Should I add a Flex 3401 to my arsenal?

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 03-21-2016, 12:12 AM

Get the 3401. Fantastic correction power. Do realize, it will take more energy to polish compared to the PC. Well worth it, though.

**Mike@DedicatedPerfection** · 03-21-2016, 03:35 AM

Yes. Add the 3401 to your arsenal.

**haris300** · 03-21-2016, 04:07 AM

Another yes for the Flex. The 3401 has served me very well. It powers through corrections without stalling but it may take a little time to get used to the forced rotation. I actually didn't like using my 3401 when I first tried it because I noticed it made my arms tired trying to control it. After I got a better feel for the machine and learned to control it properly, I stopped getting so fatigued from polishing with it. I like having the 4 inch interchangeable backing plate so I can use 5 inch Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish pads or any 4 inch pad of my choice. This makes it a quick money maker for me when combined with a product like Menzerna PF2500, Optimum Hyper Polish, or HD Speed.

**2011 Kona Blue** · 03-21-2016, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by WRAPT C5Z06

Get the 3401. Fantastic correction power. Do realize, it will take more energy to polish compared to the PC. Well worth it, though.

Originally Posted by Mike@DedicatedPerfection

Yes. Add the 3401 to your arsenal.

Originally Posted by haris300

Another yes for the Flex. The 3401 has served me very well. It powers through corrections without stalling but it may take a little time to get used to the forced rotation. I actually didn't like using my 3401 when I first tried it because I noticed it made my arms tired trying to control it. After I got a better feel for the machine and learned to control it properly, I stopped getting so fatigued from polishing with it. I like having the 4 inch interchangeable backing plate so I can use 5 inch Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish pads or any 4 inch pad of my choice. This makes it a quick money maker for me when combined with a product like Menzerna PF2500, Optimum Hyper Polish, or HD Speed.

I guess I will get those muscles working. Lol. Thanks for the advice guys. Appreciate it.

**dlc95** · 03-21-2016, 08:03 AM

Originally Posted by 2011 Kona Blue

You may be the only person I have read that is not a fan of the flex 3401. Lol

It's a great machine for sure, and I have one in my arsenal!

Could be that I'm not a high downward pressure guy, so the forced rotation feature doesn't do much for me. I never have problems with pad stall with the PC.

Even though the PC is 6800, and the 3401 9600 (if I remember correctly), I feel that the pad on my PC achieves greater rotation at speed 6. I use it like it's a rotary polisher (the machine I started on was a rotary).

If the situation arises that my I need more cut, I'll throw a microfiber pad on the pc. This actually happened to me while buffing out a black 99 Camaro Z28. That was some pretty tough paint. Naturally I go for the 3401 with Menzerna FG400, and a Lake Country Cyan Hydrotech pad. It did well, but I had to stand on the thing to make that happen. Then I switched to a LC microfiber pad - same thing. At that point I went to the PC with the Meguiars DAMF system, and man what a difference it made... The ease of use, less pressure, more cut, better results.

These were my experiences. If I could make one augmentation to the 3401, it would be faster rotation. For this reason I will end up with the PE 14-2.

**fotomatt1** · 03-21-2016, 09:57 AM

I have a Flex 3401 and a Rupes LHR-21(1st Gen) and both are fantastic but different machines. You can't go wrong with either but if you're interested in a Flex, go for it or you'll have analysis paralysis if you start reading about the other tools out there. The Flex had a pretty short learning curve and you'll definitely notice the difference from the PC7424. I only use my 7424 for applying wax or sealant now. Once you use the 3401 you won't know how you lived without that much power.

**Kamakaz1961** · 03-21-2016, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by 2011 Kona Blue

You may be the only person I have read that is not a fan of the flex 3401. Lol

+1

...LOL

**Kenny94** · 03-21-2016, 01:17 PM

Yes, you should purchase a Flex 3401 in your business. Especially, when you're dealing with hard paint. That might roll in your shop.

**dlc95** · 03-21-2016, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by Kamakaz1961

+1

...LOL

I just sold it...

Time to order the PE 14!

**Zubair** · 03-21-2016, 02:08 PM

Originally Posted by dlc95

I just sold it...

Time to order the PE 14!

Now thats a BEAST!

After purchasing my PE-14, my 3401 seems overhyped. The way guys go on here about the 3401 I swear its the PE-14 they actually talking about.

When the 3401 gets a beat down, it calls its much stronger brother the PE-14 to sort things out.

The single best investment I've made in detailing has been the PE-14.