FLEX PXE80 review: how to get the most from your machine
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- Опубликовано: 17 дек 2020
- Do you ever get really excited about a detailing product -- or any product, for that matter -- only to buy it and be disappointed? It usually doesn't happen, but when it does . . . I'm not shy about voicing my opinions. (See exhibit 1, where Nick rails against the Obsessed Garage Pressure washer: • Should you buy the Obs... ).
But I digress...
The Flex PXE 8O mini cordless polisher seems to be all the rage in detailing circles. So why didn't I love it? It just never felt right -- maybe it was the torque, or the 1 inch rotary that kept leaving holograms. Whatever the reason, I just wasn't in love.
But then came a little bit of serendipity. I had the chance to speak with a representative from Flex North America at a recent Koch Chemie launch event in Atlanta....and you'll have to see if he could change my mind...
If you're interested, you can find the Flex PXE80 here: bit.ly/FlexCordlessHawkPro
You can find Koch Chemie products on Amazon now, which is pretty cool:
Amazing interior cleaner (Koch Chemie Pol Star) : bit.ly/PolStar
All purpose cleaner (Koch Chemie Green Star) : bit.ly/GreenStarHawkPro
Fantastic compounds and polishes from Koch Chemie, I recommend H9 and M3 with their pads : bit.ly/CompoundsAndPolishes
--MY FAVORITE DETAILING PRODUCTS!--
Fantastic pressure washer for less than $150! bit.ly/HawkProPressureWasher
Scangrip Headlamp (amazing for interior detailing & polishing): bit.ly/HeadLampScanGrip
Flex Rotary Polisher: bit.ly/FlexRotaryBuffer
Rupes Dual Action Polisher: bit.ly/RupesDualActionPolisher
Rupes Mini (for 3-inch pads): bit.ly/RupesMiniHawkPro
Rupes Duetto (my favorite machine for dual action sanding): bit.ly/DuettoPolisher
Meguiar's microfiber disc for dual action polisher: bit.ly/MicrofiberPadHawkPro
2000 Grit Sandpaper: bit.ly/2000GritSandPaperHawk
3000 Grit Sandpaper Trizact discs: bit.ly/TrizactSandPaperHawkPRo
KXK Dynamics R.I.D. Stix: bit.ly/KXKSandingBlocks
Polish removal towel: bit.ly/PolishRemovalTowelHawkPro
Super plush Autofiber 470 GSM towel: bit.ly/470GSMSuperPlushTowel
All purpose cleaner: bit.ly/AllPurposeCleanerHawkPro
Paint Prep/Wax and Grease remover (dilutable! 1 part product to 5 parts water -- works amazing) bit.ly/ProWaxAndGreaseRemoverHawk
Microfiber Ceramic Coating Applicator Sponge with Plastic Barrier: bit.ly/CoatingApplicatorHawkPro
---INTERIOR DETAIL PRODUCTS!-
Detail Factory brushes: bit.ly/HawkInteriorBrushes
Cera Trim from The Last Coat: bit.ly/TrimRestoreHawk
Bio Break Pre Spray w/enzymes (for stained/nasty carpets): bit.ly/BioBreakPreSpray
Flex Ice neutralizing extractor mix: bit.ly/FlexIce
Mytee Lite Hot Water Extractor: bit.ly/HotWaterExtractor
Ridgid Vacuum: bit.ly/RidgidVac
Anti-wicking spray for cloth seats (Spot Stop): bit.ly/SpotStopBottle
VX5000 steamer: bit.ly/VX5000
California Air Tools Air Compressor: bit.ly/AirCompressorHawkPro
Tornador Black interior cleaning gun: bit.ly/TornadorBlack
Optimum Power Clean: bit.ly/AllPurposeCleanerHawkPro
Meguiar’s D4510 Plastic & Vinyl Coating: bit.ly/PlasticVinylCoating
Omni Air Mover (one directional, it's cheaper than the circular one): bit.ly/OmniAirMover
Best Odor Counteractant: bit.ly/OdorProduct
Encap-Clean DS2 (the one-step carpet "shampoo" I love...it has a huge range for headliners, seats and carpet): bit.ly/ENCAPCLEANDS2
Spot Remover: bit.ly/SpotRemoverHawkPro
--
Hawk Pro Detailing is based in Heber City, Utah: hawkprodetailing.com/
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#Flex #KochChemie #PaintPolishing 
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I'm in Italy and started using this tool two weeks ago. I've been polishing 7 days a week 12hrs a day with it and it's a tough little beast. We have 5 machines in the workshop constantly on the go. I will get one for my own personal use.
I love this machine, won’t do a proper correction without it.
Great video, glad you kept it
Watching from Jupiter FL right now where I'm going to purchase the Flex PXE 80 but I have watched this video before from Greenwich Connecticut. I own a Rupes Nano iBird Long neck which I love and use on my cars but I want to use the PXE 80 on my boat in Florida. Thanks for making this video to show me the in's and out's.
I’ve loved this machine since day 1. I had an ibrid nano and replaced it with the flex and so glad. I actually tested all the different throws with different backing plates as soon as I got it so I learned quick what the best combinations are. Another good tip is to buy a 2” backing plate for this tool for added flexibility. I end up using 2” pads more than anything else.
I’m thinking about selling my Nano and my Mini to get one Of this Flex. I was waiting for the new Rupes ibrid lhr75 but it’s too expensive, the std costs around $500 on eBay.
Thank you for your videos.
@@wilfredgomez2632 how much can you get the flex for?
Which backing plate and which pads?
@@gleamcardetails I love the 2” backing plate using the 2” force pads from lake country
where did you buy the 2" backing plate from dude? iv just picked one of these machines up second hand its like new and i paid £200 for it, im buzzing with it!
Lehi, UT Thank you for this video. I am not only sold on the flex, but more sold on koch chemie products! I took your recommendation on polstar and fell in love with it! I guess I now know what my next purchase is going to be! LOL
Awesome! I try to tell it like it is lol
watching from England, awesome little polisher, it is so versatile. I love having no cord and wouldn’t be without it.
Nick thank you very much for this video. I was like you ready to throw this thing away. It was stalling no power I was very disappointed..... until I saw this video. I am a believer now and the 1" on the 12mm throw just amazing..... thanks again
Hey man that's awesome-- I'm glad you got value from this! (And that I'm not crazy haha) we've actually come to love it but had some questions...like I said in the video....early on
I was so happy when purchasing this machine and after a year of frustration how bad it was this video came in . Thank you
Did the machine end up being a winner? We fell in love, finally, once we figured out the ways to use it
Finally got this machine. Love it!
Nice! That seems to be the consensus lol
Great video Nick. I have a new PXE-80 and I'm getting ready to do a full detail on my sports car here in a couple weeks. I have all Flex machines now and got this one to add to the arsenal of polishing tools. (Now have the 3401, the Kompact rotary, and the PXE80). Thanks for the tutorial, it was very useful information. I have a good idea on how i'll be using the machine now. Gonna upgrade the 3401 next year to the cordless version. Cordless is the way to go now days just for the sheer convenience of it, not having to worry about that cord over the shoulder, etc.
Do you like forced rotation? I got the XCE and hated it
Awesome video
Hello Nick! 😅 I might be a bit late to the party, but I'm in the market for my first polishing machine, and this one appears to meet all my requirements. Your video, just like all your others, is fantastic. 👍 I'm tuning in from Prague, Czech Republic 🇨🇿, and I'm eagerly anticipating the availability of your DIY products here soon! 🛠️😊
I'm watching from Minnesota. Never tried a mini polisher before. This peaked my interest
Sweet man! I grew up in mounds view MN
@@HawkProDetailing small world
Had no idea you could use a 1” pad on a 12mm plate. Excellent job!
Watching from Phoenix, AZ!
Thanks! Yeah I'm so glad I interviewed him.i thought my only 1 inch option was rotary setting which I hated
@@HawkProDetailing I honestly would’ve thought the 3mm throw was for the 1” pad. Guess I too, should’ve read the directions lol.
TBH I e had this polisher for a while and I did not realise that you could use the 1” pad on the 12 mm throw either. 😬
hola se puede usar baking plate de 2 pulgadas? gracias
Is it okay to replace only 3-inch to 1-inch backup pads on dual?
Thanks for the in-depth tips, as well as the interview with Chris from Flex. I'm trying to decide if I need the "Pixie"(as you aptly called it in the video!); I have the Adams mini, but it really doesn't seem to have the power to do polishing beyond very light correction. I love the quick-change feature of the Pixie; I can foresee offering proper headlight restoration services with this kind of tool in my arsenal. The hesitation was primarily due to my experience with the Adams machine
I had my adams machine and wasn't very happy with it due to the reasons you stated. Lots of vibration, and just wasn't impressed. I made the jump for this machine and it was fantastic. I wish I did it forever ago. You'll use it on one vehicle and you'll wonder how you went so long without it.
Watching from Sweden! 🇸🇪 great stuff those Flex tools 👌
The Germans know what they are doing!!!
How's the 3mm with the 1" stick pad for denibbing dust particles. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Watching from Denmark 😁 just ordered the machine because of this video. Hope its good. Bought this over the ibrid 🤣
My new go-to polisher. 💪🏻
how long have you been using it?
@@HawkProDetailing I have used it on three cars, so far. Great on lower rocker panels, B-Pillars, and did the entire roof on a giant Ford E-350 Super Duty van. It has those long deep gutters that run the length of the roof. The 3” pad fit the gutters perfectly, and being high up there without a power cord was great.
Yes, I really dig this tool. 🌟
I did go all-in and buy the entire FLEX battery operated line, minus the rotary. PXE, XFE, XCE, the detail light and the blower.
With proprietary batteries, we get stuck with that brand, so I figured it was best to invest in a reputable company. Thanks for all your videos. 🥇
@@craig.encinitas I wanna try the XCE!!
Watching from Martinique, FWI ! I am just about to order that machine... pricey but I could not find another mini orbital with 2 different backing plates... not to mention this one is cordless... What maximum pad size would you use on each plate ? This is my first polisher, bought to correct my black glossy plastic pillars that look like sh..
Viewing from Trinidad . When I saw the tile I said to my self “ what no way , this guy prob got a defective tool or just don’t know how to use it “
The tool does have one limitation in terms of getting into some tight spaces as a result of the bulky top compared to the rupes ibird nano. Other than that, the tool is quite effective ,well balanced and holds true to run time on battery . I didn’t regret purchasing mine .
I have one and I love it. So handy for spot correction and marks on the paint ☺️. Ps I'm in the UK 👍
England 🏴 here. Great review thanks.
Cheers!
Brilliant video mate, the Flex rep you spoke with was a nice guy, a true professional. What were you doing at 13:30?
Just wondered why You compounding on 12 mm throw instead using rotary option which is way faster?By end of the day You still have to polish it up.
I use the ibrid and this they both have their places and love both. Most people don’t know how to get the most out the machine they just will say it’s under powered. Yet, both used correctly are amazing.
If you had to choose 1....which one? Or is that missing the point of both having niches that work for your needs
@@HawkProDetailing that’s a good question an very hard to answer lol... I am working on a job right now and have my ibrid with a two pad and the flex with a 1 in pad. So I switch back and forth. If I had to pick one I would go with the ibrid simply because it has a 2in backing plate and some other brushes you can put on it to do interiors as well. The flex of course might have more power and that’s simply because he came out way later. I wish flex had a 2in backing plate. BUT they both have their place. The ibrid with the 12mm throw on a 1 in pad is very good just like the guy explained with the flex and using it the same way.
@@barrycook8116 A German company called APS sell an extension and a 2" backing plate for the PXE 80
Southern Indiana. This was really good video editing. Youre getting good at it
What part of Indiana? I lived in south bend for a few years... My business partner is a film guy and so the new style is his handiwork 😊
@@HawkProDetailing Charlestown, IN right across the river from Louisville KY. So the opposite end of Indiana lol. Yeah your video was looking sharp
Why such a big difference of speed/torque between speed 3 and 4?
Just recently used mine for the first time this weekend and it blows my mind with the lightness, smoothness while running, and the versatility due to being so small. Wish I bought this a year ago. Made my Adam's polisher look like junk.
You get what you pay for with flex, their tools are just very durable and do what they are supposed to do
@@HawkProDetailing I was just very surprised and it far exceeded my expectations. I have a rupes lhr15 and I didn't think it would live up to the quality of that but it certainly did. The tool is cool because of how light it is, and no cord was a game changer.
Watching from Canada
I’ve been thinking about buying one of the cordless minis because of all the tight spaces on today’s cars. Looking at the Adams, Rupes I- bird or the Flex Pixie. Your video was extremely helpful. Watching your vids from the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
Cheers! I see you leaving quite a few comments, much appreciated...are you new to detailing?
@@HawkProDetailing I’m pretty new. Been watching your vids and a few others which have helped me learn a ton! I’ve been kinda brave and have a few friends who’ve let me use their cars as my canvas. Mostly detailing, paint prep/enhancement & applying a few ceramic coatings. Trying to dial in polishing on my 2014 Mercedes, black of course. Tough getting it corrected. Gonna try the Koch Chemie duo to see if it helps. Learning more from your vids - I’m most appreciative of your style and tips. Many thanks!
Going after deep defects is one part of the battle. But like golf, it's drive for show... put for dough. Not worth going after most of the deep stuff, especially when you're starting out, and if you can finish on black paint you can finish down on anything. That's where the koch combo almost takes out the guesswork, but experience only comes from hours behind a polisher and that will include lots of frustration and mistakes so be easy on yourself. It's part of the process and you always learn from mistakes so just remind yourself it's all about hanging in there and having grit because burning through paint will honestly be traumatizing. Lots of ppl suggest getting a junkyard hood to practice on so you can test your limits on a safe surface
What was that first 1" pad you had on there. Looked like a Microfiber pad.
It's a lake country 1 inch microfiber. I purchased from autoality.com
Love flex cordless polisher they are a definite game changer
Andy Cool is a game changer!!! wait til I get some of your stuff on the channel it will blow people's minds lol
So glad KC came to USA. I'v been using KC products for about 4 years. They are just awsome from compunds to cleaning chemicals. Except we in Europe are lucky we can order from 1L to 300L of everything.
I hope you like KC polishes.
Keep up the good work man!!
Love koch chemie man their stuff just works. We kind of want our whole shop to have exclusive koch but we love a few other products to lol
Woah - MIND BLOWN...did not realize you could switch the backing plates with the different throws! Bye Bye 1" holograms
Just fix your technique. A machine is as only good as its user.
I LOVE mine, use it more than than I do my full size units.
If you’re aggressively compounding something, what machine do you reach for? The lhr75e or the pxe80 in 3in/12mm mode?
LHR 75e definitely has more potential to correct.
Agree with Mark. If I need to be super aggressive i like 75e. BUT. with interface pad and sanding disc on the flex 3 inch plate...you can keep paint cool and get results that way with 3mm throw. The 3mm throw is so gentle. I would never want to sand with 75e its just to beastly and aggressive
Watching from holland🕶 wished i known before baught the finisher and the smaller 80 da from flex but missing a smaller pad.
Now im finding this little machine. Damn its costing me money😅🤣
Detailing can be such a rabbit hole of expenses...I will say this one is worth it though. Thanks for watching sir!!
My issue with this tool is REACH. The long neck Rupes Nano lets you reach into tight areas (behind mirrors for instance). With the Fkex, isn't the body of the tool still in the way?
The body kind of is in the way, but not completely...did you see that video shot in the beginning of my intro? I had the white polishing pad behind the side mirror.... that's as far as I could get it....it did a good job behind the mirror but not perfect. IF YOU CAN KEEP A SECRET....a little birdie told me flex is soon coming out with accessories, specifically for this tool, and I'll bet you they address the issue with some kind of extension.......
@@HawkProDetailing I figured they would but I think the issue is the direction of the extension. Not a Rupes fanboy by any means, but the advantage of the long neck Nano is the length of the neck, with it's low profile. You can put an extension outward from the head of many different tools, but it won't help you get behind certain tight spaces. Not to say that this tool is useless, I still might want one. But I don't think it can reach the same nooks and crannys as a Nano.
For a replacement for a 3 inch corded tool this thing seems awesome though. I want it.
You can get an extension for it here in the UK
@@benjamintrahin9571 for cordless, check out these machines, they look awesome!!! ruclips.net/video/m2x-1FYJfEE/видео.html
I just got the Adams swirl killer 3" da and pretty happy with it, especially for the price, think it was around $125
Nice! I wonder if that is re branded from another company like maxshine? I have no Idea just curious...
@@HawkProDetailing a lot of Adams products are rebranded products
@@HawkProDetailing Shinemate I believe
It should be noted , the PXE80 works much smoother with the lower profile foam. So far the UroTech foam pads work with a lot less vibration. The Koch pads have to soften up a bit to get more spin out of them. A lot of drag with some of the koch pads. I do have some aftermarket accessories, the two I backing plate you can also get on eBay which also has a rotary extension. From my use the two inch is the sweet spot. The Rupes two inch pads also work great. Once all the other accessories come out and are more available ppl will see how versatile it is. When I do corrections now it comes in super handy. Better yet for waxing , being able to just dip the pad into a tin wax or just a few dabs of wax or machine sealant works great. Only thing I’d say is buy a third battery. Great tool. Good video. On a side note the Koch polishes work great with lower profile foam pads.
Interesting...donyou feel like the koch pads break down on ya at all? Especially red ones
@@HawkProDetailing I dampen them just a bit and prime the pads. You can use a little more pressure with them as well that's why the relief was built in. The Koch pads take a little practice before you get the hang of how they work. But I do that a lot on practice panels. They also really like medium paint types. The cutting pad just needs a bit of pad conditioner from my use. But the three-inches especially was made to use a bit more pressure with. The first few passes with more pressure and then lift. They also work great with forced action machines ( the XFE cordless or corded & other positive rotation machines ) with larger areas like hoods truck doors and the like. Also clean them a bit more frequently. Good video.
@@HawkProDetailing I was using them earlier with a Makita 5000c forced action and they were great especially the yellow with that machine. They just take a bit of practice.
Very nice. I’ve been using the pads since last year and also had the 5000c as well and the yellow pad works awesome with it. Back then I only had 2 of them so I had to clean one before using the other ( pad washer , air ) but it worked. I’m glad I spent all that time with the practice panels and the koch pads. Really gave me a good reference on what machines work better with them.
@@AmirAbdullah can you buy a 2” backing plate for the PXE 80? Thx
"i used a 1" pad on a rotary and all i got was holograms" what did you expect????? ahahahahah
Best machine ever, not only a mini polisher but a micro - every polisher My shop has is a flex cordless
You like the bigger ones too?
Hawk Pro Detailing I love them ... I have 2 XFE’s and a XCE and a cordless PE rotary is next ... they are not as powerful in terms of RPM’s to their corded versions but that’s to be expected ... I doubt I’ll ever go back to corded polishers
I heard you can’t cut with the XFe
I love this machine lol honestly havent used my 3” rupes since getting it
Wanna sell the rupes 🤣
@@HawkProDetailing lmao not yet🤪
I struggle with the stall on the Rupes 🤦🏻♂️
Watching from Ontario Canada. I have an ibrid which I like for somethings. But feel this has more use for more open areas. And seems stronger if that’s the right word. I have yet to try one. But would like to, I am doing more older motorcycles now. So the smaller polisher is necessary.
Exactly what I was thinking...tool seems nice, but in tight areas the head/body of the tool is still going to be in the way.
from montreal canada
Saludos desde City of México
Watching from UK
Cheers!
I love it..way better than ibrid
Looks like a great tool, but I'm just too spoiled with the power of pneumatic mini polishers. Tried a Nano and it felt like a toy. If you're mobile and polishing alot, and/or don't have the compressor to power air tools, I could see this being amazing though.
What is your compressor? We really wanna upgrade but just not quite there financially for a big boy. Cordless is awesome though
@@HawkProDetailing it's an 80 gallon Northstar. My buddy has an auto body shop, and he upgraded to the crazy Kaeser on demand style, so I bought one of the two he had.
But yeah, cordless is awesome. You don't need a ton of compressor for doing spot work with mini polishers. What size of shop compressor are you looking at getting eventually?
@@jdisdetermined we really want a kaeser:)
I have it and like it. Anything under speed 4 in DA mode is relatively worthless, IMO.
Right. If I'm going after heavy defects with 3 inch microfiber I still prefer the rupes 75e. But man do I hate cords lol
@@HawkProDetailing I hear you about cords!
Watching from Greece. Prodetailers here, use the most rupes polishers
rupes is all I've ever used, but I've bought the flex rotary (I like it but don't use much) and now this little polisher
Clearwater fl!!!
Nice!!
Did you see my new video on the flex shaft extension tool?
@@HawkProDetailing no that’s interesting
@@nickbax9571 ruclips.net/video/IYqT7ezWzF0/видео.html&lc=UgzDalkhwHc-28dEOGJ4AaABAg
I had to watch both videos man thanks for the content. Once I have the money I definitely have to buy one of those flex extensions they are awesome!!!! I’m work construction but my passion is in detailing so I have a lot of polishers and other equipment just trying to figure out pricing and how to get the clients I’m not big fam of social media but it seems like I don’t have a choice on that!
Je te regarde de France 🇫🇷 😉
i wish i looked at this machine with out jumping in with rupes nano ibrid now 🤦🏻♂️
yep , from turkey :D
2nd from Puerto Rico 👍🇵🇷
Romania
Sweden
Awesome 😎 first 👍🏼
Also check this out! ruclips.net/video/btowPafgUFM/видео.html
My man!!
Batoca S4 for half the cost
never tried it
Bought the whole set over a year ago and still not used 😅
Why not lol
@@HawkProDetailing didn't do much where it was needed. I will finally use it soon as I'm spraying a new candy paint job, 70's lowrider style meets current era style, on my motorcycle
Spread the compound with a butter knife ? Wtf. .... what a total give away that they don’t know shit about detailing. Anyway, a true pro doesn’t need any of these gimmicky features. That’s why rupes is the best. Spread the product with your hand / pad , speed 1 , up down left right , wrap the cord behind your head and kick it up a notch. Time is money.
I´m from Germany and I do not use the Flex, or the Rupes for that matter....tooooo overpriced...the both of them
What you use?
Yeah, what do you use?
you really didn't finish high school or learnt zero.