Pros and cons of the Flex 3401 and Traditional DA, IMO....

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WRAPT C5Z06

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3401

Pros: Forced rotation, no vibration, powerful

Cons: pad spins the wrong way(IMO), you have to fight the polisher

Traditional DA:

Pros: free rotating spindle meaning you don't have to fight the polisher, new technology pads and products

Cons: vibration, pad stops spinning on non-flat surfaces

With the MF system , it's a given, the traditional DA hands down! With foam pads, I still haven't figured out which I like to use better! :dunno:
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
3401

Cons: pad spins the wrong way(IMO), you have to fight the polisher
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I really have to disagree with that one Mark, I have zero issues controlling it and can even make one handed passes with it.
 
Dubbin1 said:
I really have to disagree with that one Mark, I have zero issues controlling it and can even make one handed passes with it.
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If you're using a soft pads, yes, but when using a firm pad, forget about it. JMO.
 
If I agreed with both of you, we all would be wrong.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
:confused:

I never said it was a firm pad, just that it's not as aggressive as I want it to be.
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If you're talking LC pads there is only one pad more aggressive, the Yellow one that is mad aggressive.
 
Dubbin1 said:
If you're talking LC pads there is only one pad more aggressive, the Yellow one that is mad aggressive.
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Pass on the LC yellow! I was just using a buff and shine yellow(not as firm as LC yellow) and I had to fight the 3401. I then grabbed my GG with the buff and shine yellow and I didn't feel like I was fighting the polisher, but this was on a flat panel. On curved panels, GG or any traditional DA for the lose! :laughing:
 
I liked the other picture of 07 zoh6 better he looked like the Genie in
the lamp from an old bugs bunny cartoon from my youth..
 
I do not have any issues controlling the 3401 regardless of pad selection... Keeping the pad perfectly flat is the key and is also great training for when you decide to graduate to a rotary.
 
mbkite said:
I liked the other picture of 07 zoh6 better he looked like the Genie in
the lamp from an old bugs bunny cartoon from my youth..
Click to expand...
:laughing:

I got tired of the "flex" pose :laughing:

Deep Gloss Auto Salon said:
I do not have any issues controlling the 3401 regardless of pad selection... Keeping the pad perfectly flat is the key and is also great training for when you decide to graduate to a rotary.
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I always keep the pad flat. I can control it, I just find a traditional DA easier to control. Do you disagree with that?
 
Capa1970 said:
Come on, guys, if Mark is struggling to control it with the guns that he has, and then CLEARLY we puny guys are going to have difficulties as well.
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LOL!! ;)

it's not THAT bad to control. The forced rotation has a lot to do with it. However, the forced rotation has a huge upside, too.
 
Capa1970 said:
Come on, guys, if Mark is struggling to control it with the guns that he has, and then CLEARLY we puny guys are going to have difficulties as well.
Click to expand...

I don't have any trouble controlling it. The first time I used my Flex 3401 I never looked back.
 
The Flex is definitely prone to walk and is more work to use on the vertical panels IMO. For compounds or heavy polish though, I wouldn't go back to the PC from the Flex (although haven't tried the PC with the MF systems yet). Lighter polish, glaze, sealant, wax, AOI I'll take the PC all day.
 
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