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Flex 3401
Hello Detailers,
I have been lurking around for a while doing research and watching videos until I finally decided the purchase the polisher along with the 4" backing plate and hybrid pads. I used them for the first time yesterday and all I can say is it was an interesting experience. It wasn't very difficult to control it on flat surfaces, but a bit of a challenge on hills and valleys where I could see the polisher was "running away" from me. I think it might take some time getting used to on varying contours.
I started with white pad along with Meguiar's SwirlX 2.0. Put in about 3 rounds (each with 4 passes & speed of 4), which gave me decent results. This, however, took way too long. Following this, I moved to Blue pads & Meguiar's SwirlX 2.0 with 2 rounds (each with 4 passes & speed of 4.5). This was on a different patch but was not happy with the results and decided to upgrade to orange pads & Ultimate compound (2 rounds - each with 4 passes & a speed of 5.5). This gave me much better results and more importantly in a shorter time. It took me about 5 hours approx to complete about half the hood. While I tried to follow the least aggressive procedure, I think the swirls were too deep to be eliminated simply by first 2 methods. Will continue further on the remaining hood with orange pads & UC and hopefully will take lesser time and post pictures once completed.
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Super Member
Re: Flex 3401
I always got the best results from the Flex especially with Menzerna at 5.5.
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Re: Flex 3401
Originally Posted by hidonest
Hello Detailers,
I have been lurking around for a while doing research and watching videos until I finally decided the purchase the polisher along with the 4" backing plate and hybrid pads.
Hi hidonest and welcome to AutogeekOnline!
Originally Posted by hidonest
I used them for the first time yesterday and all I can say is it was an interesting experience. It wasn't very difficult to control it on flat surfaces, but a bit of a challenge on hills and valleys where I could see the polisher was "running away" from me. I think it might take some time getting used to on varying contours.
We call this the "walking effect" and it happens if you don't hold the pad flat to the surface or like you experienced sometimes when you're buffing curved panels.
It takes a little getting used to but at least for me it's a non-issue as I like being able to buff any shape panel without any pad stalling like you get with free-spinning orbital polishers. Especially if I'm trying to work fast.
Originally Posted by hidonest
I started with white pad along with Meguiar's SwirlX 2.0. Put in about 3 rounds (each with 4 passes & speed of 4), which gave me decent results. This, however, took way too long.
That's a very non-aggressive combination.
Originally Posted by hidonest
Following this, I moved to Blue pads & Meguiar's SwirlX 2.0 with 2 rounds (each with 4 passes & speed of 4.5). This was on a different patch but was not happy with the results
Again, not a very aggressive approach. Save - just not aggressive thus not fast.
Originally Posted by hidonest
and decided to upgrade to orange pads & Ultimate compound (2 rounds - each with 4 passes & a speed of 5.5).
This gave me much better results and more importantly in a shorter time.
There you go. And probably produced very very good results except for the deeper scratches we call RIDS or Random Isolated Deeper Scratches and if this is a Daily Driver then don't try to remove the RIDS just live with them and avoid putting them into the paint in the future.
Originally Posted by hidonest
It took me about 5 hours approx to complete about half the hood.
I could have buffed out the entire car in 5 hours.
Speed will come with practice, so hang in there.
Originally Posted by hidonest
While I tried to follow the least aggressive procedure, I think the swirls were too deep to be eliminated simply by first 2 methods.
Will continue further on the remaining hood with orange pads & UC and hopefully will take lesser time and post pictures once completed.
Bump your speed up to the 5-6 range and PRESS DOWN on the head of the polisher with about 10 pounds of pressure.
Make slow overlapping passes.
Clean your pad often.
The FLEX is a BEAST and with practice you'll be amazed at the results and be able to knock out an entire car in 5 hours.
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Re: Flex 3401
Originally Posted by Mike Phillips
Hi hidonest and welcome to AutogeekOnline!
Thank you...
Originally Posted by Mike Phillips
There you go. And probably produced very very good results except for the deeper scratches we call RIDS or Random Isolated Deeper Scratches and if this is a Daily Driver then don't try to remove the RIDS just live with them and avoid putting them into the paint in the future.
Yes, it is a daily driver, but I managed to keep the paint in pretty decent shape by moving to touchless wash after about a year in and getting some polishing with sealant and wax work done outside as well. There are very minimal RIDS however there are these spots that shine under the light, dont know what they are. My car is a Mustang 2015 Competition Orange color.
Originally Posted by Mike Phillips
Bump your speed up to the 5-6 range and PRESS DOWN on the head of the polisher with about 10 pounds of pressure.
Make slow overlapping passes.
Clean your pad often.
The FLEX is a BEAST and with practice you'll be amazed at the results and be able to knock out an entire car in 5 hours.
The rest 1/2 the hood took me 45 mins including claying. Bumped the speed to 5.5 and was much better.
I was worried about burning through the paint or having less product. Guess with time I will get experienced with it.
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