Flex - first time experience

I just got done using the flex for the first time. Absolutely no experience with polishing at all before today. I found that it worked well and am please with my purchase. The 6.5 inch pads were a bit tricky in some areas and impossible in really tight spots but it made my time a lot easier on my full size truck.

I was hesitant at first but after the first pass it was pretty much game on. I experienced walking for all of a few seconds and then it was pretty apparent how to hold it flat. I think some smaller pads would have been better for the contours of my truck.

Overall pretty pleased. Now if flex just made a 3" mini I could have done everything by machine. I'll have to look into some of the smaller machines.
 
Dic95. I did the washer mod and it helped slightly. But I really don't believe that you should spend a lot of money to then change the tool to something that the company maintains is not necessary. Sorry but if the company said don't do it you shouldn't.

RichWentFishing:
Glad the flex went well. Please get Mike Phillips book. My current thinking is that now a third system is developing (rupes, girots being the other two) around Flex. I call it a system since it is advocated by Mike Phillips and Mike at Dedicated Perfection. Basically the system is Flex with 4 inch LC backing plate, all Menzerna compounds polishes (your choice) but fg400 and sf4500 are critical and 5 inch LC Hybrid pads - orange white black. It is an amazing system if you follow Mike aka Smack procedures. Consider this for next car and please post results and experiences. It is always helpful.
 
mbpress01 said:
Dic95. I did the washer mod and it helped slightly. But I really don't believe that you should spend a lot of money to then change the tool to something that the company maintains is not necessary. Sorry but if the company said don't do it you shouldn't.



RichWentFishing:

Glad the flex went well. Please get Mike Phillips book. My current thinking is that now a third system is developing (rupes, girots being the other two) around Flex. I call it a system since it is advocated by Mike Phillips and Mike at Dedicated Perfection. Basically the system is Flex with 4 inch LC backing plate, all Menzerna compounds polishes (your choice) but fg400 and sf4500 are critical and 5 inch LC Hybrid pads - orange white black. It is an amazing system if you follow Mike aka Smack procedures. Consider this for next car and please post results and experiences. It is always helpful.
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It's only a few cents to add the washer mod and it does make the machine more usable. Kevin Brown and Marco D'Inca at Rupes argue about this all the time but the fact is that the washer mod absolutely improves the usability of the machine. The washer mod WITH the lake country HD orbital pads absolutely improve things. The Lake Country HD pads spin a lot more freely even under pressure than the Rupes pads. I initially thought of selling my Rupes 21 when I got my Flex 3401 but I truly feel like both have their place. I'll also continue to use the Rupes when I just am not in the mood for the noise of the Flex.
 
Just used my PINK beast for the 1st time THANKS to Mikes book the learning process was easy. Polished out my Vette and put a coat of Menzerna CL on top.:buffing:
 
KBsToy.

First, thanks for the post but second if you are so inclined we need more. What products, pads backing plate etc did you use. Also how did it feel in terms of vibration, how much time did it take etc. Any special techniques?

Finally pictures please. Would love to see that vette all polished up.

I hate to ask but always interested in finding out how new users did with this incredible tool. I think other forum readers would really appreciate. I know I would, hence my asking.
 
Glad to hear KB. The Pink Flex is for a real man. :xyxthumbs:

I will be picking up a Flex 3401 the next time there is a no exclusions sale. I made the mistake of ordering pads and polish before having the polisher though and had to try them out. I broke out the rotary and the truck looks great. After using the rotary and reading a lot of happy customer reviews, I'm convinced the forced rotation of the flex is what I want. :buffing:
 
mbpress01 said:
KBsToy.

First, thanks for the post but second if you are so inclined we need more. What products, pads backing plate etc did you use. Also how did it feel in terms of vibration, how much time did it take etc. Any special techniques?

Finally pictures please. Would love to see that vette all polished up.

I hate to ask but always interested in finding out how new users did with this incredible tool. I think other forum readers would really appreciate. I know I would, hence my asking.
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When and if we get a good day here in the burgh I will post some pics. No vibration just different to use then regular DA the forced rotation is awesome. I used Menerza 400 followed up with Menzerna finish glaze then Menerza CL. Being a weekend warrior I would recommend to get Mike`s book using the Flex VERY GOOD info and helped me out with pads and product to use. I used HD orange pad which is a light cutting polishing pad than a finishing pad to apply CL
 
MIsnowman said:
Glad to hear KB. The Pink Flex is for a real man. :xyxthumbs:

I will be picking up a Flex 3401 the next time there is a no exclusions sale. I made the mistake of ordering pads and polish before having the polisher though and had to try them out. I broke out the rotary and the truck looks great. After using the rotary and reading a lot of happy customer reviews, I'm convinced the forced rotation of the flex is what I want. :buffing:
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That`s how I got my PINKIE :)

The forced rotation is awesome did not take me long in getting used to it as Mike says in his book it`s a beast :)
 
Whats the no exclusion sale all about..nubee here...thanks

Also for the tip Mike`s book using the Flex VERY GOOD :xyxthumbs:
 
mbpress01 said:
Dic95. I did the washer mod and it helped slightly. But I really don't believe that you should spend a lot of money to then change the tool to something that the company maintains is not necessary. Sorry but if the company said don't do it you shouldn't.
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I agree.
 
tenblade2001 said:
I just purchased mine (yeah sale)..are y'all using 5 or 6.5 pads?
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I've been using 6.5" hybrids, but I do have the 4" LC plate and 5" hybrids as well. It takes a couple mins to swap out the BP, so I've just made do with the larger pads so far.
 
tenblade2001 said:
I just purchased mine (yeah sale)..are y'all using 5 or 6.5 pads?
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I have two flexes since I don't want to swap out the backing plates. Saves a decent amount of time. You definitely need both since the 5s are very easy to control on vertical/curvy panels and really great on flat panels. The 6.5s (due to size obviously) will finish a hood, trunk or roof in no time. Also get orange, white and black. I bought too many as I have 20 of each but I usually use at least 13 to do a car (you can never have enough pads). I find I don't use the orange as much as the white since my rides are in good shape. Good luck and please post pictures of the projects you undertake as well as how you like the tool.
 
mbpress01 said:
I have two flexes since I don't want to swap out the backing plates. Saves a decent amount of time. You definitely need both since the 5s are very easy to control on vertical/curvy panels and really great on flat panels. The 6.5s (due to size obviously) will finish a hood, trunk or roof in no time. Also get orange, white and black. I bought too many as I have 20 of each but I usually use at least 13 to do a car (you can never have enough pads). I find I don't use the orange as much as the white since my rides are in good shape. Good luck and please post pictures of the projects you undertake as well as how you like the tool.
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I purchased the hydrotech pads based on what I've read (I'm using Menz and WG products) and there isn't a white pad. Am I missing something? I ordered Tangerine, Cyan and Red.
 
tenblade2001 said:
I purchased the hydrotech pads based on what I've read (I'm using Menz and WG products) and there isn't a white pad. Am I missing something? I ordered Tangerine, Cyan and Red.
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I think most are using LC Hybrid pads on the 3401. Mbpress is referring to the Hybrid colors. Orange is a cutting pad and white is a polishing pad. The hydrotech pads should be fine as well, but I don't think they hold up as well as the hybrids. I think dlc95 on here uses the hydrotechs on the 3401.

Edit: mbpress types faster than I do. :)
 
mbpress01 said:
Regarding counter rotating, another non-issue from people that probably haven't used it. Counter rotation was nothing and didn't make a bit of difference. It took me, say, 3 seconds, to get used to this machine. That is what makes this tool so outstanding. It spins non-stop no matter hard you press or the angle of attack. I tell you I spent hours with the best Rupes tools and man what a difference Flex is. The pleasure of getting polishing work done far outweighs supposed smoothness, its ridiculous. I am starting to think that these non-forced DAs overtime will go the way of the Dinosaur - they don't make a lot of sense to me if you want to keep your car swirl free in a minimal amount of time. I think the general appeal has been there low cost vs the flex but that is not the case anymore. The Rupes, new Boss, etc are all expensive. Better to spend the extra and just go with something that works. I truly am all in on the Flex.
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Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
Mmmm. Not quite.

There is a reason why you jewel paint with a straight drive circular polisher and not a free floating spindle large throw DA.
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This has been my question. Does the large throw machine finish better that a Flex. I understand there are a lot of variables, but someone very skilled on both machines, will the large throw finish better. I heard that some of the old rotary guys are switching to the long throw machines and getting away from rotaries because the finish between the two are so close. If I can get a better finish with a 21 mm throw machine I want to get one. I don't want to buy one just to have one...
 
MIsnowman said:
I think most are using LC Hybrid pads on the 3401. Mbpress is referring to the Hybrid colors. Orange is a cutting pad and white is a polishing pad. The hydrotech pads should be fine as well, but I don't think they hold up as well as the hybrids. I think dlc95 on here uses the hydrotechs on the 3401.

Edit: mbpress types faster than I do. :)
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I've used the h20 on the 3401, but prefer them on the PC.

I use hex logics on the 3401 right now (green and blue foam).
 
mbpress01 said:
Not hydrotech but hybrid. See this link. Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish 5 Inch Foam Pads

It is confusing but these are the ones Mike P (in his book) as well as mike aka smack recommends. I try to keep it simple and no need to over complicate. Just buy what the experts recommend.
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thanks....That clears a lot up. Thank god I didn't complete my purchase last night (had about $300 in hydrotech pads... for the flex).
 
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