One step process

[duffthebluff]

It was a two step, FG 400 and topped with PL. Last pick shows it's totally swirl free. This paint was seriously oxidized.

Also, if you're considering a Rupes I would highly recommend taking a serious look at the new G15 or 21. I just got the 21 and it's my new go to machine.

I did this with my new G21 w/ 5" BP.

Yeah saw the Rupes however it's hard for me to order those in my place. I'm based here in Manila and if ever I find any problems with the tool, I'll need to ship it back to the US which costs $$$$

You can use any AIO by hand, but don't expect any real swirl removal. AIO is all about managing your and the clients expectations. All you can really expect from an AIO is about 30%-50% removal depending on pad choice, you'll get shiny, but swirled paint and that's OK for many people and is often the most profitable for the detailer. A polish generally 50%-80%. Finally a compound and polish 80%-95%.

My flex 3401 gets pretty hot...by overheat do you mean it shuts off on you? I wouldn't expect a 3401 to work so hard when doing an AIO, if so, it sounds like you are working too large of an area or need to step up to a polish in those situations; be sure to work smarter, not harder.

Most of my market here are daily drivers, so we really don't want to get close to 100% swirl free. Yep, my 3401 gets hot that it shuts down and it's just only around 10 minutes of work time. I'm using a 5" orange pad most of the time.

duffthebuff,
Are you using a Flex machine that was made to run on the 50Hz cycle or is it the american version? I to have had issues with taking tools from the USA that run on 60Hz and plugging them in, in the PI, with an adapter only to have them do the same and overheat. I am not sure if there is a European version that would work better on your frequency.
For most of the one step that you can get, you can use them by hand, but it is time consuming and with much effort. Might I suggest to work the areas that do not need as much correction by hand and spend what time you can with your Flex on the areas that need the most correction.
Not sure if this helps much, but have a mango shake or two to cool you down, while your Flex is also cooling.

Bill

Haha yeah we have a lot of mangoes here so probably I can also sell shakes to customers while they wait Well yeah, I got it from the US shipped it directly here in Manila. It's most likely that there's a difference with the frequency that's causing the overheat. Thanks for your input, probably I'll Flex the bigger panels and work by hand the minor places. I'm just scared to my balls that if I work on the Flex too hard it could explode on my hand haha.

Ian Duff
Shineville Auto Detailing
Manila, Philippines