Joined the Flex family- 3401 Thanks Mike Phillips, Smack, Tato

Tato said:
I must say, I never had problems with the 'reversed' rotation of the Flex, not even when switching real time from the Rupes to the Flex, but I've heard some people concerns about this.

'Me', personally, never understood what's the real issue spinning clock or counterclockwise... LOL!

Kind Regards.
Click to expand...

The Flex was designed to spin counter clockwise as it mimics hand polishing. When you are to wax a car by hand which way to you normally go? Often times users including myself apply wax counterclockwise. Think about it. It makes perfect sense why the 3401 spins counterclockwise.


Taken from AG's website.

"The orbital rotation of the FLEX XC 3401 Polisher simulates the circular movement of the human hand while polishing. This motion is less likely to cause holograms than a rotary buffer. At the same time, the polisher's highly smooth running facilitates a careful, precise finish and allows for hologram-free polishing."
 
smack said:
The Flex was designed to spin counter clockwise as it mimics hand polishing. When you are to wax a car by hand which way to you normally go? Often times users including myself apply wax counterclockwise. Think about it. It makes perfect sense why the 3401 spins counterclockwise.


Taken from AG's website.

"The orbital rotation of the FLEX XC 3401 Polisher simulates the circular movement of the human hand while polishing. This motion is less likely to cause holograms than a rotary buffer. At the same time, the polisher's highly smooth running facilitates a careful, precise finish and allows for hologram-free polishing."
Click to expand...


That being if the person doing the hand polishing is right handed. Myself, I'am left handed so when I hand apply wax I do so clockwise! But either way this machine seems to have a strong following for a reason.
 
Ah, makes perfect sense. I had plenty of time in the past hand polishing and waxing (still do it, sure), but maybe this is the reason the movement felt so natural for me, at least.

Now, figuring out the clockwise direction, that seems strange to me ahhaha but this only in theory.

I may use the Flex with either right or left hand on the hold, not an issue, but I follow my laterality more often (trigger with right hand, head with left hand). You're likely to hold it opposite than me, no?

The trigger lock mechanism and the speed dial are both functional to right or left handed users, not an issue as well.

In fact, and thinking about what Mike said above, you may benefit of using it left handed. It'll look like you are a right handed guy polishing at the counter-clockwise direction - consider the head of the polisher like an extension of your hand.

Balance it properly - engage the abrasives properly...

The surface lubrication is also an important part of smooth machine movement as well.

I'd suggest for you to add polish to the pad, dab the product over surface, (5-6 dabs uniformly are enough), spread the product in one pass at slow speed (just gently pull the trigger simulating speed 1).

After the product is well spread over work area, you add speed to the polisher and you may be able to work smoothly over the polish film.

Recommend to clean the pad with the brush after every section, and even during a section if needed.

You can also add more product afterwards directly to surface, like a straight line bead of product, and practice the Mike Phillips 10@10 (something like this?)... it works awesome and makes you look more professional picking up your bead on the fly!

You can try playing with pressure, arm speed, polisher speed, specially at the ending passes. This doesn't means you'll be changing things all the time, remember the main objective being 'Uniform Material Removal'.

However, reading (and understanding) the Smack's technique thread is a good point to start. There's also a very clarifying Mike Phillips comment on the first page, worth a read.

I really wish you the best from it,

and in any manner I'm recommending you to use the tool like me, or anybody else. I've just shared some comments for you to add to your knowledge, that may help you out while developing your way to use it.

Kind Regards.
 
Tato said:
Ah, makes perfect sense. I had plenty of time in the past hand polishing and waxing (still do it, sure), but maybe this is the reason the movement felt so natural for me, at least.

Now, figuring out the clockwise direction, that seems strange to me ahhaha but this only in theory.

I may use the Flex with either right or left hand on the hold, not an issue, but I follow my laterality more often (trigger with right hand, head with left hand). You're likely to hold it opposite than me, no?

The trigger lock mechanism and the speed dial are both functional to right or left handed users, not an issue as well.

In fact, and thinking about what Mike said above, you may benefit of using it left handed. It'll look like you are a right handed guy polishing at the counter-clockwise direction - consider the head of the polisher like an extension of your hand.

Balance it properly - engage the abrasives properly...

The surface lubrication is also an important part of smooth machine movement as well.

I'd suggest for you to add polish to the pad, dab the product over surface, (5-6 dabs uniformly are enough), spread the product in one pass at slow speed (just gently pull the trigger simulating speed 1).

After the product is well spread over work area, you add speed to the polisher and you may be able to work smoothly over the polish film.

Recommend to clean the pad with the brush after every section, and even during a section if needed.

You can also add more product afterwards directly to surface, like a straight line bead of product, and practice the Mike Phillips 10@10 (something like this?)... it works awesome and makes you look more professional picking up your bead on the fly!

You can try playing with pressure, arm speed, polisher speed, specially at the ending passes. This doesn't means you'll be changing things all the time, remember the main objective being 'Uniform Material Removal'.

However, reading (and understanding) the Smack's technique thread is a good point to start. There's also a very clarifying Mike Phillips comment on the first page, worth a read.

I really wish you the best from it,

and in any manner I'm recommending you to use the tool like me, or anybody else. I've just shared some comments for you to add to your knowledge, that may help you out while developing your way to use it.

Kind Regards.
Click to expand...


Yeah I have plenty of time with a regular rotary (Makita 9227c) so picking up the bead on the fly isn't a issue. I also watched Mike's autogeek video about using the 3401. I intend to prime the pad like you stated and just add some drops of product as I go along.

You are correct in the fact I will be using the trigger with my left and palming the head of the machine with my right hand. Back 12yrs ago when I first started out you should of seen the guy trying to teach me to use a rotary! He was right handed and I was left handed. That took some patients on his part I am sure. LOL!!!

But in any case I am confidant enough in my skills that I will pick up quickly on what works best for me. Luckily like you and Smack I have good amount of Menzerna products in my lineup (FG400, IP2000, PF2500, SF4000) that I already have a good idea on what will work.
 
Smokinss said:
Hey guys after eyeballing a Flex 3401 for sometime now and finding a deal to good to pass up I pulled the trigger today on a 3401. After getting some questions answered by Mike Phillips and also looking at the results from Smack and Tato it was a no brainer for me.
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I just now found this thread...


Congratulation on the Flex 3401!


:buffing:
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Next time you're here with your GTO lets move the GTO into the Show Car Garage and take some pictures that will really show everyone your talent when it comes to making red paint look dripping wet!


:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

That would really cool! Thanks for the offer. I was just there on Tuesday picking up an order for a Mustang I have in for a minor correction and coating. Let me know when you want me to swing by. Maybe I can bring lunch!:dblthumb2:
 
Smokinss said:
That would really cool! Thanks for the offer. I was just there on Tuesday picking up an order for a Mustang I have in for a minor correction and coating. Let me know when you want me to swing by. Maybe I can bring lunch!:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...
Make it a low carb. lunch unless they are based from vegetables.:dblthumb2:
 
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