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.
I'm going to be putting a new buffer on my birthday list (December) and am split between the Makita 9227C and the Flex 3403. I already have a random orbital (Griot's model) that is very similar to the PC. It still runs great after a year and a half or so and has many years left in it so I will be keeping it.
I have used the Flex once and found it to be a FANTASTIC machine. It felt very solid and well-built, I liked its ease of use and the reassurance that I won't burn through the paint as easily as I might with the Makita. Sure you still need to finish down but it's a fairly idiot-proof machine.
The sheer power of the Makita is daunting and appealing. The danger of accidentally burning through the paint is daunting and dare I say rather scary. On the other hand, however, the lure of great polishing results in less time and the ability to jewl paint is almost too much to ignore.
I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Makita because I want a challenge...that and I have heard rave reviews about it. Any other ideas are welcome.
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.
2010 Hyundai Santa Fe - Harbor Gray
Even sometimes I, in a moment of what could only be described as pure sanity, question the rationality of this obsession.
When I first started detailing and had little knowledge of what to do and how to do it I went out and found the first buffer I could and it was a rotary. Even back when I first started I never burned the paint, and while yes it can happen, if you are careful its a great tool.
I like beer. On occasion I will even drink a beer to celebrate a major event such as the fall of communism or the fact that our refrigerator is still working.
Your looking at two different things, ones a hybrid PC and the other is a full on rotary. Since you have a orbital, get the rotary. As Stephan said its not that hard to use and get experience with. I use mine a lot and find the results are stunning
If you want top results with less time go with the Makita all the way! I sold my flex for a Makita. But if you're a novice and want to play it safe then the Flex is the number 1 choice in Orbitals.
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 makita 9227c and a PC but when the next purchase happens I'll be looking at a Flex rotary. Tried one a few times at various places and was pleased with the light weight. Wasn't crazy about the heat build-up but I'm still leaning on getting one.
Paul S
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 learned on a rotary. I had no idea their was even such a thing as a PC or Flex. You can burn the paint, but as long as you aint rambo buffing they will work great and you will love one for correction once you get profecition with one.
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 both machines. I got a deal on the 3403 that I could not pass up. If I had to go with only one machine I would go with the Mkaita with out a doubt. It might be a little bigger and heavier but by not much and there is on feature it has that seals the deal for me. It is the trigger speed control and also the lowest speed setting. On the flex it sucks to say the least. Thing is it is the same on the 3401.
On the Flex it seems the trigger varies the speed fromt he perspective of the absolute highest speed ie 3700 rpm. Thus making the trigger just an on/off switch on speed setting 1. You can vry the speed on any setting after #1. The other thing is also the lowest speed is 1000 rpm not a good speed for spreading polish when you start off.
On the makita the trigger is variable based on the set high speed ie 600 rpm on speed setting #1. With the makita you can make the thing crawl. Granted this might seem like a mnor thing on paper but it made a huge difference to me. the descriptions might sound a bit confusing when reading it on the internet, but if you can compare the two side by sise you will see what i mean.
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 had a Flex once. I was not at all happy with it. I traded it in for one of the two Makitas.
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.
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 think some might be a little confusion about the model of Flex in question.
The Flex orbital is the 3401, this is the one that gets all the press and most people associate with the word Flex.
The op is asking about the 3403, which is their smaller, light weight rotary.
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
