Advice on the use of the Flex XC3401 VRG

[JustJesus]

Pics

Any pad with a 5" diameter velcro backing will work. My personal preference is for thick pads when using gear-driven tools although I'm finding thicker pads work better on the FLEX XFE 7 and I think this is due to inertia.

And that is precisely why I recently picked up that backing plate! I have the Lake Country version and I love it, along with the factory plate (I'm using two 3401s). But found that I have so many 5-5.5" pads that the LC version is too small (IMO) so I picked up the Flex one and have a better fitment for those particular pads.

 

[JackvRS]

Thanks Mike, I just don't want to but swirls or holograms back in but I'll give that go on the side of the pad, as for the waffle pads it was all I could get at the time for practising the flat pads will probably be smoother than the waffle pads but unfornately I'll have order all online as my area wouldn't know what flex is lol and they only seem to sell screw ons and not velcro. But I know now what to order.
Thanks
Jack

 

[JackvRS]

From the rather disappointing photos, is work so far any good? Ye flash makes there look like there are swirls bit there aren't any when I looked, the post is on previous page
Thanks
Jack

 

[BudgetPlan1]

I just went out to the AG garage and grabbed the factory FLEX 4 3/8" backing plate and checked the Lake Country 5.5" Force Hybrid pads and they fit with the velcro backing with about 1/4" extra around the backing.


In most cases you can do everything with orange, white and black.

Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish 5 Inch Foam Pads


I would still recommend the 6.5" pads for the factory backing plate instead of the 3M Waffle pads


Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish Ultra Performance Pad System, buffing pads, foam pads, polishing pads

This. Have done many a beaten up work van with the Flex, the 6.5 Force Pads and Megs M101. The gray pad is quite aggressive and it will burn thru the clear if yer' being really aggressive, especially if running up on the edge of the pad to get to tight spaces. The gray pads will wear kinda quickly if doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Many say that the Flex can't finish well but I've finished new black Honda paint very well with Scholls S40 on a Lake Country Hydrotech pad. If not careful, as mentioned, the Flex can tax a closed cell pad like the Hydrotech but the crimson finishes quite nicely and lives through the experience as long as you're changing them often and not beating on them.

Buff and Shine Uro-Fiber pads work well on the Flex too, was quite surprised how well it finished using Griots Correcting Cream with a Uro-Fiber pad on the Flex.

Dunno if I've ever cranked the 3401 up to speed 6, usually around 4.5 to 5 seems to work well for me.

While I also have the Rupes 15 Mk 2 and BOSS 21 long throw machines, when I don't wanna screw around and just wanna get something done ASAP, I'll fire up the 3401, strap on a 6.5" Force Hybrid pad, climb aboard and have at it. After 6 or so hours working something like a Ford Transit Extended Van it can certainly be a bit more taxing than using a Rupes or BOSS but for an amateur like me, the Flex is faster due to my lack of complete expertise with the long throws. Anti-Vibration gloves can help a bit with the 3401 if it bothers you at long stretches.

 

[JackvRS]

This. Have done many a beaten up work van with the Flex, the 6.5 Force Pads and Megs M101. The gray pad is quite aggressive and it will burn thru the clear if yer' being really aggressive, especially if running up on the edge of the pad to get to tight spaces. The gray pads will wear kinda quickly if doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Many say that the Flex can't finish well but I've finished new black Honda paint very well with Scholls S40 on a Lake Country Hydrotech pad. If not careful, as mentioned, the Flex can tax a closed cell pad like the Hydrotech but the crimson finishes quite nicely and lives through the experience as long as you're changing them often and not beating on them.

Buff and Shine Uro-Fiber pads work well on the Flex too, was quite surprised how well it finished using Griots Correcting Cream with a Uro-Fiber pad on the Flex.

Dunno if I've ever cranked the 3401 up to speed 6, usually around 4.5 to 5 seems to work well for me.

While I also have the Rupes 15 Mk 2 and BOSS 21 long throw machines, when I don't wanna screw around and just wanna get something done ASAP, I'll fire up the 3401, strap on a 6.5" Force Hybrid pad, climb aboard and have at it. After 6 or so hours working something like a Ford Transit Extended Van it can certainly be a bit more taxing than using a Rupes or BOSS but for an amateur like me, the Flex is faster due to my lack of complete expertise with the long throws. Anti-Vibration gloves can help a bit with the 3401 if it bothers you at long stretches.

thanks for your reply, ill probably never need to worry about using the grey pad, as I'm not gonna do detailing as a big business and its more for myself and people I know and family and so will hopefully never meet those badly defected paints! although useful advice, most paints I plan to work with have swirl marks and light scratches using the orange cutting pad. Im asking if not used properly can this pad do damage? its mostly moderate to medium defects ill be working with.
thanks Jack


is the 4 3/8" backing plate the 4.5inch flex backing plate and not the 4 inch?

 

[JackvRS]

thanks for your reply, ill probably never need to worry about using the grey pad, as I'm not gonna do detailing as a big business and its more for myself and people I know and family and so will hopefully never meet those badly defected paints! although useful advice, most paints I plan to work with have swirl marks and light scratches using the orange cutting pad. Im asking if not used properly can this pad do damage? its mostly moderate to medium defects ill be working with.
thanks Jack


is the 4 3/8" backing plate the 4.5inch flex backing plate and not the 4 inch?

is that backing plate ok? As it’s difficult to order from America with customs and postage costs so this is the only one I could find
Flex 386715 Velcro Plate with Gear M D115/XC; for Roto Exente Rpolierer XC 3401 VRG: Amazon.co.uk: Car & Motorbike


I would order from you guys other wise as the parts and pads are cheaper but Irish customs and postage drives it up in price unfortunately. Sorry it’s not from Autogeek.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

From the rather disappointing photos, is work so far any good?

Ye flash makes there look like there are swirls bit there aren't any when I looked, the post is on previous page

Thanks

Jack

I looked at the pics and the results look good to me!

is that backing plate ok?

As it’s difficult to order from America with customs and postage costs so this is the only one I could find


I would order from you guys other wise as the parts and pads are cheaper but Irish customs and postage drives it up in price unfortunately.

Sorry it’s not from Autogeek.

That is the (small) FACTORY FLEX backing plate, same backing plate we sell here at Autogeek.

FLEX only offers 2 backing plates, the factory replacement and the smaller 4 3/8". Here in U.S. we call it 4 3/8" but that's approximately 110mm.


4.375" = 111.125mm

 

[JackvRS]

I looked at the pics and the results look good to me!



That is the (small) FACTORY FLEX backing plate, same backing plate we sell here at Autogeek.

FLEX only offers 2 backing plates, the factory replacement and the smaller 4 3/8". Here in U.S. we call it 4 3/8" but that's approximately 110mm.


4.375" = 111.125mm

For a black car, being a noob, can I leave holograms or scratches with flex?
Thanks
Jack

 

[JackvRS]

Pics

https://uploads.tapatalk-


cdn.com/20180718/094d6378985c9677301523b691cc941d.jpg




I'm going to buy the flex 4.5inch backing plate with the 5inch power fInis



Any pad with a 5" diameter velcro backing will work. My personal preference is for thick pads when using gear-driven tools although I'm finding thicker pads work better on the FLEX XFE 7 and I think this is due to inertia.






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'm going to buy the 4.5 inch backing plate from flex and the LC 5inch hybrid power finish pads is this the ideal setup?
I understand the new force pads are out too but there's not much difference between them.
Thanks jack

 

[JackvRS]

In hybrid power pads:
Blue pad=orange pad in hybrid force?
Orange pad = grey pad in hybrid force?
Thanks

 

[JackvRS]

In hybrid power pads:
Blue pad=orange pad in hybrid force?
Orange pad = grey pad in hybrid force?
Thanks

Bump

 

[dlc95]

In hybrid power pads:
Blue pad=orange pad in hybrid force?
Orange pad = grey pad in hybrid force?
Thanks

Orange = Orange
Grey = Grey

Same foams, new shapes + center hole.

 

[dlc95]

This. Have done many a beaten up work van with the Flex, the 6.5 Force Pads and Megs M101. The gray pad is quite aggressive and it will burn thru the clear if yer' being really aggressive, especially if running up on the edge of the pad to get to tight spaces. The gray pads will wear kinda quickly if doing a lot of heavy lifting.

Many say that the Flex can't finish well but I've finished new black Honda paint very well with Scholls S40 on a Lake Country Hydrotech pad. If not careful, as mentioned, the Flex can tax a closed cell pad like the Hydrotech but the crimson finishes quite nicely and lives through the experience as long as you're changing them often and not beating on them.

Buff and Shine Uro-Fiber pads work well on the Flex too, was quite surprised how well it finished using Griots Correcting Cream with a Uro-Fiber pad on the Flex.

Dunno if I've ever cranked the 3401 up to speed 6, usually around 4.5 to 5 seems to work well for me.

While I also have the Rupes 15 Mk 2 and BOSS 21 long throw machines, when I don't wanna screw around and just wanna get something done ASAP, I'll fire up the 3401, strap on a 6.5" Force Hybrid pad, climb aboard and have at it. After 6 or so hours working something like a Ford Transit Extended Van it can certainly be a bit more taxing than using a Rupes or BOSS but for an amateur like me, the Flex is faster due to my lack of complete expertise with the long throws. Anti-Vibration gloves can help a bit with the 3401 if it bothers you at long stretches.

I hear ya on the speeds.

4, 4.5, and 5 is all I need. The torque that thing produces is legit.

 

[JackvRS]

I hear ya on the speeds.

4, 4.5, and 5 is all I need. The torque that thing produces is legit.

Hello, thanks for the reply.
im ordering:
4.5inch backing plate
5.5inch hybrid force and 6.5inch hybrid force, btw whats the purpose of that centre hole? lol
thanks

 

[dlc95]

Hello, thanks for the reply.
im ordering:
4.5inch backing plate
5.5inch hybrid force and 6.5inch hybrid force, btw whats the purpose of that centre hole? lol
thanks

It can help to center the pad, and helps reduce pad fatigue from heat build up.

 

[TTQ B4U]

For a black car, being a noob, can I leave holograms or scratches with flex?
Thanks
Jack

Holograms, no. Scratches, not if used properly. You can damage paint with any polisher if you're not careful. In the end, the Flex finishes out beautifully on black. I've done tons of pure black cars with it. Proper product and pad combo is key is all. Hybrid Force Pads are excellent on the 3401.

 

[drtrech]

I’m a total noob and a little confused. I have a Flex XC3401 gifted from my brother (along with an admonition to buy my supplies from Autogeek). I bought Mike’s book on using the 3401, and was set to purchase a LC 4” backer plate with 5” LC Force Hybrid pads (I have a Ford Fusion with a lot of ridges to work around).

But in this thread it looks like Mike’s preferred approach now is to use the 6.5” pad and go on edge for smaller areas. And, in fact, the 5” pads don’t seem to be available anymore.

I want to get started on the right foot, but am uncertain about which way to go.