I was getting a PC 7424XP for father's day but the it was backordered and is on hold. Now I am wondering if I would be better off with the Flex XC3401 VRG. After reading several articles it seems that the Flex may be better suited to removing heavy swirls or scratches. I would like to hear from those who have used both and what your opinions are. Thanks for any information.

 

I just had mine delivered yesterday and it seems to be a more powerful machine. I have the UDM which is pretty much the same as the Porter Cable you have listed and the flex seems to be quite a bit better. I haven't used it on the Vette yet but I was playing around with it on the kitchen counter tops last night and you could see how much better the motion of the pad is compared to the UDM/Porter Cable. The unit also has alot less vibration and is more comfortable on the hands. The draw back is that you can't use 4" pads on the flex. I plan on using my UDM for tighter spots and the flex for the larger areas. The $300 price tag is pretty steep but it's definately built well and it's definately getting more power down to the pad.

 

We sell many random orbital buffers and the newer Griots, Megs, and PC models are enhanced over the original 7424 which was nearly bulletproof and long standing a best seller. The Flex however came into play around 2 years ago and has a very healthy following. It is much more powerful than even the current machines and blurs the line for weekend detailers and home hobbist looking to eventually move up to a "better" or rotary buffer.

http://www.autogeek.net/bupo.html
We usually have stock in all units, and offer a price match guarantee too ...

 

Here are some of them to look over. Remember the Father's Day Sale we have going on that has FREE SHIIPPING on these great products!

The Porter Cable 7424XP, the Meguiars G110V2, the Flex XC3401 VRG, and Makita BO6040 polishers are just a few of the polishers in our inventory. We also have developed various kits using these polishers, along with Lake Country and Meguiars polishing/buffing pads.

The Porter Cable 7424XP Orbital Polisher is simply a wonderful machine. It doesn't matter if you're a first time user or a skilled enthusiast, this machine will give you professional-looking results the very first time you use it.
The 7424XP Polisher is easy to use and safe for all fiberglass, metal, paint and clear coat finishes. It will not create swirls and can not harm or remove paint or clear coats.
It will allow you to apply a polish and liquid wax or sealant in a fraction of the time it would take by hand and create an unbelievable shine.

There are now a number of Chinese-made polishers being imported to compete with the Porter Cable 7424XP. We have elected to stay with the time-tested, Porter Cable machine. The Porter Cable 7424XP is UL Approved, has a neutral balance, very little vibration for fatigue-free polishing and the adaptability of changing the counterweight to facilitate larger pads.
With tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of machines in use, the Porter Cable 7424XP has withstood the test of time and become a detailing icon.

The Meguiars G-110V2 weighs in at 5.5 lbs, comes with a W68DA Softbuff 2.0 Flexible Soft Backing Plate and has a 4.2 amp motor. It has a speed range Speed 1 starts at 1800 Orbits Per Minute (OPM) and each higher number is 1000 OPM higher in speed, topping at 6800 OPM at speed 6.

The Flex XC3401VRG is a true dual-action machine.
With the Flex XC3401VRG, the pads do have a forced circular motion, they rotate or "cut". Plus, as the pads rotate, they oscillate, or move, in a random pattern.
Hence the name, dual action. One action is the circular rotation and the second action is the random movement of the pad while it is rotating.
This random oscillation also has a exceptionally "long throw" of 8 mm. The forced circular pad rotation coupled with the long throw of the oscillations give the Flex considerably more cutting power.

So, if you need a polisher, we have the polisher for you!

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The new Porter Cable 7424XP creates a professional shine in half the time!
Not content to rest on their laurels, the engineers at Porter Cable have taken their best-selling, dual-action polisher, the 7424, and made it into a super-polisher! The new Porter Cable 7424XP incorporates a beefed-up, 4.5 amp, motor, a wider speed range, improved ergonomics and a heftier on/off switch. While each change is small, the net result is a wonderfully well-balanced, comfortable-to-use polisher that now has the power to tackle virtually any detailing task. What hasn't changed is the random, swirl-free polishing action that will not scratch or burn the paint or clear coat and the field-proven mechanism that has earned the reputation of being bulletproof.




Tech Note: Technically, this polisher is classified as an orbital polisher. It is designed to safely apply polish and wax in a manner similar to hand application. It minutes, it creates a mirror-like finish and shine that would otherwise take hours of hand labor. It will not create swirls or remove your car's clear coat finish.

The pad does not rotate in the conventional sense, it oscillates. This "jiggling" occurs at such a high rate that the eye can not see any pad movement. This is normal. This is the way the polisher is designed to work. This polisher is not designed for heavy compounding and may not fully remove scratches, deep swirls or paint imperfections. To completely remove swirls and scratches, consider a professional, circular polisher such as the Makita 9227, or DeWalt 849.

This is the stock machine as it comes from Porter Cable. It has one medium density white pad which is permanently attached to a backing plate. The single white pad supplied with the polisher may be sufficient for the week-end enthusiast but its not enough flexibility for the serious detailer nor does it allow you to use any of our hook and loop backed accessory pads.

Should you decide to upgrade this machine to use any of our 6-1/2 inch or 7-1/2 inch Constant Pressure, Foam Pads, all you need is a 6 inch, Hook and Loop Backing Plate.


For more flexibility, see our 7424XP Ultimate Detailing Machine. While slightly more expensive, this machine comes with a 6 inch Hook and Loop Backing Plate and one CCS, White Foam Polishing Pad. This hook and loop backing plate allows you to use any of our hook and loop backed foam polishing and finishing pads.

7424XP Features & Specifications

* 4.5 amp motor, 120 VAC 50-60 HZ
* Variable Speed 2,500 - 6,800 O.P.M.
* Random, swirl-free action
* 100% ball and roller bearing construction
* Spindle thread size - 5/16-24
* One white foam polishing pad (permanently attached to the backing plate)
* pad changing wrench and side handle included
* Length 11-1/2 inches
* Weight 5-3/4 lbs.

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The Meguiar’s G110 V2 Dual Action Polisher gives detailing enthusiasts more power, more control, and more comfort. It has never been easier for car owners to create a legendary showroom shine. The Meguiar’s G110 V2 Dual Action Polisher features a unique "cruise control" which prevents the machine from bogging, allowing the user to achieve better results, faster. Compared to previous generations of random orbital polishers, the Meguiar’s G110 V2 is way up on results and way down on time wasted.




The Meguiar’s G110 V2 Dual Action Polisher is a random orbital polisher that features a perfect 5/16th stroke. This physics of this powerful "stroke" cause the pad to rotate freely, creating a more perfect finish. Because the pad spins freely, and is not directly driven making this type of polisher extremely safe. And while enthusiast love this polisher for its safe power delivery, many professional detailers love it for its efficiency. It allows you to polish the paint to a high gloss, in less time, without fear of rotary buffer swirls!Meguiar’s G110 V2 Dual Action Polisher

Features:

* Amps: 4.2
* OPMs: 1800 - 6800
* Thread Size: 5/16" x 24
* Weight: 5.5 lbs (without backing plate and handle)
* Noise: 55 dB
* Cord Length: 10.3 ft.
* Multi-position bail handle
* Soft-touch finish
* Meguiar's carry bag included
* Warranty: 1 year from Meguiar's

While torque, amp, and voltage readings seem to be mostly publicized figures today regarding orbital polishers, they far from tell the "truth". Meguiar’s G110 V2 was designed by professional car enthusiast for car enthusiast and no attention to detail was spared. The counter weight is placed close to the drive, for less vertical deflection and a smoother feel. The "cruise control" feature prevents the motor from bogging, and a more efficient design delivers more of the power to road. The Meguiar’s G110 V2 is the most efficient random orbital polisher we have tested. Like Porsche proved to the world, it’s not all about the numbers!

The power dial of the Meguiar’s G110 V2 is mounted at the rear of the polisher, next to the super long power cord. The power has been perfectly tuned to the dial; gone is the rapid jumps in speed that would occur between different speed settings. Speed 1 starts at 1800 Orbits Per Minute (OPM) and each higher number is 1000 OPM higher in speed, topping at 6800 OPM at speed 6.

The Meguiar’s G110 V2 is packaged in a beautiful stitched Meguiar’s bag equipped with a W68DA Softbuff 2.0 Flexible Soft Backing Plate, a bale handle, and a replacement set of maintenance brushes. The body is covered in synthetic soft-touch material that is a treat to hold and the housing is made of metal. Just holding the polisher lets you know it is built to a different standard. Turning it on and using on paint confirms the feel: The Meguiar’s G110 V2 Dual Action Polisher is a serious defect removing paint polisher, from a name you can trust in car care.

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This Flex XC3401VRG is a true dual-action machine. There's a huge difference between the two. With the Porter Cable 7424, the pads do not rotate, they oscillate, or jiggle, in a random pattern designed to simulate hand application. The "throw" or amount of "jiggle" is not disclosed by Porter Cable but it is very, very small. With the Flex XC3401VRG, the pads do have a forced circular motion, they rotate or "cut". Plus, as the pads rotate, they oscillate, or move, in a random pattern. Hence the name, dual action. One action is the circular rotation and the second action is the random movement of the pad while it is rotating. This random oscillation also has a exceptionally "long throw" of 8 mm. The forced circular pad rotation coupled with the long throw of the oscillations give the Flex considerably more cutting power than the Porter Cable 7424. In fact, after spending an afternoon with this machine, I feel it will do 90% of what a pure circular polisher can do with the safety of the random oscillations to prevent swirls. A case of having your cake and eating it too!
The Flex XC3401VRG has a bale-style handle which puts your hands at the 6 o'clock and 12 o'clock position which most professionals prefer. This gives you an even weight distribution between your hands, making the polisher less fatiguing when used for long periods. A six position speed control allows you to limit rpm's between 160 rpm and 480 rpm. Under the speed control, a variable speed trigger allows you to feather the oscillations per minute (OPM's) up to the maximum set by the speed dial. A very nice touch for keeping the rpm's low for applying waxes and sealants which you normally can not apply with a circular polisher.






Speed Control Note: Since the Flex XC3401VRG has a forced circular motion, every speed setting is slightly more powerful when compared to the Porter Cable 7424. If you are stepping up from a 7424, we recommend starting one speed setting lower than you would with the 7424. In other words, If you typically polish in a speed range of 3 to 4 with the 7424, start with a speed range of 2-3 with the Flex. You can always increase the speed if you need more cutting power.

This machine has a very solid "feel", like it could operate all day without stopping (which it probably does in some plants). It never feels strained or "near the edge". Feature wise, the Flex XC3401VGR is one of the most technologically advanced machines on the planet. It features a seven function microprocessor to insure consistent speed, restart protection after power interruption, overload protection and temperature monitoring. Auto shut-off carbon brushes automatically shut off the motor when they wear down to prevent motor damage. A 13 foot power cord allows you to work around most vehicles and the machine comes with a one year warranty through service centers across the US.

The machine comes with a 5-1/2 inch padded backing plat that is not changeable but will accommodate all of our 6-1/2 inch and 7-1/2 inch pads.

Specifications:

Motor Amps 7.5
Rotary RPM: 160-480
Orbital OPM: 3200-9600
Recommended pad size 6.5" - 7.5"
5.5 inch Velcro® backing plate included (not changeable)
Weight 5.75 lbs
Warranty 1 year

________________________________________ ________________________________________ ___________________________

This is the safest circular polisher I know of making it great for enthusiasts with limited machine experience.
The BO6040 features a heat resistant grip and front pad for the "fore and aft" grip preferred by professionals. (There is no side handle.) This polisher also comes with a high quality, flexible 6 inch Hook and Loop Backing Plate and a carrying case but does not come with any pads.







Features & Specifications

* Variable speed 1,600-5,800 OPM; 180-670RPM
* Dual mode selector for "random orbit" and "random orbit with rotation"
* One year factory warranty.
* Rubberized palm grip for comfortable operation..
* Double insulated.
* 6 inch Hook-and-Loop Backing Plate included.
* Spindle thread 5/8 x 11
* 6.6 amp heavy duty motor.
* Overall length 12-1/2 inches.
* Overall weight 5.9 lbs.

This unit comes with a one year factory warranty through any authorized Makita Service Center ( listed on the back of the owners manual).

Anymore information please be free to call us at ProperAutoCare.com and don't forget we carry many kits that will fit your detailing needs and the free shipping apply's to the lower 48.



Angelo
www.ProperAutoCare.com
800-628-7596

 

Choosing the best machine polisher for your needs is a daunting task. There are many terms associated with machine polishing and the types of polishers that for a novice it is often overwhelming: D/A, circular, defects, jeweling, pads, rpm, pressure, speed, opm, rotary, forced rotation, orbital, passes, two mode, variable speed, ETC.

Choosing the best polisher requires answering a couple of questions.
-One, how much experience do you have or do you have any prior experience machine polishing?
-Two, what are you looking to accomplish by machine polishing?
-Three, how frequently will you be machine polishing your car.
-Four, how much time are you willing to invest in machine polishing.

What is a machine polisher and what is it used for? For automotive use, a machine polisher is a tool that moves a media (polishing pad, applicator, sand paper) against a surface (paint, glass, metal). Machine polishers, when used on paint, are used to increase the appearance of the paint by working an abrasive polish against the paint or applying a thin layer of wax or sealant.

What are the different types of machine polishers? Machine polishers are defined by the type of movement or action the machines produce. Orbital polishers are single action machines, meaning they move in one repeating direction, and mimic the tight circles of a hand. Rotary polishers are also single action machines, but act to spin the pad at a high rate. In between an Orbital Polisher and a Rotary Polisher is a Dual-Action Polisher. These polishers combine the tight circles of an Orbital Polisher with the spinning motion of a Rotary Polisher. Dual-Action Polishers can be random in nature, that is the spinning of the pad is controlled by physics, or forced rotation, where the pad is mechanically driven to spin.

Orbital Polisher

Orbital Polishers mimic the motion of hand polishing. This older style of polishers are difficult to find and often lack the power necessary to polish the surface and remove paint defects , although they work well for applying and removing gloss enhancing glazes, sealants, and waxes. These polishers are available at most parts stores and outlets.

Random Orbital Polisher

Random Orbital Polishers such as the Porter Cable 7242XP and Meguiar's G110 are dual-action polishers that combine the movement of an orbital machine with the spinning motion of a rotary polisher. The speed of the polisher is rated in orbits per minute or OPM and is variable via a selector dial; This gives Random Orbital Polishers the ability to effectively polish the paint as well as apply waxes and sealants.

The pad is not forced to spin; the machine only controls the orbit of the pad. Instead the momentum created by the high speed orbital motion causes the pad to rotate in the same direction as the orbit. There is no direct link, making these polishers very safe for novices. The combined motion creates a curly-q pattern the pattern that is 'm' shaped. The pattern is infinitely variable depending on the number of orbits that occur during the rotation of the pad. This is a factor of the stroke length, the pad size, and how much grip the the pad has to the surface. This variable constantly changes pad is moved across the paint's surface creating a truly 'random' pattern.

Using a smaller diameter pad or a pad with a stiffer structure will allow the pad to spin at a faster rate allowing the machine create a powerful polishing motion.

Advantages: Random Orbital Polishers feature interchangeable backing plates which allow the mounting of various polishing pads and polishing pad sizes, as well as carpet brushes and other accessories. Variable speeds make Random Orbital Polishers very versatile and well suited to polishing away paint defects and applying waxes and sealants.

Disadvantages: Random Orbital Polishers lack the power to remove large amounts of paint quickly, limiting their effectiveness when polishing out significant damage.

Bottom Line: Random Orbital Polishers safely produce good results for beginner polishers. There is a slight learning curve to learning this polisher, as an increase in experience and using different techniques and polishes will allow these style polishers to produce amazing results. It is easy to learn and challenging to master.

Forced Rotation Dual-Action Orbital Polisher

Forced Rotation Polishers such as the Flex XC3401 VRG or the Makita Two Mode are Dual-Action Polishers which combine the motions of the orbital and rotary polisher. The difference between these (forced rotation) polishers and Random Orbital Polishers, is that these polishers drive both the orbit and the rotation of the pad.

The forced rotation of the pad marginally increases the risk of damaging the paint from heat build up or from the the edge of the pad contacting the paint. However the motion of the machine still makes it a very safe choice and ideal for novices. The number of orbits is directly related to the number of rotations of the pad, therefore the pattern the machine produces is not random. A gear drive forces the pad to rotate in the opposite direction of the orbit creating a pattern that is the inverse of a Random Orbital Polishers; A 'w' pattern.

The increased power of Forced Rotation Dual-Action Orbital Polishers gives them an advantage in polishing power over their Random Orbital counterparts in most circumstances. While they are slightly more difficult to control because the forced rotation will drive the machine across the paint, the repeating pattern of the machine allows beginning polishers to achieve near optimum results from the get go.

Advantages: The increased power and forced rotation will allow these polishers to produce results faster then a Random Orbital Polisher in most cases. The fixed pattern of movement makes microscopic marring difficult to see, eliminating visible holograms in most cases. Can be used to polish out paint defects as well as apply glazes, sealants, and waxes.

Disadvantages: Forced Rotation Dual-Action Polishers do not feature traditional backing plates that be exchanged for other sizes. The fixed rate of rotations per orbit can limit the power of these polishers in certain circumstances.

Bottom Line: While slightly more difficult to control, Forced Rotation Dual-Action Polishers are ideal for beginners because they produce more consistent results regardless of inconsistencies in technique. The orbital/rotary motion greatly reduces the risk of creating buffer trails, allowing for more consistent finishes on the paint.

Rotary Polishers

Rotary Polishers are sometimes referred to as circular or high-speed polishers because they spin the pad at high rate. This direct polishing action eliminates all variables associated with Orbital or Dual-Action Polishers. The direct spinning action of the pad creates more friction on the paint resulting in an increase of surface tempature. The power and motion of the machine increases the risk of damaging the paint in the hands of less experienced users.

Rotary polishers require more time to learn, but those who use them will tell you that it is time well spent. The power and direct control of the machine allows the artists who use these machines to create some of the most perfect paint surfaces in the world. Rotary polishers break down polishes (particularly traditional polishes) in the most even and efficient manner, and the speed which they polish cannot be matched with the other styles of machines. Nothing has the potential to create stunning finishes and remove severe damage faster then a rotary polisher.

Advantages: Rotary polishers are the most powerful polishers and are capable at removing defects quickly and efficiently. The direct motion of the machine gives the user infinite control over the polishing action, allowing experienced users to create stunning finishes.

Disadvantages: Rotary polishers produce a repeating pattern as they work against the paint which increases the risk for damage and creates microscopic scratches known as holograms that are visible on some paints. These polishes possibly offer the highest potential but require the most experience to achieve that potential The spinning motion is not ideal for applying waxes or sealants.

Bottom Line: Rotary polishers are ideal for those who have the time to learn the machine. The users experience and skill is directly responsible for the results achieved, which can be a benefit or a negative depending on who is viewing it.

 

The difference between a Porter Cable Polisher, Rotary Buffer, Flex 3401 and Cyclo Polisher

Part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtrdTvnZX3I



Part 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2k92m5cJxCk



You can also see the 3401 in action here,

Performing a "Test Spot" to the paint on a 1957 Chevrolet

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CtUaI_8HhE


The Flex 3401 has a larger orbit, or stroke, much larger than the D.A. Polisher, if you watch the body of the polisher in the above video you can see it not so much vibrate as it does wiggle, you need to hold it flat all the time or it will walk you around.

 

How to choose the right polisher for your detailing project

This is just a general guide to help you choose the right polisher for your detailing needs. Power Tools are to guys like shoes are to women, you can never have too many. So perhaps don't limit yourself to just one category of tool, instead put yourself on a path that will eventually include at least one tool from each category. Every 6 months or once a year reward yourself with a shopping spree and add another polisher to your arsenal of detailing tools.

Ease of Use Ranking
Each of the tools below are also graded as to their ease of use using a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the easiest and 5 being the most difficult.


In order of ease of use to learn how to get great results...




Single Head - Random Orbital Polishers - Free Rotating Spindle Assemblies
Ease of Use Ranking: 1

These are without a doubt the easiest electric polisher to learn how to use and master in the shortest amount of time. The biggest benefit is they are absolutely user friendly in that because of their free rotating spindle assemblies you can't burn through the paint and as long as you're using DA approved pads and products you can't instill swirls and in fact you can use them to remove swirls safely and effectively.

They are lightweight, easy to control easy to use on both horizontal panels as well as vertical panels.

They are versatile in that you can use them to remove swirls, polish paint to a high gloss, apply a wax or paint sealant and even use them to remove the wax or paint sealant after it's dried.

If you've always used your hand to take care of your car's paint or a Traditional Orbital Buffer, then a Single Head, Random Orbital Polisher is a great next step in your detailing evolution.

Commonly referred to as Dual Action Polishers or DA style polishers, these polishers are great for,

• People new to machine polishing
• People looking for a safe, but more powerful polisher as compared to a Traditional Orbital Buffer
• People who only take care of their own car or their family's cars.
• Anyone wanting to start a part-time or full-time detailing business
• Anyone with a detailing business that wants to add a DA Style polisher to their arsenal.
• People that work in body shops looking for a tool to insure swirl free finish.
• Teenage boys and girls interested in the detailing hobby
• Boat owners looking for a better way to maintain their boat
• RV owners looking for a better and faster way to maintain their RVs
• Airplane owners looking for a safer, faster way to maintain their airplane's finish

Dual Action Polishers are both great entry level polishers and tools seasoned professionals use to create a true, swirl-free, show car finish.

There's lots of options when it comes to designs, sizes add types of buffing pads for these tools with more new pads being introduced all the time.

All the DA Polishers offered by Autogeek.net are quality tools that will help you maintain your cars better and faster.

Drive Mechanism - Free Rotating Spindle Assemble

From left to right...
Porter Cable 7424XP - Meguiar's G110v2 - Griot's Garage ROP - Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher


Close-ups...








Dual Head - Random Orbital Polisher
Ease of Use Ranking: 2

The dual head Cyclo Polisher is also a very easy electric polisher to learn how to use as it's lightweight and well-balanced making it easy hold and control. It takes a tick more practice to master the polishing power of the dual random orbital buffing heads but nothing that can't be self-taught the first time you use this tool.

The Cyclo Polisher has been around since 1952 with a time-proven track record. These tools have been used for decades for not only polishing paint but they started out as polishers for machine polishing aluminum to create brilliant, chrome like finishes on Airstream Travel Trailers, Vintage Airplanes, and aluminum tanks on Tanker Trucks.

The Cyclo Polisher is versatile in that you can remove the Rubber Pad Holders and install a variety of different brushes for cleaning carpet, upholstery, leather, fabrics, tile and grout.






These polishers are great for,

• People new to machine polishing
• People looking for a safe, but more powerful polisher as compared to a Traditional Orbital Buffer
• People who only take care of their own car or their family's cars.
• Anyone wanting to start a part-time or full-time detailing business
• Anyone with a detailing business that wants to add a multi-purpose tool to their detailing arsenal.
• People that work in body shops looking for a tool to insure swirl free finish.
• Teenage boys and girls interested in the detailing hobby
• Boat owners looking for a better way to maintain their boat
• RV owners looking for a better and faster way to maintain their RVs
• Airplane owners looking for a safer, faster way to maintain their airplane's finish

The Cyclo Polisher is a well-built and well-engineered polisher that offers you the ability to perform a lot of different detailing procedures from just one tool. Chances are very good it will outlast you too!




Hybrid - Forced Rotation Random Orbital Polisher
Ease of Use Ranking: 3

The Flex 3401 is referred to as a Hybrid Polisher because it's unique among the more well-known polishers in that it is a forced rotation dual action polisher.

What this means is that the buffing head oscillates at the same time it's rotating which is what the above Dual Action Polishers do except that this unit is uses a direct drive mechanical action which forces the pad to both rotate and oscillate with no allowance for slippage.

This gives this tool most of the power associated with direct drive rotary buffers but the safety of a dual action polisher in that you can't heat up the paint and burn through it and you also can't instill swirls as long as you use pads and products recommended for use with dual action polishers.

These tools are like a bridge between a dual action polisher and a rotary buffer.

The learning curve for mastering a polisher like this is a little steeper than the learning curve for a dual action polisher if you're new to machine polishing. If you're an experienced with a dual action polisher it a very easy tool to advanced to and master and if you're a seasoned craftsman with a rotary buffer it will take you about 5 minutes to learn the differences in how this tool handles as compared to a rotary buffer.






These polishers are great for,

• People new to machine polishing but consider themselves quick learners with better than average upper body strength. It's not that they require more muscle to operate it just that they require that a new operator pay more attention to the task at hand.
• People looking for a safe, but more powerful polisher as compared to a Traditional Orbital Buffer
• People who only take care of their own car or their family's cars.
• Anyone wanting to start a part-time or full-time detailing business
• Anyone with a detailing business that wants to add a multi-purpose tool to their detailing arsenal.
• People that work in body shops looking for a tool to insure swirl free finish.
• Boat owners looking for a better way to maintain their boat
• RV owners looking for a better and faster way to maintain their RVs
• Airplane owners looking for a safer, faster way to maintain their airplane's finish

This is a tool that offers a lot more correction ability than a dual action polisher or a Cyclo Polisher but its operation is quite a bit different than the how a dual action polisher feels or a Cyclo Polisher feels when operating one.

If you ever have a chance to test drive one of these polishers by using a friends or attending a class or seminar where they have one you can test out, definitely give it a try. The majority of people that take the plunge and purchase one of these types of polishers become loyal fans of this tool and strong proponents for it and are always willing to share their experience on how to best use it on discussion forums.




Direct Drive Rotary Buffers - Circular Polishers
Ease of Use Ranking: 4 - Flex Lightweight
Ease of Use Ranking: 5 - Full size Models


Rotary Buffers are the tool of choice for professionals in the refinishing industry, (body shops where new paint is sprayed), and the reconditioning industry, (car detailing both mobile detailers and fixed locations.

Rotary Buffers, also referred to as Circular Polishers use powerful electric motors to power direct drive gear systems that force a spindle to rotate in one circular direction. When you place a backing plate and a buffing pad onto the spindle you now have a tool that offers a the most correction ability out of all the tools listed here. Another way of saying this is a rotary buffer has the ability to remove a lot of paint fast.

Now I know that never sounds good but remember the industries this tool is targeted at and designed for and that's body shops and detail shops.

In a body shop situation, often times after a car is sprayed with fresh paint, after the paint dries it may be wet-sanded or color sanded to remove Orange Peel by sanding the textured surface flat. After the finish is sanded flat the next step is to remove the sanding marks which is requires a polisher that has a lot of power to cut into the paint and level it thus removing the sanding marks or sanding scratches.

In the detailing industry, a lot of seasoned professional detailers will want to use a rotary buffer for the same reason, that is they want to use a tool to remove a lot of paint quickly only instead of removing a controlled pattern of sanding marks they want to remove uncontrolled or random deeper defects like swirls, scratches, etching and water spots.

The other tools listed above like the dual action polishers, the Cyclo Polisher and the Hybrid Flex 3401 can all remove these types of deeper, serious defects but just not as quickly as they don't have the same type of power.

This power is a double-edged sword as it enables the user to quickly remove serous paint defects but if the user is not careful they can also heat up the paint on a high point or body line and actually burn or grind through the paint to expose the underlying layer of paint and in some cases the actual metal that makes up a panel.

So with greater power comes the responsibility to master the tool so you don't make mistakes.

Now listed this category as having both an Ease of Use Ranking of 4 and 5 because in this category there is a smaller, lightweight rotary buffer and its small size and lightweight make it dramatically easier to control and mastering a rotary buffer is matter of learning to control a rotary buffer.

The full size traditional models weigh more and their physically larger size just makes them a couple ticks more difficult to learn to control and to actually control when buffing out complete cars.

The learning curve of mastering a rotary buffer is the steepest and longest of all these tools and the tired and true way to learn the way of the rotary buffer is with a combination of education, hands-on training and real-world experience, lots of real-world experience.










These polishers are great for,

• Anyone with a detailing business that wants to add a more powerful tool to their detailing arsenal.
• Enthusiasts that have mastered one or more of the other groups of tools and is now ready to move onto to the rotary buffer.

Compared to the other groups of tools, using a rotary buffer will require the most upper body strength including hands, arms, shoulders, back, stomach and even leg muscles.

At this time for all practical reasons it's a must-have tool if you're going to be sanding and buffing paint; some of the other less powerful tools can remove sanding marks but the rotary buffer is the best tool for the job at the time I'm writing this, at least until new advancements in pads and chemicals are introduced.


Speaking as a detailer that cut his teeth on a very heavy Sioux or Milwaukee Rotary Buffer, if you're interested in in learning to use a rotary buffer then take a strong look at the Flex Lightweight Rotary Buffer, it's is hands down the easiest rotary buffer I've ever used. It's lightweight makes it much more easy to control than it's full size brothers and this will help you to build confidence and skill faster.




Product Showcase - Best of class electric polishers

Here's a list of all our electric polishers that are effective at removing swirls, scratches and water spots out of clear coat paints. Note that all of these polishers are available in Combination Kits that include your choice of a variety of different types and sizes of buffing pads, Swirl Mark Removers, (SMR's), as well as other products and accessories.



Single Head - Random Orbital Polishers - Free Rotating Spindle Assemblies

Porter Cable 7424XP
4.5 AMP
500 Watt Motor
5 pounds
3 Year Limited Warranty - 1 Year Free Service - 90 Days Money Back


Griot's Garage Random Orbital Polisher
7.0 AMP
850 Watt Motor
5.5 pounds
Griot's Lifetime Warranty


Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher
2.0 AMP
240 Watt Motor
Griot's Lifetime Warranty


Meguiar's G110v2
4.2 AMP
430 Watt Motor
5 pounds
1 Year Limited Warranty


Dual Head - Random Orbital Polisher

Cyclo Polisher
1 Year Limited Warranty


Hybrid - Forced Rotation Random Orbital Polisher

Flex 3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher
7.5 Amps
590 Watts
6 Pounds
1 Year Limited Warranty



Direct Drive Rotary Buffers - Circular Polishers

Flex 3403 Lightweight Rotary Buffer
11.5 Amps
1100 to 3700 RPM
5 Pounds
1 Year Limited Warranty


Makita 9227C Rotary Buffer
10 Amps
600 to 3000 RPM
7 Pounds
30-Day, No-Risk, Satisfaction Guarantee
1 year Warranty


DeWalt 849 Rotary Buffer
8 Amps
1000 to 3000 RPM
8 Pounds
30-Day, No-Risk, Satisfaction Guarantee
1 Year Free Service Contract
1 year Warranty


Flex 630 Rotary Buffer
8 Amps
1000 to 3000 RPM
8 Pounds



Tools & Accessories Quick Reference List

Here's a Quick Reference List that will take you to the different categories of products related to machine polishing

Electric Buffers - Main Landing Page for everything in this list.
Buffing Pads for Dual Action Polishers
Buffing Pads for Rotary Buffers
Buffing Pads and Accessories for the Cyclo Polisher
Bonnets
Hook And Loop Backing Plates
Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer - Foam Pads and Wool Pads - All Machines
Autogeek System 2000 Pad Washer for Rotary Polishers Wool Pads and Rotary Buffers
Brinkman Maxfire Dual Xenon Rechargeable Spotlight
Autogeek Detailer’s Tool Bag
Pinnacle Detailer’s Tool Bag
Wolfgang Detailer's Tool Bag
Defelsko PosiTest DFT Combo Electronic Paint Thickness Gauge
DP Polishing Pad Rejuvenator
Defelsko PosiTest DFT Combo Electronic Paint Thickness Gauge
Foam Pad Conditioning Brush
Duo Spur Wool & Foam Pad Cleaning Tool
Pinnacle XMT Polishing Pad Cleaner
Pinnacle XMT Polishing Pad Conditioner




Traditional Orbital Buffers

If you have a buffer that looks something like this one,





We call these Traditional Orbital Buffers or Old School Buffers, in the forum world they're actually referred to as "Wax Spreaders".

While they can be used to remove light surface defects if you're serious about removing any substantial swirls, scratches and water spots out of modern automotive finishes, you really want to consider one of the other polishers listed above. For more information, check out this link.

Traditional Orbital Buffer aka The Wax Spreader

 

While perhaps not the only way to measure the 'power' of a machine, one way to look at how much work it is capable of doing is to measure how car the machine will move a spot on the pad in a give time, basically how much rubbing the pad will do.

If we where running the both the Flex and the Porter Cable XP wide open we would develop both OPM's (orbits) and rotations. The problem (and where the Porter Cable looses is that it's rotation is significantly reduced by pressure and friction. The Flex, on the other hand, will rotate at a fixed rate (to the orbits).

At WOT (Wide Open Throttle, but people on a forum dedicated to Corvette's better know that acronym) the Porter Cable will produce 6800 orbits per minute, the Flex will produce 4800 (not the advertised 9600).

If we put a 6.5 inch pad on the machine and put a piece of tape on the edge of the pad, we could approximate how much distance the pad will travel in a minute.

Both machines feature a 5/16th of an inch throw, or stroke, which mean the pad travels approx. .98 of an inch per orbit. (5/16th = .3125 x 3.14).

On a Porter Cable, the orbits alone account for 6,664 inches of travel per minute .98 x 6800.

On the Flex, the orbits alone account for only 4,704 inches of travel per minute .98 x 4800.

Now we must factor in the distance covered by the rotational speed of the machine. For each rotation of the pad, the outer edge of the pad will travel 20.41 inches (6.5 x 3.14).

On a Porter Cable this is hard to discern as many factors control how fast the pad rotates. However I know of a person who used strobe lights to measure the backing plate rotational rate of a 5.75 inch backing plate. With no load they found the rotational rate to be around 350 RPM. This gives a rotational distance covered 7,143.5 inches per minute.

The Flex rotates at a fixed speed of 480 rpm, and thus covers a distance of 9,796.8 inches a minute.

For the sake of this comparison I will add the two distances covered, since it will produce accurate results as to which machine covers more distance on the outer edge.

The Porter Cable will move a spot on the outer edge approximately 13,800 inches per minute, un-loaded.

The Flex will move a spot on the out edge of the pad approximately 14,501 inches per minute, unloaded.

The Flex will have an advantage in working ability as load is increased. Because its motor is driving both the orbit and rotation, it will suffer more bog.

Even under heavy pressure the Porter Cable will continue to orbit at near 6800 OPM, but its rotational speed can stall to zero.

So on paper, the Flex wins. But the results aren't as dramatic as it seems, because the closer we move to the pad's center, the less area is covered by rotation, and the more is covered by the orbits. For a quick example, if we marked the pad 1 inch out (for a 2 inch diameter) the Porter Cable would produce the same 6664 inches of travel per minute (orbit distance is the same anywhere on the pad) and the Flex would still produce 4,704.

The PC would cover 2,198 inches of rotational speed (towards the center of the pad) for a total of 8,862 inches per minute.

The Flex would cover 3,014 inches of rotational speed, for a total of only 7,718 inches of movement towards the pad's center.

When me measure the total movement at various (but equal spots) across the paint, the total movement is very close (edge to the Flex), but the Porter Cable's lack of a direct drive will always rob it rotational speed.

So the Flex will always have a potential advantage in correctional ability, don't discount the Porter Cable. It has the advantage of constantly altering the patter it moves across the paint, which can give it the ability to level paint flatter, and help round scratches and edges more efficiently. I know of some really great detailers who use their PC's to quickly remove sanding marks and all kinds of deep damage.

To be the difference is the that PC requires more of a learning curve to get the best results. The Flex, by a factor of it's fixed pattern, should give new users the best possible results right off the bat, but it is slightly more dangerous to use and can steer you across the paint.

If I could only have one it would be a Porter Cable (or Meguiar's G110 v2) because they are very versatile and with enough practice, produce great results) but I have both (life is good!).

Not sure if this random information is at all helpful, but hopefully is interesting none-the-less.

Todd

 

Thanks to both Proper Auto Care and Auto Geek. Your posts are very informative and educational to say the least. Glad to have you both as active supporters of the forum and vendors.

 

It is truly our pleasure!!!

 

If you have the money or are going to use a machine often, I recommend the Flex. You will achieve similar results in about half the time with the Flex.

 

Holy Competition!!!

 

Thats it in a nut shell. Forget the specs and just buy the Flex and you will never think................"Gee, wonder if I should of bought the PC".


But if you buy the PC you will always be wondering if you should of bought the Flex.

 

If you want the Flex then call me at ProperAutoCare and I'll be sure to walk your order thru and you get FREE SHIPPING.











Angelo
Email me at Angelo.g@properautocare.com
Toll Free 1-800-628-7596