Has anyone used a Flex PE8 compact rotary buffer

[Sefuller]

I need to do some serious work on my cockpit, and cabin top gel coat this year. I found a few reviews on automotive sites for this compact rotary buffer, which uses pads up to 3" in diameter. It seems like this would be great for maneuvering around all the obstacles on the cabin top, as well as doing the small areas of smooth gel coat bordering the non-skid.
http://www.pinnaclewax.com/flex-pe8...m_medium=GoogleProductSearch&utm_campaign=CSE

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

My dock neighbor has one and loves it. Seems well worth the price

 

[Maine Sail]

I need to do some serious work on my cockpit, and cabin top gel coat this year. I found a few reviews on automotive sites for this compact rotary buffer, which uses pads up to 3" in diameter. It seems like this would be great for maneuvering around all the obstacles on the cabin top, as well as doing the small areas of smooth gel coat bordering the non-skid.
http://www.pinnaclewax.com/flex-pe8...m_medium=GoogleProductSearch&utm_campaign=CSE

You can't go wrong with anything made by Flex. Top quality stuff...

 

[sail_MN]

For what that thing costs, I hope it works good. I paid less than that for my Makita 9227.

 

[BigEasy]

I am almost finished with compounding & waxing my cabin. What a process: 3M super duty rubbing compound, Aquabuff compound, 3M finess it, Meguiars swirl remover, and 2 applications of Colinite paste wax!! A lot of work but the cabin looks "like new". Definitely need to keep up with the wax applications to avoid having to go thru this process again.

I use a big Makita buffer with nine inch wool pads for my topsides. To avoid buying another smaller buffer for the tight areas on the cabin, I purchased some buffing accessories from AutoGeek.net to "downsize the Makita". You can buy 3 inch to 7 inch foam applicator pads, hook & loop rotary adaptor pads, and an adaptor to adapt any major manufacurer's buffer to the hook & loop adaptor pads. I am using four inch Lake Country foam pads for the compounding / polishing operations. They really work well; just keep a water hose close by to rinse out when the pads start becoming clogged. There are different coarseness and corresponding colors for the pads: yellow is for compounding, orange for polishing, white for swirl removal, etc. I am applying the Colonite wax by hand applicator and final polishing with micro fiber cloths.
I believe that I paid approximately $60 for the accessories that was much less expensive than purchasing another smaller buffer. The accessory kit has made my Makita much more versatile and easier to manage on smaller surface areas.

 

[Maine Sail]

For what that thing costs, I hope it works good. I paid less than that for my Makita 9227.

The Makita is a great tool for the money, hard to beat, but it is Makita/DeWalt/Hitachi etc. grade. The German made Flex is the buffer equivalent to a Festool or Fein...

 

[BigEasy]

The Flex polisher does appear to be a quality tool. According to the data sheet, it is used for polishing small intricate auto body parts / small areas. The recommended backing plate size is only 3.5 inches. Good size for the cabin, but insufficient in size for topsides.

So, the question is, do you really want to spend over $400 for two polishers ( not including backing plates and accessories); one for polishing topsides and one for polishing the cabin?

 

[woodster]

if i needed it for the job i would get it in a heartbeat...if you can not polish out those hard to get to places then its either let them stay dull or get the tool and if you are a tool junkie thats ok to

 

[TENACITY CS36T]

Get it, you're only as good as your tool(s)

 

[njlarry]

Bigeasy I like your idea of adapting smaller dia pads on the full size Makita. What is the advantage of foam pads over wool?
Thanks.

 

[BigEasy]

I emphasize that I am not a professional detailer. In fact, this is only the second time that I have used foam pads on the Makita. First time was to buff the headlight lens on my SUV and I am now in the process of completing the compounding & polishing of my cabin sides that were heavily oxidized. The four inch foam pads can access the sides of the cabin better, in my opinion; much easier than using a wool pad. I find that the foam pads are less likely to catch on portlight hinges, turnbuckles, and chain plates. Furthermore, it is my understanding after reading the manufacturer's literature (Lake Country) that the foam pads are constucted of various compositions for specific abrasive features. Yellow pads are for compounding, Orange pads are for polishing, and white pads are for swirl removal and wax applications. I also like the feature that the pads can be rinsed with water to flush off build up. I am not sure if wool pads are available in the smaller diameters. With my limited experience in using the four inch foam pads, I am very impressed with the results and ease of use. I will use them again, in the future, for the cabin and perhaps my scooped stern. Will definitely use the 9" wool pads, that I have always used, for the topsides. Needless to say, I am very pleased that I can now use the Makita exclusively for the entire boat, without having to buy another smaller polisher.
I know that Mainsail has also used Lake Country foam pads. Hopefully he can comment on the pros & cons of using foam vs wool in polishinig operations. He's got a lot more experience than I have as he was a professional detailer at one time.

 

[mm2347]

The wool pads are usually more abrasive than most of the foam pads so often wool is used with a more abrasive compound. Go w/ what the brand you have chosen rec. This will sometimes mean you will use 2 or 3 pads for course to fine rubbing compounds needed.

 

[mm2347]

Also can add that the Makita 9227 is a good value. Nice to handle and use and stands up well. A good value for the smaller boat once a year job is a Necky buffer at about $70 to 80$. I use them for grinding glass and they are nice handle and stand up as well as to be expected. The dust is so abrasive that it kills anything that sucks air! The Neckys last about as long as the Makitas for grinding but the Makitas "got it" for buffing and last long enough to justify the cost (about 200 + acc.) As for Harbor Freight buffers -- expensive junk.

 

[Ron20324]

... The German made Flex is the buffer equivalent to a Festool or Fein...

Reminds me I got an email that Fein is going into the circular blade business. Some will cut stainless steel panels. No other info yet.