The Saleen Forums at soec.org header image

Go Back   The Saleen Forums at soec.org > Saleen Enthusiast Forums > Detailing
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Mark Forums Read

Detailing Interior & Exterior Car Care discussions sponsored by Mothers Polishes-Waxes-Cleaners.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 07-05-2013
TTSaleen's Avatar
TTSaleen TTSaleen is offline
Senior Saleen Forums Participant
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 144
Lightbulb My first Orbital polisher ...... Flex XC3401

After having mixed results from hiring "so-called" professional detailers in my area over the last few years, I decided to purchase the equipment and products myself and learn how to do it.

I am glad I decided to do this!
The initial price was a little steep, but I bought the stuff that the pros use.

Flex XC3401 orbital polisher
CCS Orange light cutting pad
CCS White polishing pad
CCS Blue finessing pad
Menzurna SI1500 super intensive polish
Menzurna SF4000 super finish
Menzurna Power Lock sealant
Pinnacle Souveran Paste wax

I did a bunch of reasearch on Autogeek.net and found the videos on Youtube from Mike Phillips to be very educational.

I must say that this is not a quick job.
Each step is required to correct minor scratches and blemishes in the paint.

I won't go into every detail, but after the SI1500, the car looked better than it ever did before!
The SF4000 provided a finer finish and clarity.
The Power lock seals all my hard work from the elements.
The Souveran wax gives the car a "3 dimensional look" just as stated on the product documentation.

I really like these products and the Flex 3401.

Here's a few pics captured during the process.
Camera actually was picking up small traces of dust from my microfiber towels!

I haven't finished the shelby yet, but hope to by tomorrow night. Just have to apply the wax to it and it will be ready.

Ryan












__________________

TTSaleen Youtube Channel
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-05-2013
tbar's Avatar
tbar tbar is offline
SOEC Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 638
Default

Looks awesome, nice job.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-08-2013
XxBoostinxX's Avatar
XxBoostinxX XxBoostinxX is offline
SOEC Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Hoover, AL
Posts: 1,638
Default

Great job! I jumped straight into a flex 3401 as well and glad I did. The forced rotation is great to have, especially for heavy correction! The CCS pads are great and is what I am currently using, but I do recommend the new hydro-tech pads over them. Product tends to get stuck in the CCS pad holes so it is distributed poorly over the surface area during multiple passes. Also with the hydro-tech pads you only have to worry about three pads instead of seven. It makes things much easier and less overwhelming IMHO.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
Black - 06-1279 - S281SC
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 07-08-2013
TTSaleen's Avatar
TTSaleen TTSaleen is offline
Senior Saleen Forums Participant
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 144
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by tbar View Post
Looks awesome, nice job.
Thanks.



Quote:
Originally Posted by XxBoostinxX View Post
Great job! I jumped straight into a flex 3401 as well and glad I did. The forced rotation is great to have, especially for heavy correction! The CCS pads are great and is what I am currently using, but I do recommend the new hydro-tech pads over them. Product tends to get stuck in the CCS pad holes so it is distributed poorly over the surface area during multiple passes. Also with the hydro-tech pads you only have to worry about three pads instead of seven. It makes things much easier and less overwhelming IMHO.
Good info! Thanks!
Yes the FLEX is an awesome machine! I am very happy with it!

Ryan
__________________

TTSaleen Youtube Channel
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 07-09-2013
Saleen520's Avatar
Saleen520 Saleen520 is offline
SOEC Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Jeffersonville, Indiana
Posts: 110
Default

Looks great. I need to check into this.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 07-09-2013
TTSaleen's Avatar
TTSaleen TTSaleen is offline
Senior Saleen Forums Participant
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 144
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Saleen520 View Post
Looks great. I need to check into this.
Thanks. Not knocking the professional guys that do this for a living, but my local experiences left a lot to be desired.
I am extremely happy with the final result and have been kicking myself for not buying this stuff years ago and learning to do it then! LOL!
__________________

TTSaleen Youtube Channel
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 07-11-2013
00_ExtrmRnbw 00_ExtrmRnbw is offline
SOEC Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Richmond, VA
Posts: 647
Default

Wow, looking great! I've been wanting to buy that polisher for a good year now... One day
__________________
Johnny

'00 Saleen SC Spdstr, Extreme Rainbow #387
'02 Saleen Extreme Coupe, Extreme Rainbow #019
'03 Saleen SA-20 Anniversary Speedster #03
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 07-21-2013
LeftLane_94's Avatar
LeftLane_94 LeftLane_94 is offline
SOEC Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Springfield, MO
Posts: 216
Default

This looks great... What kind of condition was the paint before?
__________________
2003 S281-- 03-0094 Running Strong
1996 S281-- 96-347 Triple Black Vert Automatic--TOTALED
2006 GT--Traded
2001 GT--TOTALED
2001 V6--Sold
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 07-22-2013
TTSaleen's Avatar
TTSaleen TTSaleen is offline
Senior Saleen Forums Participant
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NC
Posts: 144
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by LeftLane_94 View Post
This looks great... What kind of condition was the paint before?
I had it buffed about 4 years ago but I still had minor surface scratches in the clear coat.
The car stays garaged and covered so paint is/was in fairly decent condition.

Here's a pic from this weekend out in the sunshine.



__________________

TTSaleen Youtube Channel
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 08-13-2013
Saleen12c's Avatar
Saleen12c Saleen12c is offline
Senior Saleen Forums Participant
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Toronto
Posts: 798
Default

thanks for posting! wanted to do this as well. looks awesome!
__________________
2008 S281 S/C Convertible #12c ("c" stands for Canadian made Saleen version)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:24 AM.


Orders placed through these advertiser links help to support SOEC and this website.

Tire Rack Wheel Clearance

When you buy one Valeo® ULTIMATE™ Wiper Blade from Tire Rack, you'll get one free!

Dunlop $50 Rebate


| SOEC.ORG | ABOUT SOEC | MEMBERSHIP | SHOWROOM | LITERATURE | VEHICLE PRODUCTION | THE SALEEN TRADER | SALEEN AUTOMOTIVE | CONTACT SOEC | SOEC @ FACEBOOK |


All Original Content Copyright © 1991-2021 Saleen Owners and Enthusiasts Club, LLC (SOEC). All Rights Reserved.
SOEC is the official independent, non-profit organization for owners and enthusiasts of vehicles by Steve Saleen and Saleen Automotive, Inc.