FLEX PE8, not sold in it, but am interested.

M

Matt@Revive

New member
Joined
Jul 27, 2014
Messages
371
Reaction score
0
first things first, i have very little time behind a rotary. i have been doing a number if exotic cars lately that are very curvy and have very tight spaces the need to be polished. i have a Rupes 15, PC and a Harbor Freight air mini DA with Kevin Brown's 2" pads. i can usually get most everything with these machines, but not having portable air makes the air DA useless on most jobs. i've been thinking about getting the PE8 with the 2 and 3" plates to tackle windoe frames, behind mirrors, and in the tight section of bumpers. my issue is, is it will it help save enough time to justify the cost of the setup?
 
Why not put the pc to use for the smaller areas w/ a 2 7/8" bp?
I'm sure the rotory would be much better than the pc at this function, though.
 
expdetailing said:
Why not put the pc to use for the smaller areas w/ a 2 7/8" bp?
I'm sure the rotory would be much better than the pc at this function, though.
Click to expand...


i use the PC with 3 and 4 inch pads, it's hard to get the polished into the tight areas. my biggest selling point is that i can space the backing plates on the rotary.
 
Well, it sounds like you need the PE8 then. If it will help to justify the purchase, I wil tell you every purchase I have made from AG or anywhere else, has been a luxery purchase. In other words, I didn't need anything I bought, I just wanted these items.
However, it sounds like you need, not want, a rotory.
Go ahead, buy it. That's my vote.
 
Matt, I have the same set up for you as my PC7424 XP I have the 3" backing plates with extensions and different size Backing Plates.

I was looking at the Rupes Mini and the Flex Kompact (PE8 mini) and did the pros and cons even to purchase (for my opinion).

I came to conclusion and ended up ordering the Flex Mini.

I felt all the pros for the Rupes was met by the PC I (you too) converted as a mini DA.

What I did not have was a rotary polisher. The fact that it is a 3" even made it more appealing. I assume (will find out when I get it) is that I can apply sealant/wax which would be the main reason. It will also be a good tool to polish headlights.

I would bet that it will also be quite a bit smoother than any DA as it is a rotary.

I called tech support, e-mailed Nick and asked so many stupid questions I think they probably thought I was a NOOB (yes I am one..LOL).

I decided to order it just so I can learn the benefits of a rotary (as you do) and IMO, it will be an excellent addition to my arsenal. Working on a small rotary will help me learn how to tackle a larger rotary if I need one in the future.

Additionally, it is about $100 less than the Rupes Mini which also makes my decision easier.

Until the Flex mini in my hands I can't really comment.

MY GUESS, is that it will be a great addition to my arsenal.

IMO, I would get it. It can't hurt. I just want Flex to hurry up in shipping them to AGO. It will be cool I will have the Flex 3401, PC7424XP and the mini. It will help me become a better detailer overall, either way.
 
if you have very little time with the rotary I would say no when working on exotics.
 
john b said:
if you have very little time with the rotary I would say no when working on exotics.
Click to expand...

I am having to agree with this post. Exotics------That means you likely cannot afford to repair it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If my Maserati, or AMG, or friends Bentley or Ferrari went in for a paint correction and we got a call saying sorry you need to see this, I burned the paint on the A pillar, or behind the mirror, Needlessly do I need to say I would be pissed off, NOT want to pay anything for what work that has been done, and then to take my business elsewhere, and spread the word that you damaged my car.

Then, honestly not sure how I would feel if my A pillar in my Aston Martin had to be re-painted?????????? Now I would feel like my car was not perfect any longer. Get the drift???????????


In the end it may not be worth it. However, you did say you have experience with the DA 2" air so the throw cannot be too much. (buy a compressor to power it, portable) Might be cheapest way

A small 2" or 1" pad on the Flex 8 might be ok if you ran it slower and really are careful. ( I do have experience with a rotary, but only use them on hard small corners and lower sections that need aggressive cutting, just is quicker and could do it with the 3401 if I wanted) In some of those areas I take a smaller backing plate, and a larger beveled pad with my 3401 and tilt it up on edge to get them. Seems to work nicely and since its forced rotation I can power through it. Most of those areas that are that tight, just need a good polish and not much cut to get the appearance right.

(Plus, a tip----- I have no problem telling a customer on his Ferrari that I was not comfortable with getting this specific area corrected. The gain is not worth the possibility of error, just a too tight of an area. I did it by hand, and they completely understand) (this also shows you are experienced and they will respect that a lot, where the last guy they used didn't say anything and either messed something up, or did a half a$$ job) I always go over the car initially with the customer to tell them what to expect when done. If there is something I won't get out, or cannot get out, I tell them up front and why that is so. Educate them and they will continue to drive business your way.

Just some thoughts to maybe help you. The PE-08 is the new possibly go to tool for rotary due to the compact size, and the capability of 1" - 5" and runs smoothly. I have one on order myself. By all means get one, but remember the results if a mistake is made. Could cost you your business if bad enough
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top