While we are on the subject of Pads used for the Flex 3401, and in regards to other non-forced rotation DAs I have some questions regarding such?
Would one say that the Flex by its forced rotation feature, it is harder on any given foam Pad per se, or no?
The answer is yes but due to the ability to push the machine harder than a free rotating spindle machine my guess and experience is guys DO tend to push the machine harder, (I know I do), and thus it's not just the machine being harder on pads it's
us.
Like it is noted by you folks, pads lose their firmness due to product absorption. I imagine heat too also breaks down a pad.
Pressure over time creates heat. So pressing a pad against a panel and buffing creates heat. The longer you buff, the harder you push the more heat you create.
The violent oscillating action plus any chemical seepage to the adhesive and Velcro of both the pad and the backing plate PLUS the heat created by pressure over time, all of these factors affect pads in a negative manner but that's the nature of the beast.
With a machine like the PC7424XP, I note that one usually by its design has to use either speeds 5 or 6 for correcting, otherwise Pad-Plate Rotation suffers.
I'm pretty much on the 6 for everything by light polishing or machine sanding.
Now with the Flex 3401, is it a quality due to forced rotation, that one doesn't necessarily have to run the machine "full out" at its highest speeds to be effective?
Some people like to use the lower speeds for correction work, I think that's the jist of Mike aka smack's technique for using the Flex 3401.
My take on it is I tend to always recommend a range to other people and let them decide what speed works best for them tailored to their,
- Pads
- Chemicals
- Working climate (low/high temperatures, inside/outside, windy or no wind)
- Type of cars and thus type of paint
- Type of cars and thus type of body panels
I just find to state a specific speed setting to be kind of limiting when I deal with people that live
all over the world. Whether coming to this forum or coming to my class. For example I have a guy coming to my class this weekend from
New Zealand, about 8000 miles away. I'm not going to tell him in his location for his cars for his pads and products a specific speed to use any tool but instead a range that is known to work.
Me? If I'm doing correction work with the Flex 3401 I'm almost always on the 6 speed setting for a number of reasons, one is there's actually
VALUE to just being able to knock out the correction step as fast as you can.
I switch cutting pads out often so pad condition is a huge variable to speed when doing correction work.
Thus perhaps actually less detrimental to shortening pad life because of this? Meaning there's actually less heat generated?
I would agree that running the Flex at a slower speed setting would be less destructive on pads in general.
Hope the way I worded my questions is understandable.
Thanks, Mark
Always clear Mark.
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