Pad sizes for flex plates 4", 5.5" and 6" ?

Marc Hufnagel

Marc Hufnagel

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Ok, I have the 3401 (not used it yet), and I have the additional backing plate kit 4" and 6".

What are the proper (recommended) sizes that I should be looking at for the 4", the 5.5" and 6" plates?

Right now I have several 5.5" LC flat 7/8" pads.


When I did a test fit on the 5.5" plate of course the pad went right to the edge of the plate.

Suggestions?
 
I use the 4" CCS and Hydrotech pads with the 4" backing plate. I use the 5.5" CCS and 5.5" Hydrotech pads with the 5.5" backing plate. The Hydrotech pads are actually a little bigger and rounded so you can buff with the sides of the pad a bit more. I use the 6.5" CCS pads with the 5.5" BP too since my 6" BP broke. They still work just fine with the 5.5". Even though the Flex is forced rotation, the smaller pads work better IMO.
 
I kind of have the same question. Which pad size should I use? I ordered 6.5, but I keep reading people prefer 5" pads. Thanks in advance
 
A couple things,

While thin pads work best for DA Polishers like the PC, Griot's and Meguiar's, that's not a factor when it comes to gear driven tools.

This is just my opinion but the best pads on the market right now for the Flex 3401 are the 5" Hybrid Pads.

The face of these pads equals 5" in diameter and the design has them tapering down to the Velcro backing which is 4" and fits the 4" backing plate perfectly.

For doing major correction work, get the Blue Foamed Hybrid Pad, this thing is dang near indestructible and with a good compound will remove defects incredibly fast.

For less aggressive cutting action get either of the cutting pads and for sure get the white polishing pad and the black finishing pad.

The smaller size of the face of the pad does two things,

1. Makes the tool incredibly easy to control. You still want to practice holding the pad flat but the smaller size makes operation easy.


2. Fits the thin panels common to new cars better than larger pads.



I have an article on this and you can find it in my article list in the section dedicated to the Flex 3401, it's easy to find, just click to my article list from the link in my Signature Line which is in ALL my posts and the scroll down till you see this picture,



Flex 3401 Forced Rotation Dual Action Polisher
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NEW - New 5" pads for 4" Backing Plate on Flex 3401


And here's the article showing these pads...



5" Hybrid Pads for the 4" backing plate on the Flex 3401!

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These new pads are not in stock yet but you can get a glimpse of them in action below....

Live Broadcast Video - 1965 Plymouth Valiant - Extreme Makeover


***Live Broadcast Video - Extreme Makeover - 1965 Plymouth Valiant***

[video=youtube_share;VGnDSmMLwk8"]Live Broadcast Video -..." target="_blank">Live Broadcast Video -...[/video] ​





Here's some still pictures I took from the Valiant Extreme Makeover with Justin using them...

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These pads really work well with this tool. If you don't have the 4" backing plate then ANY of the 6.5" pads from Lake Country work GREAT on it to as do the Meguiar's 7" Softbuff pads.

The larger size pads work great for tackling larger flat panels.


:)
 
For this 1940 Ford Couple, I purposefully set up nothing but Flex 3401 polishers with both 6.5" and 5" Hybrid pads for my students to work with and compare as they buffed out this car.

Point being, both 6.5 and the 5" Hybrid pads both work great with this too... If you have the stock or factory backing plates, then look at these pads,

6.5 CCS
6.5 Flat pads
7" Softbuff pads
6.5 Hybrids

If you have the 4" backing plate, then get the 5" Hybrids. If you want to just start with the basics, then get the orange, white and black 5" hybrids.


I loved this car for my class, everyone was excited to work on something cool that was trashed and it really came out nice...

Look through these pictures and you'll see both 6.5" 5" Hybrid Pads in use...


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Wow!

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thanks for your feedback. I'm going to be working on my Ford Edge (2012 paint doesn't need much work at all) and wifes Honda Accord (2008 - paint needs some swirls, scratches removed). It will be my first time ever using a flex or anything similar to it.

I originally ordered

Lake Country 6.5 CCS Pads and a few of the hydro tech pads.
I'm debating on returning them for the 5" pads, but not sure what to do even with your previous response :) ?

I don't even know if I need to buy a backing plate if I keep the 6.5 pads. I assume if I go the 5" ccs pad way I need a different plate?

If the hybrid pads are available soon, then maybe I should get those? decisions, decisions. pardon my noobness.
 
DEXTERITY said:
I don't even know if I need to buy a backing plate if I keep the 6.5 pads. I assume if I go the 5" ccs pad way I need a different plate?
Click to expand...

The factory backing plate is 5.5" wide and works great with 6.5" pads. You can't use 5.5" pads on a 5.5" backing plate as the edge of the backing plate is dangerously close to hitting the paint. Plus the pads are too thin for this type of tool.



DEXTERITY said:
If the hybrid pads are available soon, then maybe I should get those? decisions, decisions. pardon my noobness.
Click to expand...

The Hybrid pads are available in both 6.5" and 5" sizes. You can use the 6.5" on the factory backing plate but you need to buy the Adapter Plate System to get the 4" backing plate to use with the 5" pads.

You cannot at this time get the 4" backing plate and the adapter by itself, it comes as a 3 piece kit.


:)
 
Mike, thank you very much for your time and help. I appreciate it!
 
Just a question about the 3-piece Flex 3401 Backing Plate Kit that's available?

Is this kit just as high in quality as buying the seperate Backing Plates in these sizes, thus one can forego the extra expense with seperate Backing Plates?

I know what some of you who read this might now be thinking? "Uh Oh, sounds like our forum newbie Mark is getting ready again to open his wallet, and spring for the Flex 3401!"

Well, maybe not in the next couple weeks at least, but I am getting the hankering to also have this great tool in my arsenal as well one day. Mark

PS: The after shot of the Cuda is breath taking! Wow!
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
The factory backing plate is 5.5" wide and works great with 6.5" pads. You can't use 5.5" pads on a 5.5" backing plate as the edge of the backing plate is dangerously close to hitting the paint. Plus the pads are too thin for this type of tool.
:)
Click to expand...

Wow, didn't realize this Mike. Have a 7424xp with an Xact Backing Plate from Kevin Brown - use the HT 5.5" pads and get great results since there is little to no braking from the excess foam that extends over the typical bp. As long as I'm careful, there doesn't seem to be a problem though clearly there is more potential for a mistake with this type of setup.

Hoping the same principles would apply to the Flex system but your above comments seem to indicate otherwise. I have a ton of the HT pads and really was hoping to intergrate both LC pads systems to achieve half steps of aggressivenss. Why is the 7/8" thick pads wrong for this type of machine? At this point there isn't a 5" bp for the Flex that I can find which would solve the problem. However, would the 4 3/8" flex bp work with the 5.5" x 7/8" HT pads?
 
Bought a FLEX 3401

Have a lot of 5.5" CCS pads that I like with my 7424

Is the best option to buy another 5.5" backing plate and have it cut down to 4 7/8" or is the 4 3/8" BP effective?

Thanks
 
allenk4 said:
Bought a FLEX 3401

Have a lot of 5.5" CCS pads that I like with my 7424

Is the best option to buy another 5.5" backing plate and have it cut down to 4 7/8" or is the 4 3/8" BP effective?

Thanks
Click to expand...
I had a stock Flex Backing plate cut down to 4 7/8" which is perfect for 5.5" pads. A local machine shop trimmed it down for me on a metal cutting lathe. Took about 10 minutes for the whole job, they let me watch and they were slow and didn't charge me. The 4' plate leaves 3/4" unsupported all around, 4 7/8" is only 5/16" unsupported all around.

Like you, I had (Have) a lot of 5.5" pads. I use the factory plate with my 6.5" pads.
 
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