Thinking of moving up to a Flex need help.

H

hitman34608

New member
Well I have porter cable 7424 that been using for couple years works great except it takes forever to get results you want especially on suv and trucks. I am thinking of upgrading to a Flex cause I heard its big improvement over porter cable and you get the results you want quicker and safer. What I was wondering is the Flex worth the extra money over the porter cable? How user friendly is the machine? Last what difference between the model



FLEX LK603VVB Circular Polisher



FLEX L3403 VRG Lightweight Circular Polisher



Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher



thanks,

Blake
 
I used to use a Porter Cable and then I bought a Flex 3401 Dual Action and there is ALOT of difference between these 2 machines. I went with the DA bc i use it for my personal vehicles which r in great condition. I foud that isave almost have the time with the Flex over PC.



If u do professional detailing, u probably need a circular machine at some point. Just have to be careful not to burn any paint.
 
Not a hard upgrade at all. I too used a PC 7424 for quite sometime and when I moved it up it was the greatest thing ever. One panel learning curve (although everyone is different). But a 4 inch BP for the 7424 and use it for tight spots that the Flex will not fit it.



Just do it!!
 
So sounds like it big improvement ! Now on the model you recommend Flex XC 3401? Were cheapest place to get them? I no Autogeek.net has them but wondering if there cheaper place?
 
Bump anybody no were cheapest place to get flex? Also first starting off what speed should I use cause no you can control speed with trigger.
 
I also just moved from the PC to the flex. Wow the flex is awesome. I got mine from autogeek. They price match so i imagine they would be the cheepest!
 
wickedwrx02 said:
I also just moved from the PC to the flex. Wow the flex is awesome. I got mine from autogeek. They price match so i imagine they would be the cheepest!
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Hm ok. Hey what speed did you use to start out with and what pads? Looks like I am going to try and sell my porter cable for flex.
 
hitman34608 said:
Hm ok. Hey what speed did you use to start out with and what pads? Looks like I am going to try and sell my porter cable for flex.
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I'd keep the PC for use with 4" pads.



To keep things simple with the Flex you could just use the Griot's orange foam pad or the presumably very similar LC tangerine.
 
I guess I am in the minority here, but I didn't think the Flex was that great. I traded for a Cyclo. Currently I have a PC, PCXP and the Cyclo - using the KBM and either machine works fine for me. Before you spend the bucks on a Flex, if you haven't tried - try the KBM and then decide.
 
JuneBug- I might oughta revisit the Cyclo for serious correction sometime, you know that I *do* love that machine. I just never got the same results as with my Flex and I was basically "KBM"ing with the Cyclo since forever.



I suspect that products I've never tried (e.g. Gloss-It) might make all the difference :think:
 
I notice that speed 4 on the flex is close to 5 almost 6 on the PC and 5 would def be a little higher then 6 on the PC. Speed 6 on the Flex takes some getting use too but is not hard to manage once you get familiar with it.



Wait for a coupon code to purchase and def get in on free shipping as the unit and big are bulky and heavy.
 
Accumulator said:
I'd keep the PC for use with 4" pads.



To keep things simple with the Flex you could just use the Griot's orange foam pad or the presumably very similar LC tangerine.
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+1



I sold my PC and regret it to this day. I love my FLEX but it would be nice to have a spare as well as something to use with 4" pads...keep it!!
 
For those who have gone from their DA/Rotary to the Flex 3401, can the Flex actually finish out as nice as a rotary?



I have the 3403, but was considering the 3401 for hologram free correction :wall, instead of running back over with the PCXP.



Sorry for the thread jack, but I figured it might apply to those moving to the 3401.



-Robert
 
Rtom said:
For those who have gone from their DA/Rotary to the Flex 3401, can the Flex actually finish out as nice as a rotary?
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*IME* the Flex 3401 (and other ROs too) can finish out as well as a rotary.



But when highly experienced pros here say that they get a better final finish via rotary, I don't discount that, though I do think it must be situational rather than something that's true across the board. So I bet there are cases where the rotary will finish out better *IF* (and that's one mighty big "if" in my book) you can do that rotary-finishing without leaving any holograms. But that's never been an issue for me, whereas holograms have been.
 
Accumulator said:
*IME* the Flex 3401 (and other ROs too) can finish out as well as a rotary.



But when highly experienced pros here say that they get a better final finish via rotary, I don't discount that, though I do think it must be situational rather than something that's true across the board. So I bet there are cases where the rotary will finish out better *IF* (and that's one mighty big "if" in my book) you can do that rotary-finishing without leaving any holograms. But that's never been an issue for me, whereas holograms have been.
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The flex finishes as well as the rotary in my experience, and sometimes corrects better.



As a matter of fact, I tested a cutting pad (not yet available for sale) yesterday on a black c6 vette, that cut so fast with the 3401, I almost felt guilty. :D



With the rotary I was having a hard time making progress but that doesn't mean it will be the case on other (normal) paint of course. As long as the polishes are broken down properly, the polish doesn't know what you are using. :)



Those who say that the difference is noticable couldn't take the pepsi challange. Just like with subwoofers. Under double blind listening tests people can't really tell which is which. :chuckle::chuckle::chuckle:
 
I use the same pads on my Flex XC 3401 that I do on my PC (yellow, orange, white) for polishing.



I prefer the PC for waxing. I also find the Flex requires more attention and control than a PC does, so I find myself using both. Eventually I may get another PC to use as a 4" platform as my 3" Griot's is great for tight spaces but doesn't have as much cut as a 4" PC XP.
 
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