Major Problems with my New Flex XFE15

EWtheDETAILER

EWtheDETAILER

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Let me start off this article by saying I'm team Flex all the way and have had great success and durability with multiple Flex products over my past 12years detailing...However, I have used my new XFE15 a total of 5 times since I received it on March 25th, and while buffing a car out this weekend, I had the backing plate and mounting screws completely rip away from the polisher while working. Luckily the car was not damage. I am in touch with Autogeek about potential warranty through Autogeek/Flex but figured I should share incase anyone else has similar issues. It appears to me that mounting points of the backing plate melted/got brittle and the backing plate and pad just ripped away from the polisher head. I don't feel like this is normal wear and tear by any means! I will keep you guys posted.

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Wow thats very strange, thankfully the car wasnt damaged.

You have nothing to worry about autogeek and flex will resolve the issue i am sure of it.
 
I've run mine a few times now to get a feel for it.

Could you expand more on exactly how it happened? I.e., Compounding, polishing, pad used, product, speeds, etc.
 
Joe@NextLevelDetail said:
Wow thats very strange, thankfully the car wasnt damaged.

You have nothing to worry about autogeek and flex will resolve the issue i am sure of it.
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Yeah... Nick is working on it currently. I was pretty shocked first that it came apart, and second the amount of damage that occurred. I've put the hurting on my other flex products and they still keep putting out great results after the years of abuse. That's the biggest reason I'm team flex. Great quality and durability.
 
Mike@DedicatedPerfection said:
I've run mine a few times now to get a feel for it.

Could you expand more on exactly how it happened? I.e., Compounding, polishing, pad used, product, speeds, etc.
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Mike,

When it broke I was using Mckees 37 360 one step with a orange lake country thin pro orange cutting pad. Speeds from 4-5 on the flex. As it was breaking I heard an abnormal change in RPMs but it was so quick I couldn't react.

The day before we used it on a boat speed 5 with Mckees 31 heavy cut oxidation remover and an orange pad.

Love the tool as it is very smooth and offers the ability to cut when needed but also great at finishing.
 
EWtheDETAILER said:
Mike,

When it broke I was using Mckees 37 360 one step with a orange lake country thin pro orange cutting pad. Speeds from 4-5 on the flex. As it was breaking I heard an abnormal change in RPMs but it was so quick I couldn't react.

The day before we used it on a boat speed 5 with Mckees 31 heavy cut oxidation remover and an orange pad.

Love the tool as it is very smooth and offers the ability to cut when needed but also great at finishing.
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Thanks for the follow up Eric.

Keep us updated on what you find out about the machine.
 
Looks like a design fault, long throw stresses on too weak mounting points=fail.
 
Autogeek has been about as good as it gets so far with this. Unfortunately The Flex XFE7-15 is on back order at Autogeek until mid August... Once Autogeek receives the next shipment, they are going to replace mine with a new one! It's a waiting game, but waiting for a new one is way better than being out one! Big thanks to Nick at Autogeek for all the help!
 
EWtheDETAILER said:
Autogeek has been about as good as it gets so far with this. Unfortunately The Flex XFE7-15 is on back order at Autogeek until mid August... Once Autogeek receives the next shipment, they are going to replace mine with a new one! It's a waiting game, but waiting for a new one is way better than being out one! Big thanks to Nick at Autogeek for all the help!
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You think another of the same machine will be any better?
 
Not to be super-critical here but maybe influence from the new owners?
 
EWtheDETAILER said:
Autogeek has been about as good as it gets so far with this. Unfortunately The Flex XFE7-15 is on back order at Autogeek until mid August... Once Autogeek receives the next shipment, they are going to replace mine with a new one! It's a waiting game, but waiting for a new one is way better than being out one! Big thanks to Nick at Autogeek for all the help!
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Outstanding.

PBMG sets the standard for customer service!
 
I had issues with mine, where AG offered to replace it when the new shipments come in. No thanks, I'll take my chances on a competitors 15mm mark 2. I needed a reliable backup to my 3401.
 
Red Hawk said:
I had issues with mine, where AG offered to replace it when the new shipments come in. No thanks, I'll take my chances on a competitors 15mm mark 2. I needed a reliable backup to my 3401.
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That's what I'm curious about. If those experiencing problems are due to some type of manufacturing "defect", or if the machine is just weak.

You can't go wrong with the Rupes.
 
I have the same problem with my flex after the 3rd use but I dealt with Paul at Autogeek and he said there waiting on work from Germany.
 
Maybe they should add metal sleeves to those areas
I was waiting on the new forced rotation..and considering theyre the same body I may just get a pink one

Guess I'm kind of gl
 
swanicyouth said:
That's what I'm curious about. If those experiencing problems are due to some type of manufacturing "defect", or if the machine is just weak. I considered mine to be defective. Sent it back to AG & they issued me a full refund. That told me they confirmed it. Used that money for the mark 2.
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My flex did the same melt down . I got a Rupes to hold me over , I liked the flex till it melted down and the larger backing plate is better for me then the 5 inch Rupes backing plate
 
donny2 said:
My flex did the same melt down . I got a Rupes to hold me over , I liked the flex till it melted down and the larger backing plate is better for me then the 5 inch Rupes backing plate
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Why didn't you get a Rupes 21 (6" bp)?
 
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