Flex Polisher - back up pad melted

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bill2max

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I have a Flex polisher that I purchased back in Dec of 2008 and have only used it twice to wax my bassboat. I used it over the weekend trying to remove the haze on the headlights on my car when I smelled burning and a ring of plastic came off. I removed the backup pad the the pad was dished where it appears to contact a round rubber/felt washer. It would appear that this has happeded to a few other Flex users. I have sent it to the repair center, but I am wondering if anyone might know what the determined cause was for this problem.
 
Too much pressure on a angle w/o oiling the felt ring.
 
bill2max said:
I have a Flex polisher that I purchased back in Dec of 2008 and have only used it twice to wax my bassboat. I used it over the weekend trying to remove the haze on the headlights on my car when I smelled burning and a ring of plastic came off. I removed the backup pad the the pad was dished where it appears to contact a round rubber/felt washer. It would appear that this has happeded to a few other Flex users. I have sent it to the repair center, but I am wondering if anyone might know what the determined cause was for this problem.
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A few things can contribute to this. The first one is using the machine (applying pressure) at an angle and the second is insufficient lubrication of the felt ring.

Once you obtain a new backing plate, make sure the ring in lubricated and run the machine with the pad surface flat on the finish that you are polishing and this shouldn't be a future issue.
 
Dwayne and Loudog,

Thank you for your help. I was not applying very much pressure as I was trying to polish my plastic car headlights. Unfortunately, as many car headlights are not flat, as mine are not, there was no way to keep it against a flat surface. If eigher of you could tell me what the preferred brand of "pad ring lubricant" is, I would appreciate it.
 
Some people use air tool oil, motor oil and etc. I use lithium grease. I rub it on the felt ring with my finger every other time I use it. Wipe off any excess grease or oil before you use it.
 
My original backing plate did just that. I found the felt ring moved upward and with the speed of the backing plate cut into it. I have found on the new replacement that oiling the felt ring kept it lower in place and had no issues. Make sure backing plate is tight and snug too as the tolerance is quite tight.
 
I have the same question.......WHAT does Flex say to lube it with????
 
I thought I read somewhere either by Kevin Brown or someone that they used 3 in 1 oil....Can't be for certain though.....
 
It is a shame that this is not mentioned in the owners manual for the Flex 3401. I just started using mine for the first time the other day. I found out about the need to oil the felt ring quite by accident when I was speaking to Dwayne about a question that I had with installing my edge adapter. I hope that I didn't cause any damage to the buffer by using it prior to oiling the felt ring.
 
unclestu said:
It is a shame that this is not mentioned in the owners manual for the Flex 3401. I just started using mine for the first time the other day. I found out about the need to oil the felt ring quite by accident when I was speaking to Dwayne about a question that I had with installing my edge adapter. I hope that I didn't cause any damage to the buffer by using it prior to oiling the felt ring.
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Yes, very unprofessional for not pre-oiling the felt ring or at least mention the need to do so in the manuel.
 
I have the D/A and rotary Flex polishers. Which one are we talking about and can someone please post a pic of what needs to be oiled?
Thank you,
Sean,,,,,,,,,,,,
 
Oddly enough, I'm about to use mine NEW VRG 3401 today! I'll have to check out this infamous felt ring. Yeah, pics would be great...but hurry.
 
VR8 said:
Oddly enough, I'm about to use mine NEW VRG 3401 today! I'll have to check out this infamous felt ring. Yeah, pics would be great...but hurry.
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Yea im looking at purchasing that one aswell!! Oh please picture of this infamous machine!!:Picture::xyxthumbs:Im the MAN
 
pull off the backing plate and you cannot miss it. Its a felt ring that is quite snug along the inside cap. It can be removed and replaced.
 
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