Finally Tested the Flex

R

RAG

New member
Finally got to try out the Flex...really got to put it through the paces on a black Mustang that was so bad, that we (a NOOB Autopian and I) opted to sand the entire hood with 2000 before buffing. I like the machine and it appears to be superbly built, but I wasn't entirely impressed. I know the Flex has become extremely popular for hobbiest detailers, and I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings, so I will lead into my criticism of the machine by saying that I like it better than the PC and Cyclo.



First, I will say that it is without a doubt much harder to use than a rotary...it might be safer and thus better for NOOBs, but a rotary doesn't like to "pull" around nearly as much and is thus easier to control. Also, I'd say a rotary works 3 or 4 times faster for heavy cutting and at least 2 times faster for final polishing/light swirl removal (sorry folks, still nothing like a rotary). Also, one of the panels was recently repainted and was buttery soft...we couldn't get the Flex to finish down without heavy micromarring (I'd buff it out to perfection, and then he'd polish with they gray CCS and PO106FF, and it's actually mess the paint up...so I'd restore it again with the rotary...and so on). We did not have a noticable micromarring issue on the other panels, but this tells me the Flex is not the answer for finicky paint).
 
Yeah, I don't want to bum anyone out, but if anyone is going to spend any serious time polishing, it really isn't hard to learn a rotary, it's actually super easy to use on slow speeds with a finishing pad. It gets a little tougher when you turn up the speed and use stiff foam pads for heavier correction, but you don't have to go there till you get the hang of it first. On the other hand, I'll take a Flex over a PC any day.
 
I feel it coming...a bunch of guys why are just getting the hang of this detail thing, just bought a Flex, but have no rotary experience are going to be upset - it's okay, I'm thicker skinned these days and can take a bashing :) Just my opinion, what do I know. :nixweiss



And I just had an idea, I'm going to ask my newly found Autopian friend (who just used the Flex for the first time) to come over for another session (we were experimenting panel by panel on his lady's Mustang, and we still have a few panels to go), only this time I'm going to put a rotary in his hands and let him decide regarding the ease of use, results, etc.
 
RAG said:
And I just had an idea, I'm going to ask my newly found Autopian friend (who just used the Flex for the first time) to come over for another session (we were experimenting panel by panel on his lady's Mustang, and we still have a few panels to go), only this time I'm going to put a rotary in his hands and let him decide regarding the ease of use, results, etc.
Click to expand...



Excellent...should be interesting commentary on learning rotary when you have an expert instructor. Just stand back so he doesn't splatter you!
 
I'm a completely newbie on using machine for polishing. And I found that Flex is quite easy to control. So, if you concluded so, that's mean that rotary will be easier to deal with. A nice review.



Cannot wait to see the head-to-head comparison between rotary & flex from a newbie point-of-view
 
Flex will finish Audi stupid hard paint with no problem. It also may have been your product/pad choice as well. Could have been the amount of pressure you used or the speed or any combination of the above. Saying it didn't work for *you* may be more appropriate.
 
RAG, thanks for the review. Im still anticipating a jump to rotary here before summer. I thought about the Flex for a brief period, but its really quite expensive for a RO.

If it cant do what a rotary can do, and RAGS and SM tell me theres "nothin to a rotary", then Im goin rotary, soon...........

For me the UDM was a step ahead. I dont need to improve on the UDM. I just need to take the rotary plunge.......
 
Thanks Rag for your review and in fact I have the same experience as you. I believe we have to read Rag's comment carfully,



First, I will say that it is without a doubt much harder to use than a rotary...it might be safer and thus better for NOOBs, but a rotary doesn't like to "pull" around nearly as much and is thus easier to control.



As compare to a rotary, the flex tends to "pull" around like what Rag mentioned and there is no doubt about it, so in term of control I too feel that the rotary is easier. BUT when I say easier to control that does not mean it is safer (as Rag mentioned), a rotary will still burn paint easier as compare to the Flex. However, the Flex will correct defects faster than any other orbital machines I have used so far.
 
I agree with RAG as well, as I have stated the very same thing. The rotary is much smoother. However once you get the hang of it, it gets easier. I also use the side handle which makes thing easier to control. I will say that the flex is closer to the rotary then the udm.
 
I should have my Flex this week. I am not sure if it was a wise purchase. I use a rotary and have for 20 years. I sometimes bring the PC in for final polishing, this is where I planned to implement the Flex. I also plaaned to ust it on middle-of-the-road finishes that werent so bad.



Maybe it was a waste?



I'm also still amazed at how many people out there are detailing cars and doing corrections with out owning a rotary.
 
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