Newbee with a Flex on the Way

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dennison17

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Hi Folks,

I've been on various other forums for other interests, but this is my first time on the Autogeek forum... I just ordered a Flex buffing machine and am anxious to receive it. I have detailed many cars (my family had a used car lot and I worked there for many years...but that was over 40 years ago when I was much younger!!) I realize there have been HUGE advances in car detailing since then, but I am also surprised that many of the old concerns (e.g. paint burning, swirls) still apply.

Outside of ensuring the felt ring is lubbed well, it looks like I should be able to put the buffer to good use right away. If this forum is like others I have joined for different topics (and it CERTAINLY looks like it is!) , it will be a very useful exchange of information.... for all invovled.

Thanks for allowing me to join!!

Bud
 
Welcome Bud. You will LOVE the Flex. Great machine.
 
Welcome and as stated you will enjoy your new purchase . It is a really good machine.
 
dennison17 said:
Outside of ensuring the felt ring is lubbed well, it looks like I should be able to put the buffer to good use right away.
Click to expand...

Also make sure the backing plate bolt is tight.

Oh and Welcome to Auto Geek!!! :welcome:
 
I am in the same predicament as Bud. I have just ordered a Flex 3401. The difference from Bud is that I'm a newbie with polishing machines.

I have ordered the following LC 6.5" pads : Orange, White, Black, Blue and Red.

Do I have to oil the various parts of the machine when it comes out of the Box !! What else !

What is the settings for Polish - Wolfgang Paint Restorer (White LC 6.5 pad) and Klasse AIO
What is the setting for Wolfgang Sealant (Black / Red LC 6.5 pad) and Klass Sealant Glaze.

Another newbie question :

How long do you polish ? Will the pad start moving easier as the surface gets clean ? is that the time to let the polish dry yo a haze ? With a wet pad I guess the haze will not happen.

How many identical pads will you need for one detail session for a Sedan (Merc E class)?

Regards

dennison17 said:
Hi Folks,

I've been on various other forums for other interests, but this is my first time on the Autogeek forum... I just ordered a Flex buffing machine and am anxious to receive it. I have detailed many cars (my family had a used car lot and I worked there for many years...but that was over 40 years ago when I was much younger!!) I realize there have been HUGE advances in car detailing since then, but I am also surprised that many of the old concerns (e.g. paint burning, swirls) still apply.

Outside of ensuring the felt ring is lubbed well, it looks like I should be able to put the buffer to good use right away. If this forum is like others I have joined for different topics (and it CERTAINLY looks like it is!) , it will be a very useful exchange of information.... for all invovled.

Thanks for allowing me to join!!

Bud
Click to expand...
 
sid.mukherjee said:
I am in the same predicament as Bud. I have just ordered a Flex 3401. The difference from Bud is that I'm a newbie with polishing machines.

I have ordered the following LC 6.5" pads : Orange, White, Black, Blue and Red.

Do I have to oil the various parts of the machine when it comes out of the Box !! What else !

What is the settings for Polish - Wolfgang Paint Restorer (White LC 6.5 pad) and Klasse AIO
What is the setting for Wolfgang Sealant (Black / Red LC 6.5 pad) and Klass Sealant Glaze.

Another newbie question :

How long do you polish ? Will the pad start moving easier as the surface gets clean ? is that the time to let the polish dry yo a haze ? With a wet pad I guess the haze will not happen.

How many identical pads will you need for one detail session for a Sedan (Merc E class)?

Regards
Click to expand...

Are you sure you are ready to work on a Mercedes? I would practice on something you can afford to learn on just in case....
 
sid.mukherjee said:
I am in the same predicament as Bud. I have just ordered a Flex 3401. The difference from Bud is that I'm a newbie with polishing machines.

I have ordered the following LC 6.5" pads : Orange, White, Black, Blue and Red.

Do I have to oil the various parts of the machine when it comes out of the Box !! What else !

What is the settings for Polish - Wolfgang Paint Restorer (White LC 6.5 pad) and Klasse AIO
What is the setting for Wolfgang Sealant (Black / Red LC 6.5 pad) and Klass Sealant Glaze.

Another newbie question :

How long do you polish ? Will the pad start moving easier as the surface gets clean ? is that the time to let the polish dry yo a haze ? With a wet pad I guess the haze will not happen.

How many identical pads will you need for one detail session for a Sedan (Merc E class)?

Regards
Click to expand...

Sid you really need to start watching some of the videos at the bottom of this page ;)
Autogeek's Show Car Garage
 
Bunky said:
Are you sure you are ready to work on a Mercedes? I would practice on something you can afford to learn on just in case....
Click to expand...

You are right. I will take a shot at my Suzuki swift before I touch the merc.

Rgds
:iagree:
 

sid.mukherjee said:
I have just ordered a Flex 3401.
Click to expand...


You will have a steep learning curve. Although the flex is more forgiving than a rotary machine, the Flex has a lot of juice. It will take you a little while to get used to the feel of it. There are a lot of variables when it comes to polishing paint, and detailing in general. There is a wealth of information on this site, as well as a few other sites. After a while, you will be a seasoned veteran. So read the threads here, browse through the various forums, and use the search function, you would be suprised at the threads that come up on a search. It is endless, or so it seems.



:buffing:





 
I too am in this predicament. Does this machine really have that much of a learning curve?
 
Okay...so here are my impressions. I used to detail cars many years ago... like in the late 60's. Since then I have just maintained my cars with typical techniques....light rubbing at times and a good cleaner / wax, as well as a good spray wax after washing. I got a new Lexus a few months ago and was AMAZED at how many scratches I received in the paint when I visited their "complimentary" car wash. I decided to bite the bullet and get a good buffer and re-establish the paint as good as I could to the original condition. I found the Flex machine VERY easy to use and it was VERY forgiving and exceptionally easy to use (very short learning curve.) I think anyone with half a brain could use this machine and do well. You would do well to watch the videos on how to use the machine, but common sense prevails when you are buffing any surface.

Just my two cents worth, but it is not that hard to use. It’s just an arduous process that is time (and energy) consuming if you do it right. Watch the Video if you concerned about technique.
 
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