I'm ready to order the Flex 3401 but I'm looking for some help as to what I need to order with it. I'm usually pretty good at researching this kind of thing but I'm hitting a bit of a wall here. It doesn't help that there are so many pad and polish options. For the most part I'll be using it on my new Bimmer to keep the finish looking good, my 05 4runner that needs some TLC, and my 99 Subaru snow car that could use some correction too. 1. Should I order a kit or put together my own package? 2. Which pads, colors and size I need and how may of each? 3. Any suggestions on correction and protection products to use or stay away from? Thanks!
Ordering 3401, Need Help With Everything Else!
- Thread starter SlamMan
- Start date
reality33
New member
- Sep 15, 2008
- 311
- 0
There are so many options and methods you can go with.
I personally use Lake country CCS pads (orange, white and grey) and keep three polishes on hand at all times. Menzerna Power Gloss, Super Intensive Polish and P085RD. I keep about 3-4 of each colour pad.
Using the above combo will give you the ability to do heavy correction to final polishing. You basically have all areas covered.
I know other guys here love the Hydro tech pads as well. I personally have not used them yet.
I personally use Lake country CCS pads (orange, white and grey) and keep three polishes on hand at all times. Menzerna Power Gloss, Super Intensive Polish and P085RD. I keep about 3-4 of each colour pad.
Using the above combo will give you the ability to do heavy correction to final polishing. You basically have all areas covered.
I know other guys here love the Hydro tech pads as well. I personally have not used them yet.
Setec Astronomy
Well-known member
- Aug 31, 2010
- 17,164
- 1,462
Reality33 gives some good advice, although you wouldn't go wrong with the Wolfgang twins, either. I would build your own rather than buying a kit, and as with towels, buy more pads than you think you will need.
BobbyG
New member
- Dec 29, 2009
- 13,211
- 0
:iagree:
When starting on your detailing journey it's best to start off slowly and work into things. There are an infinite number of detailing supplies and combinations therein thus the reason I'm recommending this approach......
rops:Now, if you're anything like me you'll buy most of what Autogeek has to offer. This approach will give you anything and everything while also helping the fine folks at Autogeek to continue their careers there.......... Im the MAN
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 8
Have you ordered already?
If not, then any of the 6.5" pads will work so will the Meguiar's Softbuff 7" pads.
Menzerna Polishes, heck they all work great
Wolfgang Twins
Meguiar's Twins M105/M205 or UC and SwirlX
They all work well with the Flex 3401
If not, then any of the 6.5" pads will work so will the Meguiar's Softbuff 7" pads.
Menzerna Polishes, heck they all work great
Wolfgang Twins
Meguiar's Twins M105/M205 or UC and SwirlX
They all work well with the Flex 3401
- Thread starter
- #8
Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I haven't ordered yet. I'm looking at the LC 6.5 CSS. Any reason I should consider the 7.5 CSS curved pads or the Kmopressor pads over them?
I'll probably start with 3 or 4 of each pad. How does orange, white, gray and red sound?
I'll probably start with 3 or 4 of each pad. How does orange, white, gray and red sound?
- Thread starter
- #9
Here's what I'm looking at for correction and polishing.
Menzerna Power Gloss (not sure if I need this level of correction)
Poorboy's SSR2.5 (have 2 free bottles from AG. I want to use up or trade?)
Menzerna P085RD
How will those work in combination? What type of products would I use after those? Glaze, wax, done?
Menzerna Power Gloss (not sure if I need this level of correction)
Poorboy's SSR2.5 (have 2 free bottles from AG. I want to use up or trade?)
Menzerna P085RD
How will those work in combination? What type of products would I use after those? Glaze, wax, done?
A good number of people on here really like the Kompressor pads for the 3401 as they can conform around body lines and keeping the pad spinning is not a concern. The 6-6.5 inch pads will give only a little more pad than backing plate while the 7inch Kompressors and by some amound CCS pads wrap up around the backing plate, but can be kind of large so it depends what you will be working on.
Sounds like you have most everything covered. You shouldn't need a yellow pad starting out unless you have some serious restoration to do.
They should work quite well together. I don't know how well SSR2.5 works, but Powergloss cuts really fast and finishes fairly well, where PO85RD barely cuts at all yet will burnish to a beautiful shine. If you want to stay in the Menzerna line I might recommend some Final Polish instead of the SSR2.5.
Glazing is completely optional, and with modern clearcoat finishes all it tends to do is fill light swirls that were not removed.
For an LSP - (Last Step Product)
Sealant or Wax? - Now that is the ultimate question.
I would have to personally recommend a sealant as they have great durability and most still bring out the shine of the paint. Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant is a favorite here.