I'm interested in getting a SAFE polisher that would be less work intensive than hand polishing, so what justifies the $100+ difference in these two machines.
I have a 3 month old car that I don't think needs too much work but would simply like to keep it looking real good.
My initial instinct was the Porter but most here seem to find this relatively useless compared to the Flex.
Why?

 

The Porter Cable is a great machine. It was the choice of most hobbyists until the Flex came along. I love my PC and have never tried the Flex, but those that have tried both seem to say that the Flex is even better.
If I had nothing and money wasn't a factor I would get the Flex. If you want to save a few bucks the PC is a good choice too.
I've also been told recently that If I were considering spending the money on the Flex, that I should consider the Cyclo too.
I already own the PC and would buy a Flex (or Cyclo)only if a good enough deal came along. If not, I'll stick with my PC until the next best thing comes along.

 

For your corvette, the Flex would offer better results in less time......

That said, the PC is a very handy tool to have for minor stuff, carpet cleaning and applying wax products. Correct pads and polish are a must with both options......

Price wise.........

The Flex is made in Germany and is fairly new so, there aren't any deals around as of yet unless you can find a used one. I lucked out and found one a few months old for about $200.

I think there is a member here selling his used PC with pads for a very reasonable price. It's a good machine to start out and learn with..

Good luck.......

 

The PC was the go-to machine for more than several years. Alot of patience was required, but the advent of better polishes and smaller pads helped tremendously. As with all technology the Flex came on showing more power, stronger motor, and became the next step in Random Orbitals. It cuts down the time abit while still being quite safe when used properly ....

 

The Flex has forced rotation as well as random orbiting and is a much more powerful machine and has the ability to do much more paint correction in half the amount of time. Worth the extra bucks IMHO.

The PC does not spin like a rotary or a Flex and just orbits. It does not have the power to remove moderate swirls like the Flex can and what correction it does do takes much longer.

 

Just when I think I have my mind made up (to get the PC kit) I read comments like the one above. Spending $280 seems so much easier than $470, but if the Flex is that much better......aahhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!

 

http://www.autogeek.net/wolfgang-flex-polisher-kit.html

This kit will save you some bucks and offer the same bang for the buck IMO. The Wolfgang polishes 3.0 are made for us by Menzerna and similar to SIP and Nano polish. Use the couponcode on the post below in car care to save another 20.00. Hope it helps a bit ...

 

I've been using a PC for 7-8 years and it's been great. I've never had to tackle much more than light towel mark removal and minor swirls, and it handles both well. My flex arrived Friday, looking forward to trying it out. For once or twice a year detailing for light swirl marks and towel marks, hard to beat a PC though.

 

I've spent the last 2 days using my new Flex with SIP and I must say it's better than the PC but it ain't no rotary. Not that I was expecting that...but although it takes out swirl marks lickety-split, there are still straight-line scratches that don't come out as quickly as I'd hoped. These scratches are probably from previous improper drying techniques, and are so minor they don't catch my fingernail....but they still take 3-4 passes with the Flex. Don't get me wrong. I love the machine....but it is not a panacea for paint correction. Anything "major" will still require a rotary. That being said...it's hands above the PC when it comes to such things as power, convenience, and comfort. You can spread polish using a slow speed with the adjustable speed trigger, and then lock it in high speed without moving your hands...something you can't do with the PC and something that is a real convenience. It doesn't vibrate as much as the PC--much smoother--so your hands aren't tingling after an hour or more. You can also push harder without losing rotation/power, which is another plus and which makes the Flex more effective on very minor marring including swirl marks. All-in-all, I would definitely say buy a Flex if you don't have either.....and consider buying a Flex even if you have a PC, as I did. However.....I'm still dreaming of buying a rotary.

 

Here is a deal if interested.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-p...post1568395315