Pad suggestions for my Flex

[Tato]

Dear Mike, thank you for input.

Some days ago I was dealing with a 'very thrashed' Black Toyota Corolla, and I've decided to do the roof with the Wool Hybrid Pad (the rest was done with Orange Hybrid). I tackled the defects using speed 5, firm pressure, slightly slow arm speed and defects went away relatively easy, in 5-6 passes (complete cycle of FG400). The finish was impressive (but I've also followed the wool with finishing polish).

Can you tell what am I missing using 3401 with wool instead of a rotary and Wool?

Would the rotary get the same results in, 3 passes instead of 6?

Here are some pics (sorry for the lack, just to illustrate my thoughts):

This is the before:


This is the After

The After is the Wool pad described above + SF4000 on white pad. SF4000 was done on 3 passes, half the roof at a time.

I know the shots are not the same spot, but you got my point, the whole roof was thrashed, and the whole hood went out great.

To add to this thread, I have some more spots of the same car with Orange Hybrid + FG400, Only (no finishing step after):

Trunk lid

Ah, don't forget I have the Signature 3401 (Carini don't, lol!), that gives a +1 boost to all attributes!

Together there are (above) the FG400 / SF4000, Orange and White Hybrids, everything I like and use often.

I have more 50/50 shots of recent works using only FG400 + Orange Hybrid (on black car) (1-step), this time it was a Chrysler Town and Country:

'Above the wheel front fender' (I don't know how this part is called)

Hybrid Orange + FG400 using 'Smack's Technique'

Results:

Passenger's door / Passenger's side:
Before shot (somewhat blurry, not the best shot...)

After:


A 50/50 using the same setup on another spot


Hood shot before:

Sun let me down... hiding behind clouds.

Leaving me with not impressive after shots, but 'LIVE' the results were awesome, modesty apart:

That's it, 3401, Hybrids and Menzerna. I'm almost totally doing detailing for living with this setup and Coatings as LSP.

Just need to get rid of my actual job... Time will tell.

Hope that helps.

Kind Regards.

 

[arisking]

My vote is Buff and Shine pads. Best I've used without the overkill pricing of the silly backplate cash grab system.

Why not make a 5.5" hybrid that works on the regular small backplate the Flex comes with?

 

[Tato]

Thank you very much for feedback, Can you please post a link to Buff and Shine pads, particularly the ones you're recommending?

Kind Regards.

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Yes I have...I just read it and it was a great article...those are definitely looking good...how good are they durability wise? Do they clog easy?

Also I should add that my backing plate is 6"

They are very good durability wise. I havent had any real issues with them. Some of the orange and blue pads have lost minor particles of foam from the face as I used to hold the brush against the face and run the polisher to clean the pads. This only accelerated the wear and I have stopped doing that.

I havent had any clogging issues with them. I never really let any of my pads get to saturated. I always run my pads through the pad washer after every completed panel.

You mention your plate is 6"? So you have the interchangeable plate system or just the larger plate? The factory plate is 5.5" and will fit the 6.5 Hybrids.

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

These are the ones right?
Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish Ultra Performance Pad System

Yes, these are the pads.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Best I've used without the overkill pricing of the silly backplate cash grab system.

I'm not sure what you're talking about?

Lake Country makes an adapter plate "system" and has they have explained, in order to provide the "system" it comes as a kit at a certain price point so they can manufacture and make a profit. That's the American way. If the make it and lose money selling it then they won't make it and we won't have this wonderful modification to the awesome tool.

Now if you can get someone to make this kit, test it, prove it, warranty it and put it out on the market for less then go for it.

Why not make a 5.5" hybrid that works on the regular small backplate the Flex comes with?

The 6.5" Hybrids fit the factory 5.5" backing plates perfectly.


:dunno:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thank you very much for feedback, Can you please post a link to Buff and Shine pads, particularly the ones you're recommending?

Kind Regards.

That's actually against the forum rules as Autogeek doesn't stock this company's pads.


rops:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Can you tell what am I missing using 3401 with wool instead of a rotary and Wool?

Would the rotary get the same results in, 3 passes instead of 6?

You're not missing anything. A rotary will do the cutting job of a Flex 3401 faster and with less passes but it will also leave holograms that will need to be removed.

If a person is going to do a second polishing step with ANY type of dual action polisher then the holograms are not an issue.

Kind of comes down to personal preference. I've been going back to the rotary buffer more for my first correction step due to speed and power as I almost always do a second polishing step anyways.


:dblthumb2:

 

[Tato]

That's actually against the forum rules as Autogeek doesn't stock this company's pads.


rops:

K, thank you, sorry for that. I thought AG had those pads...

You're not missing anything. A rotary will do the cutting job of a Flex 3401 faster and with less passes but it will also leave holograms that will need to be removed.

If a person is going to do a second polishing step with ANY type of dual action polisher then the holograms are not an issue.

Kind of comes down to personal preference. I've been going back to the rotary buffer more for my first correction step due to speed and power as I almost always do a second polishing step anyways.


:dblthumb2:

Thank you for clarifying things here. I went with the Hybrid Wool following your recommendation and haven't regret, although I rarely put it into play. When I do, it vanishes defects really fast even using a DA instead of a rotary, with the advantage of not leaving any holograms. Indeed, a secondary polishing step is also required using wool with DA for refining the finish.

Kind Regards.

 

[arisking]

One of the first times I get quoted by Mike and I'm complaining. LOL LOL. Oh well, no matter.

Anyway, I am talking about the 4 3/8" backing plate I got with my Flex. Make hybrid pads for that too. Ha.

I probably will never use my 5.5" backplate, at least not for a while, that's the only reason I am suggesting it.

The 6.5" Hybrids fit the factory 5.5" backing plates perfectly.


:dunno:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Anyway, I am talking about the 4 3/8" backing plate I got with my Flex.

Make hybrid pads for that too. Ha.

Hey I'm all for lots of pad but we already carry a kazillion pads.

I'm not sure what a company like Lake Country has to do to forecast the products costs, the sales and everything else that goes into launching a new skew or pad like, even if it's a different size of pad that's already offered but my guess is there is some math that goes into this type of project.

Talked to Eric Dunn at Lake Country today about a different project but he'll be here for a class with Forest Totsi on Sunday and I'll do my best to show him your post.


:xyxthumbs:

 

[Wes Bremec]

Mike have you ever noticed the screw that secures the backing plate to 3401 ever coming loose? This is when using the interchangeable backing plate system?

 

[arisking]

Haha, sounds good Mike and I do understand there's a million pads out there.

Thanks for being understanding.

Hey I'm all for lots of pad but we already carry a kazillion pads.

I'm not sure what a company like Lake Country has to do to forecast the products costs, the sales and everything else that goes into launching a new skew or pad like, even if it's a different size of pad that's already offered but my guess is there is some math that goes into this type of project.

Talked to Eric Dunn at Lake Country today about a different project but he'll be here for a class with Forest Totsi on Sunday and I'll do my best to show him your post.


:xyxthumbs:

 

[Tato]

Mike have you ever noticed the screw that secures the backing plate to 3401 ever coming loose? This is when using the interchangeable backing plate system?

Dear Wes,

I'm not Mike, but I have the backing plate system you're talking about. I've hear more than twice about this looseness, so I've always screwed mine very tight.

Once you're introducing the plate base (first part), check the perfect fit for it. Sometimes it looks like fitted, but it's not 100%. Take it off and adjust it to the fit.

Second, introduce the velcro part (also look for perfect fit) and then start screwing the screw. When you reach a tight point, you have to 'Press the Button' on the head of the polisher to lock the gears and then you do the last tight screw.

Sorry if everything said above sounded obvious (it's basically how you are intended to mount the plate system), but if you're already doing this and are experiencing any issue, you can start thinking of a defective plate?

For the larger plate, I use a 'washer' (the thin metal washer that comes with the kit) in between the first support part and the velcro part. Tight it the same way described above.

Generally I use the plate system for the 4" plate.

Hope I've helped,

Kind Regards.

 

[stilltipping3]

I like the hybrid pads for my flex. I have tried many others and will say these are the easiest to use.

 

[Tato]

Sure thing. It's just the style of the polisher... like Rupes benefits from their own pads to 'resist' and give better smoothness throughout the larger throw, 3401 benefits from Hybrid pads to handle forced rotation + pressure used to achieve results pretended, without premature pad damage.

Both can use any kind of pads with awesome results, but some pads are like 'perfect match'.

Kind Regards.

 

[Wes Bremec]

Although durability may be lacking with the hydrotech pad line, I feel like these pads excel in every other aspect compared to the hybrid pads. I suggest others to do some testing.

 

[Nightwing]

Hybrid pads without a doubt!

Have you read over my article concerning the 3401, Hybrids, and Menzerna polishes?

Any suggestions of these pads with a GO DA? I ask because the posts pertain to the Flex. I'm in Millbrook btw.

 

[tpr1634]

I use the the 4 3/8" backing plate with the 5" hybrid pad I do like only wish there was a bit more Velcro contacting the backing plate.

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Any suggestions of these pads with a GO DA? I ask because the posts pertain to the Flex. I'm in Millbrook btw.

For a traditional DA such as the PC I recommend the Hydro Tech pads as these are quite similar to the Hybrid pads. These two pad lines feature closed cell construction.

Millbrook? I'm in Germany.

I use the the 4 3/8" backing plate with the 5" hybrid pad I do like only wish there was a bit more Velcro contacting the backing plate.

The 5" Hybrid pads were designed to be used with the 4" bp from the interchangeable bp system. You can use the larger 4 3/8 plate but you run the risk of damaging the foam as the bp can come into contact pad with enough exertion.