Best Glue to fix FLEX 3401 Backing Plate?

Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN

Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN

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On my last project with my FLEX BEAST the adhesive began to fail on my FLEX 3401 backing plate.

The black hook disc started coming off towards the end of my project. I was able to carefully finish the job, but it kind of bummed me out.

I've only used my BEAST on maybe 3 or 4 projects so far.

I'm just curious to see what type of glue to use to fix the backing plate?

I was also thinking I'd buy the Lake Country 4 3/4 backing plate and utilize the 5.5 inch HDO pads I currently have available.

On a scale of 1- 10 how good of a finish do you think I can achieve with this combo of tool and pads with the BF One Step?

I know there are other variables to consider such as paint hardness, paint condition, etc.

I'm looking to get close to the same quality as I could with the Rupes yellow CP pads.

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Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN said:
On my last project with my FLEX BEAST the adhesive began to fail on my FLEX 3401 backing plate.

The black hook disc started coming off towards the end of my project. I was able to carefully finish the job, but it kind of bummed me out.

I've only used my BEAST on maybe 3 or 4 projects so far.
Click to expand...




Hard to believe a FLEX backing plate would fail so soon?

I've blown them up before but only after lots of abuse.


Can you post a picture?



:)
 
Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN said:
I'm just curious to see what type of glue to use to fix the backing plate?
Click to expand...

If I were to try to glue any backing plate or velcro backing back onto a buffing pad I would use Goop Glue. Been there done that.



Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN said:
I was also thinking I'd buy the Lake Country 4 3/4 backing plate and utilize the 5.5 inch HDO pads I currently have available.
Click to expand...

You can - but I would simply use these pads on your other polisher. The LC conversion kit is just so-so. I liked it back when they were still making the first generation of 5" Force Hybrid pads, with the new or second genration, the velcro backing on the back of the 5" pads is smaller than the backing plate so you can't really center them.

Instead, simply learn to make the larger pads on your BEAST work where you need them to work.



Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN said:
On a scale of 1- 10 how good of a finish do you think I can achieve with this combo of tool and pads with the BF One Step?
Click to expand...

Damn nice. I do it all the time.


Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN said:
I know there are other variables to consider such as paint hardness, paint condition, etc.
Click to expand...

Yup... them are the key variable. Mostly the challenge will be with SUPER soft paint. Not just soft paint. Then I use RUPES PURE.


Read my article here. The original SINGLE STAGE LACQUER paint on this car was stupid soft.


Barn Find - 1950 Pontiac Chieftain Deluxe Convertible - Extreme Paint Correction


Barn_Find_1950_Pontiac_030a.JPG








Jacob Harrod AUTOCLEAN said:
I'm looking to get close to the same quality as I could with the Rupes yellow CP pads.
Click to expand...

Copy that. I'm not a fan of the HDO or SDO pads so I got nuttin for u


:)
 
Mike Phillips said:
Hard to believe a FLEX backing plate would fail so soon?

I've blown them up before but only after lots of abuse.


Can you post a picture?



:)
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Here you go Mike, and as always thank you so much for the detailed response and links to your awesome articles, so I can further my education!

ecbd47ed9ca7df4d2be37424cc26887b.jpg


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Mike Phillips said:
This doesn't look normal to me at all. I've sent the link to this thread to Chris Metcalf at FLEX Tools North America along with your contact info. I'm 100% confident he'll get a hold of you.

He may want you to mail him this backing plate for quality control reasons.


Stay tuned...


:)
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Oh wow! Thank you very much! I'm looking forward to hearing from him!

I'll gladly mail it to him.

I was gonna go get some of the Goop Glue and attempt to fix it, but ill hold off until I hear from him.



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Mike Phillips said:
Chris like myself, thinks something is wrong.

The FLEX BEAST backing plates are just as tough as the BEAST itself.

He let me know he'll contact you.


:buffing:
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Thanks Mike! I genuinely appreciate the help!

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This is an anomaly. I finally had to replace my Flex 3401 Backing Plate as I broke the edges of the plates from dropping my 3401. It was after 4 or 5 years.

Get a new Backing Plate and as Mike said, very rare for the BEAST to experience what you have. KEEP ON ROCKING!
 
Very nice to read about FLEX standing behind their products, unlike some other companies out there.

This kind of customer service gives you every reason to spend your money with confidence. :props:
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
This is an anomaly. I finally had to replace my Flex 3401 Backing Plate as I broke the edges of the plates from dropping my 3401. It was after 4 or 5 years.

Get a new Backing Plate and as Mike said, very rare for the BEAST to experience what you have. KEEP ON ROCKING!
Click to expand...
I'm sure the next one I get will hold up. I will definitely keep on rocking!



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PaulMys said:
Very nice to read about FLEX standing behind their products, unlike some other companies out there.

This kind of customer service gives you every reason to spend your money with confidence. :props:
Click to expand...
It is really nice. The BEAST is my favorite polisher!

This thing has felt like it was made for me right out of the box.



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Mike Phillips said:
Chris like myself, thinks something is wrong.

The FLEX BEAST backing plates are just as tough as the BEAST itself.

He let me know he'll contact you.


:buffing:
Click to expand...
I haven't heard from Chris yet. Does he need my contact info? I went ahead and bought some Goop glue to fix my backing plate until I can afford another one.

He must have gotten busy, and forgot to contact me.

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Make sure to clamp it. I would spread thin and sandwich it between some pieces of 2 x 6, then clamp.
Looks like it dries slow.

I have good luck with Loctite superglue gel. I always clamp when gluing anything if possible.
Hope you get the backing plate resolved
 
Thanks, I tried to fix it today, but let's just say it's for sure ruined now.

Not only did the the process go wrong with the Goop Glue, but I turned the polisher over to allow the backing plate to rest on a flat surface with the weight of the polisher on the face of the backing plate in hopes it would some how make the two surfaces bond together.

When I realized that I accidentally placed the face of the backing plate on some glue I knew I was screwed.

I was bummed I had to complete the job I did today with my DA polisher but the BEAST'S self teaching feature has made me much better at holding the pad flat to the surface.

Even though I really could have used my 3401 today, my PXE 80 came through.

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