Not sure which machine to get...

John M.

New member
First off, I hope this is in the right place, if not feel free to move mods.


Okay, so I have only done my work by hand so far, and while it is decent I really want to step up to a machine. Now, I do a few cars for people on the side, what I have been thinking of doing is going with the Flex DA because it has a little more power. However, the price is holding me back, I would need to sell some things to get the money for it and the selling isnt going to well.

So my other thought has been to get the PC or Meguiars DA for cheaper and have more money left over for products. My only worry here is that with the lack of power I am going to come across cars that I cannot totally correct.

What thoughts do you experts have on a good starting machine to use? What would you suggest? I am open to anything, all help is appreciated.

Thanks,
John
 
If you've read any of my threads, you know my personal favorite is the PC 7424XP. I'm not against a Flex or even a rotary, but I just don't do enough vehicles to justify it. I'm not in "mass production"! (haha)...

Just a couple cars a week. So, if it takes a little longer, so be it.

With M105/205, I haven't found any paint I can't correct.

Just keep in mind, I don't detail cars for a living, just a hobby detailer...!!!!:driving::D:clap::D:driving::D:clap:
 
I'm with you. I have been shopping around. I only hear good things about the Flex and PC. I have heard that the Flex works faster and does a better job correcting then the PC. A circular will do the best job at correcting but there is a major learning curve. The Flex seems to run hot to the touch and a lot louder than the PC. The backing plate is fixed to one size. Then the price.
If your looking to do stuff on the weekend and have time to spare I would go with the PC. I think the PC makes up for the lack of power with flexibility. Then again the new model has more power then the old one. If you need the speed and more power I would go with the Flex. Then again I have not made my mind up. I'm leaning towards the Flex.
 
John,

Similar thread going on at MOL and Kevin Brown gave a very technical response which may help you in your decision.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?p=337971&posted=1#post337971

Thanks guys! Luster, Im about the same boat, I wouldnt be doing lots of cars just a few here and there because of school.

After yalls posts, I think Im might not go with the flex afterall, I mean when using the KBM it is good correction right there! Also, being able to interchange the backing plates is also a nice feature.

Username, idk how I missed that thread! Im on MOL also, logged on earlier and didnt even see it :D

keep comin if you have any more suggesstions. Im goin to read more on Lusters thoughts of the PC :)
 
Get the PC. In addition to being cheaper, you can use smaller backing plates/pads to polish tighter areas which wouldn't have been possible with the Flex.
 
The consensus seems to be with the PC... I'm wondering if there are any opposing views out there.

One other good point about the PC.... Bullet-Proof!!!!
 
Well guys, I think the answer here is pretty unanimous so Im gonna go with the PC 7424XP :clap: I already have an order set up and ready to go! So now all Im waiting for is to sell a little bit of stuff so that I can really stock up on pads and products, the package zoomzoom posted is what im goin for but will need more pads.

Anyone have pad recomendations they really like? I was thinking of just going with the Meguiars 2.0 pads but if you know of something better do tell :)
 
I'm with you. I have been shopping around. I only hear good things about the Flex and PC. I have heard that the Flex works faster and does a better job correcting then the PC. A circular will do the best job at correcting but there is a major learning curve. The Flex seems to run hot to the touch and a lot louder than the PC. The backing plate is fixed to one size. Then the price.
If your looking to do stuff on the weekend and have time to spare I would go with the PC. I think the PC makes up for the lack of power with flexibility. Then again the new model has more power then the old one. If you need the speed and more power I would go with the Flex. Then again I have not made my mind up. I'm leaning towards the Flex.

I just finished doing my wife's garage queen with my Flex. It had a lot of dealer installed swirls and scratches. Turns out the clear coat is rock hard! Some scratches required wet sanding with 2500 grit. The Flex with wool / yellow pad / orange pad / white pad / red pad using Menz Power Gloss / IP / FP did the job.

Now then, I haven't used the PC for paint correction but have plenty of experience using it in woodworking (same machine, different counter balance) and I can say the PC would have had trouble doing the correction I did this weekend. Also, the PC is MUCH harder on the hands due to the vibration whereas I used the Flex for hours on end with NO tingling or numbness like I get with the PC. As for heat, both get hot - I think the PC is worse than the Flex. The Flex handled properly is not hot - much better handle design...only the metal worm gear case gets hot but if you use the bail handle there is never a need to touch the gear case.

As to noise, the PC to me is noisier than the Flex but then again I lubed the backing plate gear and bearings which reduced the noise a bit. The PC is no quieter, probably louder. Then again I wear noise cancelling headphone which really knocks down the noise regardless of the tool (good investment).

Regards,
GEWB
 
Guess I just gotta be different cuz

I got the Makita bo6040 dual (anybody else out there own one?)

Price-wise its up there, in the Flex d/a price range - but it does a couple of
thngs the Flex doesnt, one being you can switch it from Forced
rotation to Random orbit only.

Also using an Edge adapter you can use all the Edge pads - giving you access double sided pads and to 4" pads as well. Acquired the Edge products but havent tried as of yet!

Power-wise, it has pul-en-ty - First time I used it was on forced rotation (thinking Im gonna do some speed-correction, right?) well I got an idea of what it must be like using a rotary as it wanted to go skipping around on the hood. That mode of operation will wear your arms out after a while, but the random-only mode has minimal vibration

I just hobby detail my own cars for now. All my rides were purchased used and they are pretty old, the newest is 12 years old - this Makita has done an admirable job on them! It wasnt cheap but I wanted a tool with a lot of versaltily so I am happy.
 
First off, I hope this is in the right place, if not feel free to move mods.

This is the perfect place for the question!


Okay, so I have only done my work by hand so far, and while it is decent I really want to step up to a machine. Now, I do a few cars for people on the side, what I have been thinking of doing is going with the Flex DA because it has a little more power. However, the price is holding me back, I would need to sell some things to get the money for it and the selling isnt going to well.

The Flex does offer more power then the Porter Cable, and in my experience, it generally removes similar defects quicker and more efficiently then the Porter Cable style machines as well. However they both are capable or removing the same defects (since both remove paint); In most cases the Flex may do it quicker and in less steps.

However a Porter Cable can be outfitted with a smaller diameter, stiffer pad, such as our High Gloss 4 inch Orange or Yellow foams that can bridge the efficiency gap, and in some particular situations, surpass it.


So my other thought has been to get the PC or Meguiars DA for cheaper and have more money left over for products. My only worry here is that with the lack of power I am going to come across cars that I cannot totally correct.

In my experience the difference is more related to speed or efficency, vs. total correction. Particularly with newer buffing liquids such as Meguiars M105 UCC and Meguiars M205 UFP. I have yet to come across sanding mark or a scratch that M105 and a Porter Cable (with a 4 inch diameter foam pad or a Surfbuf pad) couldn't remove that a rotary could. A rotary or Flex may still be quicker and require fewer passes.

Again in some cases I have even found the PC to be faster.


What thoughts do you experts have on a good starting machine to use? What would you suggest? I am open to anything, all help is appreciated.

Thanks,
John

I would consider one of our Kevin Brown Kits with the Porter Cable. It is will give you the polishes and pads you need to get started, as well as it is very reasonably priced as a kit. With the current Dog Days of Summer Sale and additional 15% off of the kit price (and free shipping) it really is a crazy steal. Doing the math that comes out about 80 dollars off of the regular to price of 315, PLUS FREE SHIPPING!
 
Back
Top