Nick McKees37
McKee's 37 Product Support
- Jan 6, 2011
- 7,265
- 0
The Flex XC3401 is known as the Mercedes-Benz of dual action polishers and for good reason - it's the best of the best, bar none. The Flex XC3401 takes on the jobs that were once reserved for rotary polishers because with its direct orbital drive, no swirl stands a chance. Even with all this power and correction ability there is no sacrifice in smoothness or ease of use. The Flex XC3401 not only revolutionized dual action polishers and what they're capable of, it defined a new category.
Complaints regarding the Flex are few and far between but there is one thing that has always plagued the XC3401; backing plates, or lack there of. Earlier this year Flex addressed this concern with the introduction of the 4 3/8" backing plate designed to utilize 5" and 5.5" pads. While this has certainly enabled the XC3401 to become a more versatile tool, users of the XC3401 were still reaching out for a backing plate designed to utilize a 4" pad.
Lake Country Manufacturing, a company that has been dedicated to researching, developing and manufacturing industry leading polisher accessories and pads since 1977, recently unveiled an engineering breakthrough for the Flex XC3401 known as the Changeable Backing Plate System. The Flex XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System allows users of the Flex XC3401 to utilize both 4" and 6.5" pads in one easy-to-use three-piece system.
While both the 4" and 6" backing plates in the Flex XC3401 Interchangeable System Backing Plate System will provided added flexibility with the XC3401, most of the excitement is geared towards the 4" backing plate in the system. The 4" backing plate will allow users of the 3401 to polish in areas that were never deemed possible with the 3401 because up until now, the machine was restricted to 5.5" or 6.5" pads. With the Flex XC3401's larger-than-normal orbit, people have been questioning how well the machine will handle a 4" pad. Lets find out!
As you can clearly see, a 4" Lake Country pad is a perfect fit on the 4" backing plate in the Flex XC3401 Interchangeable Backing Plate System.
I found some swirls on the c-pillar of a Ford Expedition that would be perfect to put the 4" backing plate in the Flex XC3401 Interchangeable Backing Plate System to the test.
After taping off the surrounding trim and glass I added some Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover to my 4" Hydro-Tech Cyan cutting pad and went to work.
It's worth taking the time to tape off glass and trim because it makes clean up much easier. Plus, it allows you to polish right up to the edge without worrying about getting polish on your trim or glass.
Even with its large orbit, the Flex XC3401 was easy to control while using a 4" pad on the new system.
Swirls? What swirls?
If you find yourself looking over your shoulder after reading this wondering if anything could possibly make your Flex XC3401 any better, the answer is yes. It comes from Lake Country, and it's called the Flex XC3401 Interchangeable Backing Plate System.
Now you can have your cake and eat it, too. Reserve yours now.
FLEX XC3401 Changeable Backing Plate System