Flex XCE - Game Changer

[mbpress01]

I wanted to know if any other weekend warriors have experienced the Flex Forced Rotation Cordless. For me, this was a game changer. I actually enjoy detailing again as I two Lexus cars that have body lines that result in a non-forced polisher to stall. I have heard all the arguments about technique and they may be valid, but I have never had any success in using the following tools:

Girots
Rupes 15
Rupes Duetto
Ruper Mini (although easier)
Porter Cable

I have had just about every high end polisher (sold or given away) and I will posit that for the amateur this tool is the only one you need. I was able to one step one side of Lexus in about 40 minutes, and the fact that Flex made this tool a lot lighter and just as important quieter, its a game changer. I think I could get a whole car done with a one step in about 2-3 hrs at most and have it perfect. Time for me is most important.

I also continue to use the Zaino products and used the old Zaino AIO and wow did the paint pop with the Flex. I would like to know everyone's opinion on Zaino since I have used a lot of other products (HD One for example - disaster as it hazed the paint) with not a lot of success. I know Mr. Phillips talks about how thin clear coat is and I just want something that has limited polishing material since if your cars are in ok shape, I see no need for compounding. If anyone has experience with an AIO (maybe HD Speed) that performs as well as Zaino I would like to know. You would think after all this time, Zaino would be a goner but their stuff just works.

Thanks for any insights.

 

[Johnv1991]

I really want to get the CBeast but the price point for my usage is very high.

The Supa beast is probably more in line with what I’d like to spend for the two polishing sessions a year I’d be in for.

 

[mbpress01]

I hear ya, but I am telling you even for the 2 sessions its worth it. I do the same (prob 1 time a year) and the fact is that you could probably zip around the car for a waxing/jeweling session in 1/4 of the time a few times a year making it worth it. For me, by the time I get the extension cord, plug it in, roll it out (since outlet is far away), roll it back up when done, etc etc, I am saving time. Plus you don't need to do the detailing all at once. For example, I do a panel a day - easy, enjoyable, and perfect paint. So what if it takes a week. For me, I don't have 3 hrs on any day to work on my car. 1-2 hrs at most (I am almost at the point where I will run the polisher until the battery is dead and that is it for the day) with a light machine is what I have been waiting for for 10 years. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Darrell L]

The benefit of a forced oscillation/forced rotation Flex polisher Beast/Supa beast/Cbeast is the ability to work a larger area faster as you have described. Combine with an AIO for production detailing!

I have used the Cbeast but don't own one yet. I have the Flex cordless rotary and cordless random orbit polisher. Cordless convenence is the way to go for me.

 

[Mike Phillips]

Just to point out, (sorry for nitpicking), the FLEX forced rotation polisher is the FLEX PE14 or Cordless FLEX PE14

ROTATION = Rotary Buffer.

The BEAST, CBEAST and Supa BEAST are all forced rotation and forced oscillation. 2 actions, not one.

I primarily see guys in the Facebook world refer to gear-driven orbital polishers as forced rotation tools. While I know what they mean, it only requires a person to type a few more words to be accurate and not be talking about a rotary polisher.

And for what it's worth, in my opinion and experience, the ONLY way to detail cars profitably for money is with either the BEAST or the Supa BEAST. If you're just a weekend warrior I would still lean towards the corded version of the 8mm gear-driven orbital but if you're NOT working on horrible condition cars and you're NOT trying to work at break-neck speed, then I love the CBEAST because ZERO pad stalling and no cord to deal with.

In a perfect world and if budget is not an issue, then get the Supa BEAST and the CBEAST and slap 6" backing plates on both of them. Maximize the potential of the tool and you maximize your potential.

Make sense?

 

[Mike Phillips]

I would like to know everyone's opinion on Zaino since I have used a lot of other products

A few years ago when I started the Roadshow Detailing Classes for Meguiar's, I taught a class at Lenny House's detail shop and invited Sal Zaino to attend, he did incognito. Super nice guy. Drove a Ford F40 to the class, silver I believe. I should call him, catch-up.

The my write-up for that class still exists on the MOL forum. I believe my Texas roadshow class was a FIRST in our industry. At least I cannot find any other link, picture, article or video about roadshow classes BEFORE the Dallas, Texas Roadshow Class. The New Jersey Roadshow class came after the Dallas class. Scott Wax, whom a lot of people know, attended that first class.


Here's classroom session first thing in the morning - looks like a packed-out class. Scott is the guy sitting in the front row with the white shirt on.

Back then I always taught how to work by hand... most of the tools we all talk about now weren't invented yet... the Porter Cable was THE orbital to own.

See how everyone is wearing coats? It was freaking freezing outside and in the warehouse where we held the class.

And is my normal teaching style - HANDS-ON - Look how thick the foam pads were back then?

(HD One for example - disaster as it hazed the paint) with not a lot of success.

That's surprising. 3D One uses great abrasive technology. I have to wonder,

1. Soft paint?
2. Fiber pad? As in using some type of microfiber pad?
3. Foam cutting pad?

Pads can cause pad haze, a type of micro-marring. And soft paint is finicky no matter what you use.

I know Mr. Phillips talks about how thin clear coat is and I just want something that has limited polishing material since if your cars are in ok shape, I see no need for compounding. If anyone has experience with an AIO (maybe HD Speed) that performs as well as Zaino I would like to know. You would think after all this time, Zaino would be a goner but their stuff just works.

Thanks for any insights.

I have not used any Zaino products for a long time, so hard to share any input of value.

Years ago, back in 2003 I wrote this report for upper management at Meguiar's called,

The Zaino Case Study

It basically educated upper management on how products were going to market via the Internet and bypassing traditional retail marketing and in the process cleaning Meguiar's clock. Back then every paint protection product Meguiar's had on the market either had Carnauba Wax in it or CLEANERS/ABRASIVES. They did NOT have a pure or non-cleaning synthetic. They had M20 Polymer Sealant but it has chemical cleaners in it.

So the summary of my report was to formulate and introduce a non-cleaning synthetic sealant to compete against Zaino Z2

After a LOT of convincing, finally the VP at that time, Atticus Firey, ordered everyone in management and marketingi to come to my office and check out the paper version of The Zaino Case Study and read it. Afterwards, R&D was directed to start making a product to compete against Zaino Z2

I listed this on page 31 of my report and a few months down the road, Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax was introduced. The rest as the saying goes... is history....


One thing for sure, back then and I'm sure today, Zaino Z2 beads water really well and beads water for a long time.

 

[mbpress01]

Incredibly interesting background and insights. Thx for clarifying the language as precision is important. I won't ever buy a corded tool again since one tool is enough to accomplish what I want. As you said, cars in decent shape, no rush and I don't want to process to feel like work. Enjoying the process as a weekend warrior is important. Not something where I wind up exhausted, which is always the case.

As an aside, can you clarify one thing: I seem to remember somewhere else you recommended to NOT change out the backing plate for the cordless version but here you recommend to change it out. What advantage do you get except a bigger area to work on, which at least in my case, is not that relevant as I am not in a hurry. Thanks for the response as always.

 

[Mike Phillips]

As an aside, can you clarify one thing: I seem to remember somewhere else you recommended to NOT change out the backing plate for the cordless version but here you recommend to change it out.

That recommendation was made within a short time after the tool became available and I had "started" to use it.

Later - after have more time behind the tool I changed my mind. I know somewhere I posted that I changed my mind and that sometimes it takes time for a person to get enough experience to have a better feel for a tool's potential. This is true for many things.

Pad type is also real important for cordless tools. The stock backing plate and smalller pads work fine on the CBEAST. BUT in my opinion, the tools FEELS better with a larger footprint pad.

What advantage do you get except a bigger area to work on, which at least in my case, is not that relevant as I am not in a hurry. Thanks for the response as always.

To date, I'm still a fan of the new RUPES CP foam pads on the CBEAST for light correction, polishing and AIOs. And I don't use this tool for anything more than light correction.

But smaller pads will work. I just find the "feel" of smaller pads it a tick wonky as compared to a slightly larger footprint.