Trend: Backing Plate Extensions for Surgical Precision Buffing

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Trend: Backing Plate Extensions for Surgical Precision Buffing


Backing Plate Extensions
Another trend I see for the future is the use of what is currently sold as an adapter only used as an extension for locating the face of your buffing pad further away from the body of your rotary buffer.

This serves at least two functions:

1. Places the buffing pad further away from the body of the buffer so you can more easily SEE the buffing pad as you're buffing. This is important because it helps you to avoid making mistakes when using a powerful tool like the rotary buffer.

2. By moving the buffing pad away from the body of the tool this enables you in some applications, to more easily buff thin panels, small sections of paint or tight, hard to buff areas.

3. Works great to extend the buffing pad away from the body of the tool which makes cleaning your pad easier and more effective when using a pad washer as the body of the tool is out of the way.
​

Extensions for Pad Cleaning
When using the Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer part of the cleaning action comes from pumping the buffing pad up and down against the Grit Guard Insert. When you do this without an extension you don't have much of a throw because the body of the rotary buffer will hit the splatter lid on the pad washer.

When you add an extension to the spindle you gain about 2 extra inches of travel which makes it easier and more effective to clean your pads.

Surgical Precision Buffing with a Rotary Buffer
Here's a few examples of surgical precision buffing using a rotary buffer, it helps to have a compact, lightweight rotary buffer to start with like the Flex PE 14

The adapter acts as an extension which allows me to better see where the pads touching the paint as I buff and also works sometimes to give you enough clearance to buff into tight areas.

An Autogeek.net

Optimum Optimum Double-Sided Rotary Adapter

2-3/4 inch Hook & Loop Rotary Backing Plate

Grit Guard Universal Pad Washer

Grit Guard Universal Detailing Cart

 

[Dugdug]

I want, do they have one for the griots?

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

I want, do they have one for the griots?

These extensions really wouldn't lend themselves to a DA polisher well simply by nature of their design.

If you were to extend the backing plate too far away from the spindle assembly it would play havoc with the physics of the counterweight and increase vibration feedback considerably.

(I say that from experience... tried taking one of the rotary->DA backing plate adapters, connecting an extension and a rotary BP to my G110v2, and I was less than thrilled with the results. Great concept in theory, not such a great idea in practice.)

 

[BillE]

Isn't the 'extension' like the same thing as the connection nut used for 'All Thread'?

Not being critical, just askin'.

Bill

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Isn't the 'extension' like the same thing as the connection nut used for 'All Thread'?

Not being critical, just askin'.

Bill

I don't know. It's designed to attached to the spindle on a rotary buffer and offer the same threads on the other side but not as many so it doesn't poke through a double sided pad where it would grind into the paint.

The thread is 5/8" on both ends.


All I know is I find it a very handy tool.

 

[BillE]

I don't know. It's designed to attached to the spindle on a rotary buffer and offer the same threads on the other side but not as many so it doesn't poke through a double sided pad where it would grind into the paint.

The thread is 5/8" on both ends.


All I know is I find it a very handy tool.

WOW, that was fast.

I'll take a run to my local hardware store and take a look see and will 'report back to headquarters' later.

Thanx...

Bill

 

[Tom Weed]

I'm definitely interested in this, I will have to take a trip to lowes or menards after work to see if they have a small piece of 5/8" all thread and a coupler. If I need to trim it down, how do I cut it without messing up the threads?

 

[dad07]

I'm definitely interested in this, I will have to take a trip to lowes or menards after work to see if they have a small piece of 5/8" all thread and a coupler. If I need to trim it down, how do I cut it without messing up the threads?

Tom get yourself a nut to fit the all thread,use the nut as a guide to cut the rod then remove the nut.The nut will act as a thread cleaner of sorts when removed.

 

[Tom Weed]

Tom get yourself a nut to fit the all thread,use the nut as a guide to cut the rod then remove the nut.The nut will act as a thread cleaner of sorts when removed.

ah.... Thank you! :xyxthumbs:

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

The adapters we carry at Autogeek.net work great, fit perfect and are ready to go... plus you get it shipped right to your door.

It doesn't get any easier than that...

Optimum Double-Sided Rotary Adapter

 

[SonOfOC]

I love the extensions on small pads for the precision, but as usual, caution to newer users as it slightly increases the chances of the rotary wanting to walk on you.

 

[smokinfastlegend]

Great article, but read this line:

1. Places the buffing pad further away from the body of the buffer so you can more easily the buffing pad as you're buffing. This is important because it helps you to avoid making mistakes when using a powerful tool like the rotary buffer.

It makes me think of the saying: I accidentally the whole thing.

As far as using on the da, I think it becomes sketchy to use because the counterweight is now exposed, and seeing how some people hold their buffers, pinkie fingers would become in short supply.

 

[ShaunD]

The one thing I found with adding an extension(from the 2 3/4" BP with DA/RB adapter threads) is that it can come loose while working and spin off. I always double check the tightness while working with any adapters on my machines so I don't have another incident with striking/damaging the vehicle. A few reasons this occurred to me were: the threads hadn't been torqued enough to set into the BP, when using smaller pads with a DA it allows the pad to spin faster than a normal pad designed for the DA especially up in the 5-6 settings, and I might have gotten complacent with my PC7424 and not stuck to my anal retentiveness that usually keeps me from making those kind of mistakes.
I have the double sided extension from the OPT Hyper Polish kit I recently purchased. Have been waiting to use it will smaller pads for precision polishing/buffing.
Like Mike says(especially when changing from your norm), "Always pay attention to the task at hand."

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Great article, but read this line:


It makes me think of the saying: I accidentally the whole thing.

I left out the word "see"

Considering the volume of words I type on some days I hope everyone will cut me some slack.

Also, if you ever find a simple mistake like that sending me a PM about it is always greatly appreciated versus posting it in the thread.


rops:

 

[smokinfastlegend]

Sorry mike, was trying to make a funny using an internet meme. My apologies.

 

[BillE]

WOW, that was fast.

I'll take a run to my local hardware store and take a look see and will 'report back to headquarters' later.

Thanx...

Bill

Checked them out at my local hardware store...to me they look the same.

BUT...you are stuck with two female(s)...you're on you own for making a male end.

Bill

If this post is a 'no-no'...please delete...I will understand.

 

[beamerstrumpet]

Fill one end with some two part liquid metal and put in the all thread.