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First Flex Test Run...

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  • First Flex Test Run...

    I have two customer's with Toyota Corolla S's coming for complete details with some minor paint correction work. I was curious to see how the Flex would now alter my details in that it is considerably more powerful than the PC7424 I had originally estimated time/pricing for these jobs.

    So I called the first owner (a coworker) and had her bring her car by for another test spot. This car is a 2008 Toyota Corolla S with about 7500 miles on the odometer. It's only had one or two washes in the six months since she picked it up from the dealer so surface damage was actually very minor.

    About a month ago, someone ran a redlight and she t-boned them pretty flush...thank goodness she was just cruising at low speeds when it occurred. Anyway, front bumper and hood had to be replaced as well as lights, radiator support, etc. The body shop (Progressive Concierge Claim Service-approved repair facility) was contracted by the insuraqnce company so I never got to speak to them about not finishing the paintwork with a rotary prior to delivery. When she got the car back she immediately called me to ask about "rainbows" on her hood...

    Drove over to her house and found horrible holograms and buffer trails from the rotary used to finish the surface during blending on the quarter panels and hood. The final wash at the body shop and again at the Progressive Claims facility prior to delivery instilled massive amounts of swirls as seen below:







    As you can see the car was in need of a large amount of work. I did a test panel with the PC7424/LC CCS Orange Pad/M105 and the hologramming and swirls were 90% removed with one pass and the M105 finished almost LSP-ready as seen here...



    A quick pass of M205 on a white or black CCS pad would finish out nicely. Quoted her on a two-step job and we agreed she'd bring it by this weekend. After having the Flex here I decided to see if I could alter my process or acheive the full 100% correction we both wanted. I started off by taping a new test section and preparing the Flex with M205/LC CCS Green pad (ADS Spec)...



    After one pass with this combo at speed setting 6 on the Flex the results are below. My camera battery died so I had to use hers and some of the pictures came out pretty crappy but you get the idea. If you look in the hood reflections you can see the sun not cooperating very much either...

    50/50...



    Another...



    Yet another...



    And finally a close up of the test area after just one pass of M205/Green pad...



    So, in all I think the photos (even as crappy as they are) tell the story. The PC7424 would have required one pass with M105/Orange and a follow up of M205/White to acheive 90 to 95 percent correction. The Flex with M205/Green pad did 100% in one pass. That's an absolutely HUGE difference and what it means in time/money to you as a detailer is substantial. Once I get the car in for the full detail over the weekend I'll detail the process better with my own pics and so you can see the finished product.

    As always, thanks for looking...
    Last edited by Bounty; May 17, 2009, 07:06 PM.

  • #2
    Re: First Flex Test Run...

    I am jealous.....Flex, schmex....lol. I can't afford one yet. Good job though....keep us posted.
    RG Curtis
    U.S. Navy Silent Service

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    • #3
      Re: First Flex Test Run...

      Awesome! Great to know that in 1 pass, m205 can correct what seems to be a 105-worthy job. Interesting to see what the guy with the red Bronco-like truck says about the success of 205 as a stand-alone, when it was originally designed as a follow-up for 105. I guess that's why we do test spots then because every car is different . Good work! Can't wait to try it all out in my order coming in later this week...

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      • #4
        Re: First Flex Test Run...

        Impressive.
        NOTE: Post count does not reflect actual detailing knowledge.

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        • #5
          Re: First Flex Test Run...

          Nice Job!!
          Looks Like the Flex is a Keeper!!
          Looks Great!!
          Sweet Reflections!!
          Keep Up the Great Work!!
          Joel
          Firefighter/EMT-B
          Rejuvenation Auto Detailing
          "Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Dirt Back!!!"
          '99 F-150

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          • #6
            Re: First Flex Test Run...

            Very nice. The Flex is definitely an awesome machine, especially if you're only use to the G100 or PC. Nice job.

            Colin
            A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

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            • #7
              Re: First Flex Test Run...

              This is great to hear! Im going to be purchasing the flex soon and ive been hearing so many great things!

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              • #8
                Re: First Flex Test Run...

                That right there is a prime example of the dream application for the FLEX. Every now and then I come across a paint that I can truly one step and still achieve out standing correction and LSP finish. It sure is nice when it happens that way, wish it was always that easy

                Nice work!

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                • #9
                  Re: First Flex Test Run...

                  Originally posted by Mark Kleis View Post
                  That right there is a prime example of the dream application for the FLEX. Every now and then I come across a paint that I can truly one step and still achieve out standing correction and LSP finish. It sure is nice when it happens that way, wish it was always that easy

                  Nice work!
                  Agreed...if only they were all this easy. This Toyota hard pretty workable paint as demonstrated by the pic of one M105 pass with the PC/Orange pad combo. Two passes of M105 followed by a pass of M205 would have probably been real close to 100% but alas, oftentimes, the cost is prohibitive for a lot of clients...especially on daily drivers you know will probably be swirled up again in a few months.

                  The corrective power of the Flex really is amazing when compared to the PC and G110 and flat out makes the cut more substantial than the "4-cut" rating assigned to M205.

                  I was really amazed at the body shop hackjob performed on this car...I mean with holograms so obvious and bad, you know they went over it once with a rotary at high rpm's just to get it done and out the door. No true "finishing" work on this job at all...

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                  • #10
                    Re: First Flex Test Run...

                    Originally posted by john m. View Post
                    This is great to hear! Im going to be purchasing the flex soon and ive been hearing so many great things!
                    If you're coming from a primarily PC or G110 background (as I was) the Flex will provide surprising results for you. New found confidence will definitely abound as you start to realize you can substantially expand the number, severity, and variance in defects you can remove.

                    But you'll also have a one or two detail adjustment period to really master the learning curve. More attention and concentration is required due to the forced rotation...especially on curved, sloping body panels or small spaces. Just pay attention and don't "fight" the machine. A lot of pressure is not needed so you'll have to lighten up on your standard PC approach.

                    Once you've got it down, however, it's an amazing machine...

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                    • #11
                      Re: First Flex Test Run...

                      Great work. I guess it is time to get a flex.
                      quality creates its own demand

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                      • #12
                        Re: First Flex Test Run...

                        Guess it's time to not even open my $300 G110 ADS kit that comes in the mail this week. Well, actually I would need to open the box so I can find the return slip...
                        Just had to publish this thread, didn't you!?

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