Joined the Flex family- 3401 Thanks Mike Phillips, Smack, Tato

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Hey guys after eyeballing a Flex 3401 for sometime now and finding a deal to good to pass up I pulled the trigger today on a 3401. After getting some questions answered by Mike Phillips and also looking at the results from Smack and Tato it was a no brainer for me. I took Mike Phillips advice and got the 4-3/8" backing plate to accept the 5.5in Lake country pads. It should arrive Friday and I have a black SL550 to tackle on Saturday. Who knows it might make it's debut then:buffing: I think it will compliment my DA and rotary well. Although if it works as good as I hope I might not be using either of those two again. LOL

I just wanted to say thank you guys and I look forward to learning more about this tool.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Hey that's great to hear! Congrats on the 3401 purchase and welcome to the Flex family.

As for the 5" Hybrid pads you should have grabbed the LC interchangeable plate system as the 4" plate that come with it fits the 4" Velcro on the 5" Hybrids perfectly. With the larger 4-3/8 plate being larger that the 4" Velcro it could potentially chew up the back of the foam on the pad if pressed hard enough.

Looking forward to seeing your thread on the Mercedes and your feedback on the 3401. It may feel awkward at first because of its forced rotation but its teaching you to keep that pad flat to the surface.

I'm sure you have seen this link but I'm going to leave this here for others to read through. Pretty good information to be read through.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/flex-polishers/81208-flex-comparision-pe14-vs-3401-a.html

Smack aka Mike

:)

[281]

Congrats bro! You're actually going to need this backing plate system to use the 5" Hybrids
FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-xc3401-backing-plates.html)

The 4 3/8" BP is for 5.5" pads.

Also check this thread out...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-university/77155-my-technique-concerning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html

Edit: Mike beat me to it...

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Sorry guys thats what I meant to say. 5.5in pads. Whoops!!!! Worst case scenario I will use my 5.5 CCS pads. Thats what I get for getting excited. LOL

Thanks for the links guys. I have read those about 100 times this month. HAHAHA.

[addysdaddy]

You won't want to use your other polishers. haha. Congrat and enjoy. It's the Porsche Of Polishers.

[Justin at Final Inspection]

You won't want to use your other polishers. haha. Congrat and enjoy. It's the Porsche Of Polishers.

Thanks.

This is the backing plate I got. It says it can be used with 5 or 5.5in

FLEX XC3401 Mini 4 3/8 Backing Plate, FLEX (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-xc3401-mini-backing-plate.html)

[Kamakaz1961]

Awesome choice the Flex 3401 is a beast of a DA. Smooth and powerful. IMO the best DA out there. No one can match the speed and power it has to offer as it is a forced rotational DA unlike all the others which are free floating DA's.

Nice choice and welcome to the Flex Force!!....LOL

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Sorry guys thats what I meant to say. 5.5in pads. Whoops!!!! Worst case scenario I will use my 5.5 CCS pads. Thats what I get for getting excited. LOL

Thanks for the links guys. I have read those about 100 times this month. HAHAHA.

No worries! I bet you are excited to receive it!

:props:


It's the Porsche Of Polishers.

Agreed!


Thanks.

This is the backing plate I got. It says it can be used with 5 or 5.5in

FLEX XC3401 Mini 4 3/8 Backing Plate, FLEX (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-xc3401-mini-backing-plate.html)

Yes that plate is for use with the 5.5 LC pads such as the Hydro-Tech pads.

[parttimer]

Congrats on finally drinking the Kool-aid...

[Justin at Final Inspection]

No worries! I bet you are excited to receive it!

:props:



Agreed!



Yes that plate is for use with the 5.5 LC pads such as the Hydro-Tech pads.

Oh yeah. Super excited to use it.





Congrats on finally drinking the Kool-aid...

Thanks! Looking forward to using it!

[Tato]

Welcome! What an honor to have my (nick)name cited being responsible for such step up in your detailing career.

To start, the 4 3/8 plate can be used with 5" pads (it's gorgeous with LC 5.5 pads), however the Hybrid pads has a 4" velcro face, and 5" polishing foam face.

That's the reason they won't be good with 4 3/8 plate, and are perfect for 4" interchangeable plate system.

About the Flex:
Someone who knows a thing or two about Flex polishers, once told me this:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut32.png

I'd like to forward his words to you, since they are so spot on.

It arrived to me just after starting a work, so I had the pleasure to start using it right away.

Proudly holding it after the first tests
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut20.png

Imagine, this is what was left, at the end of the day, from the 'Unboxing' Thread I've promised doing when the Flex was to arrive. I was so excited!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/unboxleft.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71163)

This was the first work I did with it (on the day it arrived):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/out1.png

Not the best picture, but it can illustrate what happened that day.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut26.png

I was also very thankful to Mike Phillips and Smack, both were crucial for my choice.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut33.png

From that day on, I was able to improve the use on this tool, and I must admit I'm still learning more - the more I use, the more comfortable and natural I feel with it.

It's very comfortable to use, and it's mechanism of action will lead you to consistent results, all the time.

I'm adapted touching the paint with my hand while working to check if my process is generating a lot of heat. I don't go crazy about this, but I prefer being safe than sorry. 90% of time, the low amount heat generated is not an issue, indeed. Do this often just to check until you're comfortable.

This is specially more important in concavities, since the pad won't stop spinning, making the Flex as good to polish all shape of panels, but you have to pay attention to your technique.

Can't wait to hear about your first uses on it.

Even it being easy to use at first, don't be fooled by the short learning curve. It's sure you'll get great results and will not have an issue with it from the start, but the more you use it, the better (and BETTER) will be your outcome.

It has ample potential for pushing you to the limit. Go for it!

Thanks, again.

Kind Regards.

[VISITOR]

You won't want to use your other polishers. haha. Congrat and enjoy. It's the Porsche Of Polishers.

i have a flex and still use my other DA's. i wouldn't be without at least one traditional style DA, it's versatile and a lot can still be done with it...

[Justin at Final Inspection]

Welcome! What an honor to have my (nick)name cited being responsible for such step up in your detailing career.

To start, the 4 3/8 plate can be used with 5" pads (it's gorgeous with LC 5.5 pads), however the Hybrid pads has a 4" velcro face, and 5" polishing foam face.

That's the reason they won't be good with 4 3/8 plate, and are perfect for 4" interchangeable plate system.

About the Flex:
Someone who knows a thing or two about Flex polishers, once told me this:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut32.png

I'd like to forward his words to you, since they are so spot on.

It arrived to me just after starting a work, so I had the pleasure to start using it right away.

Proudly holding it after the first tests
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut20.png

Imagine, this is what was left, at the end of the day, from the 'Unboxing' Thread I've promised doing when the Flex was to arrive. I was so excited!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/unboxleft.png (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/71163)

This was the first work I did with it (on the day it arrived):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/out1.png

Not the best picture, but it can illustrate what happened that day.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut26.png

I was also very thankful to Mike Phillips and Smack, both were crucial for my choice.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/aut33.png

From that day on, I was able to improve the use on this tool, and I must admit I'm still learning more - the more I use, the more comfortable and natural I feel with it.

It's very comfortable to use, and it's mechanism of action will lead you to consistent results, all the time.

I'm adapted touching the paint with my hand while working to check if my process is generating a lot of heat. I don't go crazy about this, but I prefer being safe than sorry. 90% of time, the low amount heat generated is not an issue, indeed. Do this often just to check until you're comfortable.

This is specially more important in concavities, since the pad won't stop spinning, making the Flex as good to polish all shape of panels, but you have to pay attention to your technique.

Can't wait to hear about your first uses on it.

Even it being easy to use at first, don't be fooled by the short learning curve. It's sure you'll get great results and will not have an issue with it from the start, but the more you use it, the better (and BETTER) will be your outcome.

It has ample potential for pushing you to the limit. Go for it!

Thanks, again.

Kind Regards.


Thank you for the info. Mike also informed me of the short learning curve and assured me that I will pick right up on it. Very glad I made the purchase. BTW that c280 you did was the icing on the cake.

[Tato]

Thank you my friend! I'm really glad you did it. Appreciate comments on C280 as well, I enjoyed a lot during that work.

I must say, I never had problems with the 'reversed' rotation of the Flex, not even when switching real time from the Rupes to the Flex, but I've heard some people concerns about this.

'Me', personally, never understood what's the real issue spinning clock or counterclockwise... LOL!

The same goes to the 'Flex walks on me issue'. Never bothered me to the level of concern. If you notice it trying to walk on you, it'll be teaching you how to hold the pad flat. Also, improper lubrication (generally using too low product, or overworking product) may cause it 'try to hop'.

My first uses of a wool pad on the flex was like a hopping horse kkkkk some days later, it was as smooth and pleasurable as it can be. Don't give up!

In some situations, it looks like to be 'helping you' walking towards the place you're polishing, I mean, it's smooth movement. Anything odd, you should review the technique.

Please, let us updated about your purchase.

Kind Regards.

[Justin at Final Inspection]

I will update everyone on my first experience with the 3401.