FLEX 3401 VRG For Boat Detailing | How to properly use a FLEX 3401 VRG

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[@opticalinch]

After watching several of your videos to learn how to do this on my own boats I’m quickly realizing why detailers charge so much. This is hard work. You are very thorough and cut no corners. I wish you were in SW Fl. I’ve had bad luck with detailers cutting corners and using one step products with sub par results. Keep up the good work man. 👊

[@DrakesDetailing]

Yep! That’s partly why I made this channel to properly educate people what it takes to detail boats probably!

[@michaelronquillo3842]

Yep you got it down pat. I have been using the same motions for over 40 years when grinding and sanding boats. Shit I am old to be starting a restoration and detail business lol. I learned to detail cars back in 1974 and started doing fiberglass boat repair and building in 79.

[@DrakesDetailing]

Wow! You’ve been In The game for a while!

[@michaelronquillo3842]

@@DrakesDetailing lol yes my boy. I got family in Apalachicola I need to go visit. I would like to meet you when I do get to go over yonder. I have learned some stuff watching your videos. I guess an old dog can learn some new tricks after all lol.

[@DrakesDetailing]

Sounds good! Just let me know! Thanks for watching I really appreciate it!

[@PredatorP2]

Thank you for all the great tips and info about detailing boats, use of equipment and also all the info you Share about your experience with different products. This have made my boat detailing much more efficient and more fun. The results I get now being well informed is so satisfying. Your videos are great and keep up the great work 👍😊

[@404notfound.....]

The tool teaches you how to hold it properly, it's not that it's a bad thing. It's just a characteristic of the tool. I never have any problems and I'm never tired at the end of a correction with the flex 3401.

[@DrakesDetailing]

Glad you never experienced it 😉

[@paulwharton1850]

Excellent - Really helpful - I learnt a lot. Many thanks.....all the way from London !

[@DrakesDetailing]

thank you for watching!

[@PerryShriver]

watching your videos very educated.👍👍👍👍👍

[@DrakesDetailing]

Glad to hear that!!

[@eds1990sporty]

I've been using 3D one with the orange medium cut pad for boats and it works great

[@DrakesDetailing]

💯💯💯

[@user-un5my5bw4j]

I use a lot of 3D One but I use the Buff & Shine 50/50 urofober pads. Allows the compound to cut fast removing moderate defects, then allows it to finish down nicely

[@Lilripper850]

Great video. Very informative. Thank you. 👍👍

[@DrakesDetailing]

Thank you!

[@sergerobitaille6065]

Very good job professionnel thanks for the information

[@DrakesDetailing]

Thank you!

[@J1Z06]

I have had My 3401 since the summer of 2009. Flawless service! Not the easiest buffer to use......nothing worth while is easy,right?

[@DrakesDetailing]

Amen!

[@zeebassick]

thank you for the instructions.

[@DrakesDetailing]

You are welcome!

[@briankender7264]

New subscriber here! Awesome videos. Question, can I use a buff and shine cut pad on the Flex 3401 as well? Or do I need to purchase the Makita for cutting? I have a 2011 Grady White and the interior has oxidation primarily on the horizontal surfaces which I think need to be cut.

[@DrakesDetailing]

In my personal opinion, for heavy cutting, you can only use a Makita or a different rotary. A force rotation with a heavy cut pan will just never do exactly what you needed to do, it’s best to leave it for removing swirl marks and making the paint/gelcoat like glass.

[@joebarbee5973]

Great work , I am working on my r v which has gel coat and man I’m taking a beating.

[@DrakesDetailing]

You can do it! Ha! Good luck!

[@Cnova74]

Drake, I just started watching your videos, very well done! What process and products would you suggest to use to get swirl and water marks out of a 2018 gel coat that is very light green? Thanks!!

[@fernandovincenzini1664]

Great advise and well produced videos. I have a question, can you use the 3401 VRG with very aggressive compound to remove heavy oxidation fast prior to waxing and sealing? and which hi cut product do you recommend. Thank youi for your attention. All the best and success to you brother.

[@DrakesDetailing]

Hey bro, you can it’s just going to take a lot longer. Sometimes, however, you cannot a rotary buffer and wet sanding is the only thing that will remove really heavy oxidation. To 3401 VRG is more for removing the swirl marks after your heavy cutting stages.

[@fernandovincenzini1664]

@@DrakesDetailing Thank you for the advice. Now looking for a lighter but effective rotary to replace my old Makita which is heavy. i have a shoulder issue and a lighter machine will certainly help. thanks again and keep up the good work. its a very good channel. Godspeed.

[@beaulster]

Drake, I just bought a flex vrg used. Can’t fricken wait to try it. First timer. Boat is coming out of its winter sleep in about 30 days. Should I use the vrg or gg6 with the mirka abralon 1000 to wet sand my poorly cared for hardtop?

[@DrakesDetailing]

Use the g6 to sand! That flex will dig to much. You will love the flex once you get used to it!

[@beaulster]

Copy that! You got it..thanks for the speedy reply.

[@stevesmith5755]

Great videos, I just subscribed a couple of days ago and have watched a lot of your videos. You're very forthcoming! I have a question, when do you finish with the grey heavy cut pad vs the uro fiber buff in shine pad? Thanks for any insight you can provide!

[@DrakesDetailing]

So I never really finish a polish step with the uro pad, I only use its for waxing. I use the term finishing in regards to polishing not waxing. Are you asking how to I choose what pad to wax with ?

[@stevesmith5755]

@@DrakesDetailing Yes, I’m a newbie and trying to figure out pad selection....mainly toward the end of the job.

[@rsale6260]

Drake, great video! What do you recommend for a Black hull with mild oxidation? Using the Flex 3401. Do you ever use the purple wool forced hydro by Lake Country instead of the orange?

[@DrakesDetailing]

I have never used that pad yet, I think it will cut more than the orange pad... I do all of my cutting with the rotary and wool pads and use the orange pad and flex for finishing

[@rsale6260]

Drake's Detailing Thanks, They claim it will cut almost as good as wool on a rotary. I guess it would leave few swirl marks using the 3401. Does the Jescar sealant need a wax over it?

[@anthony7816]

Thanks for all the tips provided in your videos that I have watched. While I don't have a boat, I do have an RV that is pretty oxidized. I plan on cutting it and polishing it and was wondering if the techniques, equipment and products you use for boats will transfer to a motorhome? My biggest concern is that my RV doesn't have a gelcoat but is pigmented resin. Any advice would be welcomed and appreciated. Thanks again for all the great instruction you have provided through these videos.

[@DrakesDetailing]

Hey Anthony! How oxidized is it?

[@anthony7816]

@@DrakesDetailing 20 years in the elements. It is covered but there are sections like the rear that get sun in the morning through noon. So, while I can't provide exactly how much, I see oxidation on the whole thing. Some heavy some light. What's your suggestion?

[@freditzkowitz4159]

Great video as usual, but please tell me what to use on my black hull for holograms, Jescar 400 and white pads? I am using a Griot's Garage G-15 long throw orbital polisher. Also just to clarify after I use the Jescar Power Lock do I need to apply a wax or is the Hydro Pearl spray enough? Do you have any experience with Nexgen Ceramic spray? Thanks for sharing your skills and knowledge!

[@DrakesDetailing]

Menzerna 400 and white lake country will do the trick! I personally like using jescar power lock and applying starke replenish on stop of it.

[@andrewsurtman4020]

Great video. Would you recommend the same technique on a blue Chaparral with the same surface appearance as this boat.

[@DrakesDetailing]

Yes, this boat has like zero oxidation, this was actually a simple polish before we ceramic coated it! This step will remove light water marks and swirls

[@ericteneyck3809]

Great info as usual. Total Newb here, I am restoring a 40-year-old boat and my pro detailer will do the compounding but I will be doing the polishing and wax/sealing. I purchased the FLEX Cordless XCE with forced rotation. I am wondering if the RPM's are good for gelcoat. Machine Specs show No-load speed: 230-380 rpm. Orbit rate, no load: 4,600 - 7,600 opm. What are your thoughts on this for gel-coat? Keep up the fight. "Let's GO!"

[@DrakesDetailing]

Thanks for watching! that machine is fine! Im making a review on the machine soon!

[@b-r4799]

When I do exactly all these steps, oxidation is removed, but it's swirl city. So you get that every time with forced rotation? How do I avoid a middle step before sealant?

[@karlojuratic]

What machine from Rupes or something cheaper can I take instead flex 3401vrg :/ Im a bit restricted with budget?

[@williamwatkinsjr.9714]

What machine and pad and product do you recommend for polishing a ceramic coated boat?

[@reale32590]

If I was to only buy one rotary tool for detailing, what one would you recommend?

[@007habit]

As I learn to they have polisher that is a hybrid of sorts, like forced, and unforced rotation WITH variable speed?

[@DrakesDetailing]

Not quite sure what you mean, but you may want to check out the Rupes big foot! Maybe that’s why you are talking about. It’s a mix between the Da and the forced rotation

[@IMAGO0N]

hat would you do differently if it was a dark blue colored hull?

[@DrakesDetailing]

Follow up after this step with a white lake country foam pad with menzerna 2400

[@8516brian]

Drake, did you choose the Flex for this job (rather than a rotary) because the surface wasn’t jacked up?

[@DrakesDetailing]

yes and no! The surface wasn't horrible, but the customer also wasn't paying for a total correction. If she was, I would have compounded out with the rotary first, then polished it with the flex. I used the flex to wax, to be able to get a light cut with the pad and to push the wax into the gel coat.

[@kevinfantoli8772]

Hey Drake. Couple questions for ya, how long does one pad last. Do you rinse after and reuse or just throw away after one boat?

[@DrakesDetailing]

one pad will usually go for about 50ft

[@kevinfantoli8772]

@@DrakesDetailing thankyou, mind if I shoot you a email?

[@lamborghinidaniil]

Keep the grind bro. If you see amazing deals on boats let's me know.

[@DrakesDetailing]

Will do! Do you buy and sell? Or just looking for a nice boat? Ha

[@DrakesDetailing]

Also, check out my how to remove swirl marks video!

[@holdenbaldassi3697]

Does the flex come with 2 backing plates in different sizes or just one?

[@DrakesDetailing]

It’s been a while since I bought anything flex, but I believe just one.

[@brentspaulding9220]

Do you ever compound with this machine instead of using your rotary makita? Or is this used just for polishing

[@DrakesDetailing]

yes! to remove light oxidation or swirls

[@brentspaulding9220]

@@DrakesDetailing good to know, was up in air about this or the rupes

[@Thefertilityguy]

Another great video. How do you handle compounding the paint line to minimize paint bleed on to the white hull?

[@DrakesDetailing]

Het man! You can use tape, but I’ve been doing it so long it just comes naturally. Ha!

[@MrPistolon2]

How much you make doing this?? If you don't mind....

[@DrakesDetailing]

Well this job was a polish, and then I put 1 coat of ceramic on it. Total was about $2,800 and the customer bought the ceramic.

[@rsale6260]

What do you do different for a dark colored hull?

[@DrakesDetailing]

Nothing, but you may need to follow this step up with menzerna 2500 and white lake country force foam pad.

[@jl6870]

@@DrakesDetailing Drake is spot on - first orange to cut the holograms followed by a white pad both w/mez 400. It’s an extra step but my 50’ black hull looks unreal now

[@DrakesDetailing]

@Brad B thanks for helping bro!

[@tricksend4093]

Can I use the Menzerna 400 with orange Lake Country pad on a black boat?

[@DrakesDetailing]

yes!

[@tricksend4093]

@@DrakesDetailing you said on a white boat you’ll finish with Menzerna 400 on orange pad. How would you finish on a black hull?

[@ericd1276]

@@tricksend4093 a comment above said he would go a step further and finish with menzerna 2400 on white pad. I assume cause you still might see swirls in the black only using the 400

[@danhanlon8260]

Would you use a sealant or wet wax with this product as well?

[@DrakesDetailing]

Sealant, I perfect jescar power lock!

[@freditzkowitz4159]

Drake - what happened, you stopped responding? I hope all is well and your just on vacation or busy.

[@DrakesDetailing]

Sorry, did I miss a question? Ha I have about 50 or so comments a day

[@freditzkowitz4159]

@@DrakesDetailing See my question below starting with Great video... glad to see all is well

[@WizRumburak]

Hey, I am your client. Why did you make the clip without my permission? :))

[@DrakesDetailing]

I have permission form this boat owner.

[@DeliriousMike7]

I like my mille more than the flex but both are great machines.

[@DrakesDetailing]

Mille is nice!

[@marconesilva7062]

Sou louco por uma máquina dessa marca mas ela custa 6000 reias aqui no Brasil

[@DrakesDetailing]

Yeah, they are expensive! But if you do a lot of detailing they are totally worth the price!

[@drakerobert2237]

🔥 haha

[@christopherhawthorne5395]

Cool video but why’s he always looking over his shoulder like he’s saying something wrong lol

[@DrakesDetailing]

Umm, okay haha