Ralfy

Welcome!! What your seeing sounds like micromarring. Either to much pressure or dry buffing. The more experienced will chime in also!

The boys speak the truth Ralf!!  They're dead on.
It has it's place.  HEAVY CUTTING.  Paint correction polish with a D/A is going to get most jobs done with just a few passes, when you're only dealing with moderate defects.  But when you need a "no-holds-barred-full-on-heavy-cut-paint-restoration."  You'll need the PE, otherwise you'll be working one panel for an hour, just trying to cut through heavier defects (water etching, deep marring, etc).  The rotary, flat out....GETS.  SHIZ.  DONE!

Thanks for all the info guys!! I was curious about it because recently I have corrected a few cars that were absolutley hammered, i used the two step system and MF pads but I just felt the 3401 didn't have the power I needed to cut through all the damage rhat was present. I am looking into wool pads for my flex so I think I will try that first before taking a plunge on a new flex rotary. All the info is greatly appreciated and this is why I asked here!!

Being former military, this type of publicity starts to get on my nerves.  There are people out there dying every day protecting people's rights and freedom's and not word one is spoken to celebrate their lives, nor is the word "tragedy" spoken to describe their demise.  Its a sad day when anyone passes, and for that I'm sorry to see this happened, but this ongoing press, and tragic description of the event is too much.

If you go on AutoGeek...there are thousands of reviews on those products. 

Hey Dave,
 
Thanks for the heads up.  Yeah, I gotta becareful because I mentioned Adam's products on Autogeek lol.  But you and I know different product works for different cars .  There are so many variables, hard or soft cc, state, parked outside, inside, etc.  I can go on and on.  In any case, thanks again for looking out.
 
Alan

Hi Ralfy,
 
Well, it's hard to say.  But Adam's and Blackfire were very close.  Next was menzerna F400, the SI 1500 didn't do anything for me.  I only liked the F400 because it took a scratch on my powdercoated rim using a wolfgang finger pocket.  I was thinking about using the other products but I was experimenting.  If the results are good, then I'm good.  The wolfgang uber is next followed by the total swirl remover.  But this is my ranking.  It may be different with others because of the type of car and level of foam pad, microfiber pad, etc.  I just got tired of all the different combinations and just wanted to narrow it down.  I've read that microfiber pads work well, but for me I like the foam.
 
Hope this helps,
 
Alan

MSS typically lasted 3-4 months per application on an average daily driver by most accounts. Some people saw more, but around 4 months would be fair. 
 
Our testing of LPS showed that it can easily hit that 4 month mark and we can promise upwards of 5-6 in most cases. 
 
I did some accelerated detergent testing of LPS vs MSS and it showed in every run thru that the LPS held up longer than MSS. 
 
We aren't intentionally vague on these things, its just that you can't predict everyones situation and making a promise of time when there are so many factors becomes a dangerous thing to do when you promise absolute satisfaction. 

I like the missing lug nut lol this stuff is amazing I love it for paint decon!

I put the frequent use products in these bottles.  I love the double action sprayer for claying as it makes it easy to lay down a lot of lube.
 

I love mine!!

Paint Correction in an 05 Silverado SS

I have to agree with above, Ive had my PE for a bit over a year now and honestly still pick up my 3401 for a large majority of my work.  With advances in pads and polishes the area of workability of a rotary has been made smaller and smaller.  If you are thinking rotary IMO the PE has everything you will ever need, and the small design is awesome when you do get into tight places.  idk in my opinion I still feel its a bit overkill for a weekend warrior to pick one up, unless you have the money just laying around.  If you are getting a good amount of cash, it is definitely a good idea, time benefits are nice.  

My PE-14 is definitelty THE nicest rotary (dare I say nicest machine buffer/polisher?) I have ever used. It's lightweight and packed with power so there really isn't much you can't tackle with it and all the while it won't make you feel like YOU have been tackled at the end of a long detail. It really is a precision machine.
 
At the same time and to echo one of Dylan's comments above, you can achieve the same correction ability of a rotary these days by utilizing different (and safer) combinations of machines, pads, and products. In many cases all you need is to get the same cut as a rotary is a PC equiped with MF pads. The difference is that the PC and MF combo will provide you with a little more room for error.

If you are comfortable with a rotary then there is absolutely no reason you shouldn't own the PE-14. 
 
Its the nicest rotary tool I've ever picked up. Extremely well balanced, very smooth and quiet. Its definitely one of, if not the best rotary tool on the market. 
 
Just keep in mind, rotary has a time and place where its appropriate... with advances in pad and chemical technology theres fewer and fewer reasons to 'need' a rotary tool on any given detail. 

Very light weight and agile - with a 2 7/8 flexible backing plate and extender it will go places the 3401 and any other DAs can't dream of and its cutting & finishing abilities are fantastic.  If you can justify the cost of running both machines, go for it.  The Festool Shinex is also in that price range and is an incredible machine as well...it's also a whole pound lighter than the Flex.

I really prefer the Flex Rotary vs the other rotary tools out there.  It's so smooth and easy.  Makes rotary kind of fun.

Thats some great photography skills man!

Was the car stollen with the intentions of it being restored and returned or restored and sold for $$$.....

I want a adams credit card hahaha

Right in my backyard im 45 minutes north in merced!! If you ever need a hand let me know im always down to help out a fellow adams user!!

Welcome!! Cencal isnt to big where ya at?

Sweet!! But please stop with the awful techno music

What is it with the SF Bay Area???  You'd think we'd have something closer in than Petaluma and Morgan Hill...