New Product Announcement - Smaller Backing Plate for Flex XC3401

[Nick McKees37]

A few weeks ago we received a large shipment of Flex XC3401 VRG Dual Action polishers and also received a few new items to test out, a new Flex backing plate!

Flex is coming out with a new, smaller backing plate for the XC3401. It is being called a 4 inch plate but specifically the prototypes that I have are 4 3/8". This is a perfect size for 5.5" pads.

Here is how the new plate compares in size to the original Flex backing plate. As you can see it installs onto the XC3401 the exact same way with Flex's proprietary gears.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1050/medium/IMG_09141.JPG


Once on the polishing machine, this new backing plate is a perfect fit

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1050/medium/IMG_0916.JPG

I feel this is an improvement over the original plate because you can now use smaller pads. A lot of users prefer 5.5 inch pads over the 6.5 for faster paint correction plus you can get into tighter areas

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1050/medium/IMG_0917.JPG

Here I am lining up a Lake Country 5.5 inch Crimson Hydro-Tech pad

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1050/medium/IMG_09181.JPG

Yes, that feels nice. Really nice!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1050/medium/IMG_09231.JPG

The Flex XC3401 and new Flex 4 3/8" backing plate and a 5.5 inch pad!

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1050/medium/IMG_09211.JPG

Perfectly balanced

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1050/medium/IMG_09221.JPG

Coming soon to Autogeek (http://www.autogeek.net). March 2011

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Neat! However, I don't think 5.5" pads offer faster paint correction than 6.5" pads with the 3401 because the pad will never stop rotating. Although, I can see a backing plate to use 5.5" pads being good for slightly smaller ares, while still being big enough to polish a whole car. A backing plate for 4" pads with the 3401 may not be ideal because it's not the quickest backing plate to switch out, and I doubt anyone wants to use 4" pads to polish a whole car.

[CleanGene]

It's about time! I'm most definitely in for one of these.:xyxthumbs:

[Audi X2]

If you already own a D/A and have a lot of 5.5" pads this new backing plate will let you use the Flex 3401 without having to buy new and larger pads.

[Rhudeboye]

Hmmmm keep the GG w/ my 4" bp or get this and deal with the slow swap time.

[Trents_goat5.7]

Very excited about this.

[GaDetailDoc]

When is the expected arrival date?

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Hmmmm keep the GG w/ my 4" bp or get this and deal with the slow swap time.
Do you have both the Flex 3401 and GG? I see no point in dealing with the swap time. Plus, you still cant use 5.5" pads in as small areas as you can with 4" pads.


If you already own a D/A and have a lot of 5.5" pads this new backing plate will let you use the Flex 3401 without having to buy new and larger pads.
I didn't think of this because I already own a 3401, but this is a very good point for those who have always wanted to buy a Flex 3401, but already have 5.5" pads.

[Meghan]

Nick has a rough job!! NOT!!!

We are all very excited about this new backing plate, we will make sure to let you know as soon as it is available for ordering.

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Nick has a rough job!! NOT!!!

Well, neither do you! :jealous: :dblthumb2:

[feslope]

Flex is coming out with a new, smaller backing plate for the XC3401. It is being called a 4 inch plate but specifically the prototypes that I have are 4 3/8". This is a perfect size for 5.5" pads.


Coming soon to Autogeek (http://www.autogeek.net). March 2011That prototype looks to me like a standard Flex bp cut down to size on a metal cutting lathe. I cut a couple down to 4 and 7/8" which I think is perfect for 5 and 1/2" pads. I talked to Mike Philips about it and he really was not interested in it because it was not an available accessory (Totally understandable) I hope this becomes available. A lot of people have been asking for it for a long time. :xyxthumbs:

[WRAPT C5Z06]

That prototype looks to me like a standard Flex bp cut down to size on a metal cutting lathe.
I think you're right.

[Nick McKees37]

ETA for the new backing plate is 2 weeks. :xyxthumbs:

[Kaban]

I'm really hoping the actual production model will be 4" or smaller so that we can use 4" pads on tight spots.... 4-3/8" really doesn't do anything for me because I don't even have an interest in using 5.5" pads.... I don't see the point... too small to polish an entire car, too big for small areas.

[gewb]

Well, the size "fits" the removal of the ribbed portion of the stock BP but the geometry of the 3401, to avaoid having the metal housing extend beyond the BP, is 4 5/8". However, I see no problem using the 4 3/8" size as the housing is some distance above the paint surface.

Seach for my post "Flex 3401 Circumcised Backing Plate " for a little more info.

Others have posted they don't yet see the need for the smaller BP/pads - I found much better control, almost no wobble (unless the pad is really off center), reduced vibration (which is already low), lower cost of pads, very little increase in polishing time vs 6.5" pads.

(Hmm, I haven't even heard a "thanks for the idea" from Flex.)

Regards,
GEWB