View Full Version : New Flex Tool XFE 7 - 15mm Long Stroke Free Spinning Orbital Polisher
Mike Phillips
10-30-2015, 04:01 PM
New Flex Tool XFE 7 - 15mm Long Stroke Free Spinning Orbital Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/96365-new-flex-tool-xfe-7-15mm-long-stroke-free-spinning-orbital-polisher.html)
Recently I had the chance to test out the new Flex XFE 7 15mm Large Stroke Free Spinning Orbital Polisher. Actually, to be technically correct, the tool I used was a prototype, the only one in North America. Bob Eichelberg, the President of Flex Tools North America brought it back with him from Germany after visiting the manufacturing plant in Stuttgart, Germany.
If the production units work as well as the prototype then I think it's safe to say Flex how has the AMG of free spinning, large stroke orbital polishers.
Check it out! The white cap was made on a 3D Printer by the Engineers at Flex.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101549
Here's Nick checking it out too!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101550
What can I say except...
Prototypes are COOL
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101551
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101632
Even though the close-up of the label is a tick out of focus you can see this is prototype 00001
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101633
Let's take a look inside?
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101552
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101553
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101554
Size comparison to the Flex 3401
How about some comparisons to the Flex 3401 to give you an idea of the size. While they look relatively the same in size and shape the body of the new XFE-715 150 is thinner and more streamline.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101555
Increased number of cooling vents
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101556
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101557
And just in time... the new Thin Pro Pads
These fit and work PERFECT with the new Flex XFE 7
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101558
Mike Phillips
10-30-2015, 04:15 PM
Time for a test drive
Bob Eilchelburg brought me this tool to test it out and for occasions like this I always bring in cool cars that need a little help. For this project I brought in my buddy Luc's 1969 Dodge dart GT Sport with a 378 cubic inch Hemi engine with dual quads. (Pictures of the engine at the end of this write-up).
This is a serius muscle car with lots of paint that needs buffing so it made for a great demo car to test out the 00001 prototype.
Here's the car and because I don't use a traditional wash with classics, muscle cars or streetrods I also used this car for a how-to article on how to use a Rinesless Wash.
Review and How-To: Wolfgang Uber Rinseless Wash (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/96297-review-how-wolfgang-uber-rinseless-wash.html)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101399
Figured a lot of people will be reading this thread into the future, even after SEMA so I might as well use it for a how-to article for anyone that reads it into the future wanting to learn how easy it is to detail a car and do it by machine.
Here's some of the products I used for this detail job.
Mercury Quasar spray bottle to mix up some Clay Lube using the new Wolfgang Uber Rinseless Wash. Nanonskin Medium Grade Autoscrub Pad which works GREAT on the new Flex XFE 7. Wolfgang Uber Compound to remove the swirls and scratches. Wolfgang Finishing Polish to maximize gloss and clarity and Wolfgang Deep Gloss Sealant to seal the paint with a long lasting, super slick feeling coat of syntetic protection.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101559
Inspect for contamination
After washing the car using the Wolfgang Rinseless WAsh I used the Baggie Test to feel the paint and yep... some kind of contamination has bonded to the paint.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101560
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101561
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http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101576
:)
Mike Phillips
10-30-2015, 04:17 PM
Compounding
First step... punish this prototype by compounding the paint.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101577
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101578
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http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101589
:)
Mike Phillips
11-02-2015, 11:11 AM
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101590
Machine Polishing
Time to switch pads and products and then maximize the gloss and clarity created by the compounding step.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101591
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101592
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101593
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101598
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101595
Machine waxing
Nothing wrong with hand waxing but if you already have the machine might as well let it do all the work.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101596
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http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101604
Wipe-off
This is the second most important part of any detail...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101605
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101606
Beauty shots!
Here's the final results...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101607
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http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101618
Mike Phillips
11-02-2015, 11:19 AM
The real deal
What's under the hood you ask? It's the real deal. This is a 426 Hemi engine bored out to 478 cubic inches with dual quads. This is some serious torque and horsepower!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101619
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101620
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http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101624
:dblthumb2:
:)
Mike Phillips
11-02-2015, 11:23 AM
Tires cleaned up and dressed using BLACKFIRE All-in-One Trim & Tire Protectant.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101625
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101626
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=101627
:)
Mike Phillips
11-03-2015, 10:09 AM
My comments...
I was completely impressed with this 15mm orbital polisher. Coupled with Autogeek's new ThinPro foam buffing pads it's a killer combination for removing swirls, scratches, water spots and oxidation.
You can also use it for mechanically decontaminating paint using tools like the Nanoskin Autoscrub pads and also machine applying waxes and sealants.
Can't wait for SEMA to start I'm hoping to pry one of the brand new production units out of Bob Eichelberg's hands at the end of the show on Friday and bring it back to Florida.
Not sure when production models will be available but when they are we'll announce it here on the forum and they'll be available at Autogeek.com
:dblthumb2:
Mike Phillips
11-03-2015, 11:59 AM
This thread is now public!!!!!
:dblthumb2:
TRDTACO
11-03-2015, 12:03 PM
Nice! Thanks for sharing Mike, this thing looks like a beast.
Dereksdtail
11-03-2015, 12:07 PM
Sweet!
Mike@DedicatedPerfection
11-03-2015, 12:10 PM
Thanks for sharing Mike! Will it have different plate sizes?
Justin at Final Inspection
11-03-2015, 12:10 PM
That's pretty cool!!!! There is a lot of options out now for DA's.
RaskyR1
11-03-2015, 12:24 PM
Looks like a nice compact tool and I'm glad they finally released a free spinning DA to the market. :props:
Any comments on noise, vibration, and resistance to stalling?
The backing plate attachment and counterbalance assembly is unique too.
Caleb@ImpeccableImage
11-03-2015, 12:27 PM
Take my money!
kosmetikwerks
11-03-2015, 12:27 PM
Thanks Mike! Greatttt news for Flex fans out there looking to pull the trigger on a new DA!!
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