Flex Problems, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[Excessive Detail]

This is a warning to all who use the flex. So I was buffing a car today and it had some paint marks on it from a little hit and run, so I started to put some pressure on the flex. Everything was going fine until I started to notice what I thought was compound dust, but it actually turned out the be plastic dust and smoke. Apparently putting pressure on the flex caused the backing plate to rub up against something in the head of the flex, I can't really tell what, but I kept buffing and backed off, but I could still smell the plastic burning and then a thin circular peice of plastic came off from between the backing and head of the flex. I guess when I put pressure on it it caused it to tear the plastic and just kept tearing, luckly my flex still works fine, still smell a little funny, I'll take a closer look at it tommorrow, so basically be careful not to put to much pressure on your flex when using it.

[killrflake]

Never had any problem like you mention with my Flex, but then again I never had to lean on it either. I'll be watching to see if anyone raises their hand with a like situation. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

[supercharged]

Originally Posted by Excessive Detail

This is a warning to all who use the flex. So I was buffing a car today and it had some paint marks on it from a little hit and run, so I started to put some pressure on the flex. Everything was going fine until I started to notice what I thought was compound dust, but it actually turned out the be plastic dust and smoke. Apparently putting pressure on the flex caused the backing plate to rub up against something in the head of the flex, I can't really tell what, but I kept buffing and backed off, but I could still smell the plastic burning and then a thin circular peice of plastic came off from between the backing and head of the flex. I guess when I put pressure on it it caused it to tear the plastic and just kept tearing, luckly my flex still works fine, still smell a little funny, I'll take a closer look at it tommorrow, so basically be careful not to put to much pressure on your flex when using it.

Yeah, I've noticed that too. I was buffing out swirls out of Maxima, and could smell burning plastic...

[Lasthope05]

Its still relatively new so there will be problems with it. I just cant buy any new buffer without seeing how it holds up. Thats why I love my good old dewalt. Maybe they will have a recall on all the flexes that were sold?

[blkyukon]

Excessive Detail check your hex screw on the backing plate and make sure it's not loose....when I got my Flex, all the screws on mine needed to be tightened. If the backing plate is loose I could see it causing excessive rubbing when pressure is applied.

With that being said, I can see if you do apply pressure on an angle (using the edge of a pad) that it can cause the backing plate to rub too.


When I was testing the Flex I did apply pressure and never experienced any "plastic burning". I don't normally use pressure with it though...if I need more cutting, I just slow down the passes.

Originally Posted by Lasthope05

Its still relatively new so there will be problems with it. I just cant buy any new buffer without seeing how it holds up. Thats why I love my good old dewalt. Maybe they will have a recall on all the flexes that were sold?

The Flex 3401 is new but not that new....IIRC, the Flex XC 3401 was released over a year ago.

[Z06-Goose]

I doubt this is an indication of a flaw with the Flex...JMO
Double check the BP hex screw as mentioned
Did you lean on it at an angle, or while it was flat?

[Gary Sword]

I think I read somewhere that there was a backing plate problem on some of the initial machines and they did not release any more until they fixed the problem. I used my Flex for the fist time yesterday and I must say I love the machine.

[mingraygt]

I cant take it! I have to get one!!!

[Deep Gloss Auto Salon]

Originally Posted by Gary Sword

I think I read somewhere that there was a backing plate problem on some of the initial machines and they did not release any more until they fixed the problem. I used my Flex for the fist time yesterday and I must say I love the machine.

this was related to isolated cases of premature velcro delamination - hence the new BP

[killrwheels@autogeek]

My question is the same, is this a newer unit or older unit with the original backing plate issues ???