Flex 4 7/8" BP

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skipper1

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With the new Flex 4 7/8" backing plate and Meguiar's new 5"MF pads, is this flirting with disaster or should you go with the 5.5" BP and 6" MF pads?
 
The new Flex Mini backing plate is actually 4-3/8" so you have a pretty generous amount of room for error if you're using 5.5" pads or even the new Megs 5" pad system.

The original Flex BP is 5.5" so using 6" pads would be ideal with the factory plate (where do you even get 6" pads anyway?)
 
Kaban said:
The new Flex Mini backing plate is actually 4-3/8" so you have a pretty generous amount of room for error if you're using 5.5" pads or even the new Megs 5" pad system.

The original Flex BP is 5.5" so using 6" pads would be ideal with the factory plate (where do you even get 6" pads anyway?)
Click to expand...

OK, my bad on the size of the new Flex BP, 4 3/8" and the original 5.5" Flex BP and I should have said the new 5" & 6" Meguiar's Microfiber Pads.
So the stars have aligned and Flex owners will be able to use both the 5" & 6" Microfiber Pads.
Thanks Kaban for setting me straight on that.
 
skipper1 said:
OK, my bad on the size of the new Flex BP, 4 3/8" and the original 5.5" Flex BP and I should have said the new 5" & 6" Meguiar's Microfiber Pads.
So the stars have aligned and Flex owners will be able to use both the 5" & 6" Microfiber Pads.
Thanks Kaban for setting me straight on that.
Click to expand...
You have zero room for error with the MF 5.5" pads and the 5.5" Flex backing plate, so be careful. I cut my Flex BP to 5 1/8". It's perfect for all 5.5" pads.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
You have zero room for error with the MF 5.5" pads and the 5.5" Flex backing plate, so be careful. I cut my Flex BP to 5 1/8". It's perfect for all 5.5" pads.
Click to expand...

If the new Flex BP is 4 3/8" and you used a 5" Micro Fiber pad, wouldn't that be enough clearance? It might be a little close, just want to make sure. If not I would just want to get 6" Microfiber pads to go with the 5.5" BP.
 
skipper1 said:
If the new Flex BP is 4 3/8" and you used a 5" Micro Fiber pad, wouldn't that be enough clearance? It might be a little close, just want to make sure. If not I would just want to get 6" Microfiber pads to go with the 5.5" BP.
Click to expand...
There would be too much clearance, IMO. I think 4 3/8 is too small for any 5.5"(MF pads are 5.5", not 5") pad. The smaller plate will put a lot of stress on the pad backing, plus, leave over 1/2 an inch of the pad edge unsupported. If I were you, I'd stick with 6.25" MF pads and the stock Flex 5.5" backing plate. If I didn't cut my stock Flex backing plate to 5 1/8", I would have definitely went with the 6" pad.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
There would be too much clearance, IMO. I think 4 3/8 is too small for any 5.5"(MF pads are 5.5", not 5") pad. The smaller plate will put a lot of stress on the pad backing, plus, leave over 1/2 an inch of the pad edge unsupported. If I were you, I'd stick with 6.25" MF pads and the stock Flex 5.5" backing plate. If I didn't cut my stock Flex backing plate to 5 1/8", I would have definitely went with the 6" pad.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong but I thought the new microfiber pads came in 3", 5" & 6".
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
It's a bit misleading. They come in...

3.37"
5.5"
6.25"

I'm positive.


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Click to expand...


Yes, very misleading, especially if you go by what the packaging says. Glad the pharmacy doesn't measure their medication like that.
6.25" and 3.37" pads it is. I hope others read this so they don't assume what they read is absolute.
Thanks for your help in clarifying the correct size.
 
skipper1 said:
Yes, very misleading, especially if you go by what the packaging says. Glad the pharmacy doesn't measure their medication like that.
6.25" and 3.37" pads it is. I hope others read this so they don't assume what they read is absolute.
Thanks for your help in clarifying the correct size.
Click to expand...
lol @ the pharmacy comment. I thought the exact same thing as you, until I did some research.


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07 z-oh-6 said:
There would be too much clearance, IMO. I think 4 3/8 is too small for any 5.5"(MF pads are 5.5", not 5") pad. The smaller plate will put a lot of stress on the pad backing, plus, leave over 1/2 an inch of the pad edge unsupported. If I were you, I'd stick with 6.25" MF pads and the stock Flex 5.5" backing plate. If I didn't cut my stock Flex backing plate to 5 1/8", I would have definitely went with the 6" pad.
Click to expand...
+1 on all of the above. I received the new pads today and they are 5.5" If you have access to a metal cutting lathe, the Flex bp can be cut to 4 7/8' (I did it) which I think is a lot more appropriate for 5.5" pads.
 
feslope said:
+1 on all of the above. I received the new pads today and they are 5.5" If you have access to a metal cutting lathe, the Flex bp can be cut to 4 7/8' (I did it) which I think is a lot more appropriate for 5.5" pads.
Click to expand...
Did you get a chance to try the MF pads on the 3401?



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07 z-oh-6 said:
Did you get a chance to try the MF pads on the 3401?



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Click to expand...
Negative. I'm in FL for the season and the Flex is in MI. I have a Griot here I won at Detailfest last year. Without an available garage and the pollen in record amounts it is unlikely that I will be doing any polishing anytime soon.
 
I sure am glad Mark challenged me on the size of the new Meguiar's Microfiber pads. Had he not, I would have ordered the 5" pads that are 5.5" and would have been too big for my Flex 3401 using the smaller BP.
Today I placed my order today for 4 cutting and 4 finishing 6" or 6.25" pads and 4 3" or 3.3/7" cutting and finishing pads. I also got the 32oz compound and finishing juice.
 
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