OkeefenokeeJoe
New member
- Jan 1, 2014
- 12
- 0
Hello everyone.
As you can see, this is my first post. I wasn't sure whether to post this in the "Introduce Yourself" section of the Forum or here, in the Flex section. I finally decided to post this thread here, since I am, primarily, seeking advice about my new Flex polisher. If you deem this post to be in the wrong section, Mr. Administrator, please move it to the appropriate section.
I have been lurking, from time to time, on this Forum for quite some time. I have always respected the art and profession of auto detailing and, although I don't understand some of the terminology, I have found some really good information on this forum and I thank you for that.
To give you some background, I am obsessed (as in mentally ill) when it comes to a keeping a clean vehicle, but my skills have always been limited to hand waxing with product from the auto parts store. You know the routine …. hand wax …. let dry to a haze … buff with a microfiber towel … clean tires and wheels , then spray sidewall with a good coat of Meguires Hot & Shine … vacuum/ dust inside vehicle … clean windows and … TA-DAA … all done. I have always wanted to delve deeper into the world of true auto detailing but, given my professional career, never had the time to pursue that interest. However, at the ripe young age of 57, I recently retired (federal law enforcement officers are mandated by law to retire at age 57), so I now find myself with plenty of time on my hands to learn new things.
Early this past fall, I discussed with some friends about buying an orbital polisher, the one made by Porter Cable, but never placed the order. I was afraid of my lack of knowledge and thought I might do more harm to the paint on my new truck than good. Fast forward to a few days ago, December 25th, I found a large box under the tree with my name on it. I anxiously opened the package and … HOLY COW … found a new Flex XC3401 VRG HD! It appears my dear wife has been reading a bit about polishers and decided to skip right over the Porter Cable and go for the big guns. Admittedly, I was excited, but also felt like the dog that finally caught the car … there was this feeling of, "Now what do I do?"
Honestly, having never even held an auto polisher before, I find the Flex polisher quite intimidating. I have no freakin clue how to use it, or what to buy (pads, polish, ect.) before I use it for the first time. Apparently, the Flex XC3401 HD only comes with a backing plate and nothing else … no pads, no nothing, except an apron and a DVD, so I've been resigned to just staring at it since Christmas Day since I have no pads and have no idea what to purchase in that regard.
I twice called the customer service line at Autogeek to find out what I needed to purchase to be able to use my new polisher, but never got anyone. I left a message (as instructed), but no one ever returned my call. I'm thinking, perhaps, the company must have been closed from Christmas through the New Years holidays. Therefore, in the absence of Autogeek customer service, I humbly, and with great respect for your expertise, ask you established forum members what I need to purchase to be able to use my new Flex dual orbital polisher. The backing plate is 5" (I believe), but I have no clue what size or type of pads, or what brand or type of wax / cleaner / compound / whatever to buy. I read where some folks use 5" pads, some use 5.5" pads, some use 6" pads, and some use 6.5" pads. I am totally confused. Then there are hybrid pads and blah blah blah blah. Literally … my head is spinning … I am in the middle of the Pacific, in a row-boat, with absolutely zero sense of direction. Any advice or recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Let me add that I am not interested in pursuing a second career as a professional detailer, but I'm only interested in taking care of my own cars and keeping them in pristine condition.
By the way, I reside in on the Atlantic coast in Southeast Georgia, near Savannah, in Richmond Hill … only a hop-skip-and jump from the Florida State line. I am a native Georgian, Southern by the grace of God, raised on a small tobacco farm located at the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp, near Waycross. My professional career has taken me all over, but the black water swamp is what I know best and where I feel most at home.
I have four vehicles, a 2006 Honda Civic ES Coupe (daughter), 2010 Honda Fit Sport (daughter), 2013 Honda Civic ES 4-dr (wife), and a 2012 Nissan Frontier SV Crew Cab (mine … in Lava Red). Generally, I will also have a motorcycle in the garage, but I recently sold my Aprilia RST 1000 and I'm currently shopping for a replacement. Like I mentioned previously, I keep all of my vehicles exceptionally clean with weekly washings, and hand wax each one approximately once monthly with Meguires Cleaner Wax. Oh … I also have an ExMark ZTR mower that I also keep cleaned and waxed. Yes, I'm one of those!
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to establishing a long relationship with all of you.
OkeefenokeeJoe
As you can see, this is my first post. I wasn't sure whether to post this in the "Introduce Yourself" section of the Forum or here, in the Flex section. I finally decided to post this thread here, since I am, primarily, seeking advice about my new Flex polisher. If you deem this post to be in the wrong section, Mr. Administrator, please move it to the appropriate section.
I have been lurking, from time to time, on this Forum for quite some time. I have always respected the art and profession of auto detailing and, although I don't understand some of the terminology, I have found some really good information on this forum and I thank you for that.
To give you some background, I am obsessed (as in mentally ill) when it comes to a keeping a clean vehicle, but my skills have always been limited to hand waxing with product from the auto parts store. You know the routine …. hand wax …. let dry to a haze … buff with a microfiber towel … clean tires and wheels , then spray sidewall with a good coat of Meguires Hot & Shine … vacuum/ dust inside vehicle … clean windows and … TA-DAA … all done. I have always wanted to delve deeper into the world of true auto detailing but, given my professional career, never had the time to pursue that interest. However, at the ripe young age of 57, I recently retired (federal law enforcement officers are mandated by law to retire at age 57), so I now find myself with plenty of time on my hands to learn new things.
Early this past fall, I discussed with some friends about buying an orbital polisher, the one made by Porter Cable, but never placed the order. I was afraid of my lack of knowledge and thought I might do more harm to the paint on my new truck than good. Fast forward to a few days ago, December 25th, I found a large box under the tree with my name on it. I anxiously opened the package and … HOLY COW … found a new Flex XC3401 VRG HD! It appears my dear wife has been reading a bit about polishers and decided to skip right over the Porter Cable and go for the big guns. Admittedly, I was excited, but also felt like the dog that finally caught the car … there was this feeling of, "Now what do I do?"
Honestly, having never even held an auto polisher before, I find the Flex polisher quite intimidating. I have no freakin clue how to use it, or what to buy (pads, polish, ect.) before I use it for the first time. Apparently, the Flex XC3401 HD only comes with a backing plate and nothing else … no pads, no nothing, except an apron and a DVD, so I've been resigned to just staring at it since Christmas Day since I have no pads and have no idea what to purchase in that regard.
I twice called the customer service line at Autogeek to find out what I needed to purchase to be able to use my new polisher, but never got anyone. I left a message (as instructed), but no one ever returned my call. I'm thinking, perhaps, the company must have been closed from Christmas through the New Years holidays. Therefore, in the absence of Autogeek customer service, I humbly, and with great respect for your expertise, ask you established forum members what I need to purchase to be able to use my new Flex dual orbital polisher. The backing plate is 5" (I believe), but I have no clue what size or type of pads, or what brand or type of wax / cleaner / compound / whatever to buy. I read where some folks use 5" pads, some use 5.5" pads, some use 6" pads, and some use 6.5" pads. I am totally confused. Then there are hybrid pads and blah blah blah blah. Literally … my head is spinning … I am in the middle of the Pacific, in a row-boat, with absolutely zero sense of direction. Any advice or recommendations will be greatly appreciated. Let me add that I am not interested in pursuing a second career as a professional detailer, but I'm only interested in taking care of my own cars and keeping them in pristine condition.
By the way, I reside in on the Atlantic coast in Southeast Georgia, near Savannah, in Richmond Hill … only a hop-skip-and jump from the Florida State line. I am a native Georgian, Southern by the grace of God, raised on a small tobacco farm located at the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp, near Waycross. My professional career has taken me all over, but the black water swamp is what I know best and where I feel most at home.
I have four vehicles, a 2006 Honda Civic ES Coupe (daughter), 2010 Honda Fit Sport (daughter), 2013 Honda Civic ES 4-dr (wife), and a 2012 Nissan Frontier SV Crew Cab (mine … in Lava Red). Generally, I will also have a motorcycle in the garage, but I recently sold my Aprilia RST 1000 and I'm currently shopping for a replacement. Like I mentioned previously, I keep all of my vehicles exceptionally clean with weekly washings, and hand wax each one approximately once monthly with Meguires Cleaner Wax. Oh … I also have an ExMark ZTR mower that I also keep cleaned and waxed. Yes, I'm one of those!
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to establishing a long relationship with all of you.
OkeefenokeeJoe
Your one lucky guy! Enjoy Retirement!!
