3401 plate damage

[ludrady]

i had flex 3401 that i bought last month.
it come with LC plate system 4" and 6" plate size.
when first run test to my car and its supprise me with the result.
second test to my friends car and the result my 6" plate are damage like the picture... http://s13.postimage.org/ovo7g7ivr/IMG_20130102_00271.jpg
(sorry if the pic not to focus, take wt my phone)
maybe anyone of you guys can tell me what is the cause until the plate can damage like this ?
need to know the posibility of the cause to prevent future same failure..

[BobbyG]

:welcome: To Autogeek Online! :props:

WOW, sorry to hear this happened and certainly not typical. I don't have the Lake Country system but I have used both backing plates from Flex without issue.


Did the socket screw in the center of the plate loosen up?
Did you lubricate the felt ring prior to mounting the plate?

Did you purchase it through Autogeek? If so then give Autogeek's Customer Service reps a call and they'll bend over backwards to make things right...

[Mike Phillips]

My guess is,

Bolt not tight that holds backing plate system to spindle
Correct washer not used AND bolt not tight that holds backing plate to spindle


I've used the backing plate adapter system since it was introduced and we always have 4-5 Flex 3401's set-up to use with this system. People from all backgrounds, newbies to professionals use our tools during our Thursday night projects and I've never had one break to date.


I use them myself on my own projects and again, never had an issue.



I also use the supplied, correct washer with the adapter plate system and I always snug the bolt down tight when assembling the system to the Flex 3401.

I used the Flex 3401 for all three of these projects and no problems and these are not small cars...


Christmas Detail - Ferrari P4 - Move over Rudolf (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/58698-christmas-detail-ferrari-p4-move-over-rudolf.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1668/Ferrari_P4_Detailed_by_Mike_Phillips_009.jpg


How to use a one-step cleaner/wax to maximize profits (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/58359-how-use-one-step-cleaner-wax-maximize-profits.html)


Paint machine polished using a polishing pad and a one-step, cleaner/wax...

http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1970_442_by_Mike_Phillips.007.jpg



After

http://www.showcargarage.com/gallery/files/1/1970_442_by_Mike_Phillips.008.jpg


New Menzerna FG 400 - One-Step Show Car Makeover (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/57592-new-menzerna-fg-400-one-step-show-car-makeover.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1635/1957_Belair_Mike_Phillips_005.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1635/1957_Belair_Mike_Phillips_019.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1635/1957_Belair_Mike_Phillips_050.jpg



So a loose bolt or a loose bolt without the washer or the correct washer would be my guess as to why you experienced the damage you have. Just a guess no way of really knowing.

I'll send the link to this thread to my buddy Eric Dunn from Lake Country and lets let him chime in too as he might have seen this before if it's ever happened before.


:)

[ludrady]

hi mike and bobby thanks to reply my thread..
@ bobby : the hex bolt centre not loose up, when it happen the bolt and the masher stay on the machine and the plate are loose away from the flex. and yes i lubricate the white felt ring 1 day before i use .i bought the machine from one of detailer on my country and according to him he bought from autogeek.
@mike : i think im sure i tight enough the center hex bolt with the washer from the machine.
and then after the accident my first thought on mind was i tight the bolt with washer too tight with the machine and cause of the damage.(after mike comment than this should be not the cause)
next day i try with my second 4" plate and do the work, but this time every single panel of the car i stop and check the plate condition, the hex bolt is hot enough to touch when try to loose up and release the plate to cool it down for a while before i continued to next panel. (:awman::awman:).
after finish i check the plate and the shape its not smooth anymore but it got some kind of square mark it to it. perhaps later i will post it the pic.

[Mike Phillips]

next day i try with my second 4" plate and do the work, but this time every single panel of the car i stop and check the plate condition, the hex bolt is hot enough to touch when try to loose up and release the plate to cool it down for a while before i continued to next panel.


after finish i check the plate and the shape its not smooth anymore but it got some kind of square mark it to it. perhaps later i will post it the pic.




Something doesn't sound right?

Where you at with this issue?
(I've been offline at Mobil Tech Expo for a few days)



:dunno:

[Tom Weed]

i had flex 3401 that i bought last month.
it come with LC plate system 4" and 6" plate size.
when first run test to my car and its supprise me with the result.
second test to my friends car and the result my 6" plate are damage like the picture... http://s13.postimage.org/ovo7g7ivr/IMG_20130102_00271.jpg
(sorry if the pic not to focus, take wt my phone)
maybe anyone of you guys can tell me what is the cause until the plate can damage like this ?
need to know the posibility of the cause to prevent future same failure..


I had the center of my 4" LC adapter break sort of like your picture. I always use the washer and and the bolt was tight, but somehow the stress busted it like in your picture. Here's mine...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/2012-11-18_11_48_17.jpg

I tried to glue mine back together, but after thinking about it could come apart on someones car, I decided to go to the LC FB page and ended up speaking with Eric Dunn who sent me a replacement and I sent my broken one back.

Hope that helps,
Tom

[ludrady]

hi mike : yes its kind of weird but its real. this time i put heat seal paper beetwen the adapter and the plate 4", and i think it can reduce the heat in the center. test it and the result i dont need stop on each panel because the heat is not too hot on the plate.

hi tom : my 4' pad untill now still ok to use only my 6" already break apart..:laughing:
i think we had the same problem which is the center stress on the plate.thanks for the advice i will visit LC FB page.

[rmagnus]

I noticed the center screw was a little loose on a new 3401 after doing 6 panels. Certainly worthy of a quick check from time to time. Maybe some red lock tight might be a good idea for that screw. I really like the polisher, super easy to control even one handed when stretching over the roof.

[catfish07]

I know this is an old thread but I had the exact same thing happen with mine. Using the larger plate, it snapped off just like the picture. I called autogeek and they sent another pack out and I sent the broken one back. Unfortunately it happened again so I just went and bought the original Flex replacement backing pad. I feel like the plastic gets hot and breaks on the LC plate kit :(

[GTI]

hmmmm sad I was going to purchase this system for my 3401, but something seems wrong with the adapter setup. I wish Lake Country would make some type of statement or at least give us some info as to what they think is going on.

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

I know this is an old thread but I had the exact same thing happen with mine. Using the larger plate, it snapped off just like the picture. I called autogeek and they sent another pack out and I sent the broken one back. Unfortunately it happened again so I just went and bought the original Flex replacement backing pad. I feel like the plastic gets hot and breaks on the LC plate kit :(


hmmmm sad I was going to purchase this system for my 3401, but something seems wrong with the adapter setup. I wish Lake Country would make some type of statement or at least give us some info as to what they think is going on.

I am guessing that the center bolt is not torqued down to German specs: "Gut en tight".

All kidding aside this is a fantastic plate system for the 3401 and I have been using this plate setup excursively almost since its release without a single problem.

GTI, if you decide to purchase this plate kit I recommend the LC Hybrid pads to go along with it. Here is an article I wrote on extracting the maximum performance from the 3401, Hybrid pads, and Menzerna polishes.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-university/77155-my-technique-concerning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html

[The Pad Man]

Why dont you email me your information to my office here and I will personally take care of it. My email is : eric@lakecountrymfg.com

[David at LC Pads]

I know this is an old thread but I had the exact same thing happen with mine. Using the larger plate, it snapped off just like the picture. I called autogeek and they sent another pack out and I sent the broken one back. Unfortunately it happened again so I just went and bought the original Flex replacement backing pad. I feel like the plastic gets hot and breaks on the LC plate kit :(


hmmmm sad I was going to purchase this system for my 3401, but something seems wrong with the adapter setup. I wish Lake Country would make some type of statement or at least give us some info as to what they think is going on.

This has only occurred with the larger 6" plate, not with the 4" plate that is also included in the kit.

Because there was a slight shrinkage problem with the 6" plate out of the mold, Lake Country now includes two shims to reduce the stress and fix that problem.

If you have a kit, but didn't receive shims, please contact us @ Lake Country and we can provide you with them.

David.Patterson@LakeCountryMfg.com

[Tato]

Oh man, look at what just happened to my 4" plate,

Using a 4" LC flat pad for finishing at speed 4, flat (although vertical) panel, little to no pressure at all.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Screen_Shot_2014-04-14_at_5_35_50_PM.png

I've heard a 'POP' and the plate just flew away. Fortunately I was paying huge attention and was able to hang the polisher and turn it off, no damage was caused to me, the car, the polisher or the pad: Just the 4" superior part of the Kit.

I couldn't imagine this happening since I've already polished some ENTIRE cars using this plate. I was aware of this problem reading at AG, but we ever think this will not happen to us.

PS: I tight the bolt the 'German Way', well tight.

More pics:

Broke into only 1 place:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Screen_Shot_2014-04-14_at_5_36_00_PM.png

It can be inserted back:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Screen_Shot_2014-04-14_at_5_36_14_PM.png

To a perfect match:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/medium/Screen_Shot_2014-04-14_at_5_36_20_PM.png


Please, opine on this:

I'm willing to glue it back, and also glue the 4" plate to the support, since I DON'T use the larger 6" plate of the system, but the 4" is a must have for me. It'll be like a 'permanent 4" plate. Would it have any issue?

I have many works scheduled this week and following, I'm in a hurry to solve this up (even if temporary) to keep using my 5" hybrids.

Would any of you guys glue it back like I've said?

Remember, I don't mind 'losing' the option to use the 6" plate, I just use and NEED the 4", for yesterday!

I've sent an email to David, then I saw this thread on recent and decided to include info here as well.

Thank you in advance,

Kind Regards.

[tpr1634]

Houston we have a problem:buffing: