11-17-2010, 12:05 AM | #1 |
Detailing Connoisseur
Drives: 2010 Rally Yellow 2LT RS Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lakewood, ca
Posts: 1,131
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Adam's New Flex System: Detailed Chevy Tahoe
Sooo I got this new toy, some of you may have heard of it - the Flex 3401 VRG. I needed a vehicle to go to town on, I called my mother in law and asked if I could use their Tahoe for a write up.
Products used: Wash- Adam's Shampoo Adam's Foam Gun Adam's Fender Brush Adam's Boars Hair Brush Adam's Lugnut Brush Adam's Jumbo Wash Pad Adam's All Purpose Cleaner Adam's Green Wheel Cleaner Adam's Detail Spray Adam's Great White Drying Towel Polish- Flex 3401 VRG Adam's Flat Pad Kit Adam's Severe Swirl Remover Adam's Swirl and Haze Remover Adam's Fine Machine Polish Trim / Tires- Adam's In & Out Spray Adam's Super VRT Adam's Invisible Undercarriage Spray Finish- Adam's Brilliant Glaze Adam's Americana Here's a shot of my new Adam's goodies! Sorry the SSR didn't make the shot: And now - on to our test subject - Midnight Blue '98 Tahoe, here's the before's: I started in the usual fashion, All purpose cleaner to clean the tires and fender wells; green wheel cleaner to clean the wheels: Followed with a thorough foam down: Post wash you it was easy to tell this Tahoe has been washed with dawn for the last 12 years by the complete lack of beading during the rinse: After the rinse I clayed the truck (and threw away the clay bar post use): Now lets inspect the damage: Prep for a video shoot: I shot a video during this detail with Dylan on Flex Vs. PC.. (video is experiencing technical difficulties, may be lost forever ) The same process was followed with each machine, SSR+Green, SHR+Orange, FMP+White, the flex knocked out the damage in no time, while the PC achieved great results, It would have taken another pass to achieve the same results the flex had already accomplished. Here is a 50/50 of the Flex vs PC, Flex on the left, PC on the right - control in the middle: Moving on to the very thirsty trim, SVRT and I&O made quick work of it: After a coat of Brilliant Glaze, it was topped with a coat of Americana: Dad and Claire helped with the finishing touches: Can't finish a detail without a Dylan shot - Family Style: Conclusion: The new SSR is a superior compound to other compounds on the market, its has a nice long working time, and finishes really well. Next go around I'm going to attempt SSR to FMP and skip the SHR to see how that combo works. The Flex 3401 VRG will definitely achieve fantastic results in almost 1/2 the time as the PC especially with the addition of this fantastic SSR to the Adam's line. The Flex is more difficult to operate than a PC and requires more muscle to keep the machine steady due to its forced rotation. Pro's and Con's to everything on the market, but I'm taking this 3401 VRG with me to the Grave!
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11-17-2010, 12:48 AM | #2 |
"Detailing Devil Dog"
Drives: 2001 Corvette Coupe Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 2,730
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Now you know why I always say that the Flex will wear you out! That's the interesting trade off that you never see talked about. Yep, it corrects much faster than the PC but you fatigue a lot quicker than you do with the PC. So there is a give and take when moving up to the Flex.
Man, that paint was thrashed! Good job on the recovery. It would take me a week to do a truck that size. No thanks!
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"Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."
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11-17-2010, 01:06 AM | #3 |
Drives: Wrecked! Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Orlando FL
Posts: 52
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Great work! The Tahoe looks amazing, I trust your mother-in-law was quite pleased? (Are they ever?)
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11-17-2010, 05:18 AM | #4 |
Drives: 2010 SIM 2SS/RS MONSTER Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: LOS ANGELES
Posts: 1,506
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looks awesome all in one day thats amazing
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HP MONSTER' SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA BUILT, LMR CAI, CUSTOM GRIND CAM, CUSTOM BUILT CNC PORTED AND POLISHED HEADS, FAST 102MM INTAKE MANIFOLD,ARH LONG TUBES AND HIGH FLOW CATS, BIGGER INJECTORS, VALVES SPRINGS RETAINERS, MGW SHORT SHIFTER, EIBACH SPRINGS, FACTORY CHROMED WHEELS, BLACKED OUT EMBLEMS, BLACKED OUT ROOF,BLACKED OUT MARKERS, 3.5 INCH ELECTRONIC CUTOUTS, FLOWMASTERS, ZEX WET 150 SHOT, FOR A GRAND TOTAL OF =630 REAR WHEEL TORQUE ,AND 600 REAR WHEEL HORSEPOWER
MY JOURNALhttp://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...02#post2023802 SOON TWIN TURBO SETUP |
11-17-2010, 06:18 AM | #5 |
Drives: 10 1LT SIM; 91 B4C sleeper Z Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Ft. Mitchell, Alabama
Posts: 7,199
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This confuses me.
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Pedders Pace Car Package, Injen CAI, Flowmaster AT, AAC Lighting, ZL1 fascia/skirts, RKSport Ram Air hood, vented fenders, painted stripes (Gary's Customz), Honor and Valor badged (Thank you, John)
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11-17-2010, 06:26 AM | #6 |
"Detailing Devil Dog"
Drives: 2001 Corvette Coupe Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 2,730
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Are you wondering if this is something you should buy? Talk to the Junkman.
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"Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."
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11-17-2010, 07:11 AM | #7 |
and MR. HYDE
Drives: 2010 2SS RJT/BLK 6Spd Man Join Date: May 2009
Location: Oxford, Alabama
Posts: 4,375
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Ryan,
This looks great. One question for you. The damage to the paint looked pretty bad from the pictures best I can tell, did you get all of it out with the flex system? I understand that you and AJ are alot more experienced and just wanted to know if you had to do other things like sand some areas or did you just use the flex system. The reason I ask is on the passenger side rear near the tail light and wheel well it looked like a pretty scratched up from the pictures. The results look amazing. |
11-17-2010, 11:35 PM | #8 | ||
Detailing Connoisseur
Drives: 2010 Rally Yellow 2LT RS Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Lakewood, ca
Posts: 1,131
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Quote:
What does? Quote:
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11-17-2010, 11:46 PM | #9 |
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looks better than new
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Jannetty Racing JRE Street Package
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11-19-2010, 03:23 PM | #10 | |
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Quote:
Also, how much more dangerous is the flex? I've used the PC quite a bit, would I be ready to step up to the flex, or am I still too novice to not harm my paint? I understand flex is still safer than rotary, but compared to the PC what are the technique changes?
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11-19-2010, 05:11 PM | #11 | |
Drives: The shiny ones. Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: In the detail shop!
Posts: 5,979
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Quote:
Its only 'dangerous' (and not really the best term) unless misused... it cuts faster, but not so much faster that you're going to be down to bare metal or something. Your paints pretty flawless from what I've seen, the Flex might be overkill since you really don't need the added correcting ability... or do you have areas that aren't coming up for you with the PC?? |
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11-19-2010, 06:00 PM | #12 | |
"Detailing Devil Dog"
Drives: 2001 Corvette Coupe Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 2,730
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Quote:
I would also agree that if your paint isn't all jacked up or if you are not detailing cars for a living, you have absolutely no need for the Flex. Once you fully correct your paint, you should NEVER need to get aggressive with it again if you are washing the car, or removing dust from the car correctly. Look at it from the perspective of being a cop. A cop has a few weapons at his disposal. The gun is his most lethal and is pretty much guaranteed to eliminate a threat, but it is not always the best choice for every situation. You don't shoot a unarmed man for jaywalking and you don't use hand to hand combat on a subject who is shooting at you with a AK-47 on full auto. So use the tool that fits the situation that you are looking at in your paint. I never use the Flex on my paint unless something crazy happens and leaves a scratch.
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"Marines - Making the other guy die for his country for over 200 years."
Last edited by Junkman2008; 11-19-2010 at 06:10 PM. |
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11-19-2010, 07:06 PM | #13 |
Drives: IOM Black stripes, A6, IO interior. Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Virginia
Posts: 36
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Junkman is exactly right in his comments. If you don't do this professionally, don't take the chance and eat your paint. PC is a great system for folks who want the best without the hassle of the chance of burning through the paint. The PC pretty much will take care of that issue. Good posts from all of you as i do enjoy reading everybodies opinion, as this is mine.
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11-19-2010, 08:09 PM | #14 |
and MR. HYDE
Drives: 2010 2SS RJT/BLK 6Spd Man Join Date: May 2009
Location: Oxford, Alabama
Posts: 4,375
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I am hearing alot about the flex and some of the downfalls of using it with high cut product and the potential for mistakes to happen.
If you are using the FMP that Adams's sells and polishing your car on the annual detailor occassion fix since the flex is faster at applying and achieving the desired results would it be ok in that instance for say like the big panels, hood, roof, doors etc.. I know you still need the PC for the smaller areas but wouldn't it cut some of the time down? As well all know I am a NOOB to this stuff but really like doing it and learning all about it. I have even purchased the flex package and have a junkyard hood waiting to practice on just wanting to get a little more knowledge. |
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