Flex 3401 5.5" BP with LC 5.5" pads

Danube

Danube

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As per title, I was wondering if this is a good combo, as 6.5" LC pads seems to be a bit big for this BP.

What are the opinions please?!

Ta

:confused:
 
I've used the 5.5" pads on the factory 5.5" backing plate and have never really had any problems if used very carefully. It is an exact fit with no room for error or no pad material exceeding the circumference of the backing plate to protect the paint from accidentally getting the backing plate against the body of the car which is possible in certain situations.

On flat areas of the vehicle the 5.5" pad is fine but when working on edges near the bottom side of the roof or working up the doors under mirrors or door handles, the possibility exists to hit the roof pillar, the underside of the mirror housing or door handles with the hard black plastic part of the backing plate.

This hard black plastic can be a paint destroyer so my suggestion is to go with the 6.5" flat LC pads. They work very nicely with the 3401 and you get a little foam around the outer circumference of the backing plate to protect against accidental mishaps.

I also like and prefer the 5.5" variable contact pads for Flex VRG polisher, sold only at Poorboysworld.com they fit exactly perfect on the 3401, are super durable and protect perfectly against any backing plate scrapes. IMO, AG needs to get on the ball and start carrying these pads.
 
tuscarora dave said:
....I also like and prefer the 5.5" variable contact pads for Flex VRG polisher, sold only at Poorboysworld.com they fit exactly perfect on the 3401, are super durable and protect perfectly against any backing plate scrapes. IMO, AG needs to get on the ball and start carrying these pads.
Click to expand...
Feed back please
Do these pads wrap around the backing plate on your 3401?

Do you happen to have a photo of one on the 3401 handy?
I've been looking at these for a while, but have yet to pull the trigger as I'm not sure about the edge fit.
 
tuscarora dave said:
I've used the 5.5" pads on the factory 5.5" backing plate and have never really had any problems if used very carefully. It is an exact fit with no room for error or no pad material exceeding the circumference of the backing plate to protect the paint from accidentally getting the backing plate against the body of the car which is possible in certain situations.

On flat areas of the vehicle the 5.5" pad is fine but when working on edges near the bottom side of the roof or working up the doors under mirrors or door handles, the possibility exists to hit the roof pillar, the underside of the mirror housing or door handles with the hard black plastic part of the backing plate.

This hard black plastic can be a paint destroyer so my suggestion is to go with the 6.5" flat LC pads. They work very nicely with the 3401 and you get a little foam around the outer circumference of the backing plate to protect against accidental mishaps.

I also like and prefer the 5.5" variable contact pads for Flex VRG polisher, sold only at Poorboysworld.com they fit exactly perfect on the 3401, are super durable and protect perfectly against any backing plate scrapes. IMO, AG needs to get on the ball and start carrying these pads.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the input.
I've just checked their site .. Why are they different in terms of size comparing to LC 5.5" pads?!?

Ta
 
TimCar said:
Feed back please
Do these pads wrap around the backing plate on your 3401?

Do you happen to have a photo of one on the 3401 handy?
I've been looking at these for a while, but have yet to pull the trigger as I'm not sure about the edge fit.
Click to expand...
They do sort of wrap around the edge of the factory Flex 3401 backing plate and they fit perfectly on a 6" LC rotary backing plate too.

Sorry I don't have a photo handy.

Danube said:
Thanks for the input.
I've just checked their site .. Why are they different in terms of size comparing to LC 5.5" pads?!?

Ta
Click to expand...

The 5.5" VC pads from Poorboys actually measure at just between 6" and 6 1/4" I believe the velcro area is what they are measuring when they call them 5.5" pads.

I mainly use these for rotary compounding/polishing because with the concave shape of them they don't instill nearly as many holograms on curved panels. They are not nearly as stiff as LC flat pads and they contour to curves totally better and produce a much nicer finish.
 
.



This looks interesting, herewith the pad you are talking about, looks like a perfect fit:


.

PB.jpg
 
They are declaring them as 5.5" which is from above pic obvious that its a bit larger, probably about 6".


It look like these pads are made by LC as well.
The following is their official info:


They come in 4 abrasives, Finishing(Red), Finessing(Black), Polishing(White), & Light Cutting(Orange)
Truly a Superior product from Lake Country exclusive for Poorboy's World.

:xyxthumbs:
 
How about trying the 6" kompressor pads especially the hydro tech i think the 3401 & these pads are a great combo
 
That's another option to go with 6" pads.

Also hydro-tech comes in 6.5" only, if I'm not mistaken.

Are LC pads machine washable at all?
 
With LC flat pads the back plate comes to the edge of the pad. I used it once but switched to the smaller back plate. I was too worried about bumping something while polishing and doing some damage.
 
Danube check under 6" kompressor pad section in the store bottom of page I use them they worked very well with the 3401
 
cricket said:
Danube check under 6" kompressor pad section in the store bottom of page I use them they worked very well with the 3401
Click to expand...

Twister said:
With LC flat pads the back plate comes to the edge of the pad. I used it once but switched to the smaller back plate. I was too worried about bumping something while polishing and doing some damage.
Click to expand...


Its seems reasonable as per your say to go with 6" kompresor pads however if we look at the following link

FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System


.. They suggest using 4" pads with this 4" BP, and everyone is exited to finally have an option with Flex 3401 and a smaller pads.

It doesn't make sense ...


Feed back please
 
Danube said:
Its seems reasonable as per your say to go with 6" kompresor pads however if we look at the following link

FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System


.. They suggest using 4" pads with this 4" BP, and everyone is exited to finally have an option with Flex 3401 and a smaller pads.

It doesn't make sense ...


Feed back please
Click to expand...
Yeah, I know what you mean. I guess with the 4" we're just supposed to be careful? :dunno: Maybe they didn't want to make the little one a 3.5" because that would just seem wrong with a 5.5" pad. That would be a whopping 1" buffer. And 3.5" would only give a measly 0.25" buffer with a 4" pad. So make it a 4" and it's useable with 5.5" pads too. Maybe 4" is just so nicely balanced to the width of the machine that we aren't likely to roll the thing onto its side.

In the end it probably came down to field tester feedback on what plate sizes worked best with most pads in the 4-6.5"
range. Hey, I guess the professionals know best. At least I hope so.
 
3.5" plate will fit nicely with 4" pads.

But 4" plate with 4" pad equeals my flex 5.5 plate with 5.5" pads.

Can anyone from ag comment on this as well, please!

Feed back please
 
I'm still waiting for my pre-ordered switchable backing plate system for the Flex 3401 to be shipped. With a release date of early January, I'm wondering if someone didn't drop my order behind a desk somewhere. I guess I'll have to give AG a call on this. I'm curious to see exactly how it works out with 4" pads.
 
Actually it's end of February ..
 
I would never use my Flex 3401 with 4" pads. It is just too big and heavy for doing small delicate areas.

Griots Garage 3" Dual Action Polisher is great for only 100.00. The new one is pretty powerful with 3" pads. IMO it is just as powerful than PC with 4" pads.
 
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