What backing plate and pads size for flex 3401

[PurpleHaze]

I am going to be purchasing a Flex 3401 very soon. I am a bit confused about what backing plates and pads to get. Will the Flex 4 3/8 backing plate be good for 5 and 5.5 inch pads? I heard thats the best size for pads on flex. Or will the 4 inch backing plate which comes in the changeable backing plate be better for 5 and 5.5 inch pads?
It is going to be my first polisher so want to make sure I am on the right track.

[Kamakaz1961]

I am going to be purchasing a Flex 3401 very soon. I am a bit confused about what backing plates and pads to get. Will the Flex 4 3/8 backing plate be good for 5 and 5.5 inch pads? I heard thats the best size for pads on flex. Or will the 4 inch backing plate which comes in the changeable backing plate be better for 5 and 5.5 inch pads?
It is going to be my first polisher so want to make sure I am on the right track.


Get the Flex 4 3/8 FIRST. It will work with the 5" and 5.5" Pads no problem. It comes standard with a 5.5" Backing Plate and that is good for 6" or 6.5" Pads.

Lake Country sells the Flex backing plates that come in 4" and 7" (I believe).

I have them all and if I had only 1 choice get the Flex 4 3/8" backing plate. I have yet to use the Lake Country backing plates.

CJ

[chet31]

^ Agree.

[Tato]

The standard backing plate will give you plenty of room with 5.5" pads (very slow security margin, not optimal, but can be made), perfect with 6" and 6.5" pads.

The 4 3/8 backing plate is the correct plate for 5.5" pads, but can also be used with 5" pads with enormous success.

The 4" plate is to be used with 4" pads (zero security margin, but can be made) and it's PERFECT for the 5" hybrid pads.

The 4" plate is too small (in my opinion) for 5" and larger pads.

The 5" hybrid pads are the best addition to the Flex 3401. Unfortunately, to be able to use them, you'll have to order the WHOLE set of lake country plate system.

That means, a lot of cost, a 4" very nice plate for the flex, and a rarely used (at least, by me) 6" plate.

The 5" hybrids will not work with 4 3/8 plate because the 5" hybrid pad is beveled which has exactly 4" velcro side size, and 5" foam side size. (it's velcro is too small to be used on 4 3/8" plate).

The hybrid pads are the best pads for the Flex, that said, unfortunately, if you want to get the most from your machine, you'll need to get them.

I have all the options (standard, 4 3/8 and LC system), use them all, but mostly the 4" plate with 5" hybrids.

Another setup I like is 4 3/8 plate and 5.5" flat pads.

The Rupes pads (at least, the yellow which I have tested) in 6" works nice with the Flex 4 3/8 plate.

Difficult not to recommend polishing with a white hybrid pad if you have a Flex 3401...

Hope that helps (you spend more money, lol!)

Kind Regards.

[Just02896]

LC interchangeable backing plate kit and LC 5" Hybrid pads. Best combo yet that I've used on my Flex. Meg's MF pads also work beautifully for moderate / heavy correction with minimal hazing.

[Mizzoutiger]

LC interchangeable backing plate kit and LC 5" Hybrid pads. Best combo yet that I've used on my Flex. Meg's MF pads also work beautifully for moderate / heavy correction with minimal hazing.
:iagree:

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

The Hybrid pads are the cats meow on the 3401. The larger 6.5" pads fit directly on the factory Flex 5.5" backing plate.

To run the smaller 5" Hybrid pads you will need the Lake Country interchangeable plate system.

[EVOlved]

LC interchangeable backing plate kit and LC 5" Hybrid pads. Best combo yet that I've used on my Flex. Meg's MF pads also work beautifully for moderate / heavy correction with minimal hazing.


The Hybrid pads are the cats meow on the 3401. The larger 6.5" pads fit directly on the factory Flex 5.5" backing plate.

To run the smaller 5" Hybrid pads you will need the Lake Country interchangeable plate system.

Why can't you use the 4 3/8" BP with them?

[EVOlved]

Why can't you use the 4 3/8" BP with them?

Disregard I see the Velcro is only 4".

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Why can't you use the 4 3/8" BP with them?


Disregard I see the Velcro is only 4".

:xyxthumbs:

Great. I was just about to answer your question.

[PurpleHaze]

Thanks everyone for the input and advise 😀

[richy]

My Flex has the 4 3/8" BP and I only use 5.5" B/S pads with it. Works perfectly with that setup.

[StuDLei]

Ah, I can't decide what to get. There are some reviews that state the LC kit has broken. I don't recognize any of the names though, unlike you guys. Have any of you had issues with this or heard of such issues?

Why are the hybrid pads so great with the Flex? What makes them better?

I currently have only the stock backing plate and 6.5" pads. I love it, but that pad size is much too big for many areas of a vehicle; 5" or 5.5" inch pads don't seem like enough of a decrease in size that it will make much of a difference (anyone want to correct me on that, maybe I'm wrong in my thinking?). Four inch pads sound great, but then there's no room for error if you accidentally bump into something.

Any advice guys?

[StuDLei]

Oh, and I've only ever used the CCS pads. Are flat pads easier to control with the Flex?

How do hydro-tech pads differ from the others?

[allenk4]

Oh, and I've only ever used the CCS pads. Are flat pads easier to control with the Flex?

How do hydro-tech pads differ from the others?

The CCS pads are generally considered easier to control than flat pads in the 3401


Is anyone using a foam interface pads when using the Megs DAMF pads on the 3401?