Flex polishers...

T

twheat

New member
Hello,



I am in the market for a new polisher. I have a PC 7424. I read the Flex polishers are good polishers so that is why I am looking at those although I am open to other brands as well. How hard are the circular polishers to use. This will be mainly used on a single stage painted car. The last thing I want to do is burn the paint so that is why I bought the PC but I have found out I can get better cutting results with a circular polisher.



What are other good brands and models I should look at? Thanks for the help.
 
After 4 years with the PC, I recently moved up to the Flex 3401. I highly recommend it and wish I had purchased one sooner! It is more powerful than the PC and to me it seems smoother.
 
I read somewhere that the Flex has a built in velcro backing plate. Does that mean that you can't swap backing plates to use smaller (4") pads?
 
You can't change it because there isn't anything to change it for. They don't make any other size bp for that machine. I talked to them and they said they didn't think they were going to make any other sizes.
 
Less said:
I read somewhere that the Flex has a built in velcro backing plate. Does that mean that you can't swap backing plates to use smaller (4") pads?
Click to expand...



If you get the Edge adapter you would be able to use any Edge 2000 pads, including the 4".
 
Less said:
I read somewhere that the Flex has a built in velcro backing plate. Does that mean that you can't swap backing plates to use smaller (4") pads?
Click to expand...



twheat said:
Yeah I read you cannot change the 6in backing plate.
Click to expand...



MobileJay said:
You can't change it because there isn't anything to change it for. They don't make any other size bp for that machine. I talked to them and they said they didn't think they were going to make any other sizes.
Click to expand...



If you have a lathe or access to one you can lathe the backing plate down to accept smaller pads
 
MotorCity said:
If you have a lathe or access to one you can lathe the backing plate down to accept smaller pads
Click to expand...



So what would you do in this scenario? Buy 2 extra backing plates and machine one to 5" and one to 4"? Have you done this?
 
Setec Astronomy said:
So what would you do in this scenario? Buy 2 extra backing plates and machine one to 5" and one to 4"? Have you done this?
Click to expand...





I have the original BP that was sent with the machine that was reported to have *adhesive separation issues* and also the replacement BP. I have the original BP machined down to a hair under 5"... You can't machine it down to 4" due to the housing of the machine having an OD bigger than 4"



* FWIW I have logged hundreds of hours on my flex with the original BP that was reported to have separation issues with no concerns*
 
Setec Astronomy said:
If you get the Edge adapter you would be able to use any Edge 2000 pads, including the 4".
Click to expand...



Yeah, I have the E2K adaptor for my Flex 3401. They'd been unavailable, but now they're in stock at the Edge website.



And yeah#2, the 3401 is one *VERY* nice tool. I'd been afraid it'd be a waste of money since I already have two rotaries, two Cyclos, and two PCs, but nope...best detailing-related purchase I've made in a long time. I still prefer using the Cyclos, but they don't have *NEARLY* the power of the Flex 3401.



I got a tip from weekendwarrior regarding the OE backing plate: apply a little light lube to the felt ring on the 3401's housing. This is what the backing plate can rub against (under pressure) and according to weekendwarrior the lube solves the problem.



I applied a very thin, uniform amount of Snake Oil firearms lube to the felt ring, and no problems so far (not that I've used my 3401 all that much yet).
 
Accumulator said:
And yeah#2, the 3401 is one *VERY* nice tool. I'd been afraid it'd be a waste of money since I already have two rotaries, two Cyclos, and two PCs, but nope...best detailing-related purchase I've made in a long time. I still prefer using the Cyclos, but they don't have *NEARLY* the power of the Flex 3401.
Click to expand...



there you go then, it's Accumulator approved! OP, what are you waiting for?! :D
 
That WeekendWarrior gets around! He is a distant neighbor of mine and after I pestered him for a week or three - I finally bought that Flex, he was right about it - it's a great machine and I really love using it, can't say I ever felt that good about my rotary. I realize you CAN F..k up even with a PC, but - the Flex is the best compromise of speed and safety.
 
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