4" pads with flex

[molarman]

is there any way to use 4" pads with the flex? does flex make a 3 or 4" backing plate?

[281]

FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-xc3401-backing-plates.html)

With this system, you can use pads 4" to 6.5"...

[Mike Phillips]

From my article list under the Flex 3401...


Car detailing articles by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-car-detailing-articles-mike-phillips.html)


Here's the article, it has pictures and links to the store to get the backing plate kit...


New 4" and 6" Backing Plates for Flex 3401 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/40410-new-4-6-backing-plates-flex-3401-a.html)



If you use the 4" pads on the 4" backing plate just pay attention when buffing as the housing is actually larger than 4" in diameter.



Autogeek's Car of the Week - 1986 Buick Regal T-Type Turbo (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/sign-up-open-garage-classes/40373-autogeek-s-car-week-1986-buick-regal-t-type-turbo.html)


Using a 4" Tangerine Hydro-Tech Polishing pad to get close to the hood ornamnet...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1252/1986BuickRegal_011.jpg

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1252/1986BuickRegal_012.jpg



It's very doable, just be careful.

For what it's worth... in my experience and opinion the 4" backing plate and 5" Hybrid pads are must-haves if you're going to be a Flex 3401 users.

New 5" pads for 4" Backing Plate on Flex 3401 (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/49549-new-4-5-pads-4-backing-plate-flex-3401-a.html)



:xyxthumbs:

[allenk4]

Remember, Mike Phillips is much more skilled with a polisher than most of us will ever be.

I believe that the combination of a FLEX 3401 and a 4" pad is far less than ideal.

The housing and the BP are in a precarious position when attempting to polish anything but a pillar or a spot correction.

If you plan to use this combination....at a minimum, put a few layers of electrical tape around the edge of the BP and the housing so when you do bump something, it will cause less damage.

I converted my old Porter Cable to a dedicated small pad machine. It works great with the 3" Meguiar's Microfiber Pads and the 4" Lake Country CCS foam pads. With small pads, this machine has plenty of power when used on speed 5-6.


It is also a time saver instead of having to change out the BP on the FLEX a couple of times during a job.

[Mike Phillips]

If you plan to use this combination....at a minimum, put a few layers of electrical tape around the edge of the BP and the housing so when you do bump something, it will cause less damage.




Good tip...

For what it's worth, ever since the 5" Hybrid pads were introduced I haven't used any 4" pads on a 4" backing plate on the Flex 3401. If I need to do correction work with a smaller pad I simply use the PE14 like this,


How to buff in tight spaces using a rotary buffer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/75929-how-buff-tight-spaces-using-rotary-buffer.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2225/2014_Mobil_Tech_Expo_Detailing_Classes_by_Mike_Phi llips_007c1.jpg




When I used the 4" pads on the Flex to buff out the 1986 Buick Regal T-Type Turbo that was three years ago....

Post date for this article,

1986 Buick Regal T-Type Turbo (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/40373-1986-buick-regal-t-type-turbo.html)



08-31-2011


:D

[allenk4]

Nice set-up with the rotary extensions.

Something similar can be done with a PC


It can be a bit "Tippy", so exercise caution.

I wouldn't suggest using more than one rotary extension.

You will need:

- Rotary Extension
- DA to Rotary Adapter
- 3" rotary BP

You can buy the Meguiars Unigrit 3 Inch Professional Backing Plate and Adaptor Kit (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-unigrit-backing-plate.html); which included the DA to Rotary adapter as well as a 3/4" extension. This BP is pretty stiff, so you might want to use a Meguiar's Foam Interface Pad with it.

You could also buy the Rotary Backing Plate Extension (http://www.autogeek.net/rotary-backing-plate-extension.html) that Mike is using in the pictures above and the DA Adapter (http://www.autogeek.net/daadapter58x11.html) separately. The Meguiar's W63 BP (http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-w63-backing-plate.html) will work with this set-up