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Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
Anytime I get questions via e-mail, a PM or a FB message I prefer to invest my typing time where
A: It's easier for me to share links, pictures and videos.
B: More people can read and thus benefit from the information. (no just one set of eyeballs)
The reality is, most people that contact me found me via an article I've written or a reply I've written on this forum. The thing is, instead of figuring out that the whole reason they are contacting me is because they found me via an article or answer I wrote on the forum that they to should bring their question to the forum because not only will that help them.... but it will help a future "them". If I answer everything in a private e-mail or other touch point, no one would find and contact me. It's a cycle or pattern that repeats as long as everything is shared in the public domain.
The above is kind of wordy but re-read it slowly and it will make sense.
So I get an e-mail asking,
Hi Mike ,
Today I am use Flex VRG 3401 Speed 5 , downward pressure 20 kg . For goal to Level Flat surface on black panel soft paint.
But unfortunately black seal on backing plate is broken. What is seriously damage ?
What need to repair ?
Hope you bring me advice and thank you for respond.
-Hanafi
Great questions Hanafi
First - The backing plate is fine and there's no repair needed. In fact now that you've chewed off the little lip of plastic it can never happen again. So re-assemble the backing plate but before you do APPLY SOME OIL TO THE FELT RING.
Then, moving forward, once in a while remove the backing plate and re-lubricate the felt ring. You can even pull the felt ring out of the aluminum housing and flip it over. Then lubricate that side. Down the road repeat. Keep the felt ring lubricated, ESPECIALLY if you use this tool a lot and press down hard a LOT.
I'm not sure why FLEX does not recommend applying some form of lubricating oil or grease to the felt ring before using the tool or why they don't oil her up before she leaves the factory.
But what I've seen in my life is when you don't lubricate the felt ring you get what you just experienced. Here's the picture you e-mailed to me.
Hang tight, let me get to resources for you that show you what to do.
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Re: Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
First resource is free, it's my article I wrote in 2011 - if you do or did a little Googling you may have found it.
Lubricating the Felt Ring on the Flex 3401
First there is no official recommendation from Flex on this procedure but most owners of the Flex 3401 like to lubricate the Felt Ring to ensure there are no issues between it and the hard plastic backing material that it comes into contact with during operation.
For preventative maintenance reasons, it's okay to lubricate the felt ring after purchase and periodically depending upon how much use your Flex 3401 sees.
What to use?I went to NAPA and purchased some Air Tool Lubricant, (see picture), but any light machine oil should work including the traditional 3-in-1 Oil.
Here's the felt ring on the Flex 3401
Here I've placed some oil on my finger ...
and then spread it onto the felt ring...
You can see the oil penetrate into the felt to lubricate it and from here it will migrate through the felt...
You could also place some drops around the felt ring and then spread it and work it in using your finger...
This brand new Flex 3401 is ready to go to work for a new project next week...
END OF ARTICLE
My comments....
Note the pictures have not disappeared like SO MANY pictures have disappeared in other people's posts, threads, articles.
Notice how the above information is "formatted", that is headlines, text, pictures, headlines, text pictures, headlines, text then pictures. This is called formatting. It makes it easier for you to read it makes it a lot easier for you to "understand" what to do and how to do it.
You cannot do this on Facebook.
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Re: Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
And here's two resources where you will find the above article,
How to use the Flex 3401 for Show Car Detailing
On Autogeek.net
How to use the Flex XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Polisher
For both Production Detailing & Show Car Detailing
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Re: Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
And here's an electronic version...
ebook - How to use the FLEX XC 3401 VRG Dual Action Polisher for both Show Car Detailing and Production Detailing
The 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
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Re: Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
And here's the reply via e-mail
Hello Mr. Mike ,
Great Guru are present when needed.
Thank you.
Me?
I'd join this forum and simply interact with me here.
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Re: Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
Absolutely agree about formatting. I try and do that.
Thanks for reminding me I need to lubricate my felt ring. I try and do it before any job, but it's been a year since I've done any "job" - So time to lubricate!
And that's a great book to have on the Flex. Just like your other books.
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Re: Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
Originally Posted by JustJesus
Absolutely agree about formatting. I try and do that.
If the goal is to get people to read your writing, formatting helps them.
Originally Posted by JustJesus
Thanks for reminding me I need to lubricate my felt ring. I try and do it before any job, but it's been a year since I've done any "job" -
So time to lubricate!
Same here.
I'm starting to pack for the Indianapolis, Indiana and Windsor, New Jersey Roadshow Classes and one of the things I'll do before packing the FLEX 3401 tools is remove the backing plates and turn all the felt rings over and then lube them.
Will probably take me 2-3 hours easy but it's important.
Originally Posted by JustJesus
And that's a great book to have on the Flex. Just like your other books.
Why thank you very much, I really appreciate the compliment. It's a LOT Of work to write a book and make sure it's accurate with all the experts in the world.
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Super Member
Re: Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
Originally Posted by Mike Phillips
Will probably take me 2-3 hours easy but it's important.
Can't believe you do so much of that grunt work yourself.
Originally Posted by Mike Phillips
Why thank you very much, I really appreciate the compliment. It's a LOT Of work to write a book and make sure it's accurate with all the experts in the world.
I believe you. Writing term papers in college, forum threads, and love letters, I have an idea as to the amount of work that can go into a book.
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Super Member
Re: Broken Backing Plate on FLEX 3401? Need for repair?
Mike, do you want us to refer to you as the "Great Guru" now? I was going to go with "Omniscient Guru"
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