Paint Correction and Gloss EnhancementThe place to discuss paint correction, polishing, buffers, polishes, pads, wet sanding and all things shiny.
-Hand Polishing
-Polishing with a Dual Action Polisher
-Polishing with a Rotary Polisher
-Wet sanding for show car shine.
Anyone have some experience with these two machines?
Both Flex and Makita seem to have a history of good durable machines so it likely would be a matter of preference in making a choice.
Have either of these particular models been out long enough to establish a track record?
I have always heard good things about Makita and my friend in the body shop has used nothing but Flex rotaries for about 20 years. Same two he purchased when he started on his own. Just replaces bearings and brushes as needed which is rarely. He wouldn't even consider anything else.
Charles
Flex Polishers
FLEX makes both dual action and circular (rotary) polishers. Their polishers are built to professional standards with features like rugged housing, variable speed triggers, controlled acceleration, overload protection, temperature monitoring, and auto shut-off carbon brushes. Whether you choose a dual action or a circular polisher, you will enjoy years of hassle-free use with your FLEX polisher.
believe it or not the machine is a few years old so it's not covered by warranty ... I've contacted a friend that will check it out and help me get it fixed for her ....
not sure I'd give you 2 cents for a Makita ...I borrowed awd330's which has been used a total of 5 times and the berrings are already shot
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigron62
my makita is great ...i really like the wraparound handle too
Just to be sure.
What I'm asking about is the Makita BO6040 dual mode polisher. It can be used as a rotary or as a random orbital.
I'm not seeing a wrap around handle on the BO6040. It is shown on the 9227C Rotary, but not the dual mode machine.
Charles
Probably not the wrong machine for you, just the wrong machine for me.
My friend with the body shop says I should quit messing around with toys, buy a rotary and learn how to use it. He even offered to give me an old rotary he had. I didn't even consider it. It must have weighed 20 pounds.
He even offered to throw in a couple of wool pads.
One reason I'm hesitant about a rotary is because of the amount of paint I might remove over a period of years. I don't doubt that I could learn to use one, but since I might keep a vehicle as long as 10 to 20 years, I could remove a lot of paint even if I did everything right.
I have always heard good things about Makita and my friend in the body shop has used nothing but Flex rotaries for about 20 years. Same two he purchased when he started on his own. Just replaces bearings and brushes as needed which is rarely. He wouldn't even consider anything else.
Charles
No big deal, but he bought the machines in 1985 and has not replaced any bearings, just brushes.
Quote:
Originally Posted by CharlesW
My friend with the body shop says I should quit messing around with toys, buy a rotary and learn how to use it. He even offered to give me an old rotary he had. I didn't even consider it. It must have weighed 20 pounds.
He even offered to throw in a couple of wool pads.
Charles
I stopped in to see him today and he had an even better idea. Any flaws I can't take care of with my PC, stop by and he will take care of them for me. Wet sanding and buffing included. I just need to buy lunch once in awhile and $300 for a polisher would buy a lot of lunches.
He did think the Flex XC3401 sounded like quite a tool, though.
Charles
Flex Polishers
FLEX makes both dual action and circular (rotary) polishers. Their polishers are built to professional standards with features like rugged housing, variable speed triggers, controlled acceleration, overload protection, temperature monitoring, and auto shut-off carbon brushes. Whether you choose a dual action or a circular polisher, you will enjoy years of hassle-free use with your FLEX polisher.
I just got a Flex. I didn't really buy it to be able to take out deeper defects though. That's just a nice bonus. The real reason I bought it is that it is purported to break down polishes nearly as fast as rotary thereby cutting down my polishing time significantly without compromising on the safety that an orbital provides.
I haven't yet polished anything with it yet, but it strikes me as a very solid machine. It's definitely bigger and heavier than the PC, but not as big or quite as heavy as say a Makita rotary. The vibrations are also much less harsh than what you get with a PC. The Flex still vibrates quite a bit but the vibrations are less violent than what you get with the PC.
Flex Polishers
FLEX makes both dual action and circular (rotary) polishers. Their polishers are built to professional standards with features like rugged housing, variable speed triggers, controlled acceleration, overload protection, temperature monitoring, and auto shut-off carbon brushes. Whether you choose a dual action or a circular polisher, you will enjoy years of hassle-free use with your FLEX polisher.
I have a BO6040 and used it twice with out any problems. It has a lot more power than the PC and it is quieter and smoother too. The rotary part is actually a forced orbital motion and in my opinion it is not a replacement for a rotary.
I'd also throw the Ridgid 2611 and Metabo SXE 450 into the mix. The 10K OPM is more efficient than the PC with less vibration. The 2611 can be found at Home Depot for $129 and the Metabo 450 on Amazon.
I did get to try a Flex at one shop and as the owner said, "it's the Porsche of polishers" when referencing "DA" type polishers.
He also has the Festool and he calls that one the Mercedes Benz. Costs as much, damn thing is expensive.
But the Flex, being big and having the bale handle it works very well in correction. I'd get this polisher over any DA since it has a very long stroke. It also is made very well, can take a few good knocks.
I kind of liked this thing since it's as close to a rotary w/o the worry for those not trained on a rotary.
Still, the good old "PC" comes in handy in tight areas, just don't expect lots of correction w/o agressive pads. Also, with carpet brushes, the PC makes short work on carpets and mats. I use it for scrubbing THEN extraction of the carpet.
My choice would be the Flex. Never hurts to have too many tools!
Regards,
Deanski
Flex Polishers
FLEX makes both dual action and circular (rotary) polishers. Their polishers are built to professional standards with features like rugged housing, variable speed triggers, controlled acceleration, overload protection, temperature monitoring, and auto shut-off carbon brushes. Whether you choose a dual action or a circular polisher, you will enjoy years of hassle-free use with your FLEX polisher.
Lake Country Pads
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I did get to try a Flex at one shop and as the owner said, "it's the Porsche of polishers" when referencing "DA" type polishers.
My choice would be the Flex. Never hurts to have too many tools!
Regards,
Deanski
I'm sure his choice of words didn't influence you at all.
Flex Polishers
FLEX makes both dual action and circular (rotary) polishers. Their polishers are built to professional standards with features like rugged housing, variable speed triggers, controlled acceleration, overload protection, temperature monitoring, and auto shut-off carbon brushes. Whether you choose a dual action or a circular polisher, you will enjoy years of hassle-free use with your FLEX polisher.
Linear Mode
