can i use this pad with flex?

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kerenzv

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hi ,
i want to buy the flex xc3401 and i read a lot and saw that evryone is using lake country pads,
i tried to find them where i live (israel) but i didnt find any .
my question is if i can use meguaiers soft buff cutting pad 7 inch
with the flex if i need to remove swirll marks from cars and other paint defects
 
kerenzv said:
hi ,
i want to buy the flex xc3401 and i read a lot and saw that evryone is using lake country pads,
i tried to find them where i live (israel) but i didnt find any .
my question is if i can use meguaiers soft buff cutting pad 7 inch
with the flex if i need to remove swirll marks from cars and other paint defects
Click to expand...


Yes.

That is, "yes" you can be resourceful and use this pad but chances are very good you'll want and need to do a follow-up polishing step to remove any haze left by these type of aggressive pad just like you have to do using any aggressive foam cutting pad.



Also, be sure to ALWAYS do a TEST SPOT and inspect the results before buffing out an entire car.



How To Do a Test Spot
(and why it's so important)


:)
 
I had a recent student attend my detailing boot camp class from Israel, his name is Gal and he goes by sasson here on this forum....

Student Pictures from May 2013 Detailing Boot Camp Class



Gal from Isreal...

May_2013_Detailing_Class_0111.jpg



My next class is in September...

Detailing Boot Camp Class in September, 28th and 29th, 2013


:)
 
You will also need the interchangeable backing plate system with the 6 inch backing plate to properly use the 7" soft buff pads.
 
smack said:
You will also need the interchangeable backing plate system with the 6 inch backing plate to properly use the 7" soft buff pads.
Click to expand...


Key word being "properly" as it's important to have enough backing plate behind the pad to support the face of the pad.

For getting by though, the Meguiar's 7" Soft Buff Pads have a 6" backing diameter and the factory backing plate on a Flex 3401 is 5.5" inches, so theoretically and in practice, I've used the 7" pads on stock backing plates and buffed out cars with success.

I'm a huge fan of the Lake Country Backing Plate Adapter System as getting your hands on the 4" backing plate so you can use 5" Hybrid pads makes this a swirl killing machine that's easy to use and works really well on just about any car's body panel sizes.

New 4" and 6" Backing Plates for Flex 3401


These are prototypes Eric Dunn sent me to test and evaluate, we'll be stocking these when the design is finalized and they go into production.

On the left is the 6" backing plate, center is the 4" backing plate and on the right is the interface plate that enables you to switch between either the 6" or the 4" backing plate.
NewFlexBackingPlates01.jpg





:)
 
Just went out and double checked as it's been a while since I used the Soft Buff pads on the Flex 3401 but my memory is correct and as long as you center the pad on the factory backing plate it fits.

Be careful not to abuse the tool or these pads as it's possible to push on the edges of the pad too hard and cause the edge of the backing plate to cut into the soft foam on the back. The plastic backing on the back of these pads actually fits to the outside of the backing plate as long as you carefully center the pad but still... I've seen people abuse pads and then blame the pad.


I'm pretty sure we ship to Israel, send an e-mail to Penny and she will know for sure and then you can order all kinds of goodies to use with your new Flex 3401...


[email protected]



:xyxthumbs:
 
thanks for the replaies and its great to see that there is also people from israel at your camp, maybe one day i will also be there ,
if i will use lake country cutting pads with the flex to reomve swirll marks does it means that i dont be need to do a follow- up ?
 
kerenzv said:
thanks for the replaies and its great to see that there is also people from israel at your camp, maybe one day i will also be there ,
if i will use lake country cutting pads with the flex to reomve swirll marks does it means that i dont be need to do a follow- up ?
Click to expand...


No, it's not about the manufacturer, it's about how aggressive a cutting pad is against a scratch-sensitive clear coat. Aggressive foam pads leave a haze just like wool pads on rotaries leave holograms.

You need to follow with a less aggressive pad and products.



:)
 
ok now i understand i guss i need to read some more :)
thank you for the answers
 
I have a Flex 3401. I always use lake country pads. But one time my new order of LC pads did not arrive on time, so I went to get a Burgundy Meguaiers. My experience was it did not hold up well like LC. After a couple uses, it developed separation (Cracks) at the inside edge on the outer pad. That is the end of it! Don’t get me wrong, I still use some other Meguarier’s products.
 
abwmma said:
My experience was it did not hold up well like LC. After a couple uses, it developed separation (Cracks) at the inside edge on the outer pad.
Click to expand...


That's kind of what I was alluding to in my post above. It's not a perfect fit but the OP says he has access to this pad, so until he can get some other pads it will physically fit on the backing plate and allow him to buff out a car.

I've only used the Soft Buff pads to test them to see if they worked, I normally use Hybrids, both 5" and 6.5" and either 6.5" LC Flat or CCS pads.


The Meguiar's burgundy cutting pad is also a closed cell pad and closed cell foam doesn't seem to last as long overall with DA polishers as it has lower tensile strength. Basically it doesn't like the violent oscillation action. Open cell foam pads are less affected.


:)
 
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