Flex XC 3401 VRG Polisher Reviews

I LOVE this machine! It's my right hand. I'm a 41 year old female yacht detailer. It takes a bit of getting used to compared to a Griots G9, porter cable and other random orbital DA's. However, this machine is unmatched in my opinion and worth every penny. It delivers beautiful results even on the toughest gel coat. Skills are of course necessary to accompany the machine. For me, it's almost a 3 in 1 machine since it's got similarities to a rotary buffer, yet gentle enough to apply wax or sealant but in a much faster manner. I love the forced rotation. It saves a ton of time and frustration getting through all the nooks and crannies and curves. I haven't yet used it on paint but I will be at some point. The only disappointment I faced was the cord was fairly bent at the bottom entrance of the machine from shipping. I'm hoping it doesn't cause issues with bare wire or bad connection later down the line. 10 out of 10 HIGHLY recommend!

I'd like to add one more thing to my previous comment. I'm a yacht detailer. Often times I'm working on gel coat that has buffer swirls. This machine spins the opposite direction which counteracts the swirls and removes them so much faster! Also, if you are a typical DA user, I recommend learning the movement of the machine at a 2-3 speed and holding it sideways like a rotary. Applying pressure to one side or the other of the top palm grip as well as slightly twisting the handle to the same side helps the machine flow side to side/up down much easier. It's like dancing, feel the machine and what it's doing in reaction to your technique. I've been using one of these for over a year now almost daily and my Griots and Porter cable are sadly just collecting dust in the corner. Shipping and service was fast and on point!

I love this thing! It's a pro level tool both in terms of build quality and the results it can produce when used properly. The gear drive forced rotation is the key - unlike the random orbital DAs ( Rupes, Porter Cable, et al ) it can actually do real paint correction in a reasonable amount of time, almost like a rotary. Same difference as a 9" bondo eater compared to a regular 6" air operated DA sander. Like many pro level tools, it does demand a bit of skill from the operator. If you have some ability and experience using powerful hand tools you will take to it right away, if not it may be a bit intimidating. A great tool, but not for the faint of heart.

The machine has a 25' cord, which was a big selling point. Another big point is the geared DA head, which means no disc stalling in difficult contoured areas. The machine is being used with foam polishing pads on a marine gelcoat. Even with heavy pressure, the machine runs cool. I never used a DA on gelcoat before. I am now appreciating not having swirls that you get from a rotary polisher. In short, very pleased with the polishing results. The results are further appreciated after paste waxing. Based on my 10-12 hrs of experience, I highly recommend this polisher to anyone.

Because it's a forced rotation the polisher is heavy and the backing plates are awkward sizes those are the downfalls but besides that great machinery

Best polisher that you can buy! Don't waste your time in other brands if you want to do top notch jobs say no more.

Absolutely the best polisher in the world in my opinion. German paint & body technology is way ahead of everybody else. I does take some getting used to, because it is a counterclockwise rotation and it is a forced rotation. I have used nothing else ever since they started selling these in the USA over 10 years ago. Built to last forever.

I've had the pc 7424 for about 3 years, only used the flex once but it turns counterclockwise. Not use to that. Other than that it's easily twice the machine pc!! The forced rotation is great!! Wish I had bought the flex 3 years ago...

The Flex XC 3401VRG is in a class of its own. I came from what I thought was a stout porter cable 7424xp but the metal bolt broke after 5 years. This is a true polisher and when pressure is being applied to polish, the pad will keep moving. No cons about this polisher. I used Meguiar's microfiber cutting pad with Menzerna 400 compound followed with two stage paint correction on over sprayed hood. I'm not a detailer, but have a passion to be one as a hobby.

Very effective and fast cutting machine. It allows me to quickly do paint correction, saving me lots of time. I also use it to do headlight restorations, so I no longer use a rotary buffer! The only downfall is it does get a little hot, but besides that great machine and well worth the money if you are a professional or have the means. The Flex does it all!!

I have 10 detail tech's and all agree the Rupes is way better. found the Flex it is hard to control compared to Rupes. We use the 21R.

I have not used a Rupes but just used this for first time today and all I can say is WOW! I also questioned why I didnt buy it over the PC to start. I had no problem at all dealing with counter-clockwise rotation and it will only walk on you if you dont keep it flat. The cutting ability is phenomenal for having done 4 section passes, 2 using good pressure. I never had luck on foam cutting pads until I used the flex, results guaranteed! I also used Meguiars MF cutting pad and results were crystal clear on my blue Ford. I will reccommend the Flex 3401 any day over anything else. What sold me on it over the Rupes is that it will never bog down which is essential for the most paint correction possible. The lightweight is big plus as well, I could polish with one hand no walking or anything! Buy a Flex, you wont want anything else, guaranteed!

Im not a pro, just an avid amature and I was very happy with my PC for years. Then my wife got a black 2001 S200 and it had only seen gas station car washes. Swirl city. While the PC did the job, it just took so long. The Flex knocked it out in less than half the time and it will probably be even faster once I "master this beast". Now I look at the old PC like a toy! Sometimes you do get what you pay for.

My very first buffer and very easy to learn with. Started out on lower speeds just to get a feel for it and in less than 10 minutes was comfortable using higher speeds. Hand polishing doesn't even come close to what this machine is capable of. Show car finish is completely possible if you just take the time to experiment with different polishes and technique (look at some learning videos online and if nothing else keep the buffer flat). I was worried I might damage my paint being a newbie but believe me this buffer does one hell of a paint correction without the risk of doing damage. Just go for it and you'll see that the learning curve is more about which products to use depending on the type of paint and severity of blemishes you're trying to polish out. Ambient temperature also plays a part...highly recommend a cool shady spot for easiest applications. The Flex 3401 is an awesome machine and I highly recommend it for it's correction capability and versatility as you can also jewel with it. If you're the type of person who is willing to pony up for quality products so you don't end up disappointed then this is the buffer for you.

I enjoy using the Flex now, but it took some getting used to. It seems to rotate "backwards" to me, meaning that instead of spinning into your body and having to push it to control it, it spins away from you, and you have to pull it in order to keep it on track. I'm right-handed, and I have my left hand on top with my right hand on the trigger mechanism. Once I got used to it, though, I really appreciate how much faster it can get results that satisfy a hard to please perfectionist like me (and you)

I bought this buffer after just brief experience in detailing. It was very easy to get comfortable with and the results have been outstanding. It is built well and feels very sturdy when you work with it. The placement of the handle makes it very easy to appy even pressure when you are working. I use it with 6.5" LC pads and primarily Meguiars products: M105, M205, and Gold Class Carnauba Wax. I have been vaery happy with the results. In the last month I restored a '98 Explorer and detailed a 2011 Black Mustang that had been left with numerous DISO's. You can't go wrong with this buffer.

Great service from DI. Great machine. What took me so long? Should have done this years ago.

Great product! Best way I can describe is it's really a mix between a pc and a rotary! It's very powerfull and can correct better than a pc, but it definitely doesn't replace a pc. It's a great weapon to have in the arsenal along with my pc and rotary. I do love what I can do with it. On speed 6, it's spins like a rotary. It's a great tool to have. I used it on a red 2011 mustang that was badly swirled right off the dealers lot with some menzerna po203s and it finished perfect. Cut everything out and left a perfect wet finish. Again, I feel it's like a rotary and a pc pit together. Great tool to have in the arsenal.

The Flex is amazing! Its extremely powerful and easy to use. The only negative thing I would say about it is that it is a bit on the heavy side. I would buy again in a heartbeat.

Like some of the other reviewers, my previous experience has been with random orbitals ( Griot's Garage) and I feel like I own the two best. The Flex definitely takes some getting used to, as it does feel heavier and it does feel as if can get away from you at times if you are not careful. But there is no doubt about the results. My finish was awesome, and to me that's the bottom line.

I ordered this buffer after all of the glowing reviews here. I wanted to step up from my Porter Cable 7424. The Flex st and has plenty of power but I am not sure I will keep it, I didn't realize that I would miss my 5.5" and 4" pads so much. Also, I found it hard to control on vertical services, and I thought it seemed heavy and harder to control. I think I'll go stick with my PC DA for now

WOW! Having been through three PC’s and a couple rotaries in my professional career, I simply cannot believe the power and FLEXibility this machine has out of the box. This is the perfect blend of the power of the rotary, but the safety and ease of the dual-action random orbital that I would highly recommend to the beginner or weekend warrior. While there is still a need for a rotary in extreme cases, unless that is a market you are focused on, ditch it and stick with the FLEX! The combo of the Flex with the FLEXibility of the Lake Country pads gives the user all sorts of versatility. This machine simply does not bog down when force is applied to enable the breakdown of a polish or compound, but glides so smoothly when jewelling a finish or applying a liquid wax or sealant. Professional or not, if I had a choice to make all over again, I would have went with the FLEX much sooner. Believe me, it’s well worth the money!

I can not express how impressed I am with this unit!

I mainly bought this to get the water spots off of a used MINI that I bought, but also wanted it to maintain my other vehicles as well.

I have never had a buffer/polisher before, and was a little intimidated at first, but in no time I had this thing cranked up to 6 and was going like a pro! The water spots came right off with Menzerna medium cut polish and an orange pad. One swipe and they were gone! It also took out some rather deep swirl marks made by the previous owner trying to remove some tar spots. A couple of passes and they were gone too!

All in all, this is a wonderful device and I would not hesitate to buy another.

This is one of my best investments so far in detailing. I've previously applied glaze, sealent, and wax by hand. 2 coats of each! It about killed me! The Flex has paid for itself in just the saved shoulder aches/pains! Really though, it has worked very well. I'm a first timer, and this still came across as easy to use and manage. It does have lots of power, but not the uncontrollable kind. Just be sure you have a good grip before venturing past 5 on the speed setting. I can't wait to use this to apply polish and do some paint correction. The Flex is the gift that keep on giving. Trust me and my pain free shoulders!

This buffer is head and shoulders better than the PC. I could not believe the difference, faster and much better results. Love it.

Luv it. Restored my paint as a first time user. Don't be afraid to use it as it is quite safe at speed.

I'm always looking for products that make my detail job faster and easier. Plus the Flex XC makes the polishes work much better. Yet I'M not worried about burning the paint. I just wish I had bought the Flex XC a long time ago. This is money well spent!

I bought this tool from DI about a month ago, and used it for only a few hours. I absolutely love the tool but it just didn't fit my personal detailing routine. It has great correcting ability (much more than a PC), a lot more power over a PC but is still much much safer than a rotary polisher. It will not bog down and works great with 6.5" and 7.5" pads and I think it's a perfect machine for a weekend detailer or those who prefer to have only 1 machine. The only thing that bothered me about the machine is that it spins counter-clockwise (opposite of rotary polishers) but once you work with the for a few hours you'll get the hang of it, even if you're using it and a rotary on the same detail. Awesome machine and when funds are there I'll buy one again just to have it.

I took this baby out for a spin on March 30 2008 on a semi-warm Connecticut day (45 degrees). I have a black 2000 Volkswagen Golf GTI VR6. I used a orange 71/2" CCS Pad and let it rip! Used full power with the Menzerna Final finish II and found pretty good results, so I used some stronger Menzerna and found better results. I would go with the 71/2" pad for the hood, roof and trunk if you have one and go with smaller 61/2 " pads for the sides of the car. When doing the sides of the car it tended to be a little unstable, but it is something I have to get used too or just slow down on the speed. A very good machine.