The New FLEX PE14-2-150 Rotary Buffer

**Mike Phillips** · 05-04-2011, 11:18 AM

The New FLEX PE14-2-150 Rotary Buffer

At SEMA 2010, Flex introduced their brand new compact Rotary Buffer. I was honored to receive the #2 production unit and it`s already seen lots of use at this year`s SEMA show. In fact I encouraged everyone that stopped by our booth to test it out and most people did.

The fit and finish is excellent on this new lightweight rotary buffer and I`ll stick to what I said in the video we made with Bob Eichelberg and that is it`s the Mercedes-Benz of lightweight and compact rotary buffers...

Here`s a new video we shot with Bob Eichelberg, the President of Flex North America, just a few weeks before this new rotary buffer was introduced at SEMA

The FLEX PE14-2-150 Rotary Buffer

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YShAVw7zMkE"]YouTube - Autogeek`s Show Car Garage - New FLEX PE14-2 Rotary Polisher[/ame]

The new PE14-2-150 Flex Rotary Buffer actually starts out at 400 RPM via the trigger and sets at 600 RPM with the trigger lock engaged for the low RPM

The maximum RPM is 2100 RPM and that`s actually a good call on the part of the Flex Engineers as you just don`t need or want higher speeds for working on modern clear coats.

High speeds with a rotary buffer can lead to extreme heat build-up on the paint surface causing burn-through or as our friends on the other side of the pond call it, strike-through.

For years and probably decades I`ve seen others post that heat is necessary to break-down diminishing abrasives in compounds and polishes and this is a common miss-understanding. Diminishing abrasives are broken down under pressure over time and heat is an un-necessary and un-wanted by-product.

This new rotary buffer offers the power of a full size rotary buffer in a compact size. We couldn`t get it to bog down when you put it under heavy load and the body never became hot under use at the SEMA show; of course the real test will be a full size car.

One of the best new features for this rotary buffer is flex redesigned it to move plenty of air through the body of the tool to keep the motor and drive mechanism cool while buffing at low RPM`s. Without an air flow design like Flex has introduced, other buffers risk overheating when operating over time at low RPM`s as not enough air is moved through the body of the tool to keep temperatures cool.

Large vents and an internal fan provide superior air flow to keep the polisher cool

Flex recommends a max buffing pad size of 7" but they say it will also work with 8" pad with no problems.

If you`re looking to step up to using a rotary buffer or looking to replace you`re current model, I`m confident you`re going to love this new compact model from Flex. The lightweight and compact size makes learning to use the rotary buffer easier than traditional full size, heavier units.

I give it Two Thumbs Up!

Check it out here,

FLEX PE14-2-150 Rotary Polisher

**Mike Phillips** · 05-04-2011, 11:25 AM

Once you make the decision to get the Flex PE14 then you`ll need to stock up on some buffing pads and backing plates and I can`t recommend enough the new style flexible backing plates and the pads that work with them,

Check it out...

Flexible Backing Plates and matching pads for for Rotary Buffers

Flexible Backing Plates provide,

An extra level of cushion when using a rotary buffer which helps you when buffing on curved panel and over body lines.

The flexible foam interface heps to distribute pressure more evenly over the face of the buffing pad.

They can also make the buffing process less aggressive as compared to using a stiff backing plate which can help to reduce swirls.

Currently we have two flexible backing plates besides the flexible backing plate in the 1-Pad system, which is specific to the 1-Pad buffing pads.

The Flex-Foam Heavy Duty Rotary Backing Plate, which has a 5" Diameter
The Meguiar`s Easy-Buff Solo Backing Plate, which has a 6" Diameter

Below are some pictures to show the size of the backing plates relative to some popular buffing pads to help you get an idea of the fitment of the backing plate to the hook-n-loop interface on the back of the buffing pads.

Flex-Foam HD Rotary Backing Plate

Flex-Foam Backing Plate on a 5.5" CCS White Polishing Pad

Flex-Foam Backing Plate on a 5.5" Cyan Hydro-Tech Pad

Flex-Foam Backing Plate on a 5.5" Blue Finishing Flat Pad

Flex-Foam Backing Plate on a 5.5" on a Super Soft Gold Jewelling 6" Pad

Meguiar`s W66 Solo Backing Plate

W66 Flexible Backing Plate on a 7.5" DuroWool 100% Twisted Wool Cutting Pad

W66 Flexible Backing Plate on a 7" Kompressor Orange Light Cutting Pad

W66 Backing Plate on a 6.5" CCS Red Ultrasoft Finishing Pad

Note in this picture and all the above pictures the extra backing and or foam that sticks out past the outer edge of the backing plate. You want this extra material as a safety margin to help prevent running the outer edge of the backing plate into any painted areas, or around trim or other components like side view mirrors, rear wing spoilers, etc.