Torn between the Flex and Makita...

I haven't used the Flex DA yet but I love my Makita and its smooth and slow start speeds. Like others mentioned, it can be difficult to finish 100% hologram free. A PC/UDM or G110 is nice to start out with. The only thing I don't like about the Flex DA--without using one yet--is the lack of option to go with smaller backing plates and pads.
 
shine said:
..The only thing I don't like about the Flex DA--without using one yet--is the lack of option to go with smaller backing plates and pads.
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Yeah, that can be a valid criticism, if only for spot-repairs. Sometimes it's nice to be able to limit the area of operation.



By-and-large I don't find small pads really *necessary* for most jobs where they're *handy*, but yeah....



Noting that I'm a bit of a tool junkie, I'll always think that most serious detailers have a genuine use for more than one polisher. I know people who don't need a full set of open-end wrenches, they just use a Crescent wrench and for what they do that's sufficient..but that's not me; same thing with any of my polishers.
 
Accumulator said:
Yeah, that can be a valid criticism, if only for spot-repairs. Sometimes it's nice to be able to limit the area of operation.



By-and-large I don't find small pads really *necessary* for most jobs where they're *handy*, but yeah....



Noting that I'm a bit of a tool junkie, I'll always think that most serious detailers have a genuine use for more than one polisher. I know people who don't need a full set of open-end wrenches, they just use a Crescent wrench and for what they do that's sufficient..but that's not me; same thing with any of my polishers.
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I guess I am one of those tool junkies as well. I have a Flex, 2 PCs and a Makita. Each have their place in my arsenal. For my own cars, that just need a very light correction once a year, the PC is perfect.



When it comes to more intense correction, as Accumulator mentioned above, it's hard to beat the simplicity of the Flex and M105. That combo can knock out a lot. I even corrected a C5 Vette last summer using that combo, and an Orange LC pad.



Recently, I have been doing a lot of wetsanding and compounding, where the rotary is a must. There is a local VW restoration shop I am doing some wetsanding and polishing for (on new paint), and most of that work is done by rotary, although I am finishing out the jobs with the PC and a finishing pad/polish to ensure they go out the door hologram free. That shop has a lot of flourescent lights, and the majority of the work I am doing there is at night, so I don't want to take any chances. When guys are paying top dollar for restorations, it isn't good for them, me, or the shop to risk a car going out with holograms.



I guess my point is that for the majority of enthusiasts, a PC (with a 4" pad setup, as well as a 5.5" or 6.5") would probably be sufficient with newer products like M105. A Flex would be a step up, and most enthusiasts would probably rarely encounter anything it couldn't tackle.
 
Thanks for your input guys, really appreciate it.



I will be making my order with the flex kit asap, probably going with the flex menzerna kit.
 
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