HELP - Damage to Flex 3401 backing plate

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Nibby99

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Well two days after I got my new Flex 3401 I did this...

4i7xdx1d9
I used a 6.5 wool type pad made by Technicians Choice. I did an entire vehicle with the one pad fluffing it a few times with a spur. I noticed the head was quite warm while I was doing it but didn't think much of it at the time.

About an hour after finishing the job I went to take the pad off and realized it had melted right to the backing plate of the Flex (#*$*! is some of the dialogue at the time). Anyhow I tried for 20 minutes trying to get it off without damage but I did end up frigging it up a bit as you can see from the attached file. I think it will still work as I will try this morning with a different pad (just regular orange Lake Country). Gah frig.

4i7xdx1d9



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I'm using a LC Orange pad now and it seems to be OK but man talk about freaking when it happened. I may order a replacement backing pad in just in case though.
 
Usually foam pads are easier to build up heat in, especially if they get saturated with compound/polish, wool generally has better thermal conductivity, etc. Heat can come from 3 places, from the machine itself, from "agitation" at the Velcro interface, or from the paint/pad interface.

Not a bad idea to switch pads in the middle of the job or at least let it rest for a while, and once in a while feel things to make sure nothing is getting too hot.
 
My guess it was the heat buildup between velcro and pad. The backing material of the wool Tec Choice pad is unlike any Lake Country (or other) pad I've seen. I think there was unnecessary movement that caused extra heat build up there.
 
where did you get the technicians choice pad. I am not familiar with it. Bummer on the BP I just had to replace mine as well after a foam pad exploded on the backing plate. It sucks.
 
I suspect the issue is using a pad designed for a rotary polisher on a DA

The hood and loop are not compatible on many of these as they are designed for the specific directional stress caused be each of these machines
 
allenk4 said:
I suspect the issue is using a pad designed for a rotary polisher on a DA

The hood and loop are not compatible on many of these as they are designed for the specific directional stress caused be each of these machines
Click to expand...


I did not realize that was the case. Is there any way to visually tell one that is designed for circular rotation vs. one for orbital/concentric motion?
 
Nibby99 said:
I did not realize that was the case. Is there any way to visually tell one that is designed for circular rotation vs. one for orbital/concentric motion?
Click to expand...

I think it's more simple to think of it this way--a dual-action polisher puts more stress on the Velcro than a rotary--so you need more robust Velcro and attachments for DA use. I don't think there are "specific" velcros for rotary vs. DA, it's just you can get away with a less robust (i.e., cheaper) Velcro implementation in a rotary application.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I think it's more simple to think of it this way--a dual-action polisher puts more stress on the Velcro than a rotary--so you need more robust Velcro and attachments for DA use. I don't think there are "specific" velcros for rotary vs. DA, it's just you can get away with a less robust (i.e., cheaper) Velcro implementation in a rotary application.
Click to expand...

There are definitely different "specific" hook & loop types that have been developed to work with specific types of pads and papers. They vary in length, shape of the hook, etc.
 
allenk4 said:
There are definitely different "specific" hook & loop types that have been developed to work with specific types of pads and papers. They vary in length, shape of the hook, etc.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you could point us to some examples of Velcro that is intended specifically for use on DA polishers and rotaries. FYI, pad manufacturers don't make Velcro any more than they make foam, these are raw materials that they purchase, albeit sometimes to their specifications.
 
You keep saying "Velcro"; none of the current vendors use Velcro, they use hook & loop...it's a technicality, but as long as you are being technical.

I have seen close-up photos if various hook & loop systems. I think the pictures were on AGO, but I won't have time to look today. Maybe someone else who has seen the pics can grab the thread.


I promise, I am not making it up. I only lie to hot women at bars, but hey it's LA....everyone is a Movie Producer.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Perhaps you could point us to some examples of Velcro that is intended specifically for use on DA polishers and rotaries. FYI, pad manufacturers don't make Velcro any more than they make foam, these are raw materials that they purchase, albeit sometimes to their specifications.
Click to expand...

"Perhaps" is a difficult word. In-person, it can be polite. In an impersonal space like an internet forum, it seems off-putting, to me.

FYI, also falls in to that category, again...for me.


Here is the thread I was referencing:

Backing Plates - More Than Just A Way To Stick A Pad To A Buffer

Just my thoughts,

Kyle Allen
 
allenk4 said:
You keep saying "Velcro"; none of the current vendors use Velcro, they use hook & loop...it's a technicality, but as long as you are being technical.

I have seen close-up photos if various hook & loop systems. I think the pictures were on AGO, but I won't have time to look today. Maybe someone else who has seen the pics can grab the thread.


I promise, I am not making it up. I only lie to hot women at bars, but hey it's LA....everyone is a Movie Producer.
Click to expand...

Velcro is simply a trade name for a particular brand of hook-and-loop fastener; 3M can't call their hook-and-loop fastening system "Velcro" but I can certainly refer to all hook-and-loop systems as Velcro and IE even capitalizes it for me so you can argue with me.

And I'm not saying there aren't different types and grades of hook-and-loop fastening systems, there most certainly are, it's just that there aren't ones that hook-and-loop fastening companies make specifically for DA polisher pads...there are just types and grades of hook-and-loop fastening systems that mfrs. of DA polishing pads select as the best for their application.

I'm tired of arguing with you. If you want to keep arguing, argue with Autogeek because their Lake Country page says "These pads stay firmly bonded to the VELCRO® brand fasteners to ensure your pad stays put as you polish." (their bold, not mine) Lake Country Buffing Pads, Polishing buffing pads, buffing pads, polishing pads, ccs foam pads, ccs polishing pads
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Perhaps you could point us to some examples of Velcro that is intended specifically for use on DA polishers and rotaries. FYI, pad manufacturers don't make Velcro any more than they make foam, these are raw materials that they purchase, albeit sometimes to their specifications.
Click to expand...

I noticed you did not reply to this post and focused on one word "Velcro" instead.

The OP is having an issue with his pads overheating, that I believe is being caused by using the incorrect pairing of BP and Pad interfaces.

I thought the input from the Meguiar's link made things very clear.


It's only arguing if both of us are right.

I am explaining this to you.

There is no Argument
 
Technicians choice wool pad...says it uses Velcro:

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If it was to buy a 3401; I would use known pads like LC, BnS, Meg's, etc...

My 2¢
 
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