My review of the Flex 3401 and Rupes Bigfoot polishers
- Thread starter Harry Da Hamster
- Start date
Does the user of the flex 3401 in that video you said use a dry pad to do the demonstration or the user did prime and put some polishing/compound product on the pad?
I thought the flex 3401 being a DA, though forced rotation, is close to fool proof safe but still have good enough power when the user needs it.
Yes that was my initial thought too. Unless someone deliberately want to burn it, it should be quite fool proof safe to use.
Will be good if other users of Flex 3401 comment on this aspect.
davidg
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- Jan 20, 2012
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Harry Da Hamster
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- May 13, 2013
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- Thread starter
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I was also questioning the various comments about how the Flex 3401 will burn paint. If you have your head up your ass and really dig into an egde for an extended period, you will burning paint. But if you're keeping the pad moving, i don't see it happening. How many people have really burned paint with a Flex 3401? Compared to those who have used a rotary.The flex is idiot proof....ask me how I know
How you know please tellThe flex is idiot proof....ask me how I know
RLucky82
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- Jan 3, 2013
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very cool thanks for sharing.
WRAPT C5Z06
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- Nov 12, 2009
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On an edge, I think you can burn through the clear much faster with the Rupes 21 compared to the Flex 3401.
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hernandez.art13
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Not disagreeing with you. I do However find that weird. Although, it does makes sense because the Rupes does correct faster.
Velocitybts
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I have the Flex, and yes IT CAN burn through the CC. Dumb, stupid, idiotic mistake, but was attempting to polish out several deep swirls and a RID on the 4" top panel on a Merc trunk lid. The part right below the LIP and the chrome strip. This was a section I could not get out using just half the pad like I did for the rest of the section. (I got a Griots 3" due to this, but waiting on a Rupes 3"). I tilted the Flex up just like a Rotary, and worked the polish (D300) on that 4" by 4" section. It very quickly heated it up, maybe 15-20 sec, and then started to burn off the CC. I did stop very quickly, and a friend is re-blending that section for a nominal fee, but it taught me a lesson quickly. (Meg Microfiber cutting pad) (likely most of the issue was the heat build up of the pad, and my mistake)
I have noticed heat build up when working out 3000 grit or heavy marring when you work a 2 by 2 section. I feel this is a small size to work but does work best for most polishes. Using a LC Orange pad and D300 or FS 1000, I have moved to a 3 by 3 to diminish the heat when on a setting of 5, and applying pressure to further eliminate marring.
Currently debating on the Rupes 15 but now rethinking it. I got the Flex due to the forced rotation and the help it gives doing vertical and curved panels. I hated the stopping of non forced DA on curves and didn't like running them on 6 to eliminate that, when I didn't need that much speed. One issue is the Flex is heavy as crap though. Gets tiring on vertical panels when going slow and working several polishes back to back. Also find the heat that is produced, affects polishes and how they work.
Just my experience, and the mistakes I have made and found out. Glad the mistake was on my own car, or I would be really embarrassed. Probably wouldn't have even tried it.
I have noticed heat build up when working out 3000 grit or heavy marring when you work a 2 by 2 section. I feel this is a small size to work but does work best for most polishes. Using a LC Orange pad and D300 or FS 1000, I have moved to a 3 by 3 to diminish the heat when on a setting of 5, and applying pressure to further eliminate marring.
Currently debating on the Rupes 15 but now rethinking it. I got the Flex due to the forced rotation and the help it gives doing vertical and curved panels. I hated the stopping of non forced DA on curves and didn't like running them on 6 to eliminate that, when I didn't need that much speed. One issue is the Flex is heavy as crap though. Gets tiring on vertical panels when going slow and working several polishes back to back. Also find the heat that is produced, affects polishes and how they work.
Just my experience, and the mistakes I have made and found out. Glad the mistake was on my own car, or I would be really embarrassed. Probably wouldn't have even tried it.
I think the aspect of a traditional (free-rotating via centripetal force) DA that makes it safe is that the rotation is typically only about 1-3 revolutions per second during use, and is not directly linked to the motor so you can stop the rotation completely (even while the machine is still at full power and orbiting at the throw diameter).
If you put a black mark on the flex backing plate, how fast does the pad rotate while you're polishing with it? Too fast to see/count the rotations?
Curious what makes you say that. I have been told the exact opposite
JSou
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- Dec 17, 2012
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I've seen this first hand from someone I was training. Rupes + MF cutting + AIO. I actually have pictures, it's on my car.
Didn't believe it when I saw it but then again the person was not experienced in using a polisher.
Wendell Jarvis
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Try LC Purple Wool Foam Pads
hernandez.art13
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- Apr 8, 2013
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Just ordered it with my new machine :xyxthumbs:
I do not own a Flex but I do watch the video made by Mike Phillips on the Flex before. Mike marks a black mark on the flex backing plate like you said and with naked eyes it is impossible to see how fast or to count the rotations. In that video Mike has to use slow motion video to show us how the black mark rotates.
But Mike too emphasizes that the Flex is safe to use. Of course I believe he never intended to mean that if someone wish to burn the clear coat with Flex he will not able to do it.