A FLEX comparision: PE14 vs 3401

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Well Geeks I had a bit of time the other day to bring along my pair of FLEX’s for a side by side comparison. I wanted to see how these two machines would operate and handle next to each other as well as check the level of correction each one had to offer. For this test comparison everything was kept identical with the only variance being the tool itself.

The darkest vehicle I could get my hands on was a dark blue metallic Chevrolet van. I cleaned up the test panel and taped it off for some side by side work. The left side was done completely with the PE14 and the right side only the 3401. The correction and polishing step was exactly the same. For correction I used an orange 6.5” Hybrid pad, FG400, and speed 3. For polishing work I used the 6.5” white Hybrid pad, SF4000, and speed 5. Again both sections received the exact same treatment with the only difference being the tool itself. The “Smack Technique” was utilized on both machines.

As for the performance between the two machines side by side utilizing the same products, they were quite similar in that both did a tremendous job at removing the swirls in the paint with the PE14 achieving 10% more correction due to it being a rotary. Both machines finished down extremely well with no discernible difference on this hard GM paint.
As for correction times I did not keep official track of them with a clock. I kept everything the same and the 3401 had no problems keeping up the PE14 due to its forced rotation nature. Both sections were completed in roughly the same time.

When both sections were completed they each received an Eraser wipe down and when I pulled the tape off the entire section received another Eraser wipe down. My LSP of choice was Pinnacle Synergy applied by hand to top off my efforts. All pictures were shot with my Nikon D3200, standard 18-55mm lens with hood, and my Nikon SB-700 speed light with diffuser were the flash was used.
For some more reading on the “Smack Technique”


http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-university/77155-my-technique-concerning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-university/80973-utilizing-smack-technique-pe14.html


The van used for the test.


The panel being used















Taped off ready for the comparision





First up, PE14 on the left



And the 3401 on the right



Next up is the polishing step.



Now to check my results

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

And all the afters

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

I hope you guys enjoyed this write up and undertaking as well as I did. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have.

Mike

[Denis Ware]

Great Job. This is what l was looking for in review in both machines because l have the Flex Pe-14 I think works outstanding (good review)

[HUMP DIESEL]

Proof positive that a rotary when used correctly can achieve tremendous results. The Menz products don't hurt the equation either.

[Paul A.]

Thank you, smack. Outstanding comparison and display of both machines.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Great Job. This is what l was looking for in review in both machines because l have the Flex Pe-14 I think works outstanding (good review)

Thank you sir!

Glad you enjoyed the read.

Proof positive that a rotary when used correctly can achieve tremendous results. The Menz products don't hurt the equation either.

Thanks for the kind compliments Diesel!

Thank you, smack. Outstanding comparison and display of both machines.

Thank you sir!

[FrankS]

Nice comparison Mike and great pictures. Did you use speed 3 on the PE14 & 3401 for the correction step? Did you also use speed 5 on the PE14 for the polishing step or did you keep it a speed 3?

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Nice comparison Mike and great pictures. Did you use speed 3 on the PE14 & 3401 for the correction step? Did you also use speed 5 on the PE14 for the polishing step or did you keep it a speed 3?

Thanks Frank!

Everything was performed exactly the same on both machines. Speed 3 for correction and speed 5 for polishing.