New Product Announcement - Smaller Backing Plate for Flex XC3401

**Nick McKees37** · 02-18-2011, 10:24 AM

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.

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

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

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

Yes, that feels nice. Really nice!

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

Perfectly balanced

Coming soon to Autogeek. March 2011

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 02-18-2011, 10:39 AM

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** · 02-18-2011, 10:48 AM

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

**Audi X2** · 02-18-2011, 10:53 AM

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** · 02-18-2011, 11:01 AM

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

**Trents_goat5.7** · 02-18-2011, 11:05 AM

Very excited about this.

**GaDetailDoc** · 02-18-2011, 11:05 AM

When is the expected arrival date?

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 02-18-2011, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by Rhudeboye

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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** · 02-18-2011, 11:21 AM

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.