If I buy a Flex 3401, Can I Complete any Given Job Faster?

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expdetailing

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I know this sounds like a silly question, but I keep reading in articles written by professionals that the given number of passes recommended per section with the Flex 3401 is equal to the recommended number of passes per section using a regular da, e.g. PC, GG, HF, Meg's DA etc.

If I'm using the same number of passes with a Flex 3401, or with a PC, why would I want to spend the money to buy a Flex 3401? Does it give better results with the same amount of passes compared to a DA?
My ultimate goal is to work faster while achieving better or the same results.
Thank you for responding.
 
everything is dependent on paint type, some are just harder than others to correct, but for the most part you will get quicker and better results with the Flex 3401
 
I would overwhelmingly say "yes" to your question.

Due to the gear-driven, forced rotation AND forced oscillation, you can definitely buff out a car or boat faster and I'm talking both show car work and production work.

I teach a class on this at Mobil Tech, that is detailing faster using the Flex 3401 to increase profits.


I would also strongly recommend adding the 4" LC baking plate and getting into both 6.5" and 5" Hybrid pads.


This is from last year....

Mobile Tech Expo 2014 - Class Schedule




Class 1 - How to Use The Flex 3401
9:00-9:45am
Room: Curacao 3

For both production detailing as well as, and show car detailing. There are a lot of tool options available for making money detailing cars. Each type or category of tool has its strong points and its short coming.

In this class you will learn how to turn the Flex 3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher into your own money making machine for doing both production detailing and show car detailing.

Buffing out the fender skirts of a 1957 Chevy Bel Air with the Flex 3401
1957_Belair_Mike_Phillips_019.jpg




This is from the year before....


Autogeek Class Schedule at Mobil Tech Expo 2013



Detail Faster with the Flex XC3401 - 11:45am 12:30pm Sawgrass Room
There are a lot of tool options available for making money detailing cars. Each type or category of tool has its strong points and its short comings. You will learn how to turn the Flex 3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher into your own money making machine when doing production detailing and even show car detailing.





From 2012...

http://www.mobiletechexpo.com/3PAGESCHEDULE1-12.pdf

2:00-2:45pm Tips & Techniques For Using The Flex 3401
The Flex 3401 is unique in the world of polishers in that it uses a direct drive action to maintain pad rotation without the risk of burning paint or instilling swirls. Learn how to use a Flex 3401 to restore a factory new, swirl free finish faster than using a DA Polisher and without the risks associated with a rotary buffer.


So three years in a row I've taught a class on the Flex 3401 at MTE with a focus on doing pro quality work faster.

:)
 
With the 3401 being a gear driven DA, you no longer have to worry about pad rotation. The pad will spin no matter what. You could sit on it and it will still spin. Not so with the other DA's.

Also the 3401 is not bothered by curvy panels. Where curves can slow down or stop a free floating spindle DA, the 3401 will continue spinning.

Once you get your technique dialed in on the 3401, you will shorten your times.
 
expdetailing said:
If I'm using the same number of passes with a Flex 3401, or with a PC, why would I want to spend the money to buy a Flex 3401? Does it give better results with the same amount of passes compared to a DA?
Click to expand...

The amount of level of correction being done is greater due to the more powerful pad rotation as compared to a Porter Cable. You can push down hard, as hard as you want and this engages the abrasives with the paint so they take little bites out of the paint and thus level the surface.

So better work, or better defect removal faster.

The other very important benefit is curved panel or any size or shape of panel just doesn't matter to the Flex 3401.

I have a ton of info on the Flex 3401, in fact I have a brand new book coming out dedicated just for the Flex 3401 and I don't really care to "sell" you on buying one, you can sell yourself... but you can buff out a car faster due to the gear-driven, forced rotation and oscillation than with a PC.


expdetailing said:
My ultimate goal is to work faster while achieving better or the same results.
Thank you for responding.
Click to expand...

You can reach your ultimate goal using the Flex 3401 over the PC.


Now days after I do the rotary buffer work for any wet sanding project, the next step just to make an already really long process shorter is knock out the hologram removal using the Flex 3401 then machine wax. It's what I show in my machine wet sanding and rotary buffer portion of my boot camp class now.


:)
 
Mike and Mike hit the nail on the head.

I recently switched over to a 3401 after reading info from Mike Phillips and Mike@Dedicated perfection. I love my 3041 so much that I donated my PC to another user on here in need of one after an unfortunate situation.

The 3041 combined with Menzerna products has been a game changer in the quality and consistency of my work. Along with giving me the confidence to tackle jobs knowing that they will come out swirl free in a timely fashion.

Good luck!
 
Mike, thanks to your reply and everyone else's, I purchased the flex 3401 and the LC backing plate system, and a few hybrid pads. Mike, you, Meghan and Ray all worked together as a team on answering my questions. Now, I can't wait to go polish my van that doesn't need polishing.
 
Smokinss said:
Mike and Mike hit the nail on the head.

I recently switched over to a 3401 after reading info from Mike Phillips and Mike@Dedicated perfection. I love my 3041 so much that I donated my PC to another user on here in need of one after an unfortunate situation.

The 3041 combined with Menzerna products has been a game changer in the quality and consistency of my work. Along with giving me the confidence to tackle jobs knowing that they will come out swirl free in a timely fashion.

Good luck!
Click to expand...

Thank you good sir.

Here is the article I wrote that he referenced.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...rning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html
 
Ok ok! Mike and Mike have convinced me:) next on sale wishlist. Fond of my three HFDAs with 5,4 & 3inch LC backing plates but definitely need to step up to the power and speed of the flex 3401.
 
expdetailing said:
Mike, thanks to your reply and everyone else's, I purchased the flex 3401 and the LC backing plate system, and a few hybrid pads.
Click to expand...

These are a great combination of products that will enable you to tackle just about any body panel on any car like an expert....


5" pads on a 4" backing plate fits THIN panels better than larger pads

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expdetailing said:
Mike, you, Meghan and Ray all worked together as a team on answering my questions.
Click to expand...

Bob, the president and CEO of PBMG always stresses teamwork here at AG, like a family....


expdetailing said:
Now, I can't wait to go polish my van that doesn't need polishing.
Click to expand...

That's my favorite type of detailing work... polishing paint that doesn't need to be polished....

:xyxthumbs:
 
So 3401 with a 5"hybrid pad on a 4"backing plate is the way to go for only thin panels or larger too? As in, do you switch to a 5" backing plate to use for larger panels? My current set up is three HFDAs with 5", 4" & 3" backing plates and I pick up the specific polisher I want depending on the panel I'm working on.
 
I use the 5 inch hybrid pads on my flex for the whole car and 3 inch on my griots for small stuff if that's included into the package I'm doing.
 
David Hayward said:
I use the 5 inch hybrid pads on my flex for the whole car and 3 inch on my griots for small stuff if that's included into the package I'm doing.
Click to expand...




Correction on my post #14 above is I use 5", 3.5" & 3" backing plates with 5.5, 4 & 3" hydro tech pads respectively on my system. I do like the technique of the forced rotation on the 3401 with 4"back plate for 5" pads. I was wondering if it works for larger panels too or do I have to switch to larger backing plates if I have only one flex 3401 polisher. So I guess the answer is 4inch backing plate for 5inch hybrid pad works for small and large panels then use the 3inch for tighter spots.

Technically, is the 4inch inner part and surface of the pad the one doing the most correction than the extra 1inch portion because of the downward pressure being greater there or does the forced rotation achieve good cutting ability on the outer 1inch part as well. Sorry if I'm over thinking this. Thanks!
 
I only have one 3401 and I match up the pad to the size of the vehicle I will be working on. I will use the 5" pads for small to normal size vehicles and switch out to the larger 6.5" pads for trucks and SUV's.

With the beveled design on the back of the pads, it helps distribute the pressure across the pad as a whole rather than just in the center 4".
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
I only have one 3401 and I match up the pad to the size of the vehicle I will be working on. I will use the 5" pads for small to normal size vehicles and switch out to the larger 6.5" pads for trucks and SUV's.

With the beveled design on the back of the pads, it helps distribute the pressure across the pad as a whole rather than just in the center 4".
Click to expand...


Great! Thanks for the clarification.
 
My yard still takes about 45 minutes to mow, the Flex did not help with that particular job. :(
 
I want to thank Mike and Mike. I bought the 5" Hybrid Pads based on their input.

I am going to try them out soon!
 
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