Need help with Flex 3401 and Kompressor Pads

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BookemDano

New member
I want to buy a Flex XC3401. Currently I have a supply of LC 7.5 CCS pads and I'm interested in the 6" LC Kompressor pads. I'd like to try both sizes on my new Flex. Also, the Flex polisher apparently has a 5.5" backing plate and I understand that the max pad size is 6.5" with that plate. So...

- Will the Flex 5.5" backing plate work well with the LC 6" Kompressor pads? Is this a good match? Better alternatives?

- Do I need the Flex 6" backing plate to go with the 7.5" LC pads? (I'm leery of using a smaller backing plate with the 7.5" pads.)

- Any other suggestions about other backing plate/pad combos? The new, smaller backing plate with smaller pads? 6" backing plate with 7" Kompressor pads?

- I currently have Orange, White, Green and Red LC 7.5" CCS pads. Is this a good choice for the 6" Kompressor pads?

Thanks,

Dan.

p.s. My wife's car is a 2005 Subaru Forester that needs some loving care. My current ride is a 2011 Audi A4 which needs some detailing and a good sealant. It replaced a 2002 A4 which had dirty rugs and a scratch on drivers side. Well OK... It was a somewhat large scratch:
IScratchedMyCar-L.jpg


The replacement:
DTC2011060737-L.jpg
 
Very nice replacement!

With the Kompressor pads, I myself have never used them with the 3401 as they are more generally designed for a rotary polisher.

The way the pads are designed are so they create a spot in the center of the pad that can hold onto polish and prevent it from slinging. they also offer much less resistance when spinning at a good RPM due to the face of the pads being slit.

Personally for the 3401 I have always preferred the Hydro Tech pads or CCS.

For sizes, the 5.5 backing plate will work with a 6" pad as you will have 1/4" from the end of the backing plate to the end of the pad.

However, some may say this is not enough protection and to use a 6.5" pad instead.

I myself use a 5" backing plate and 5.5 " Kompressor pads on my PE14
 
My Flex 3401 is right at home with a flat or CCS type pad although my Flex PE14 performs nicely with Lake Country Kompressor pads both 6" & 7" variety...
 
Gentlemen,

Many thanks for the feedback. I decided to get off the dime this morning and order a 3401 with some 6.5" LC CCS pads. I thought about getting a rotary to replace my PC, but decided that it was too much of a leap and I hadn't touched a polisher in too long.

The 3401 looks like it's a nice compromise that will do virtually all of what I want and the 6.5" CCS pads are a good starting point. I'll try my 7.5" pads to see if how that works out and then go from there.

Best regards,

Dan.
 
BookemDano said:
I want to buy a Flex XC3401. Currently I have a supply of LC 7.5 CCS pads and I'm interested in the 6" LC Kompressor pads. I'd like to try both sizes on my new Flex. Also, the Flex polisher apparently has a 5.5" backing plate and I understand that the max pad size is 6.5" with that plate. So...
Click to expand...

I've read your follow up and the responses on this thread, so I am a little late to the party but I hope my advice can help you (or others who have similar questions).

- Will the Flex 5.5" backing plate work well with the LC 6" Kompressor pads? Is this a good match? Better alternatives?
Click to expand...

Yes they fit, but it is a tight fight. There will be a limited border around the backing plate which increases the risk of damage from the backing plate contacting the body. With a DA polisher, because it is constantly throwing the plate in a 5/16ths loop (5/32nds to each side), so if you try to get in close to an area you may cause some damage.

- Do I need the Flex 6" backing plate to go with the 7.5" LC pads? (I'm leery of using a smaller backing plate with the 7.5" pads.)
Click to expand...

You don't need it, but you will always get better performance (cut and finishing) by using the largest backing plate you can fit (safely) to a pad.

- Any other suggestions about other backing plate/pad combos? The new, smaller backing plate with smaller pads? 6" backing plate with 7" Kompressor pads?
Click to expand...

The six inch plate fits the seven inch Kompressor pads perfectly. The smaller backing plate will work great with spot pads for getting the FLEX into tight areas as well.

- I currently have Orange, White, Green and Red LC 7.5" CCS pads. Is this a good choice for the 6" Kompressor pads?

Thanks,

Dan.
Click to expand...

The colors are a great choice. As suggested below, and I see you went with the suggestion, Kompressor Pads are GREAT for rotary polishing. They do work with a DA polisher, but ultimately with a DA polisher you will get best results from a firmer pad. A DA polisher (particularly the FLEX because it orbits in the opposite direction it rotates) has a unique motion. Much of this motion is lost when the pad is too soft.

You made a great choice in pad selection and I look forward to hearing your results!

Sorry to hear/see the accident!
 
Todd,

Thanks for the feedback. I ordered the 3401 with 6.5" CSS pads yesterday. I'd like to say that I'm excited, but I'm having problems with the order. (I'll post about that in another thread.)

What's interesting about my old Audi is that the paint was still in great shape the day that it was wrecked, even with minimal care (I've been remodeling the house for 4+ years). It had a few small issues, but a few weeks before that accident, I told my wife that I was very happy with the car even though it was 9 years old. I.e., I didn't want to sell it. My new ride is nicer in some respects, but now I have lease payments again and truth be told, I'd rather have a BMW X3 SUV. The new model X3 is great fun to drive and more usable, but after the accident last summer I needed to get new car and the X3's were in short supply. Oh well, such is life.

Best regards,

Dan.
 
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