porta cable or flex for a nube

[unclestu]

Hi,
I am a nube to auto detailing and never used a buffer before. I want to do purchase a buufer and am not sure which machine will be the right choice for me. I will be useing it on a 2009 black 911 and 2009 navy blue escalade. Which buffer would you recommend the flex 3401 or the porta cable 7424xl?

Thanks,

Unclestu

[loudog2]

The flex will save you time on both cars, espeacially the caddy.

[Blackthornone]

If you have some experience with power tools and have the money, get the Flex. If you have next to no experience with power tools, you might consider getting some experience with the Porter Cable XP first.

[unclestu]

I have some experiance with power tools (drills and saws). With the flex being a direct drive as opposed to the porta cable would you say the learning curve for the flex minor. I do not want to burn the paint but i don't want to buy a tool that I will outgrow in a short period of time.
Any other advise on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Unclestu

[RTexasF]

I own both a PC and Cyclo, the Cyclo being the preferred machine because it is so much more powerful. Recently I was able to use a Flex for some serious paint correction. It did the correction in 1/4 of the time the PC would have taken and roughly 1/2 the time of the Cyclo. There are times where the PC comes in handy but your choice should be Flex hands down. You bought a Porsche instead of a Focus right? Why start the paint maintenance with a Focus machine when the Porsche is readily available? You'll not regret getting the Flex.

[Blackthornone]

Ok, some people have very little expertise with tools, so I had to be sure as to where you are coming from. With the Flex, because it cuts about twice as fast as the PC, you can go through edges if you are really careless. Sounds like you can handle the Flex, though. I actually learned on a Rotary at an ROP class held at a local High School. There, I learned on cars they painted at their body shop. Great experience. Best to practice on junk cars or parts, or at least just polish most of it out with the buffer and finish the last bit by hand for extra safety until you really get a feel for what the buffer can do before you decide to take it to the nth degree with the buffer alone.
I would get the Flex then, if I were you.

[Rsurfer]

IMO, if you have only 2 cars to maintain and they are in decent shape, why buy an expensive machine that you will be using once or twice a year if that. Sure it will take you longer in the beginning to get the marring out, but once removed and with proper washing and drying techniques your paint will only need minor correction ie. a mild polish occasionally. You don't need a flex for that. On the other hand, if you are maintaining several cars or planning on doing this as a part-time job, then yes, get a Flex.

[killrwheels@autogeek]

neither is a bad choice, comes down to the amount you want to spend and likely how often you plan on using it. The Flex offers a tremendous machine at a higher cost, but the new PC-XP and Griots buffers both offer tremendous value.

[Harleyguy]

Never know someone may come over to your place and see how great of job you did on your own cars and want you to shine them up.Go with the flex.

[RTexasF]

If the man has two brand new autos of that expense then getting the proper machine to do the job shouldn't be a problem financially......and he doesn't want to have to step up down the road. With that in consideration the Flex is the way to go.