Pad confusion best all around pads for 3401 Flex use

[Red Lehr]

I've had my 3401 for a couple of years now and I have been using the LC CCS orange,white, and black pads with Menzerna products. I am still kind of a newbie at polishing and with all the new pads being offered ie. LC CCS Smart pads,LC Hybrid pads, Thin Pro pads,Hydro Tech pads, Constant Pressure High Gloss Pads, Kompressor Pads, it gets a little confusing what to use....

Do any of you use these pads with your Flex 3401 and Menzerna products ??
I have a PC 7424 XP but I keep going back to the 3401....

Thanks for the help !

[expdetailing]

Many Flex users agree that the lake country hybrid pads are the best when used in conjunction with the Lake Country 4" BP. Also, Swapping out the OE backing plate with the Lake Country 4" and using Lake Country 5" Hybrid pads makes controlling it many times easier.

[98LowRanger]

Many Flex users agree that the lake country hybrid pads are the best when used in conjunction with the Lake Country 4" BP. Also, Swapping out the OE backing plate with the Lake Country 4" and using Lake Country 5" Hybrid pads makes controlling it many times easier.

Is this what your referring to? Only 4" BP I could find for the 3401 so wanted to make sure.
FLEX XC3401 Mini 4 3/8 Backing Plate, FLEX (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-xc3401-mini-backing-plate.html)

[expdetailing]

No, here it is: FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System (http://autogeek.commerce-search.net/redirect?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autogeek.net%2Fflex-xc3401-backing-plates.html)
The 4&3/8 plate will fit most 5" pads, but not the 5" LK hybrid pads.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Hey Red, the Lake Country Hybrid pads were designed for the characteristics of the FLEX XC3401. These pads used in conjunction with the 3401 are the bee's knee's. I too use this setup with the range of Menzerna polishes.
Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish Ultra Performance Pad System (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-hybrid-pads.html)

Here is an article I put together a while back on extracting the maximum potential from this setup.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/77155-my-technique-concerning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html

[Joe@NextLevelDetail]

Lake country has made force pads made for the flex, they look pretty sweet, and where made to upgrade the hybrid line.

Ag doesnt carry them yet, but that should change keep an eye out for them soon.

[Zubair]

Force pads any day.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Force pads any day.

Have you used them?

[Red Lehr]

Hey Red, the Lake Country Hybrid pads were designed for the characteristics of the FLEX XC3401. These pads used in conjunction with the 3401 are the bee's knee's. I too use this setup with the range of Menzerna polishes.
Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish Ultra Performance Pad System (http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-hybrid-pads.html)

Here is an article I put together a while back on extracting the maximum potential from this setup.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/77155-my-technique-concerning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html

Thanks Mike !! I've been taking in a lot of the great info that you guys post...Thanks to everyone who shares.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Thanks Mike !! I've been taking in a lot of the great info that you guys post...Thanks to everyone who shares.

Sure thing. :dblthumb2:

[Mike Phillips]

I've had my 3401 for a couple of years now and I have been using the LC CCS orange,white, and black pads with Menzerna products.

I am still kind of a newbie at polishing and with all the new pads being offered ie. LC CCS Smart pads,LC Hybrid pads, Thin Pro pads, Hydro Tech pads, Constant Pressure High Gloss Pads, Kompressor Pads, it gets a little confusing what to use....




Get the Lake Country 6.5" Hybrid Pads. You can do everything with Orange, White and Black. If you like to machine apply your waxes and sealtants get a Red Hybrid.


Down the road, get the Lake Country 4" Backing Plate Adapter Kit. This will enable you to burn and turn 5" Hybrids and 4" anything. This comes in real handy for thin panels and smaller pads on the FLEX 3401 makes the tool really easy to use. Larger pads help you to knock out large panels likity-split.


:)

[Mike Phillips]

When you have some heavy cutting to do or if you detail boats with oxidized gel-coats then get the pad I show in this article.


Almost as fast as a rotary buffer but a lot safer - What is it? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-mike-phillips-your-detailing-questions/100682-almost-fast-rotary-buffer-but-lot-safer-what.html)


http://www.marine31online.com/gallery/data/620/FLEX_3401_HD_026.jpg


:)

[Mike Phillips]

Here's some pictures to show you all the Hybrid pad options....



Remember, thin is in only applies to free rotating DA polishers.

When it comes to direct drive polishers both dual action orbitals and single direction rotationals, pad thickness isn't and issue and in fact a thicker pad is what you want.

I'm showing the wide selection of Hybrid pads for both my Flex 3401 class and my Flex PE14 class at Detail Fest this weekend.



Wide selection of Hybrid pads

From the top down,

Gold Jeweling, Red Waxing, Black Finishing, White Polishing, Yellow Light Polishing, Blue Light Cutting, Orange Cutting.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=91964

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=91965

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=91966

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=91967


This is also a great pad for the Flex 3401, it's the Lake Country 7.5" Electrified Wool Finishing Pad.

Although it's called a finishing pad it's still a FIBER pad and that means compared to foam more cutting.

7.5" Electrified Wool Finishing Pad (http://www.autogeek.net/lc-wool-sheepskin-polishing-pad-7inch.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=91968



This is a combination that we'll be using in the upcoming Marine 31 Boat Detailing Class (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/88652-marine-31-boat-detailing-class-saturday-april-18th-2015-a.html) on April 18th.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=91969




With the addition of these two new Hybrid pads this pad system is one of the beat and most complete on the market for the Flex 3401 and the Flex PE14


:dblthumb2:

[Mike Phillips]

And the only how-to book ever written for the FLEX 3401...



http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=83320


On Autogeek.net

How to use the Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-polisher-book.html)
For both Production Detailing & Show Car Detailing




:xyxthumbs:

[Mike Phillips]

My paperback book on the FLEX 3401 is now available as an e-book for fast easy download.



Only $14.95

Click this link to get your copy...

How to use the Flex XC3401 VRG Dual Action Orbital Polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/mike-phillips-flex-book.html)




:)