How good is the Flex?

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imported_Termigator

New member
I've started reading more on the Flex and I'm seriously considering acquiring one. I currently only use a PC and I am wondering if the Flex is going to be that much better than the PC that I should plunk down $300 to get it. I personally am not a fan of polishing and anything that will make it easier and quicker to get to an LSP ready surface will be worth it for me. I guess the big question is whether the Flex is as good as a rotary or should I throw caution into the wind and think rotary.:)
 
Will you be detailing your personal vehicles or do you have a detailing business?

Flex owners give it rave reviews, stating that the power and speed increase over the PC is remarkable.

I use a PC and I am also thinking about buying a Flex. I have no interest in a rotary. (Can't really give a reason, though!:) )

My only reservation about the Flex has been price. By the time you buy the machine and several varieties of pads, plus shipping, your close to $400.

Not giving you a definitive answer, just throwing out some thoughts.:D
 
I am not a pro, but have enthusiast experience (LOL, can that be any broader of scope?) with all 3 machines; n00b to the rotary though. Depending on how you qualify "better", I would say yes the Flex is going to be that much better than the PC. However, I'd wait till Mr. Brown releases his paper because you could potentially save yourself $300. If you're only going to polish your own single car, I'd say the PC should be enough. More than one car though, and I'd be leaning towards the Flex.

I love my rotary and want to take as much time as I can to learn how to use it properly, with both diminishing and non-diminishing abrasive polishes. My Flex is there for me to fall back on even though it might take me longer to achieve the results I want.

I say throw caution to the wind and think rotary. I really like how I have the ability to change backing plates and use different size pads. But I AM a fan of polishing and don't mind it as it's a kind of "therapy" for me...much like car detailing is as a whole.
 
Termigator said:
I've started reading more on the Flex and I'm seriously considering acquiring one. I currently only use a PC and I am wondering if the Flex is going to be that much better than the PC that I should plunk down $300 to get it. I personally am not a fan of polishing and anything that will make it easier and quicker to get to an LSP ready surface will be worth it for me. I guess the big question is whether the Flex is as good as a rotary or should I throw caution into the wind and think rotary.:)
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swing by my house and I'll you can check out both. I think the Flex is very good and unless you spend hours and hours developing your techinque with a rotary, it might even be better. The rotary is probably still going to offer the highest potenital, but it will take a while until you are profficent enough to realize those results.
 
Luster said:
Will you be detailing your personal vehicles or do you have a detailing business?

Just personal vehicles.

Flex owners give it rave reviews, stating that the power and speed increase over the PC is remarkable.

All this talk about the Flex started me thinking about upgrading my PC:D

I use a PC and I am also thinking about buying a Flex. I have no interest in a rotary. (Can't really give a reason, though!:) )

I'm not too keen on the rotary because of it's damage potential. I generally don't like taking big risks and as far as my cars go, that's a big one.:eek:

My only reservation about the Flex has been price. By the time you buy the machine and several varieties of pads, plus shipping, your close to $400.

It's a big sticking point for me too, especially when considering a rotary is only $200. At least all of my PC pads will fit it though.

Not giving you a definitive answer, just throwing out some thoughts.:D
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That's why I go on forums.:)

MadOzodi said:
I am not a pro, but have enthusiast experience (LOL, can that be any broader of scope?) with all 3 machines; n00b to the rotary though. Depending on how you qualify "better", I would say yes the Flex is going to be that much better than the PC. However, I'd wait till Mr. Brown releases his paper because you could potentially save yourself $300. If you're only going to polish your own single car, I'd say the PC should be enough. More than one car though, and I'd be leaning towards the Flex.

I love my rotary and want to take as much time as I can to learn how to use it properly, with both diminishing and non-diminishing abrasive polishes. My Flex is there for me to fall back on even though it might take me longer to achieve the results I want.

I say throw caution to the wind and think rotary. I really like how I have the ability to change backing plates and use different size pads. But I AM a fan of polishing and don't mind it as it's a kind of "therapy" for me...much like car detailing is as a whole.
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I don't own detailing business, but between my personal vehicles and my friends and family's, I take care of about 7 or 8 vehicles. I'll Probably just wait till the end of the month to decide, before my coupon ends!:D

th0001 said:
swing by my house and I'll you can check out both. I think the Flex is very good and unless you spend hours and hours developing your techinque with a rotary, it might even be better. The rotary is probably still going to offer the highest potenital, but it will take a while until you are profficent enough to realize those results.
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Thanks. I think I'll do that. However, going by what you just said, I'm probably leaning towards a Flex. I just don't see myself spending the required amount of time needed to make the rotary a better machine than the Flex. ;)
 
My opinion...

If you have rotary experiece, the Flex is a tough cookie to nail down and feel comfortable with. If you don't have any rotary experience, then the Flex would be a great addition to your tool chest.

Crazy German's got the rotation backwards, and with rotary experience, it makes it tough to figure out, and feel 100% comfortable with. If you're not used to the clockwise rotation of the rotary, then I'm sure you'll love the Flex. But this brings up the question, if you use the Flex for a while, then try to learn the rotary, will the counter clockwise rotation of the Flex make the rotary that much harder to learn?

For the rotary/Flex users, one thing I figured out that makes it easier to use is to use it left handed. Meaning if you normally hold the trigger with your right hand and the handle with your left, try switching them and holding the trigger with your left hand. This may have already been gone over somewhere, but I figured it out after about 1 day trying to learn the flex. Makes it a bit smoother feeling for me.



Nick
 
Well, I had a makita rotary, sold it and bought a Flex. I don't miss the rotary and I'll tell you why. A rotary is not hard to handle, especially if you use pfw pads and keep the rpm's down around 1000-1200, but you must tape up trim, cover anything you don't want to clean compound or polish out of - like the plastic cowls in front of the windshield. You have balance a spinning pad, trying to keep it as flat as possible and vary the pressure (start heavy then lighten up), it sounds harder than it is, but it does take practice. It's bigger, a little heavier and it will reguire you to find your comfort zone - in both hoods and doors. Personally, I "can" do rotary, but I never really enjoyed it. And with the KBM that a lot of people have tried with success, it seems that a rotary is not necessary for paint correction anymore.
 
A little advice please, Flex users

Okay everyone using the flex, I am a noob to the flex and the higher end polishes (I have always used a 3 step Meguiars).

But now that I am on board, and my stuff will be getting used this weekend, I am looking for some advice on speed settings with the flex.

I am starting with the Menzerna SIP PO83 and then moving up to the Super Finish PO106FA. I will be using a test vehicle that has been wrecked and repainted a few times, so I am not too worried about how well it actually comes out, but it will be a great test bed.

What speed settings is everyone using for the SIP and what about the Super Finish? I will then be using the Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish, what speed setting for this (or should I do this by hand at this point)?

Thanks everyone,
Jimbo
 
MadOzodi said:
I say throw caution to the wind and think rotary. I really like how I have the ability to change backing plates and use different size pads. But I AM a fan of polishing and don't mind it as it's a kind of "therapy" for me...much like car detailing is as a whole.
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That's the spirit. I like your enthusiasm. I do hear great things about the flex though.
 
I recently purchased the Flex for precisely the reason you cite, Termigator--to hasten the polishing process. If I were a younger man, I might consider purchasing a rotary, as I know that it can produce a wet, liquid-like finish that no dual action polisher can match; but I also know that it would take many, many, many hours of practice before I could ever reach that level of proficiency necessary to achieve a wet, hologram-free finish. A Todd Helme or Tim Lingor I never will be. The Flex is my compromise. It too has a learning curve, of course, and I'm just at the beginning of it. We shall see what I can learn over the next year.

The Flex users with whom I have spoken usually work their Flex on speed five or six. I haven't gone above five yet.
 
akimel said:
I know that it can produce a wet, liquid-like finish that no dual action polisher can match; but I also know that it would take many, many, many hours of practice before I could ever reach that level of proficiency necessary to achieve a wet, hologram-free finish. A Todd Helme or Tim Lingor I never will be. The Flex is my compromise.
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Oh come on now.....Where's your sense of adventure? LOL :devil:

I'm kidding. The Flex is capable of great things with less risk. I don't have one, but maybe I should.
 
Ultimately it comes down to what the end user needs to accomplish with the machine. If it's personal maintenance of vehicles, I would imagine the Flex would be a great tool for the job. But if you detail for income, th emore diverse your detailing arsenal, the better positioned you are to tackle any jab that may come to you. There are limitations of every machine.
 
biolink said:
That's the spirit. I like your enthusiasm. I do hear great things about the flex though.
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biolink said:
Oh come on now.....Where's your sense of adventure? LOL :devil:

I'm kidding. The Flex is capable of great things with less risk. I don't have one, but maybe I should.
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Flex, Flex, Flex! :D

I love my Flex because of its not steep learning curve. I also love the new experience of the rotary. MK, I believe many veterans would agree with you.
 
akimel said:
Haha, you are a wicked man. You know that I had too much adventure a week and a half ago. I don't think I would survive much more adventure. ;)
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WOW! That was a rough experience. Car looks great now. Good Job!:notworthy:

MadOzodi said:
Flex, Flex, Flex! :D

I love my Flex because of its not steep learning curve. I also love the new experience of the rotary. MK, I believe many veterans would agree with you.
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I know the flex is great, I'm only teasing. I do however question the idea that the Flex won't return the same results as a rotary. I think it's just a question of how much time you want to spend on the job.
 
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