new Flex 4" 3401 Backing plate

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 02-18-2011, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by PAR Detailing

Oh come on Mark we all know you are going to get it

**ROMEO** · 02-18-2011, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by 07 z-oh-6

Seems like it would be a PITA to constantly have to change backing plates on the 3401.

Just get a second 3401...

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 02-18-2011, 10:16 AM

Originally Posted by ROMEO

Just get a second 3401...

Honestly, that would be the most effective way of using 2 backing plates. Currently, I use the 3401 with 6.5" pads for the majority of polishing and Griot's DA with 4" pads for the smaller areas. With this combo, a 4" backing plate for the 3401 isn't that nig of a deal to me.

**Dwayne** · 02-18-2011, 10:30 AM

Here is the official word from Nick

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...ex-xc3401.html

**D_Nyholm** · 02-23-2011, 04:38 PM

Seems strange they would offer a 4" plate when EVERYONE and thier mother was asking for a 5" plate. Well, maybe not everyone, but it sure seemed that way. Maybe the translation to german didn't go so well?

**ROMEO** · 02-23-2011, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by 07 z-oh-6

Honestly, that would be the most effective way of using 2 backing plates. Currently, I use the 3401 with 6.5" pads for the majority of polishing and Griot's DA with 4" pads for the smaller areas. With this combo, a 4" backing plate for the 3401 isn't that nig of a deal to me.

It would make it so much simpler to swap from 6.5" to 4" but since the Griot and PCXP can be used for waxes/sealers too while also been able to do correction with them I think that is a better set up. But for those full time pro detailers having the 2 3401's might make sense.

For me, that I just do my own cars, and a couple of cars for family and friends, I think the 3401/PCXP combo is good enough.

**CleanGene** · 02-24-2011, 03:01 PM

I see that Flex is as proud of its new backing plate as it is of its machines! $30 WooW! I guess they didn't make enough off the nearly $300 polisher. I guess that's the price you pay for "German" quality.

**Kaban** · 02-24-2011, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by CleanGene

I see that Flex is as proud of its new backing plate as it is of its machines! $30 WooW! I guess they didn't make enough off the nearly $300 polisher. I guess that's the price you pay for "German" quality.

I wonder if the price will drop after a little while.... I mean the 5.5" Flex bp is 19.99 or less on most sites.... it just doesn't seem fair to offer a smaller bp that costs more than the bigger bp? But then again Flex knows that people will buy the mini bp regardless so why not charge a bit more...

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 02-24-2011, 08:46 PM

Feslope(forum member) brought to my attention which makes plenty of sense, "I think 4 3/8 is too small for that backing plate. I made mine 4 7/8 which I think is a much more appropriate size for a 5 1/2 inch pad. The smaller plate will put a lot of stress on the pad backing plus leave over 1/2 an inch of the pad edge unsupported."

I think this makes a lot of sense. I just cut my original backing plate to 5 1/8"(right to the edge of the plastic).

**DARK HORSE** · 02-24-2011, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by 07 z-oh-6

Feslope(forum member) brought to my attention which makes plenty of sense, "I think 4 3/8 is too small for that backing plate. I made mine 4 7/8 which I think is a much more appropriate size for a 5 1/2 inch pad. The smaller plate will put a lot of stress on the pad backing plus leave over 1/2 an inch of the pad edge unsupported."

I think this makes a lot of sense. I just cut my original backing plate to 5 1/8"(right to the edge of the plastic).

What took ya so long Mark