


 
Thanks guys I really appreciate it! Looks like I will be ordering one ! Now I've just got to decide what pads/polish/accessories toget !!!!
 
I have had mine for a few years, it will put a smile on your face.:buffing:
 
graham said:
Thanks guys I really appreciate it! Looks like I will be ordering one ! Now I've just got to decide what pads/polish/accessories to get !!!!
Click to expand...


I'd recommend getting a copy of my Flex book with the tool. Maybe get the tool and then read the book and then order your supplies.

In the book I recommend getting the 6.5" Hybrid pads. You can tackle just about any car paint using,

Orange
White
Black


For chemicals I only included brands I trust on black paint because if the compounds and polishes work on black paint they'll work on any paint.

At the time I wrote the book Autogeek didn't carry HD products. Had we carried HD products at the time of the printing I would have included them too.

Get lots of Gold Plus Jr. microfiber towels, at least 12. That way you can make small washing loads and wash ONLY the 12 towels.

The book walks you through what to do from the time you place the box it comes in onto a table and open it and to the final wiping off of the wax.


:)
 
When you're good you want to share it. Nothing wrong wit dat. Show us success and we will strive for it. Thank you. Take care.

Peace,

Darrin
 
Souldetailer said:
When you're good you want to share it. Nothing wrong wit dat.

Show us success and we will strive for it. Thank you. Take care.

Peace,

Darrin
Click to expand...


I actually have an article on that topic...


"It ain't braggin' if you can back it up." -Dizzy Dean


A number of years ago I used the above quote for a description when I created the the Show Off Your Latest Detail Work forum group on Meguiar's Online because I wanted people to feel comfortable sharing their work while not feeling like they were bragging when creating their write-up and sharing pictures from their results.


It's a good quote and as long as you can back it up then sharing your write-up and your pictures on our forum is a great way to showcase your talent as well as help and inspire others tackling their own detailing project.


"It ain't braggin' if you can back it up." -Dizzy Dean




:props:
 
When you're good you want to share it. Nothing wrong wit dat. Show us success and we will strive for it. Thank you. Take care.

Peace,

Darrin
 
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