flex xc 3401 vs porter cable 7424

Jeffblue

Could some with experience please explain why to get one over the other?

SoCal 370Z

I have the exact two units shown in this video:



Frankly, the Flex makes the Porter Cable much less useful for me (I've boxed it upped and will probably give to my son as a starter). The Flex is a better made tool. I bought my Flex from Phil, at Detailer's Domain.

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Jeffblue

i just watched that video haha. it made me want to start this poll. seeing that vid makes the flex seem better, but i still haven't talked to a professional detailer that doesn't use the PC, so i'm curious.

AdamsPolishes

My opinion is the Flex is a great machine, but not the one to have if you're only going to have ONE machine. The PC is more than capable of doing most corrections in most situations, is great for light polishing, upkeep, and applying products. Heavier correction might take a couple of additional passes, but for the mostpart the PC is gonna get the job done.

We sell both and if you were shopping for your first machine I'd steer you towards the PC over the Flex.

Also consider that if you your cars in relatively good shape (which I'd assume a newer Z would be) then the added ability of the Flex might just be a waste as you'll never need that much polishing ability.

Heres a nice comparison using our new severe swirl remover and Flex vs. PC I helped a good customer of ours do on his mother in laws tahoe. Made the perfect vehicle for testing purposes.

http://www.youtube.com/v/ir8mA4vbgoI

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SoCal 370Z

Most of how you will use this is related to your mechanical aptitude. There are people who should not be handed a driver license, and there are those who should not use power tools. The Flex is a prosumer level tool. If you scour the internet you will find some lively debates comparing both the units you are considering. The Flex is not as forgiving, but you can so much more in the right hands. However, you will find that some people hate the Flex, and others love it. Personally, the Flex is in a different league as I can run it run it full-bore and it never whimpers.

Decent thread to read: PC vs Flex 3401 for Beginner?

P.S. I own a rotary too.

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AdamsPolishes

Probably one of the best descriptions I've heard for it

Its not as much of an apples to apples comparison as many people would believe. You'd almost have to try to do damage with a PC where as the risk of damage for misuse with the flex is substantially higher.

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SoCal 370Z

I believe I get where Dylan is coming from, and here's a true story that might help you:

I reside in a neighborhood where a very small minority of homeowners wash or detail their own vehicles. They either go to a detailer, and some use a mobile detailer. I do wash and detail my own vehicles because it relaxes me and it's the only time I feel I do not have to answer phone calls. Several years ago my neighbor across the street was impressed with my vehicles so he started to take an interest in what I used. One weekend he walks over to have me come see what he purchased. He had purchased Porter Cable with a Meguiar's kit. He jumps into it with "zero" training, and of course his car does not turn out like mine. There are reasons for all this: he does not have the aptitude nor the attention to detail; he's not interested in taking the proper amount of time to do the various stages to get the results that I do.

What's worse is that for about a year after that he would tell me how he didn't like the product, and then he just ceased using the Porter Cable altogether. And he kept insinuating that I had something to do with it (bloody pain-in-the-*** as he would see me detailing and have to come over and waste immense amounts of my own private time, and I would have rather answered phone calls when he was around) trying to figure out what I was doing. I suggested he attend free detailing clinic, but he was too proud to do that.

I've read and seen about others who get into detailing their own vehicles who, in a very short time, abandon and sell their equipment. So here's a little cheat sheet:

• It is harder than it looks, but the results are very satisfying, and they last long enough to be worth the effort.
  
• Truly, if you are not good with power tools DO NOT get into detailing. You will do more harm than good, and end up paying to get matters corrected.
  
• The Porter Cable is a great unit as it can also be used for other work, such as sanding so if you choose to stop detailing then you can still use it for other things.
  
• The Porter Cable resells easier than the Flex because the initial cost is different, and most people know nothing of the Flex brand.
  
• The people who do get into detailing buy one helluva a lot of product, but it's money well spent, and you never seem to quench your curiosity of looking for that holy grail of products that work best for each specific application.
  
• If at all possible—attend a detailing clinic.

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AdamsPolishes

LOL... I very much used to have that same kind of neighbor... jumped whole hog into the products (this was long before I worked for Adams), spent a bunch of money on stuff he didn't need, then ventures over to my garage looking completely deflated a few weekends later.

"You didn't tell me it was gonna be so much work" was the jist of his complaints... as if he had forgotten how many times he'd seen me out in the garage for an entire weekend working on my paint.

Detailing is a hobby you'll learn to love or hate right away... its certainly not for everyone thats for sure.

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Jeffblue

thanks for all the input guys, i appreciate it. sounds to me like the PC should be sufficient for my purposes. I am good with power tools but i also have an open mind and am always anxious to learn how to do new things. I can't see myself ever really need intense paint correction b/c i wash/dry properly. after 7 months i have almost 0 swirls, only a scuff here or there from someone else walking by my car or something. Now i can see why a pro might use a PC over the Flex. Most pros also have a rotary buffer, so i guess between those two, it kind of eliminates the need for the flex.