FLEX XC 3401 first options?

[WAXOFF]

What was the price of the Pink Flex last night? Look at it now.

[Boejoula]

What was the price of the Pink Flex last night? Look at it now.

I payed $300 Friday night but earlier today it was $244

[7PaintGuns]

I payed $300 Friday night but earlier today it was $244

Same here. Win some lose some. Still a great price.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

So I ordered my pink FLEX XC 3401 last night and I need some help with what size plates and pads to buy. I've been reading quite a bit on the subject but I have specific techniques and needs. I purchased the Flex to assist with finishing, mostly on black and really dark colors to eliminate holograms. At the moment my only machine is the Dewalt DWP839. I am very proficient with the Dewalt using a 7" backing plate with the 3 step 3M pad and compound/polish system and I will still use them for removing sanding scratches and initial correction. Daily basis usage is usually for entire panel wet sanding that is usually blocked with 1500/2000 grit paper followed by 3000. If I am used to the 8" 3M wool, polish and finishing pads do you think I really need to go smaller with the pads for the Flex? Would it be a mistake to put a 7" 3M backing plate on the flex? I was looking at the 6.5" pads from LC but from most of the posts I've read people prefer the 5" pads but I'm not sure if that's because they are better for first step paint correction. Please give me your thoughts, thanks!

Congrats on picking up the 3401!

Now that you have the two machines (839 & 3401) I would stick with the larger 3M wool pad on the rotary for pulling out sanding marks. The rotary and wool will outcut/outperform the 3401/wool combination every time.

Stick with the 839/wool for the first step and follow up with the 3401, polishing pad, and finishing polish such as SF3500. Going this route will also save you the most amount of time.

I would also start off with the larger 6.5" Hybrid pads on the 3401 in a body shop environment. The larger pad will allow you to save more time compared to the smaller 5" Hybrid pad.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

As above, lake country backing plate for the flex along with 5" hybrid pads. If just using for finishing, get some white and black pads. Also consider purchasing menzerna sf 3500 or 3800 if 3m superfina is
not working for you.

Superfina was meant as a rotary only polish, but was used by many on the DA as a jewelling step, it's likely you can get jewelling type results, but not likely to get much cut from it, better to go with sf 3500. There's an awesome thread by mike@dedicated perfection about his method with the flex, hybrid pads and menzerna; it's widely used and works wonders.

Thanks for bringing that up. Below is the referenced like.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...brid-pads.html

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Might be off topic a little bit can I ask; how is the flex 3401 with a LC puprle hybrid wool pad at getting out wets sanding marks? Or should this always be done with a rotary?

It is very efficient at pulling out sanding marks. Especially if you only one step sand the paint with 3K grit sandpaper.

However a rotary will always out perform the 3401. Here a rotary will be beneficial if you multi stage sand the paint.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

3500=old sf 4000
3800= old sf 4500

For a fair comparison (that is 3M tech to Menz's old tech)
Perfect-It 1=PG1000
Perfect-It 2=IP2000
Perfect-it 3=FF3000 or SF4500/3800

For a not-so-fair comparison (that is 3M tech to Menz's current tech)
Perfect-It 1=FG400 or SC300
Perfect-It 2=PF2500
Perfect-it 3=SF4000/3500 or SF4500/3800

THIS

I'd go with menzerna's current tech, they are more expensive but they are amazing performers. In most cases, you could go straight from FG400 to SF4000, no need to make it a 3 step process like you do with 3M.

You really can do a 2 step process with Menzerna no matter how aggressive you had to get in your first step.

In all my testing I have been able to finish properly with the 3401, white Hybrid pad, and SF4000 as my second step. Even if I had to use the PE14, Hybrid wool, and SC300 as my first step for correction the second combination has always finished it up LSP ready.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

To answer the OP, these are the compounds I picked up to use with the flex and the lake county hybrid pads. From what I hear, this will cover almost anything you need to do. Purple, orange, white, and black pads.

Compound
Meguiars ultra cut 105
Menzerma Heavy cut 400

Polish
Menzerna medium cut polish 2500
Menzerna super finish 3500

I'll wait for more to chime in about the wet sanding part.

Good stuff sir.

What will your sanding process consist of?

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Another quick question. Can I dilute normal store bought 70% Isopropyl Alcohol with distilled water at 1:1 to use as in IPA wipe? Is there some special IPA I need to buy. I wouldn't think so but...

Grab Menzerna Top Inspection. This is formulated as an "IPA wipe" to remove compound/polish to check your work while being body shop safe.
Menzerna Top Inspection, detail spray

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Just as a precursor, I may know a thing or two about Menzerna products...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...h-academy.html