Polisher Decision

Just a heads-up, there's an "Open box" polisher sale going on at the Autopia forum right now.
 
expdetailing said:
Just a heads-up, there's an "Open box" polisher sale going on at the Autopia forum right now.
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The one Flex is gone it appears, but right now, and right here, with 15% off, no exclusions, and free ship over $150 looks like not a bad time to bite for a brand spankin new Flex!

Sure wish I had some more "mad money" to spend!:props:
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
IMO Get the Flex 3401. Simply put it's the BEST DA out there PERIOD!!! It is also the closest to being a rotary like you are used to. ALL other DA's are free floating spin like the PC or Megs or Rupes or whatever brand....PERIOD!!

I have a PC7424XP and it still serves a purpose for me but the workhorse is the Flex 3401.

You are going to get a lot of suggestions. IMO, my suggestion will be the best!

As to everyone else that disagrees...OK you have your opinion I have mine.
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No, you're right on the money IMO.

But, it is easy to hurt oneself quickly! Ask me how I know? LOL (we could get another 3000 chime ins on that comment!)

Two or three of my first orders here averaged about $400-$600 a shot if I recall. And that was just getting warmed up! $200 here, $300 there, $180 there, $100 there, does it ever end? LOL And the "no Minimum shipping free", $50 there, $75, $95, $25, etc etc etc.

With any polisher you get, think Pads, Pads, Pads! You gotta have Pads! And I'm just a weekend warrior, I hate to think about folks who do this for a living, the number of pads you have?

Of course the pros can recoup costs-overhead usually (if they're smart). I've been recouping zero as I basically refuse to detail people's vehicles here, then get paid like a pimple faced teenaged girl at a $10 car wash in some dope spur of the moment rat shack parking lot. I know my abilities, I would not cower for a detail of a 458 Italia

To all the pros on this forum, trust me, you'd be eating Alpo if you set up camp in this wayward joker armpit, that's no joke either.

But, that's not why I desire and love this "art form" in my abilities! Just like I play drums, play electric bass, view the stars, it's who I am, another great hobby, and knowledge to have! A little knowledge is "not" a dangerous thing!
 
As is often the case, I part ways with the crowd!

For under $300 you can have the three top machines all in one. One of the top rotaries, a large stroke free spindle random orbit (like a Rupes but with WAY more power), and a forced rotation epicycloidal pattern machine just like the Flex.

How?

Buy a De Walt 849XP and add the Dynabrade 61384 head.
 
Cheapest way out. GG6, or PC7424, a couple of backing plates, a host of mild pads, since you say your vehicle(s) aren't basket cases, WG Uber, TSR, Finishing Glaze (but the small bottles in a kit if you can)

And then, throw on the LSP of your choice.

A couple Clay Bars, or a decon towel, and 8-10 decent MF Towels, what more would one really need?

I would not discount DAs like the PC or Griots, they can do perfect work, on any vehicle, "if" you learn them, willing to put in the time it takes, and combine the right products, and the right Pads.

One can always make a run to a local auto store, wally word, for a brush, a bottle of Meg's 205, TW endura Tire-Trim Goodies.

Bottom line, try not to hurt yourself, or go beyond your capabilities.

A Rotary Polisher can get you in trouble in a big hurry. So can the Flex 3401 I understand if you mis-use it.

Chebys, like the Tahoe-Suburban typically have hard paint. You might find ultra finishing polishes have less than optimum effects removing swirls, and deeper sleeks in the finish.

Thus, perhaps products like WG Uber Compound, then move onto WG Finishing Glaze might be a great 1-2 punch for nirvana.

Soaps, other goodies, look to your local CARQUEST for Duragloss products.
 
conman1395 said:
Hey a PC or a GG6. Use the saved money to get pads and other products. Simple decision.
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agreed. for someone in the OP's position it doesn't make sense to purchase a polisher that cost that much if one is going to it use it a few times a year. with the plethora of pads, polishes and compounds these days, the GG6 (plenty of torque/power) can pretty much tackle whatever you throw at it. not to mention the warranty which is peace of mind when you're not using it regularly...
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
IMO Get the Flex 3401. Simply put it's the BEST DA out there PERIOD!!! It is also the closest to being a rotary like you are used to. ALL other DA's are free floating spin like the PC or Megs or Rupes or whatever brand....PERIOD!!

I have a PC7424XP and it still serves a purpose for me but the workhorse is the Flex 3401.

You are going to get a lot of suggestions. IMO, my suggestion will be the best!

As to everyone else that disagrees...OK you have your opinion I have mine.
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trying telling that to paul dalton and kevin brown and i'm sure they will disagree with you. yes, everyone has their own opinion. btw, i love my flex and don't under estimate it one bit...
 
There is one comment the OP originally made that I don't think anyone addressed. He was concerned with the vibration of the PC. I personally don't think it's much different from any other polisher, but I've never tried the Flex or Rupes. Are they any smoother?
 
brettS4 said:
There is one comment the OP originally made that I don't think anyone addressed. He was concerned with the vibration of the PC. I personally don't think it's much different from any other polisher, but I've never tried the Flex or Rupes. Are they any smoother?
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Both are much smoother
 
brettS4 said:
There is one comment the OP originally made that I don't think anyone addressed. He was concerned with the vibration of the PC. I personally don't think it's much different from any other polisher, but I've never tried the Flex or Rupes. Are they any smoother?
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The PC does sound like you're rodding a Toilet, is pretty noisy on speeds 5-6, and I've seen quite a few vids on the Rupes and Flex, they are smoother-quieter but personally never handled any of the two latter makes in hand. But so many of you other folks have.

In any case, I know the same motions have to be gone through, you grasp one of these polishers, and you go to work. The holding-positioning is all basically the same, that the end user has to grasp the machine, and work it.

Comes down to what one is willing to tolerate? They all shake, and make noise, no getting around that.

I'd guess in any case, work is work, and work can take its toll once many hours of use are invested, regardless.

I wouldn't say the vibration of the PC is intolerable, the droning noise after awhile gets old, one can simply use a pair of ear plugs on a plastic tether if one is worried about it effecting hearing. When not in use, it can stay around your neck.
 
Rupes 21- if cost is no issue.

Harbor Freight DA -if you want to get some work done for around $42.

GG6- Lifetime Warranty........almost rotary like IMO!

PCXP- for beginner

I'm not quite sure I can recommend the Flex for beginner.
 
AnthonyGXP said:
Rupes 21- if cost is no issue.

Harbor Freight DA -if you want to get some work done for around $42.

GG6- Lifetime Warranty........almost rotary like IMO!

PCXP- for beginner

I'm not quite sure I can recommend the Flex for beginner.
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When I was at the Flex and Sonax Booth at SEMA I had the Flex polisher is hands of people who have never used a polisher before and most people had no issues using the polisher.

There is plenty of info and videos on how to use the Flex polisher. :props:
 
I had a Harbor Freight DA and in less then one year i wore the main shaft out that the back plate screws to. The back plate had a lot of side to side play in it. LOL Luckily at my work they have a tool room and i have one of the guys make me a new one out of harden steel.The bearings were ok just the cheap shaft worn out quick. I got a flex 3401 now and i just use the Harbor Freight DA with a 3" back plate for small areas. For light use its ok but any more then that its pushing the limits of the tool.

 
sayroger said:
I had a Harbor Freight DA and in less then one year i wore the main shaft out that the back plate screws to. The back plate had a lot of side to side play in it. LOL Luckily at my work they have a tool room and i have one of the guys make me a new one out of harden steel.The bearings were ok just the cheap shaft worn out quick. I got a flex 3401 now and i just use the Harbor Freight DA with a 3" back plate for small areas. For light use its ok but any more then that its pushing the limits of the tool.

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Haven't really heard too many complaints about the HF DA. Any man made machine is going to have problems though as nothing is perfect even with power tools that cost double, triple, or even ten times more than what this cost. There have been reports of handfuls of pcxp's that have had the shaft completely break off which is scary if you're working on paint when it happens..
 
As much as I love my 2 Flex polishers, if you are just an "enthusiast" detailer and not a pro, my recommendation would be a Harbor Freight DA. It's more powerful than a PC, and cheaper than just about any reliable DA out there.
 
sayroger said:
I had a Harbor Freight DA and in less then one year i wore the main shaft out that the back plate screws to. The back plate had a lot of side to side play in it. LOL Luckily at my work they have a tool room and i have one of the guys make me a new one out of harden steel.The bearings were ok just the cheap shaft worn out quick. I got a flex 3401 now and i just use the Harbor Freight DA with a 3" back plate for small areas. For light use its ok but any more then that its pushing the limits of the tool.

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My Rupes LHR15 died after just 3 months and it's 4 times more expensive (at least) than the HF. GD also uses a HF for the majority of details. If it's good enough for him it will be good enough for me what I get back to the states. Also look at the recent thread on the "mods" for the HF to take it to the next level.
 
You'll also want to repack with a better grade grease on the Harbor Freight.
 
First I am a novice and I find the Griots Da works for me. I use it twice a year for basic paint cleaning and upkeep.

As stated before pro, novice, money to spend this should work into your decision. :autowash:
 
brettS4 said:
I doubt anyone is going to disagree that the Flex is a great polisher. And if you have the money, I'd say that's probably your best choice. I've never used one, so I can't comment on how smooth it is.

I used a PC7424 for 12 years and it did the job well enough. But it's loud and lacks serious power. I decided to step up to the Griot's GG6 this year, and it's looking really good. Twice the power as the old PC and slightly better ergonomics. It can be found right now for right around $100. Less than what I paid for the PC 12 years ago.
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BrettS4,
Where can you get the GG6 for around $100? The best deal I can find is $125 + shipping. All I find for closer to 100 is the 3" version. Thanks.
 
There's a deal through advance auto online right now. If you order it online and use the code WD55 you can get it for $91 plus tax. The catch is that it usually shows as 'out of inventory'. But I was able to get one, and so have a few other members.
 
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