Rotary BP For 5.5 pads

I picked up a backing plate locally the looks and feels exactly like the flex-foam-rotary-backing-plate. And I am very happy with it. At the same time I have tried the others so there may be a better option...
 
I have all 3 and each has its own personality and usefullness -

All L/C backing plates are designed like this picture - not much flexibility, but since its thinner, it can allow you to get the pad edge up close under things sometimes, like mirrors, etc..
Flex-Foam - great backing plate, more flexible sideways and down, but fat on top and not as easy to get under things.
Meguiars - great plate, flexible also but also fat on top and not as easy to get under things..

Everyone is talking about and probably using the flex foam plates which are a lot like the UK/European 3M version that can be bought some places in the US for around $70, and while they are good and certainly act and feel differently, It makes me wonder how much rotation is being lost as the plate may flex sideways as well as down, etc.. Probably not much, but I always wonder because I am a Detail freak I guess.... :)
Dan F
 
That Flex-foam pad looks just like the Optimum BP I picked up from another retailer. And they both look curiously like the CG Evolve BP too....
 
I have the meguiars one and it has a self centering plug made for those type pads in the middle ,if you dont want it you take a pair of pliars and pull it off.

It seems to work fine and I like it ,but I also havent used it much.
 
I just used the Optimum bp for the first time with rotary and I liked it a lot. I have been using their da bp since it was released
 
Things to keep in mind when choosing a backing plate for a rotary.

Softer "cushioned" backing plates are awesome because add to the pads ability to contour to the paint and reduce the rotaries tendency to steer or drive across the paint. You do loose some cutting power.

Thinner, harder backing plates are going to transfer more cut to the paint, but the trade-off is that are more difficult to control and make polishing complex curves more challenging.
 
I use the 3M 09553 for most of my work and its amazing. Combined with Kompressor pads, it feels like it just floats across the surface. It looks as if the Flex Foam BP might be similar.

I do own and use the 2 7/8" one like the 4" one you listed and love it. I use it with the Lake Country 3" beveled pads and 3" H2o pads and its a great little backing plate.
 
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