Lightweight Polisher

mbpress01

mbpress01

New member
Joined
May 28, 2014
Messages
120
Reaction score
0
I recently did my own ride with two Flex 3401s - one with a stock backing plate and one with the LC 4 inch backing plate. I used, of course, the LC Hybrids. I started on Saturday am with 2 bucket wash, then clay with Flex and nanoskin, then Polish with Flex and SF2500 and then sealed with Flex (red pad) and Zaino - two coats. The project took around 13 hours or so (and the last coat went on late Sunday) and I was wiped out at the end. I lost a few hours of shade on both days so I am actually working in 3-4 hour chunks over two days. I am moving to an AIO (Menzerna 3in1 or HD Speed) to help the time frame. Although, I will still probably use another sealing step for extra protection (the AIO is more for the cut than seal but I can always seal a week or weeks later and not worry too much about more swirl marks and such coming back). I found Zaino to be a great product line but they don't have a good AIO.

Luckily the car came out great for a daily driver but at the end I was going too fast (as I was really tired) with the polishing as well as the sealant. The Flex is an amazing tool since I just don't have the technique for the Boss or Rupes (as I have bought and tried both) and the forced rotation just really works for me.

As I am in pretty decent shape for a 50 year old (run 4-5 times a week and lift 3-4 times a week), my hands still hurt bad and I got aches and pains in my back. I am sure the weight of the flex and going over the car 4 times over two days plus the removal of all the products of course was the cause so I was thinking (and I realize this might be a dumb question) can one get a lighter weight polisher for just claying, and wax/sealant application that is similar to Flex in its forced rotation? I really hate the stalling/stopping of dual action polishers and I have no time to refine/hone a techique to make them work. I may be asking to much but I wanted to ask.

Cost is not an issue and I was thinking of buying the FLEX L3403 VRG Lightweight Circular Polisher but it requires big pads and I really want to stick to the 5 inch hybrids (or any LC pads that are 4-5inch). I thought about a mini Rupes or Girots but the pads are 3 inch and that would take forever. I know harbor freight may do it but I am not sure if these solutions are valid. End of day i may just break up the work over 2-3 weekends and only do 1-2 panels a day. What is really need is a smaller version of the Flex that weighs 3-4 pounds.

Here is the ride:



Any thoughts comments appreciated.
 
I don't think you can find a reliable polisher at 3-4 pounds. If you want a dual action polisher that will not stall on curves your limited to the 3401. The 3403 although called a light weight, is still about 5 llbs. Plus you need some skill to operate a rotary. If you are only doing a couple of panels a day, the 3403 should not send you to the hospital. BTW looks good.:props:
 
You weren't happy with the Rupes because of technique, weren't happy with any DA because of the stalling safety feature, not happy with the weight of the Flex now, would love to see which machine you don't find fault or have an issue with. This in no ways is condescending, would love to see what options exist to you if any.
 
It has nothing to do with the machine, YOUR JUST OLD!!!!!:) Joking aside, I've found it much easier to apply sealants and waxes with a small light palm polisher. I'm also 50 and have been down that tennis/golfers elbow, bad back and bad shoulder road.
 
I'm 53 I think we are just getting old, I use a 3401 and Rupes 15 and mini.
 
Zubair said:
You weren't happy with the Rupes because of technique, weren't happy with any DA because of the stalling safety feature, not happy with the weight of the Flex now, would love to see which machine you don't find fault or have an issue with. This in no ways is condescending, would love to see what options exist to you if any.
Click to expand...

If you read what I asked and saw what I post i never said I don't like the flex. I love the flex. The Flex imo is so well built and works so well the only reason I tried anything else was because of people like you who rave about a tool and never say one negative thing about it. It almost makes me think you got or are getting free stuff from rupes. End of day I was only looking for a machine that would be lighter weight for clay and waxing which takes up 2-3 hrs of time.

Why is it that every thread has to have some condescending comment since that is exactly what you responding to without even answering or even suggesting an option regardless when you say it is not condescending. It you can't answer the question then please keep you negative comments to yourself. I think we are sick of the nonsense in these threads.
 
I would really be interested in a 3401 with a pc style chassis.

The size is the only thing I don't like about the 3401.
 
I am an older fart that you!!! I have the Flex!! I do have to thank you for the ear plugs thing!! I am definitely less fatigued by this. The only thing that I could see that may reduce your time for correcting...believe it or not...you might want to just do a 2-Step. I usually do that now. I no longer use an AIO. BLASPHEMY!!

But here is my logic (or to some think I am full of it!!). I tried an AIO and wanted to get rid of the swirls on this lady's Honda. Honda is soft paint so correcting should have been easy. With the AIO I was actually spending more time trying to correct the swirls when I should have just moved on. The AIO did not get rid of the amount of swirls as I expected. Granted, the job was not supposed to be perfect, however, the swirls still showed to my dissatisfaction.

So I went with FG400 and then SF4500. I was able to remove the swirls in no time as FG400 cut through the swirls with the "soft" Honda paint. Rather than do 4-6 passes, 2 - 3 passes were all I needed. I followed up with SF4500 (about 2 passes). Then a sealant and done. IMO, this was actually faster than an AIO. I know it sounds illogical, however, it worked for me.

My point being, you may want to consider something like that route. It works for me at least. I try to let the technique and product work for me at the easiest amount of work in the less amount of time.

PS: Your ride came out BEAUTIFUL!!
 
mbpress01 said:
If you read what I asked and saw what I post i never said I don't like the flex. I love the flex. The Flex imo is so well built and works so well the only reason I tried anything else was because of people like you who rave about a tool and never say one negative thing about it. It almost makes me think you got or are getting free stuff from rupes. End of day I was only looking for a machine that would be lighter weight for clay and waxing which takes up 2-3 hrs of time.

Why is it that every thread has to have some condescending comment since that is exactly what you responding to without even answering or even suggesting an option regardless when you say it is not condescending. It you can't answer the question then please keep you negative comments to yourself. I think we are sick of the nonsense in these threads.
Click to expand...

Like it or not, machines will never be able to adapt to individual human requirements, thus it is up to us humans to adapt to the machines functionality in a way that falls within the parameters of the machines design along with ones own personal capabilities and comfort. Hope this response constitutes as constructive and positive in aiding you to a solution to your predicament. If not I apologize for the disruption and intrusion.
 
mbpress01 - I currently use a Flex L3403 VRG Lightweight Rotary Polisher and LOVE IT. I actually buy it used, the owner didn't like it wasn't dual. The light weight allows me to keep going and going. As mentioned in the thread, the L3403 does not lack power or diversity in the quality it can put out. My first use, my 2006 BMW 325XI, Wolfgang Swirl remover kit. I bought a couple different size backing plates and had at it, foam and microfiber pads, let me tell you the microfiber pad do a great job with less work. So, I vote leaning towards getting one.:dblthumb2::buffing:
 
My suggestions are as follows

1. Go with a clay mitt. One less trip around the car with the flex
2. Maybe try bigger pads on the flex

You can easily use 6.5 pads on it why are you using 5 or 4s?
 
IMO:

To find the lightest-weight polishers, you'll
probably have to go for the ones listed in
the pneumatically powered category.


Example:
RUPES' LHR 75 Mini RO polisher.
They say it weighs in @:
.650 kg/1.43325 lbs.


Compared to:
What I use for machine Waxing/Claying:
The electrically powered 3" Griot's Garage ROP.
They say it's very lightweight @ 5.3lbs.



Bob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top