Which Rotary, or perhaps Flex?

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eddie926

New member
I've been using a PC 7424 for about a year now and while I've loved the step up from doing everything by hand, I'm quickly realizing the limitations of the machine.



I'm going to start detailing professionally this spring. I like the safety of the PC since you wouldn't have to worry as much about damaging a customer's car. However, I feel it's too limited in what it can do, AND too slow at doing what it can do.



I've been reading all the press on the Flex, and obviously it's a major step up from the PC. However, I've seen several folks on the boards suggest that if you're going to upgrade from a PC or UDM, that you might as well go to a rotary.



So, would it be better to just make the jump to a rotary and learn how to use it really well, or better to go to the flex which will be better/faster than the PC, but not as risky as a rotary? I hate to shell out the cost of a flex, and then 6 months from now be wishing I'd gone rotary.



Also, If I go rotary, what's the most recommended machine? Makita?



Thanks for any inputs.
 
I'd go with a rotary now and start practicing with it before you take the professional plunge.



I'm a fan of Makita polishers myself.
 
2x go for the makita it's a great machine



keep the PC to finish with (if needed) and use on carpets



if you go for a more powerfull OR then you also risk the chance of burning the paint

so just go for it get the makita



also I don't think you can go wrong with a Matabo or Hatachi either

I have not used those machines but hear good things



I can say that my 9227 has given me no problems in the 15 year I have had it:chuckle:
 
I've never used a rotary, but I would never want to take the plunge into the pro world without being proficient with one. It seems that the rotary is the ticket for a combo of speed and power. Just think about if you come up against a really hard clear like ceramiclear or something and the power of the flex isn't enough to cut it.....what would you do to satisfy your client? Also, even if the flex could take care of the really hard clears, it would take so much longer than a rotary which could cost you valuable time and/or money.



I'd love to know how to use the rotary but it's just not feasible for me being a hobbiest/weekend jobs detailer. I just turn down jobs with really hard clear that the PC won't work with, but as a pro, you couldn't do that. Get proficient with a rotary and then take the jump to full time pro.
 
x3 for the Makita. Excellent machine, it's not heavy and has power to spare.



I taught myself how to use the rotary, just make sure you do alot of reading, watching videos, and practicing. I can't stress the practicing part enough, the last thing you want is to burn someones paint.
 
Thanks for the quick feedback guys. You all reinforced what I was thinking.



I won't be going full time in the spring. Just starting to detail professionally on the side at that point (Not ready to quit my "day job" yet). I'll probably start off taking jobs that CAN be accomplished with the PC, but eventually want to get to the point where I don't have to turn down jobs that CANT.



So, sounds like get the Makita and learn learn learn, practice practice practice, and keep repeating that until the machine becomes second nature.



One nice thing, I have a couple of neighbors that have multiple older cars with totally neglected finishes that are willing to let me practice on their cars. So, for rotary practice, I'm figuring on starting out on some junk yard panels, then moving to the neighbors cars once I get the feel for it and am confident I'm not going to burn the paint off.



Thanks again for the feedback. I love this forum:2thumbs:
 
You can see my thread for what my first time with the Makita ended up like. Like you I had the PC for about a year prior.
 
+ one more for the Makita. I love mine, not heavy, comfortable grip, has the power to do whatever you want. I found mine on ebay, low balled an offer and they excepted it :2thumbs: got a bag and some pads with it too.



I haven't taken the PC out of the bad since I bought the Makita.



Practice on some older cars, your car, parents cars, junk cars, and read/watch about proper rotary techniques. Always be aware of what you're doing with the rotary, you can't be mindless with it like the PC.



Good luck!
 
I personally use the DeWalt 849 because I like their tools, but the Makita should be a good one for you.
 
Follow on question. I thought I had seen pics on the forum of folks using smaller "spot correction" pads on some kind of rotary polisher, but looking at Autogeek.com it doesn't appear that there is anything smaller than 7.5" to 8.5" pads for rotary polishers.



Can someone comment on what size pads are available and commonly used with rotarys?



Also, I guess the rotary backing plates and pads are different from the DA backing plates and pads, eh? So I'll have to get all new stuff to go with the rotary, correct?
 
eddie926 said:
Follow on question. I thought I had seen pics on the forum of folks using smaller "spot correction" pads on some kind of rotary polisher, but looking at Autogeek.com it doesn't appear that there is anything smaller than 7.5" to 8.5" pads for rotary polishers.



Can someone comment on what size pads are available and commonly used with rotarys?



Also, I guess the rotary backing plates and pads are different from the DA backing plates and pads, eh? So I'll have to get all new stuff to go with the rotary, correct?
Click to expand...



You can get smaller pads for the rotary. I carry a 4.5" packing plate that a lot of people use for the rotary and smaller pads. BUT the smaller pads are not safe on a rotary in my opinion. If you want to spot correct use the 3.5" backing plate and 3.5" pads on a PC.
 
For now why dont you go and get that cheap rotary from harbor freight and practice.Then when your ready get the makita and keep the cheap rotary as backup.
 
IMHO the flex is a very nice machine. Well built and very good correction abilities. I have taken out some nasty stuff with the flex with just a white ccs and some cheap turtle wax rubbing compound.



Tons faster then a porter/udm.



Not as high rpm's as a rotary, but still works awesome.
 
+1 on the Makita. But if you're like me and don't like the weight of the Makita, I'd go for the Flex rotary 3403. I look at it as a Metabo with a trigger. Less than 5lbs, easy to control. The downside is it doesn't have the intense power like the Makita and costs more than the Makita.
 
superchargedg said:
For now why dont you go and get that cheap rotary from harbor freight and practice.Then when your ready get the makita and keep the cheap rotary as backup.
Click to expand...



superchargedg,

I did like you said (cheap rotary from harbor freight for practice/backup) but purchased the flex 3403 rotary.
 
I've been following this thread because, I too, have the same dilemma as the OP. I looked around to get some info on the Flex 3403, but it seems it might have been replaced by the Flex LK603VVB :confused: Can anyone clarify this? How similar are the Flex 3403 and the LK603VVB?
 
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