Flex ?

I just got mine in and I got to use it on a few cars and I was THOROUGHLY impressed! I think that it has the capabilities to remove 85-90% of what a rotary does. (thats just a guess) But I was blown away by how fast it was and what it could do! The 3401 is an amazing machine, maybe someone with more experience with it can enlighten us both.
 
Yes!! The Flex has enough power to remove all of the defects a rotary can remove but is also much safer due to the fact that its dual action.
Its a great piece of machinary. I still remain impressed to this day at how much power this machine has. It might not be direct drive like a rotary but you can definitely feel the forced rotation. Best purchase i've made.
 
I'd be more inclined to agree with JonnyBob's guesstimate of 85-90%. There are some instances where the heat of the rotary is needed and I don't think the Flex will get it for you. But that won't be very often. It's a great machine.
 
VR8 said:
I'd be more inclined to agree with JonnyBob's guesstimate of 85-90%. There are some instances where the heat of the rotary is needed and I don't think the Flex will get it for you. But that won't be very often. It's a great machine.
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:iagree:Only down side is that you cannot use smaller pads unless you use the Edge system.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Will have to pick one up.
 
Keep in mind that a FLEX isn't a polisher. It is a brand of polisher. They make DA and Rotary machines, so you might want to be a little more specific. ;)

I think the best example is in the last two pictures in THIS THREAD. The Flex 3401 did a fine job of getting the swirls in all of the other cars out, but the dog scratches were a little too deep. A rotary might have done a better job, but they may have been even too deep for anything beyond wet sanding.

In my experience I would say that MOST cars don't need a rotary to get them looking good again. If I detailed boats, trailers, and RVs for a living then I would definitely have a rotary. If I restored really neglected cars for a living then I would definitely have a rotary. If I'm detailing late model cars that just have swirls and some minor scratches, then a rotary is only going to be faster. It won't necessarily do better. It is kind of like saying which will kill you better; a rifle or a handgun? If I shoot you in the head then it won't really matter what kind of gun I use. ;) As long as your swirls are gone, does it matter that the tool you used was is capable of doing more than just swirl removal, or are you just satisfied that the job is done? Most hobby detailers don't need a rotary to maintain their cars.
 
I have my own mobile detailing business in R.I, looking at the Flex 3401 to help speed things up. After all time is money. I just hope it can last the day to day grind. Plus if i pick up the Flex i can sell my PC.
Thanks Again for the info Jim's Mobile Auto Detailing
 
Good point i just hate that thing. It's killing my hands. I have a Cyclo polisher that is sweet. I have been using some 3m 3 inch pads in the tight places for years.
 
dragster said:
I have my own mobile detailing business in R.I, looking at the Flex 3401 to help speed things up. After all time is money. I just hope it can last the day to day grind. Plus if i pick up the Flex i can sell my PC.
Thanks Again for the info Jim's Mobile Auto Detailing
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Going from an (original) model 7424 to the 3401 will cut your polishing time quite a bit. There was a video somewhere, maybe a year ago, showing side-by-side polishing of a panel using 106fa. The Flex machine broke it down and finished over a minute earlier if I remember correctly. I don't time my work, but owning both machines and having experience working that polish with both it's spot on.

The price is steep but in my opinion it's well worth it.
 
Another point towards keeping your old PC. If you're detailing everyday I'm a firm believer in having back-up. Some day, some where, you will need a back-up. If you have the Cyclo that's a pretty good back-up! But you could also use your PC to apply sealants and waxes to save all of the hard compounding work for your Flex. Just a thought.
 
Will the Meguiar's softbuff 2.0 pads fit on the flex da?

Derrick
 
Flex is on the way. Picked it for $225 shipped.
 
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