Mike, how do these pads behave and perform on the Flex 3401 VRG? In your new book they are shown and talked about briefly on page 18.
You make it clear that the Flex 3401 prefers or likes thicker/stiff pads such as the hybrids.
Are these pads an exception?
Not sure if the word exception is the best word to describe Meguiar's thin pads for the Flex 3401. While I'm a "word guy" I'm not sure I can find a word that best describes these pads on the Flex 3401.
Here's what I do know...
These thin pads work just fine on the Flex 3401. That's a fact in the context that thick pads don't work well on free floating spindle bearing assembly polishers, which is also a fact.
Meguiar's did their field testing on these thin pads for use with the Flex 3401. If Meguiar's gives a pad the green light you can trust the field testing feedback supports their promotion for using these pads with this tool. Meguiar's historically gets their ducks in a row before launching a new product.
That said, all foam pads wear down. Can I get a witness?
This being true, my guess is due to pressure over time and heavy use by caveman detailers, if all pads wear down over time with use then a foam pad with less mass or substance, will wear out sooner with heavy use than a thick pad. It's just plain physics.
I went into my testing of the thin pads on the Flex 3401 with a bias because my experience tells me direct drive tools work fine with thick pads. It's not that they won't work fine with thin pads it's just more mass doesn NOT affect their performance because they are direct drive.
You cannot say that about dual action polishers that are not direct drive. That is to say, non-direct drive tools work better with less mass to maintain pad rotation thus non-direct drive tools work better with thin pads.
So going into the testing with a bias based upon what I know about tools, pads and practical use plus experience, I was surprised to find out these thin foam pads work just fine on the direct drive, gear-driven Flex 3401.
The foam provides cushion and this makes for a good buffing experience to you and I.
Thin buffing pads without cushion on the other hand don't buff well in my experience. This would include thin microfiber pads with thin foam cushion. You can find discussions on this topic elsewhere on the forum.
So yeah.... these pads buff just fine on the Flex 3401 and this is why I included them in my new Flex 3401 how-to book.
I don't feel they wouldve been pointed out or mentioned if they didnt work.
Correct. I'm uber careful when I write and this includes picking and choosing each and every single word I type on any public forum. I also would not recommend a product that I didn not believe in or would not use myself on my own car.
The use of the new rotary pads is also briefly mentioned as well.
Thanks!
Meguiar's invented or at least "introduced" the foam buffing pad to the automotive industry back in 1965. I own several of these first foam buffing pads.
In 1965 Meguiar's introduced the first foam buffing pad for use in place of a wool cutting or wool finishing pad; this enabled a person to create a more swirl-free finish by getting away from the individual fibers that make up a wool or fiber type buffing pad.
While it's no longer in any condition to buff out a car the picture kind of relays the idea of a long time, as in the Wooless Wonder was introduced a long time ago and since then we've continued to bring out new and innovative buffing pads for professionals, detailers and enthusiasts.
For perspective, Gilligan's Island debuted in 1965 in Black & White and in 1965, Ford introduced the Mustang. (technically in 1964 1/2)
Walter Cotton is the man that actually invented the first foam buffing pads.
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