Can't decide between a buffer

Raman335i · 07-31-2011, 04:37 PM

Porter Cable 7424 XP vs. Flex XC 3401 VRG

At first I was thinking about getting the PC since it should be a great buffer to start out with (I'm new to this all) but now I'm debating getting the Flex buffer instead since it is pretty safe to use for someone just starting out, but is more powerful and may result in a better polish?

I'm sure many of you guys have been in the same situation, what did you guys decide upon or suggest?

x3man1994 · 07-31-2011, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raman335i

Porter Cable 7424 XP vs. Flex XC 3401 VRG

At first I was thinking about getting the PC since it should be a great buffer to start out with (I'm new to this all) but now I'm debating getting the Flex buffer instead since it is pretty safe to use for someone just starting out, but is more powerful and may result in a better polish?

I'm sure many of you guys have been in the same situation, what did you guys decide upon or suggest?

I decided on the PC just because it was cheaper and I thought to start out it would be easier to learn on.

macstoy · 07-31-2011, 07:00 PM

If this is your first one I would go with a Porter Cable, sine it is easy to use and very durable. I've owned mine for over 7 years and have detailed many cars, trucks and boats...

White_335I · 07-31-2011, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raman335i

Porter Cable 7424 XP vs. Flex XC 3401 VRG

At first I was thinking about getting the PC since it should be a great buffer to start out with (I'm new to this all) but now I'm debating getting the Flex buffer instead since it is pretty safe to use for someone just starting out, but is more powerful and may result in a better polish?

I'm sure many of you guys have been in the same situation, what did you guys decide upon or suggest?

I have 2 PC and a Flex. I use Flex for most of the correction work. The only drawback is you can not put a 4" pad. I use PC for that. If money is not a concern, get both.

Detailed Image · 07-31-2011, 08:38 PM

Tough call both are great tools that will work great for years to come. The Flex XC 3401 VRG is my favorite because of the added power and it feels smoother in my hands imo, but it does cost more. The Porter Cable 7424XP Random Orbital Buffer is very reliable and effective for much less money, but you do need to purchase a backing plate separately.

We have several good package deals for both buffers with pads, etc. here if interested - DI Packages. Let me know if you have any other questions I'd be happy to help!

Greg @ DI

tofu- · 07-31-2011, 08:40 PM

get the flex. i started off on it and achieve great results.

doesnt make sense to waste money upgrading in the future

MuttGrunt · 07-31-2011, 09:03 PM

My vote is for the PC.

driverman · 07-31-2011, 10:55 PM

I yield to the pros, but based on the research I've done, which includes lots of opinions from pros ....

If you can afford the Flex and you love good tools, get the Flex. Otherwise, the PC seems like a good value that is more than adequate for occasional use.

UncleWede · 08-01-2011, 10:58 AM

I have never regretted my flex purchase (well, other than when my arms felt like they were going to fall off after correcting some of the relatives' cars)

That 4" pad would be nice from time to time, haven't heard much on the one that can be found for the flex.

Envious Eric · 08-01-2011, 12:07 PM

PC from DI^^^^^

derrick603 · 08-01-2011, 12:48 PM

If you want more power than a PC but don't want to spend the money on a Flex, how about a Griot's or Meg's G110v2?

MuttGrunt · 08-01-2011, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derrick603

If you want more power than a PC but don't want to spend the money on a Flex, how about a Griot's or Meg's G110v2?

They're all comparable. Some small differences, but non are forced-rotation like the Flex DA is. Never the less a good point Derrick

twinturboa51 · 08-01-2011, 07:17 PM

If you think youre going to stick with detailing for a while and can afford one get the flex

ScheerSpeed · 08-02-2011, 11:51 AM

you are always going to need a PC, so it's always good to have. The FLEX on the other hand becomes rather useless once you step up to a rotary.

06E90Rostik · 08-04-2011, 01:00 PM

Waxing = PC (DA)
Correction = Makita (rotary)

like sheerspeed says, Flex falls in between making it completely useless (IMHO)

get the one that will fit you best, personally I don't like how you are limited with pad size choice on Flex

Raman335i · 08-04-2011, 04:52 PM

Thanks for all of the responses! I'm kind of leaning towards the PC route and then possibly upgrading to a rotary down the line when I get some more experience under my belt.

Johndong888 · 08-08-2011, 01:13 AM

I only detail my car. I first started out with a PC 7424. I ended up buying a Flex VRG. That got stolen so I bought another Flex. Gave away the PC.

driverman · 08-16-2011, 12:40 PM

I used my new Flex 3401 on portions of a 1998 Civic, which was in pretty bad shape, and portions of a 2009 Civic, which had nasty water spots on the hood. I used SIP with an orange pad on the 1998 Civic and 106FA with a white pad on the 2009 Civic.

It took a few minutes to get the hang of the Flex. If the pad isn't parallel to the paint surface, the Flex will wander. But anyone that's handy with tools should get the feeling for it quickly. It will probably take much longer to "master" the tool.

I got great results. It took multiple passes to cut through the scratches on the old Civic, which I liked because I had control over how much clearcoat I removed per pass. I didn't want to step up to a more aggressive pad or polish. It easily cut through the nasty water marks on the 2009 Civic.

The bottom line is that I love the Flex. It feels like a quality tool, it has plenty of power and it's easy to control ONCE you get the hang of it. Many thanks for all the great reviews and comparisons between the Flex 3401 and PC 7424XP.

07-31-2011, 04:37 PM	#1
Raman335i Private First Class 31 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2008 335i, 2023 IX M60 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Can't decide between a buffer Porter Cable 7424 XP vs. Flex XC 3401 VRG At first I was thinking about getting the PC since it should be a great buffer to start out with (I'm new to this all) but now I'm debating getting the Flex buffer instead since it is pretty safe to use for someone just starting out, but is more powerful and may result in a better polish? I'm sure many of you guys have been in the same situation, what did you guys decide upon or suggest?
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07-31-2011, 07:00 PM	#3
macstoy Car Addict 7 Rep 69 Posts Drives: retired: 1995 325i \| 2005 325 Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: PacNW iTrader: (0)	If this is your first one I would go with a Porter Cable, sine it is easy to use and very durable. I've owned mine for over 7 years and have detailed many cars, trucks and boats... __________________ Ordered March 23, 2011 / Delivery May 13, 2011 2011 328i coupe\|Vermillion Red\|Saddle Brown\| \|Steptronic\|Dark Walnut\|Conv\|Prem\|Navi\|HK\| \|Comfort\|Heated\|Sat Radio\|
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07-31-2011, 08:38 PM	#5
Detailed Image 360 Rep 5,052 Posts Drives: Detailed by Detailed Image Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Albany, NY iTrader: (5)	Tough call both are great tools that will work great for years to come. The Flex XC 3401 VRG is my favorite because of the added power and it feels smoother in my hands imo, but it does cost more. The Porter Cable 7424XP Random Orbital Buffer is very reliable and effective for much less money, but you do need to purchase a backing plate separately. We have several good package deals for both buffers with pads, etc. here if interested - DI Packages. Let me know if you have any other questions I'd be happy to help! Greg @ DI
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07-31-2011, 08:40 PM	#6
tofu- Banned 87 Rep 2,854 Posts Drives: 335i Jet Black/Coral Red Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: nyc iTrader: (4)	get the flex. i started off on it and achieve great results. doesnt make sense to waste money upgrading in the future
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07-31-2011, 09:03 PM	#7
MuttGrunt Banned 27 Rep 872 Posts Drives: beater;) Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: SE Michigan iTrader: (0)	My vote is for the PC.
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07-31-2011, 10:55 PM	#8
driverman Captain 38 Rep 715 Posts Drives: 2008 328i 6MT - SOLD Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA iTrader: (0)	I yield to the pros, but based on the research I've done, which includes lots of opinions from pros .... If you can afford the Flex and you love good tools, get the Flex. Otherwise, the PC seems like a good value that is more than adequate for occasional use.
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08-01-2011, 10:58 AM	#9
UncleWede Long Time Admirer, First Time Owner 18085 Rep 9,381 Posts Drives: G01 X3 M40i Dark Graphite Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Oxnard, CA iTrader: (0)	I have never regretted my flex purchase (well, other than when my arms felt like they were going to fall off after correcting some of the relatives' cars) That 4" pad would be nice from time to time, haven't heard much on the one that can be found for the flex.
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08-01-2011, 12:07 PM	#10
Envious Eric Banned 37 Rep 1,168 Posts Drives: nissan xterra, 335 soon Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: orange county, ca iTrader: (1)	PC from DI^^^^^
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08-01-2011, 12:48 PM	#11
derrick603 Captain 55 Rep 592 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Fremont, CA iTrader: (0)	If you want more power than a PC but don't want to spend the money on a Flex, how about a Griot's or Meg's G110v2?
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08-01-2011, 07:17 PM	#13
twinturboa51 Captain 20 Rep 637 Posts Drives: Mineral Grey F80 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	If you think youre going to stick with detailing for a while and can afford one get the flex __________________
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08-02-2011, 11:51 AM	#14
ScheerSpeed Major General 415 Rep 5,767 Posts Drives: '13 F30 Estoril M-Sport 335i Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (14)	you are always going to need a PC, so it's always good to have. The FLEX on the other hand becomes rather useless once you step up to a rotary.
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08-04-2011, 01:00 PM	#15
06E90Rostik 2006 join date crew 182 Rep 1,482 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2011 335i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: CA, Sacramento iTrader: (10) Garage List 2011 335i [10.00] 2006 325i [0.00]	Waxing = PC (DA) Correction = Makita (rotary) like sheerspeed says, Flex falls in between making it completely useless (IMHO) get the one that will fit you best, personally I don't like how you are limited with pad size choice on Flex
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08-04-2011, 04:52 PM	#16
Raman335i Private First Class 31 Rep 150 Posts Drives: 2008 335i, 2023 IX M60 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all of the responses! I'm kind of leaning towards the PC route and then possibly upgrading to a rotary down the line when I get some more experience under my belt.
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08-08-2011, 01:13 AM	#17
Johndong888 John 75 Rep 885 Posts Drives: '12 M3, '18 S560, '16 G63 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Cherry Hill, NJ iTrader: (9)	I only detail my car. I first started out with a PC 7424. I ended up buying a Flex VRG. That got stolen so I bought another Flex. Gave away the PC. __________________ Current - 2012 AW/FR E92 M3 \| 2014 AW X5 \| 2015 MB S550 \| 2016 RR V8 (White FTW) Mods - BPMTune Stg1/Servo, Euro Visors & Side Mirror, IND Gloss Blk Pkg, OEM Perf. CF Trim/Spoiler, Grills, Lights, Pedals, Umnitza V4 AE, ModeCarbon GTS V1, 19" HRE P40 Sold - 2008 BSM/Black E92 335i
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08-16-2011, 12:40 PM	#18
driverman Captain 38 Rep 715 Posts Drives: 2008 328i 6MT - SOLD Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: El Dorado Hills, CA iTrader: (0)	I used my new Flex 3401 on portions of a 1998 Civic, which was in pretty bad shape, and portions of a 2009 Civic, which had nasty water spots on the hood. I used SIP with an orange pad on the 1998 Civic and 106FA with a white pad on the 2009 Civic. It took a few minutes to get the hang of the Flex. If the pad isn't parallel to the paint surface, the Flex will wander. But anyone that's handy with tools should get the feeling for it quickly. It will probably take much longer to "master" the tool. I got great results. It took multiple passes to cut through the scratches on the old Civic, which I liked because I had control over how much clearcoat I removed per pass. I didn't want to step up to a more aggressive pad or polish. It easily cut through the nasty water marks on the 2009 Civic. The bottom line is that I love the Flex. It feels like a quality tool, it has plenty of power and it's easy to control ONCE you get the hang of it. Many thanks for all the great reviews and comparisons between the Flex 3401 and PC 7424XP.
	Appreciate 0 Quote