In Love with the 3401 again

psnt1ol

psnt1ol

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Since acquiring the Rupes 21, my 3401 has been on the side line. That was the case until today....

I finally had time to work on my personal vehicle. I wanted to remove some water spots from the hood as well as some fine scratches caused by a dirty towel ( long story ..... wife's sister thought she was doing me a favor). The car has been wearing CQUK for 4 months and the water spots couldn't be remove any other way except through light polishing.

I paired the Rupes with CarPro Reflect on a finishing pad and quickly realized that it wasn't finishing down to my expectation. I switched the Rupes pad for the Hybrid finishing pad and got the same result. I came to the conclusion that surface I was working on didn't like the action of the Rupes. I grabbed the 3401,slapped on the same Hybrid pad,and this time.....Success Im the MAN.

As I worked on the rest of the hood with the 3401, I remembered why I bought this machine in the first place (Tons of power with forced rotations). It gave me the options to finesse or to power through with brute force on the same machine. I am in love again.

I am not about to give up on the Rupes. It does have some advantages over the 3401 in some situations but then the opposite is most likely to be true for 3401 to the Rupes as well. I think going forward I will factor this in when I am defining the best process/approach to take.
 
different tools for different situations... :)
 
I feel like I just got back together with my ex. LOL :xyxthumbs:
 
anonymoususer said:
True. BUT the Flex is by far the more versatile machine.
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:iagree: IMO the best DA period!! However, VISITOR will smack me so before I start chewing shoe leather....I STILL use my PC 7424 XP and my GG 3" for some situations. In Fact, used both last week!...Does this meet your approval VISITOR?...LOL :laughing:
 
I use my Rupes when I do a touch up but when there's real work to be done I bring out the Flex.
 
I agree with VISITOR. Diff machines for diff situations.
 
Nerver used a Rupes although I know they have their followers. I love the 3401 and the PE14-2 is the perfect side kick.

I agree with the comment different tools for different tasks.
 
the name of this thread reminds me of how much i still appreciate the GG6 (2nd gen, haven't used the new 3rd gen yet) as well. i was using it for some clean up tasks and it's just such a versatile machine and you can put so much pressure on it (not that it is needed) and it still keeps pad rotation. sure, it doesn't have the build quality of the more expensive rotary/DA's but it can do what they can with given time and especially with the new technology of pads & products out these days. not to mention.. technology still evolves with new products for the DA, exciting isn't it? for those new to machine polishing and want to pick up a new traditional style DA, the choice is obvious...
 
Honestly, I am quite certain that I could have achieved the same results with the 21. Finishing is going to be very dependent upon residue control, machine speed, pad used, arm speed and pressure.

What speed were you using on the 21, and with what arm speed? How long did you work it for? Did you blow out the pad after a few passes?

For most people, the 3401 will "seem" to have better power, but the 21 is every bit (and actually more) powerful.

The learning curve is steep with the 21. Most beginner to intermediate users who reach for the 3401 will probably get better results at first. But if you take the time to understand how to fully utilize the capabilities of the 21, you will find it to be a very versatile tool.
 
Thats so funny, I just dusted off my 3404 not 2 weeks ago, having forsaken it temporarily for a PC, rotary 1 2 punch. There are just so many variables when trying to get that jaw dropping final shine you've got to have a full arsenal.
 
The Critic said:
But if you take the time to understand how to fully utilize the capabilities of the 21, you will find it to be a very versatile tool.
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This can be why some never mastered (liked) the Flex and loved the Rupes - ignoring the handling related to the fix rotation. You have to adjust to the machine (pad, polish, finish technique).
 
When it comes to all out correction with a DA, nothing is more powerful or as fast as the FLEX. Their has yet to be a replacement.

The Rupes is great , but you still have to finesse it to be effective on modern cars with convex and concave panels.

The Flex will power through anything even when the pads are too big for the panel, no matter what the shape. The only downside is that its really uncomfortable and a workout on vertical panels compared to a free rotating DA.
 
The Flex PE-14 combined with the Flex 3401 is a strong combo.
 
mg6045 said:
When it comes to all out correction with a DA, nothing is more powerful or as fast as the FLEX. Their has yet to be a replacement.

The Rupes is great , but you still have to finesse it to be effective on modern cars with convex and concave panels.

The Flex will power through anything even when the pads are too big for the panel, no matter what the shape. The only downside is that its really uncomfortable and a workout on vertical panels compared to a free rotating DA.
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:iagree:I do not have an issue with the side panels. I use a small stool with wheels....saves my back big time!! I am a bald old fart and need all the back saving equipment I need. Other than that...the Flex is the best. HOWEVER, Chicks still dig me.....LOL
 
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