Flex XC 3401 VRG Review w/ Pics - Page 2

WK446 · 10-14-07, 12:53

frostydog: Yes, that's partially the reason I like the smaller backing plate - more flexibility in using smaller pad sizes AND that it gives Flex owners and additional option. Although I have (and use) 7.5" pads, I tend to use the smaller ones more often, perhaps 80-85% of the time.

I will be buying a 5.5" BP if, and when, Flex introduces it...

superchargedg · 10-14-07, 02:00

I am ordering mine tomorrow.

frostydog · 10-14-07, 02:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by superchargedg

I am ordering mine tomorrow.

That's great to hear Superchargedg!!!

We're getting a legitimate little community of Flex owners here...

Pretty soon we'll have loads of data coming in...different finishes, polishes, pads, processes, techniques, ideas, etc...

I LIKE IT!!!

DJ_JonnyV · 10-14-07, 04:14

Yep, definitely good to hear that we are growing. I still wish ZoranC was around to see what he thought. I've tried e-mailing him a few times, but have not heard back anything. Not sure if he got wrapped up with his GF again or what.

Anyway, here is what I have coming up. Next weekend I have an '03 black Acura MDX for a full exterior detail. By looking at it, I'm thinking Erasure 6.5" orange pad + some Menz IP. This past week I ordered a few more orange and yellow Erasure pads from Patrick at Excel Detail. BTW, he's a great guy to work with. Also, i couldn't resist some of the 4 oz. bottles of Optimum Compound and OHC. I might do a half-and-half on the hood using orange to see how they do.

The 26th and 27th I have a white Honda Accord on my plate. I looked at it today and it has some pretty bad swirling and the paint is very dull feeling. It definitely needs a good polishin'. I'll probably try to go the orange pad route again. However, by that time, I should have some LC CCS pads to test out. I'm planning on ordering an initial round from Detailer's Domain. Also, might try out some 1z Extra Polish and/or Paint Polish for grins. I'm also very tempted by some of the recent reviews of the 1z pro polishes. I love Menz and all, but the dusting from IP is killing a brother. I know the SIP is supposed to be better. It's also no biggie to back the car out for a quick rinse down.

I'll be sealing both cars with my lsp of choice, Menz FMJ. Going into winter, I like to use something longer lasting on customers' cars. In November, I might be lining up a ruby red 1970 Stingray Vette. It's my neighbor's across the street, and the paint is actually in pretty good shape. It was re-painted back in the '80s at some point with factory paint. Oh, and I still have to squeeze my '04 Cobalt Blue Allroad in the mix some time in there!!!

So, yes, I'm planning on branching out a little more here over the next month to try some different things out. Oh, and I do have that Flex rotary en route from Colorado...

jetset4me · 10-14-07, 11:20

Latest word is that there will be a 5" not a 5.5" bp on the new Flex units coming from Germany. They will not replace the current bp with the new ones for no charge but was told that it probably would be available for around $20 as soon as they arrive in the US in a few weeks or you can wait for the new units that come with the 5" bp.

WK446 · 10-15-07, 02:01

Yippee!

DJ_JonnyV · 10-15-07, 05:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetset4me

Latest word is that there will be a 5" not a 5.5" bp on the new Flex units coming from Germany. They will not replace the current bp with the new ones for no charge but was told that it probably would be available for around $20 as soon as they arrive in the US in a few weeks or you can wait for the new units that come with the 5" bp.

Nice, thanks for passing along the goods, Jetset. I guess I'll have to order some 5.5" pads now. Do you guys think this would allow quicker correcting times with a smaller pad, kind of like using 4" pads on the PC? I guess it would allow for a little extra buffer on the 6.5" pads as well.

superchargedg · 10-15-07, 04:39

I spoke with ben at powehouse and he said that they have been shipping out a load of these.He also said that mine will come with the red bp but as soon as he gets the black bp,s he will send one out to me.And yes in a few weeks there will be a (around 5- 5.5 backing plate out......he said it was in milimeters and could not give exact inch size).I cant wait to try this out,from the people that have used it how much different is it compared to the pc.

JuneBug · 10-15-07, 05:01

I got an E-mail from ZoranC - he is happy with the Flex, he was going to do a write up on it, I'll stand by and report when I hear back. Me? I'm still lusting for a Cyclo!

DJ_JonnyV · 10-15-07, 07:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by superchargedg

I cant wait to try this out,from the people that have used it how much different is it compared to the pc.

Yep, those guys at Powerhouse are best. Guess I'll have to call this week to get on the waiting list for the smaller BP. Of course, I'm also still running the red velcro as well. After part of it initially came up, I haven't had many issues with it. It will want to come off though if you try switching pads after polishing for a while. So, I try to let mine cool off a little before swapping pads.

As compared to a PC, it's probably like having a 4" spot pad on a PC and running it at a speed 6. But, you can cover more area due to the larger pad you can use, therefore allowing you to work quicker. I think it's also a bit easier to control and work than a PC w/ 4" pads. I still like the PC and a soft 6.5" pad for applying waxes though.

YankeeFan · 10-16-07, 05:04

Would you say it is more or less vibartion than a PC? And, would you say it is less or more noisy than a PC?

Howard

DJ_JonnyV · 10-16-07, 06:06

I think Frostydog and I have kind of covered this before in our reviews, but it's probably hard to dig some of this stuff up. In summary, I have never gottent the tingly fingers/hands sensation with the Flex that I would get with the PC. As stated before, it's a bit different vibration. I'm not sure from a quantitative standpoint if it's more or less. It's a different type vibration. One with more sense of purpose to it. Any power tool is going to vibrate, whether it's your cordless drill, circular saw, or other. Some power tools vibrate, but you don't really notice it that bad when you're using them. Your mind gets wrapped around what you're doing with the tool and the vibration and noise becomes an afterthought. That's how it is with the Flex for me.

As for the noise, it's a smoother noise I guess. The PC sounds like a bat out of hell running at speed 6, while the Flex still makes a fair amount of noise, it doesn't seem quite as bad. I generally don't run an power tools outside after 10 p.m. Also, I've run the Flex full bore duing my kids' naps inside the house, and it has never bothered them. Baby girl is especially a litght sleeper. Hope this helps...