Lake Country Force Hybrid or Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish pads for FLEX 3401?

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txchevyz71

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Can anyone tell me the real difference between these pads for the Flex 3401?

Both are sold by PBMG at AG and Autopia.

I guess I am kind of lost between all of these different pad offerings.

Is there a preference between the 2 of them for use with the 3401?

Which backplate do I need to be able to run these on the FLEX 3401?

My 3401 came with the standard 5.5" backingplate and also a 4" plate.
 
The New force pads are the updated version of the Hybrid pads.The Hybrid Blue foam was discontinued in manufacturing, so when changing the Hybrid pads to Force pads, they changed...
· The shape
· Added a center hole
· Discontinued Blue.
· Added Grey for Hot climates (very firm foam and best when used above 80 degrees F and or humid)
 
You will need the 4 1/2 backing plate from Flex.

FLEX XC3401 Mini 4.5 inch Backing Plate, FLEX.

I shaved/filed my stock 5.5 down to 5. Super easy with the proper bolt/nut/washer for an arbor on cordless drill and a decent file.
First you would have to cut the flared foam off,even with the plastic. Run your set-up and keep measuring until you are happy.

As far as the pads go I used the Hybrids then bought the Force. The Force pads seem a little beefier and are .5" bigger.
My technical explanation is I like the Force pads more.
 
Thanks the "kit" I just bought comes with both the 5.5". And the 4" backing plate and orange and white pads. I assume it's the 4.5" as flex doesn't have a 4"

So do I Still need to buy the lake country changeable backing plate?
 
txchevyz71 said:
Thanks the "kit" I just bought comes with both the 5.5". And the 4" backing plate and orange and white pads

So do I Still need to buy the lake country changeable backing plate?
Click to expand...

1) use the Hybrids which the 4" plate accommodates. The problem is the Hybrids I believe are being phased out.

2) Use the Force pads and buy the backing plate from the link I posted. Yet another 40 dollars

3) Use the Force pads and grind the 5.5 down to 5. The one I like which is free.

In my eyes these are your only options.
 
Love the Force pads...great with the 3401. Gray for higher temps? Interesting; used 'em in about 55F degree weather with M101 on some really bad/oxidized paint. 4 passes and that stuff was ready for M205. Kinda hard on the pads, wore 'em out after 2 vehicles but it got the job done quick. 6.5 on good, roof, trunk and 5.5 on vertical surfaces.

Gets stuff done quick and usually someone somewhere is always has those pads on some kinda special; dunno why but it seems so.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk
 
The Hybrid Power pads were 5" in diameter, and required the use of the Lake Country backing plate system, which attached to the 3401, and came with a 4" backing plate (used with the 5" Hybrid Power pads), and a 6" plate. There were some issues with the 6" plate, and eventually the 6" plate was discontinued, so the Lake Country backing plate system was 4" only. The 5" Hybrid pads were designed to use this backing plate, and the Flex 4.35" (the true dimension is 4.33", or 110mm, even more accurately). plate's velcro surface actually was almost exactly the size of the Hybrid Powers' velcro, leaving no margin for misalignment. Note that the 5" size is not a normal/standard pad size.

More recently, Lake Country started producing the Hybrid Force pads, which are a more standard 5.5", and fit the Flex 4.33"/110mm Flex backing plate just fine. I have found out that the Hybrid Power pads are now out of production, and only the Hybrid Force pads are being produced. Same goes for the Lake Country Backing plate system and the 4" backing plate.

If you are buying 3401 pads and don't have an investment, get the Flex 4.33"/110mm backing plate, and the Hybrid Force pads. If you already have the Lake Country 4" backing plate, buy up as many of the Hybrid Power pads in whatever colours you use as soon as you can. The only Hybrid Power pads that are out there are existing inventory, no new Hybrid Power pads will be coming from Lake Country, and use them until they are worn out.
 
Thanks for all the information. My 3401 will arrive next week.

I still have a ton of LC flat pads
 
You should be able to use them, but they may wear out quickly, as the 3401 is pretty tough on pads, so the flat pads, being designed for free rotation DAs, may wear out quicker. Where a DA would stop spinning the flat pad if you applied too much pressure, the Flex will continue to spin, generating more heat, and shortening the life of the pads. As well, when the edge of the pad hits an emblem or something solid, A DA will probably stop, but the Flex will keep going, possibly tearing up the pad.
 
txchevyz71 said:
Thanks for all the information. My 3401 will arrive next week.

I still have a ton of LC flat pads
Click to expand...


Congratulations on the new FLEX 3401 - you're going to find out it's a BEAST when it comes to doing correction work FAST without causing holograms like the other fast tool the rotary buffer.

I was out in the garage for the last half of yesterday and getting ready to go out there right now to finish the purple car and for the correction work I'm using the FLEX 3401 as it is the fastest way to correct paint without inducing holograms, burning through the paint on edges and raised body lines and without tiring me out. (a rotary buffer requires a lot more muscle work than orbitals)

And man... you did het a lot of great help and info from our forum members in this thread, I'm impressed.



kkritsilas said:
You should be able to use them, but they may wear out quickly, as the 3401 is pretty tough on pads,

Where a DA would stop spinning the flat pad if you applied too much pressure, the Flex will continue to spin, generating more heat, and shortening the life of the pads. As well, when the edge of the pad hits an emblem or something solid, A DA will probably stop, but the Flex will keep going, possibly tearing up the pad.
Click to expand...


Correct.

The power that comes with the FLEX 3401 does have a downside and that is being able to work a panel hard does wear out pads faster.

It's a trade-off that in my opinion, if you want to work fast is worth it.


:)
 
kkritsilas said:
You should be able to use them, but they may wear out quickly, as the 3401 is pretty tough on pads, so the flat pads, being designed for free rotation DAs, may wear out quicker. Where a DA would stop spinning the flat pad if you applied too much pressure, the Flex will continue to spin, generating more heat, and shortening the life of the pads. As well, when the edge of the pad hits an emblem or something solid, A DA will probably stop, but the Flex will keep going, possibly tearing up the pad.
Click to expand...

Ill save the flats for the PC. I also have a griots with a ton of their pads as well.

I will buy the new backing plate along with the pads for the flex during the next sale.

I see AG has a 6 pad mix and match, I wish they'd do a 12 pad mix and match as well. (like they do for the flats)

Thanks for the help everyone!
 
Got My Flex 3401 in yesterday. Signed by none other than Mike Phillips!

It indeed came with the stock 5.5 backing plate and the Lake Country 4" backing plate. and some hybrid pads (orange and white)

On another PBMG website, the white pads are sold out.... but other PBMG company still have them for sale?

Funny that the Lake country place is called an interchangeable plate and has the 2 pieces but now there is nothing to change the size two when using the Lake country plate "system"

I also ordered the new force pads that are due to arrive in a couple days. I will see how I like these pads with the lake country 4" plate. If not I guess I will need to order the flex 4 3/8 backing plate.

Thanks for the help yall
 
txchevyz71 said:
Got My Flex 3401 in yesterday. Signed by none other than Mike Phillips!
Click to expand...


Congratulations are beast of a buffer!

It was an honor to be asked to sign your FLEX 3401. At the time one of the warehouse guys brought it out to me, (Will I think?), I was actually using a FLEX 3401 on a cool car.



txchevyz71 said:
It indeed came with the stock 5.5 backing plate and the Lake Country 4" backing plate. and some hybrid pads (orange and white)

On another PBMG website, the white pads are sold out.... but other PBMG company still have them for sale?

Funny that the Lake country place is called an interchangeable plate and has the 2 pieces but now there is nothing to change the size two when using the Lake country plate "system"
Click to expand...


Just to note, they quick making the larger backing plate that came in the kit mostly because you really don't need a larger backing plate because you really don't need or want to buff with anything larger than 6.5"


Looking forward to your future posts with your future projects.


:dblthumb2:
 
Mike Phillips said:
Congratulations are beast of a buffer!

It was an honor to be asked to sign your FLEX 3401. At the time one of the warehouse guys brought it out to me, (Will I think?), I was actually using a FLEX 3401 on a cool car.






Just to note, they quick making the larger backing plate that came in the kit mostly because you really don't need a larger backing plate because you really don't need or want to buff with anything larger than 6.5"


Looking forward to your future posts with your future projects.


:dblthumb2:
Click to expand...


Thanks Mike.

I hope to get to use it soon. Force pads should be here later this week!

Do you think I need the Flex 4 3/8" plate?
 
txchevyz71 said:
Do you think I need the Flex 4 3/8" plate?
Click to expand...

if you are going to use 5.5" pads this backing plate will give you a little clearance inward from the velcro. btw, congrats on the new purchase!
flex-xc3401-mini-backing-plate.gif
 
Actually I have the lake country 4" backing plate now. is there really a reason to go to the 4 3/8"?
 
txchevyz71 said:
Actually I have the lake country 4" backing plate now. is there really a reason to go to the 4 3/8"?
Click to expand...

This would be good info to know as well. 3/8 doesn't seem like much but it definitely could be more overhang than desired
 
the 4" lake country backing plate was meant to be used with the 5" lake country hybrid pads which has 4 inches of hook & loop. if you were to use this backing plate with the 5.5" pads (which has 5 inches of hook & loop), it would be too small and there would be too much of a gap. the 4 3/8 backing plate sits in a little and will give you some cushion. also, there isn't a 5" backing plate available for the flex at the moment so it's the closest you're going to get...
 
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