Is there a true 3" DA backing plate?

[RaskyR1]

Mark I've been using the Mirka 102GG with the 3" MF pads for some time now. It 's not all the way to the edge like the one listed above, but I also like a little safety cushion too. Works great though and I also got it from BuffDaddy (Kevin).


It also works very well with the 3" Mirka/3M/Miguair's sanding disks and interface pads

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

IMO, the 3" Meg's backing plate is just too small for the already small 3" MF pad.

IF the current backing plate fit out to the OD of the 3" microfiber pads, there would be people talking about, wondering and asking for a smaller backing plate for a margin of safety.

:laughing:



It just goes that people are different and some like Coke and some like Pepsi and some want a backing plate that covers the entire back of pad and some want a little buffer zone for a safety margin.


Good feedback though...

I know it's been collected and keep in mind Meguiar's as well as all the other companies in this industry are not static, they're always changing and introducing new products...


:xyxthumbs:

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

IF the current backing plate fit out to the OD of the 3" microfiber pads, there would be people talking about, wondering and asking for a smaller backing plate for a margin of safety.

:laughing:



It just goes that people are different and some like Coke and some like Pepsi and some want a backing plate that covers the entire back of pad and some want a little buffer zone for a safety margin.




:xyxthumbs:

I agree 100%, Mike. As you say, to each their own. The 3" Meg's backing plate DOES work with the 3" MF pads, but I think full support would work even better. I don't anticipate Meg's making a slightly bigger backing plate for the safety margin alone. I think that's a HUGE factor, obviously.

:dblthumb2:

 

[Kevin Brown]

Hmm... thought I posted this here on AG but couldn't find it. :dunno: It's on DW and AU.

Ah well, even though it doesn't relate to 3" backing plates, it does relate to the DA Microfiber Discs:

To maximize cutting and finishing potential of the Meguiar's DA Microfiber discs, I cut down larger plate to better fit the discs. Cut down backing plates work very well for foam pads, too.

It's my opinion that in order to mechanically optimize the DA Discs, the pad must be supported to the outer edge. Since Meguiar's does not currently offer a backing plate exactly the same diameter, I cut down a Meguiar's W68DA plate to the same size. It cuts very easy- a pair of scissors will work.

I used a carpet razor knife to cut these plates, then sanded the edges using 80 grit and then 150 grit sandpaper. The studs were chucked in a handheld electric drill, and I pushed the knife into the foam as the plate was spinning. Then, I sanded in the same manner. Make sure to wear eye protection!

This is the Meguiar's W68DA, backside shot:

This is the Meguiar's W68DA, face shot:

Notice that the Velcro® does not cover the entire plate.
It was designed for the 2.0 Soft Buff pads.
I cut the pad down to within a couple millimeters of the Velcro®.

The cut down version is set atop the uncut version:

This is how it looks once the backing plate is mounted to the disc:

This is the recommended W67DA set atop the cut down W68DA:

I used a Mirka 106GG because I had some in stock, and they have proven to be bulletproof for me:

Mirka 106GG:

The cut down version set atop the uncut version:

This is how it looks once the backing plate is mounted to the disc:

Obviously, if you use the stiff plate, you'll need to be careful on curved surfaces. The W68DA is soft, so even it it happened to contact a surface accidentally, damage potential would be comparatively low.

But!- for leveling, severe defect removal, for defect or sanding mark removal next to body trim, etc., and final polishing, the discs have delivered much better results for me when they are supported to the outer edge. My best guess would be somewhere in the 30% improved range for cutting potential, and an immeasurable amount for finish polishing.

Good luck!

 

[Kevin Brown]

Who is Kevin Brown?

• Pro Detailer
• Detailing Instructor
• Excellent Writer
• One of the most knowledgeable detailers in the online detailing world
• All around good guy...

I've known Kevin since the late 1990's, not sure when we first worked together but we've been friends ever since. His word is as good as gold.

Most really good detailing instructors started out first as detailers, some gravitate towards writing about the topic and Kevin is famous for his writing skills in that he can take any topic and explain it using a keyboard so even a Newbie can understand. Does that answer your question?

Thanks so much for your very kind words. :wow:

And about you Mike, I say that you are a:

• Pro Detailer
• Detailing Instructor
• Excellent Writer
• One of the most knowledgeable detailers in the online detailing world
• All around good guy...

I've known Mike since the late 1990's, not sure when we first worked together but we've been friends ever since. His word is as good as gold.

Most really good detailing instructors started out first as detailers, some gravitate towards writing about the topic and Mike is famous for his writing skills in that he can take any topic and explain it using a keyboard so even a Newbie can understand.

And that's the TRUTH! :cheers:

Hey- so I stole a few of your words... when you're good, you're good... Im the MAN

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thanks for chiming in Kevin and showing how to be creative and make a backing plate that's optimized for the 3" Microfiber Discs.

Maximizing efficiency of any tool, product or procedure is an example of working smarter... not harder...

Hey- so I stole a few of your words... when you're good, you're good... Im the MAN

:laughing:

 

[PAR Detailing]

In regards to Kevin's post,

The cut backing plates are golden! Kevin was nice enough to send me the cut backing plates. I got them in today at around 4ish and by 5:30 I was sanding a few repainted panels on a car and using the precut BP w/ the MF disc. I was sanding with 1500g and then 2500g but I found out that I could remove the 1500g just fine with the MF cutting disc primed with d300 and then using 105 after that. The d300 removed the 1500grit just fine too.

There will be more to come.

 

[brawl]

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't Kevin Brown the godfather of Megs MF System and started the school of thought that DA can match the rotary's capabilities? So that if you have question with MF System and DA in general, he is one of the (if not the) authorities.

I think Meguiars will be open with the idea of manufacturing a backing plate specially designed for MF discs. Any company will sell things that will improve their current products (and increase its sale).

 

[PAR Detailing]

The Results seen here were achieved with the Mirka backing plate cut down by Kevin and the MF cutting disc primed with D300 and then using 105.

Orange Peel before:

After Sanding and Compounding:

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Correct me if I am wrong, isn't Kevin Brown the godfather of Megs MF System and started the school of thought that DA can match the rotary's capabilities? So that if you have question with MF System and DA in general, he is one of the (if not the) authorities.

I think Meguiars will be open with the idea of manufacturing a backing plate specially designed for MF discs. Any company will sell things that will improve their current products (and increase its sale).

Yes, Kevin has EXCEPTIONAL knowledge of the MF system, and pretty much anything to do with paint polishing.

Meguiar's already has plates specifically designed for the MF system. While they may not give the best possible performance(no full pad support), the current BP's will still give outstanding results. I do not think any company would ever promote using a BP with full pad support because of safety reasons/liability. JMO.

The Results seen here were achieved with the Mirka backing plate cut down by Kevin and the MF cutting disc primed with D300 and then using 105.

Orange Peel before:

After Sanding and Compounding:

Nice, very nice, Jon! rops:

I ordered the 3" Mirka(103GG) and a the 6" Mirka(106GG) that's being cut by Kevin to give full pad support for 5.5" MF pads. Im the MAN:buffing: