New Polisher

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gordster1122

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I currently have the harbor freight da and want to upgrade to a good polisher I just don't know what to get and I will be using it for personal vehicles and friends/family vehicles heres and what I have been looking at ???

- Flex 3401
- Rupes MKII 15
- Boss G15
 
I have the Rupes 15 1st gen and Griots Boss 21. I'll take the Boss 21 between the two. But go for the whole system, pads and polishes. They are exceptional.
 
Maybe consider one in the middle between those you mentioned and the HF DA....like a Griots GG6
 
Flex! Once you use it,you won't reach for anything else. I have the Gen 1 Rupes 21, nice machine but I much prefer my 3401. It's a machine you can grow into.
 
Sounds like you're all set. That machine is not bad for what you're doing. Maybe get some polishes and pads? You might be set there too.

I can't tell you how many times I put down the flex, or rupes (before I learned how to use it) in favor of the Porter Cable.
 
Here is all the stuff I currently got

Pads
Buff And Shine 5.5"
- Yellow (4)
- Orange (4)
- White (4)
- Blue (4)
- Green (4)
- Black (4)
- Red (4)
- Micofiber Cutting Pad (4)

- Meguiars Ultimate Polish
- Meguiars Ultimate Compound
- Meguiars Ultimate Liquid Wax
- Meguiars D151
- HD Speed
- HD Adapt
- HD Proxy
- Mothers 3 Step System
- Menzerna FG400
- Menzerna PF2500
- Menzerna SF4000
 
I am a Flex 3401 guy. Love it and think it is DA BOMB!! I also have my sidekick the PC7424XP as my mini-DA and sealant/wax applicator. That being said....your choices are sound and get what you think is best for you! You can't go wrong with any of the brands you have.

Additionally, your product selection is real good too. I am a Menzerna Fan or whatever they call it now fan....Jescar, Menzerna.....whatever....
 
gordster1122 said:
Here is all the stuff I currently got

Pads
Buff And Shine 5.5"
- Yellow (4)
- Orange (4)
- White (4)
- Blue (4)
- Green (4)
- Black (4)
- Red (4)
- Micofiber Cutting Pad (4)

- Meguiars Ultimate Polish
- Meguiars Ultimate Compound
- Meguiars Ultimate Liquid Wax
- Meguiars D151
- HD Speed
- HD Adapt
- HD Proxy
- Mothers 3 Step System
- Menzerna FG400
- Menzerna PF2500
- Menzerna SF4000
Click to expand...

Ha!

Yeah, I would say that you could cover a LOT of territory with those. You have more than I do.

I pretty much only use the green, blue, and red b&s pads. I love the Meguiar's Ultimate line, but switched to M100/M205/M21 because of bulk availability. I use M66/ColorX for a cleaner wax.

I do have the Lake Country Hydrotech line of foam pads, and will be adding the Buff & Shine microfiber pads to the arsenal.

I also have the same line up of Menzerna polishes.

Very similar to my set up...

I get a lot done with that. If you have money burning a hole in your pocket, by all means, get a new polisher. If not, I think you're ok with what you have honestly. Even doing professional jobs, the PC just got the job done faster than the Flex for me. The Rupes stuff I have works a little faster, and leaves an extremely refined finish.

I did love how refined the flex was though. If you were to add anything, maybe the 3401 or a rotary would be the one. I had a Flex rotary, but I actually prefer the Makita! Weird..
 
IMO, the recommendations you will get are what they, the user, like. Some people like forced rotation DA polishers (Flex 3401 - has the standard 8mm throw) while others like the long throw RO polishers (Rupes / Griot's BOSS). In other words, answers will be biased.

I know this doesn't help but unfortunately, only you can answer that. It's probably hard to do so but the best solution is try both before making a decision.

I originally had a Flex 3401 and loved it until the long throw RO polishers came out. I made the switch and never looked back. So my recommendation would be the long throw polishers (either Rupes or Griot's BOSS). But this may not apply to you.
 
Polishers come down to personal choice. All the top brands are high quality. Each polisher kind of like a certain system to make it shine (pun intended lol). I've always been a rotary guy. AG got me into DAs. They each have their place. Personally I like Flex. I have the 3401 DA, PE14-2 rotary, Dewalt rotary and Porter cable DA. My PC is now a dedicated 3" machine. I use the 3401 most of the time but love the PE14-2 rotary. All the. Flxs are light weight and balanced. I can run them one hand like when reaching over a roof top for example that's how well balanced thy are.

I'd recommend the 3401 if I were only going to have one polisher. All the others are perfectly fine. Like I said it's 90% personal preference but I like forced rotation. Draw back is I hear the 3401 doesn't work well with microfiber cutting pads but then you don't need it as long as foam and wool are available. Each polisher excels at a certain system. Like Tim the Tool Man said "More Power!"
 
With the G21 you can use a 5.5" backing plate too so you can run your current pads.

PS Lifetime warranty on Griot's is hard to beat.
 
Get rid of the mothers 3 step system; with what you have listed, you're good. I'd go with Griots BOSS correcting cream instead of HD adapt.
 
long throw DA either the G15 or G21 (GG fantastic customer service and lifetime warranty as well)..
forced rotation DA that's gear driven which will never stop spinning - flex 3401 (the energizer bunny of polishers)...
 
HockeyCrazi said:
I have the MT300 from Meguiars and couldn't be happier
Click to expand...

briarpatch said:
Maybe consider one in the middle between those you mentioned and the HF DA....like a Griots GG6
Click to expand...

Both of those may be nice machines, but IMO they're not a big enough upgrade to justify the purchase if he already has a HF DA.

I'd say get no less than either a G15/Rupes 15 MKll,or a G21/Rupes 21 MKll.
 
custmsprty said:
With the G21 you can use a 5.5" backing plate too so you can run your current pads.

PS Lifetime warranty on Griot's is hard to beat.
Click to expand...

exactly, and it has more than enough torque/power...
 
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