Need HELP picking polisher?

[Enthusiast]

I have been detailing cars for the past 3 years and the majority of them are under two years old but I have certainly encountered some scratches and paint with numerous swirls. I currently use Zaino products and buff them off with a 10'' Ryobi orbital buffer. On new cars they come out fantastic but lately I have not been as satisfied and need to begin cutting and buffing to achieve better results. I have never used dual action polishers or even rotary buffers for that matter and am having trouble deciding what I should get. The forums say beginners should start off with porter cables because they wont burn the paint but I don't want to buy the porter cable and in a week regret not getting a Flex 3401 or something stronger like the DeWALT DWP849X. Any recommendations?

 

[alko]

welcome to the forum! Honestly...I love the PC but I felt the need for more after the second time using it. The PC is very safe for beginners and will treat you well, but if I had to do it over again, I'd probably pick up the Flex 3401. I don't have that machine but from all that I've read about it is safe to use and is an overall better machine than a PC7424XP.

 

[tw33k2514]

I own both the PC and the Griots. Get the Griots. It will not leave you wanting more power, trust me. Plus it has a lifetime warranty.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

I currently use Zaino products and buff them off with a 10'' Ryobi orbital buffer.

Traditional Orbital Buffer are pretty much wax spreaders or if you apply a thin coat of something that dries, like Z2 then you could use a TOB to buff off the residue...

This article goes over the TOB...

The Traditional Orbital Buffer aka The Wax Spreader

I have never used dual action polishers or even rotary buffers for that matter and am having trouble deciding what I should get. The forums say beginners should start off with porter cables because they wont burn the paint

The PC "style" of polisher is the easiest to learn how to use and master. In the hands of an experienced detailer you can work miracles with the PC "style" DA Polishers and millions of cars have been successfully de-swirled using only the Porter Cable polishers which started the trend.

but I don't want to buy the porter cable and in a week regret not getting a Flex 3401 or something stronger like the DeWALT DWP849X.

Any recommendations?

If you want a tool that has the potential to do a lot of correction work but not leave swirls behind in the paint then go with the Flex 3401 and get the adapter to let you use the 4" pads for thin panels and tight areas. With both 4" pads and 6.5" pads you can tackle just about anything that comes your way without the risk of burning or swirling the paint.

The PC style polishers are great tools but it is true they don't have the power of a Flex or any rotary buffer but they are the easiest to learn how to use and they work great for machine waxing which is my personal preference because they are light enough and compact enough to hold with just one hand.

This custom car was completely de-swirled using only PC "style" polishers...

1939 Lincoln Zephyr - Swirls Removed - Modeled by Nicole

Here are the pictures I took showing the true condition of the paint.....

Picture = 1939LincolnZephyr015.jpg

These next three shots are all cropped out from the above picture...

1939LincolnZephyr015a.jpg

1939LincolnZephyr015b.jpg

1939LincolnZephyr015c.jpg

I walked around the Zephyr and captured these swirl shots...

After Machine Polishing and Machine Waxing

 

[ProMoDe]

If you are detailing for a living, I would get the Flex 3401. You won't be left wondering, "would the flex do this faster or correct more?"

 

[opie_7afe]

well if your stuck between the flex or PC/griots get both the flex and the pc/griots, its what i do when im stuck between 2 products, i just choose both, i can never choose just one. its like potato chips one is never enough.

 

[RohrC]

Hi there! I had grabbed a PC way back and still use it today! I use it a lot with buffing off wax residue; however in your case I would definitely go with the Flex 3401. That is one tool that I absolutely cannot do without. I only use foam pads, and every time it comes through for me. It is a bit of an investment ($125 versus the $320); but you will never look back. Good luck!

 

[mark58]

G110V2 Megs is the way to go if you don't want to spend over $300 for Flex.
G110V2 plenty of power, Auto cruise control, won't stall out under normal load, Quiet, does not vibrate like PC,,,,,,

 

[eboose7]

I agree with those who have recommended the Flex 3401. It is a great machine, and it won't leave you longing for another dual action polisher.

 

[FourEyes45]

Go with the Flex 3401 or the Groits

 

[Enthusiast]

Thank you very much to everyone who posted! I am going to order my Flex tonight!!

 

[BobbyG]

If you do end up ordering the Flex 3401 you won't regret it.....:buffing: