4 Inch backing plate

[Axrow]

Hello, I bought what was advertised as a 4 inch backing plate from chemical guys. I received a 4 3/8 inch backing plate, which I already owned. I called chemical guys and they argued with me that there is no such thing as a 4 inch backing plate and they said it was "close enough." They then offered to let me return it as long as I paid the shipping and a restocking fee. Is there such a thing as a 4 inch backing plate? I ordered almost 200 dollars worth of 5 inch LC hybrid pads because I heard they fit perfectly on the 4 inch backing plate and my 4 3/8 is chewing them up.

Also does anyone have a contact at chemical guys I could discuss this with? The guy on the phone was like talking to a wall.

[Matt@Revive]

is this for a DA or Rotary?

[Setec Astronomy]

This is what it says in the Autogeek store about the 5" LC Hybrid pads:

"The backing material on each pad is 4 inch, which makes it self-centering on the Flex XC3401 VRG Orbital Polisher equipped with the Changeable Backing Plate System. With all other applications, a 3.5 to 3 3/4 inch backing plate is suitable."

Sounds like maybe you need one of these: 3.5" Dual Action Flexible Backing Plate- porter cable 7424XP hook and loop backing plate 3.5 inch. or try trimming down your backing plate to 4" with an X-acto knife or razor blade.

[builthatch]

This is what it says in the Autogeek store about the 5" LC Hybrid pads:

"The backing material on each pad is 4 inch, which makes it self-centering on the Flex XC3401 VRG Orbital Polisher equipped with the Changeable Backing Plate System. With all other applications, a 3.5 to 3 3/4 inch backing plate is suitable."

Sounds like maybe you need one of these: 3.5" Dual Action Flexible Backing Plate- porter cable 7424XP hook and loop backing plate 3.5 inch. or try trimming down your backing plate to 4" with an X-acto knife or razor blade.

bingo. just trim it. won't look great, but as long as you do it as evenly as possible, you should be a-ok. in a similar vein, LC used to make these flat thin 4" orange pads with the smaller circle backing. a 3.5" plate seemed to be just big enough to cut into the foam, so i had to hack it up down to about 3" so it'd work. this was before they made the 3" DA backing plate. i still use that plate to this day.

EDIT: wait a sec, is this for a Flex or something? or PC?

[Axrow]

It is a Flex 3401.

[allenk4]

Is this what you purchased?

Chemical Guys BUF_002 - Replacement Backing Plate for Flex XC 3401 VRG (4 Inch)

Why Buy This Product?
•4 Inch replacement backing plate for Flex XC 3401 VRG

•Allows you to use 5" and 5.5" pads
•Creates forced rotation
•OEM factory replacement for the original backing plate
•Reduce vibration

[builthatch]

It is a Flex 3401.

oh...haha, that changes things.

i just looked at their listing for that plate. i might be blind but i can't see anywhere a mention of 4 3/8". however, if you look at other sites, like AG, they clearly list it as 4 3/8".

cliffs: Chemical Guys needs to 1. get you a new plate and 2. fix their listing to denote the actual size.

figure out who one of the principals might be, using linkedin maybe...then call and email them. they will surely take care of it and override the dude you spoke with.

[Angus]

Is this what you purchased?

Chemical Guys BUF_002 - Replacement Backing Plate for Flex XC 3401 VRG (4 Inch)

Why Buy This Product?
•4 Inch replacement backing plate for Flex XC 3401 VRG

•Allows you to use 5" and 5.5" pads
•Creates forced rotation
•OEM factory replacement for the original backing plate
•Reduce vibration

Yeah I checked CG and came to the same conclusion too. Sounds like the OP meant to get the LC interchangeable backing plate system to use with the LC hybrid pads :

FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System

But I also noticed GC doesn't sell Hybrid pads or the LC interchangeable backing plate system, so naturally they'd argue a smaller pad doesn't exist.

I'm not sure you're going to get very far with pushing this argument up the CG flag pole.

I'd return (or try and re-sell) the 4 3/8 BP and buy the LC system from AG.

[Axrow]

Is this what you purchased?

Chemical Guys BUF_002 - Replacement Backing Plate for Flex XC 3401 VRG (4 Inch)

Why Buy This Product?
•4 Inch replacement backing plate for Flex XC 3401 VRG

•Allows you to use 5" and 5.5" pads
•Creates forced rotation
•OEM factory replacement for the original backing plate
•Reduce vibration

Yes, that is the one I purchased and its 4 3/8. I don't have linkedin. Anyone have any contacts over there? A manager is supposed to call me back, juding from the guys attitude I doubt he'll even tell his manager.

[builthatch]

i'm not shy and since the info is on google, so i'm not exposing anything private, lol...try emailing david@smartwax.com (if it still works) and see if he can give you a good contact at CG.