Which polisher to add?

L

LAKings22

Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2015
Messages
99
Reaction score
0
Looking for a polisher to compliment my Flex 3401, a good 1 2 punch.

Recently I started to take on jobs from people who friends and family have referred and want to deliver the best results. Also if for whatever reason the flex goes out mid way, nice to have something to fall back on. 2 is 1 and 1 is none.

what do you guys think I should consider buying?



Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
I have a GG6 to go with the Flex. I use it with 4in pads or final polishing. Its so hot in the garage in the summer its nice to finish with something with less weight
 
Kinda like asking "Who's the best baseball player ever?".......... You'll get as many opinions as answers.

But, as you already have the biggest, baddest polisher........... Why not get another? Unless you're wanting something different.
 
I had the GG6 and used the hound of it, a very good machine. I then added the Flex to my arsenal, which was a great machine and became my go to. As I found the GG3 I also owned a tad under powered for some work, I ended up converting the GG6 to a 3. Having had both and since you already have a Flex, as long as you like it and it serves your purposes, I would stick with it. As PaulMys suggested, add a second if you are concerned about having one quit. Frankly though, as well made as the Flex is, you are more likely to get struck by lightning than have the Flex quit on you.
 
I guess I was leaning twords a machine along with the flex that can be used on a single job. Maybe something the performs better then a 3401 in certain situations and capable to finish a complete job in the rare case the flex gives.


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
LAKings22 said:
I guess I was leaning twords a machine along with the flex that can be used on a single job. Maybe something the performs better then a 3401 in certain situations and capable to finish a complete job in the rare case the flex gives.


Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

What are your ideas on "Better than the Flex"?
 
eaglefan said:
I have a GG6 to go with the Flex. I use it with 4in pads or final polishing. Its so hot in the garage in the summer its nice to finish with something with less weight
Click to expand...
I like this option, the 4" option can be helpful. Is the GG6 capable of accepting smaller pads?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
LAKings22 said:
I like this option, the 4" option can be helpful. Is the GG6 capable of accepting smaller pads?

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Most certainly.

However, the good ol' PC has a smaller shroud, and really excels as a 3 or 4" machine.
 
My experience is only with the flex. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to replace the flex.

My intention here was to see what 3401 owners use as a secondary option.

If I was a full time detailer, I can see having a back up 3401 as being a great idea but for someone like me who's doing this more of a hobby every other weekend, that gives me enough time to pick up another 3401 if needed.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
PaulMys said:
Most certainly.

However, the good ol' PC has a smaller shroud, and really excels as a 3 or 4" machine.
Click to expand...
Sorry I replied to your other post before seeing this. I look into both PC and GG, they both seem to be priced the same

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Not sure if this helps: I often use a rotary or the 3401 for my compounding step. I will then finish with a 15mm long throw DA. There are many 15mm long throw DA machines available. I just ordered the Flex 15mm long throw polisher, but there are many out there. Perhaps that is a process you are/would consider.
 
Ah, I see. Nothing replaces the Flex. I get that.

As far as backups, I own both the PC and GG6. I love them both for each of their capabilities.

Perfect machines for this hobbyist. Plus, the PC is a known workhorse. And the GG6 has a lifetime guarantee (as do all their machines).

Just my angle on this.......
 
Dr Oldz said:
Not sure if this helps: I often use a rotary or the 3401 for my compounding step. I will then finish with a 15mm long throw DA. There are many 15mm long throw DA machines available. I just ordered the Flex 15mm long throw polisher, but there are many out there. Perhaps that is a process you are/would consider.
Click to expand...

Another opinion/angle. Excellent.
 
Think rotary, educate yourself and use common sense, you won't be sorry.
 
I added a Rupes Mille and put a post about doing so in the Rupes Forum. Long story short, I hated investing in a new pad system but in the end, I now use my Mille and their pads more than my Flex and the Hybrid Force Pads. Faster at correcting, smoother and quieter. The Flex still comes out but it's not my main go-to for one-two step details.
 
I'd go with the GG6

Some paints don't always finish best with gear-driven orbital. For cars like this it's nice to also have a simple 8mm free spinning orbital to fall back on.

GG6 is a better machine for machine applying waxes and sealants also. It's not that you cannot do it with a BEAST it's just easier with a free spinning short stroke tool plus it's smaller in size and weighs a few pounds less.

You can also machine sand car paint with a GG6 but it's not a good idea to try this with gear-driven 8mm orbital. I have an article on this.

And the GG6 has a TON more usable power over the PC. Black & Decker could invest about 50 cents into improvements to their tool (on scale) and make a comparable tool but they won't so the GG6 is the winner.


FWIW

YMMV


:)
 
TTQ B4U said:
I added a Rupes Mille and put a post about doing so in the Rupes Forum. Long story short, I hated investing in a new pad system but in the end, I now use my Mille and their pads more than my Flex and the Hybrid Force Pads. Faster at correcting, smoother and quieter. The Flex still comes out but it's not my main go-to for one-two step details.
Click to expand...
Do you use the Rupes wool pads with the Mille?


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
My take on this question was to have 1 of each of the machine "actions" i.e. a rotary (obviously a direct drive workhorse), a Flex 3401 (direct drive random orbital) and a PC (free spin random orbital). I like the versatility of having a wide use of machines. Plus I use many of my pads on more than one machine for general inventory reduction although I use LC Thin Pros only on my PC. I like to keep that simple but effective.

I have never killed a machine mid job but it is still a consideration.

I will be getting a Rupes machine in the near future just to add a little finesse to the machine lineup.

I have always said and still maintain that if my old PC ever dies I will replace it with a Griots.

Now, in thinking more on your point of a mid job need to replace an inoperative machine, I would probably go with the Griots unit to finish the job. You have a direct drive Beast (that you will no doubt troubleshoot and fix) and will have the Griots to supplement that if and when needed.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top