Who uses a DA Flex with 5.5-in pads?

I

imported_Intel486

New member
I need to take my F-150 to the dealer because the paint is starting to peel on the roof. I was wondering if they could also repaint my tailgate when the do the roof. Does anyone have any idea on how much that would cost?



Edit: The roof should be covered under warranty. Just wanna know how much it would cost for the tailgate.
 
Color, two tone, condition of tail gate, what the shop uses for a paint, the quality of the shop, etc.



Rough guess, it is broad, $100 to $225



Ketch

:eek:
 
The tailgate is one color. There isn't any rust. The paint is just badly scratched all over. I'm going to go try to work on it over the next week. If I can't fix them I want the option of getting the tailgate repainted.
 
As the title asks, who uses the DA Flex with the original backing and 5.5-in pads? Who dares to risk it?
 

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I have begun to, I circumsized my BP like GEWB did though. It is still a small margin but it works. I am looking into cutting it even smaller because I am seeing that it is cutting into the "constant pressure" backing so I want to trim it even more to prevent this from happening

Jon
 
I also took the box cutter to my backing plate ala - GEWB's prototype, and its been great !!! The machine handles way nicer, not wanting to go off by itself at every angle change, seems to rotate easier since its pulling less mass around, and just rocks for my needs.

Now, if we could just convince Flex to make "Extended Spindle" 5", 4", and 3" backing plates, this would be about as good as it would ever get. :)

I dont have trouble with the edges, just have to pay attention when you are getting close to a tight spot, but the trade off is so worth it to me.

Unless you are doing big, wider than 6.5" panels, etc., why wouldnt you want to take advantage of the smaller size pads that cost less too, right ?

Dan F
 
Bunky said:
As the title asks, who uses the DA Flex with the original backing and 5.5-in pads? Who dares to risk it?
Click to expand...

I use 5.5" pads on my Flex and REALLY like them. You need to be a bit more cautious but the learning curve is short. Whenever I get access to a lathe I'll cut the BP down a bit more but so far so good.

I still use my 6.5' pads as well - can't throw out perfectly good pads!

Regards,
GEWB
 
Stokdgs said:
I also took the box cutter to my backing plate ala - GEWB's prototype, and its been great !!! The machine handles way nicer, not wanting to go off by itself at every angle change, seems to rotate easier since its pulling less mass around, and just rocks for my needs.
Click to expand...

Nice to hear it's working for you. On target with your description of use. :clap:

Stokdgs said:
Now, if we could just convince Flex to make "Extended Spindle" 5", 4", and 3" backing plates, this would be about as good as it would ever get.
Click to expand...

I might play with the idea over the winter. :-B

Regards,
GEWB
 
GEWB mi amigo !

Thanks again for such an awesome idea !!

Anytime you want to experiment with this further, let me know and I will keep you supplied with backing plates, ok ? :)

Dan F
 
Stokdgs said:
GEWB mi amigo !

Thanks again for such an awesome idea !!

Anytime you want to experiment with this further, let me know and I will keep you supplied with backing plates, ok ? :)

Dan F
Click to expand...

Thanks! If you have a worn out BP, I'll pay to have it mailed to me - need one to just "practice" ideas (i.e., tear it apart). Just PM me.

Regards,
GEWB
 
Dubbin1,

There are just a few of us I guess, unless the rest are not talking...:)

But in any event, it really works well, I dont know why everyone wouldnt want to take advantage of it; and I know that I'm not going to change back to the 6" backing plate, unless I need to polish something that requires the bigger plate, etc..

I am so glad that someone decided to take a chance and experiment with it and then tell us the results (GEWB). :)

I still believe that whoever makes the Flex backing plates in the the 3 preferred sizes, and hopefully figures out a way to extend the spindle out further, is going to make big bank on this.

Just try to imagine how many Flex3401VRG's have been sold world-wide - I dont see how this cant be anything but a win-win situation for that person..

We all know, from the git-go, and everyone said this - " like the machine, wish it had smaller backing plates"....

Dan F
 
Stokdgs said:
Dubbin1,

There are just a few of us I guess, unless the rest are not talking...:)

But in any event, it really works well, I dont know why everyone wouldnt want to take advantage of it; and I know that I'm not going to change back to the 6" backing plate, unless I need to polish something that requires the bigger plate, etc..

I am so glad that someone decided to take a chance and experiment with it and then tell us the results (GEWB). :)

I still believe that whoever makes the Flex backing plates in the the 3 preferred sizes, and hopefully figures out a way to extend the spindle out further, is going to make big bank on this.

Just try to imagine how many Flex3401VRG's have been sold world-wide - I dont see how this cant be anything but a win-win situation for that person..

We all know, from the git-go, and everyone said this - " like the machine, wish it had smaller backing plates"....

Dan F
Click to expand...

100% agree with this, but it would have to be one clever dude to figure out how to make a geared plate work with a 4" pad. The gear on the unit itself can't be changed, right? And if someone did figure this out, maybe the housing itself would get in the way in tight spots? Seems like the spindle would be a necessity for that size. :-?
 
Now that I think about I have a car in mind that I can do a little test on. This car is on the way to be restored and honestly we don't care about the paint since it will be srtipped anyway. I'm gonna tip the flex with a small pad and see what kind of damage it does. Give me a few days and I'll follow up with a picture.
 
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