Flex 3401 - pads for it?

[11Camaro]

i recently had to dust off the 3401 to correct the hood on a car.  i went to GPC bought a bottle of the new orange correcting polish and a new 5.5 inch orange pad.  The pad was too small for the backing plate on the 3401.   I still used the smaller pad which worked really well but my old man about crapped pancakes when he saw the exposed backing plate.  Does Adams have new pads for the flex?  OR would my original orange pad still be work with the new formula? thanks!

 

2014 Ford Police Interceptors 3.5L twin turbos

 

 

[blcksilv08]

Unfortunately Adam's does not currently have a pad out that will fit the Flex 3401. I still use my older pads with the new Correction polish if I break it out and have no issues with it. There was mention at one point of introducing a larger pad to the lineup for people that still use the Flex 3401.

[tmevilsizor]

I bought the smaller backing plate for my FLEX 3401. They made a smaller BP that works great with 5.5" pads. Unfortunately Adam's doesn't sell this smaller BP. You can find them online at multiple sources. Just a suggestion. 

[11Camaro]

Excellent info guys, thanks a lot!  I will try the older pad and see how that works, probably end up getting the smaller backing plate too!

[ocdrifter]

i use the same machine I use the lake country HDO pads since adams stopped selling this size of pads. Your old pad should work just fine, just make sure it's clean. I bet the look on your dads face was priceless, I probably would have had the same look lol.

[11Camaro]

yeah especially since he just bought the car and was still in the honeymoon phase

[ocdrifter]

Baahahahaha, way to ruin the honeymoon!

 

 

 

yeah especially since he just bought the car and was still in the honeymoon phase

[GXPaycheck]

Which style pads are best? Flat, wavy, or the ones with the squares on the surface?

[ocdrifter]

Depends on the machine you're using? Let me know and I'll make a recommendation.

 

 

Which style pads are best? Flat, wavy, or the ones with the squares on the surface?

[GXPaycheck]

Depends on the machine you're using? Let me know and I'll make a recommendation.

 

 

Well, since the thread is about the Flex 3401, I would have to say the Flex 3401

[GXPaycheck]

Never did get an answer to my question.

Anybody?

[ocdrifter]

Your question was answered above. All pads are the same just different makers make different pads. Since adams stopped making a 6.5 inch pad I use lake country HDO pads they are specifically made for forced rotation machines. Hope this answered your question.

[ocdrifter]

I don't know what happened to my answers since adams does not sell a 6.5 pad I use the lake country HDO pads they are specifically made for forced rotation machines.

 

 

Never did get an answer to my question.

Anybody?

[Mysticine]

I'm holding out for an Adam's solution...  I bought the Flex from Adam's, because of their recommendations at the time.  Kind of disappointed to come onto the site the other day looking to purchase new pads and not being able to.  

[ocdrifter]

 

You may be waiting a lifetime, it's called supply and demand I'm sure your aware of it. Simple fix, get your self a smaller backing plate for your flex and you can use the adams pads that they currently sell.

 

 

I'm holding out for an Adam's solution...  I bought the Flex from Adam's, because of their recommendations at the time.  Kind of disappointed to come onto the site the other day looking to purchase new pads and not being able to.

 

[GXPaycheck]

I was asking about the different faces on the pads. Some are flat, some have a hex pattern, some have a wave pattern. Does it make a difference?

I know some pads are made of a different type of foam (like Rupes pads), but my question is about the face of the pads.

I'll take a look at the HDO pads.

Edited August 31, 2017 by GXPaycheck

[ocdrifter]

No it does not matter, wave or no wave, I do like pace with holes though, it helps the pads keep a little cooler. I've tried many pads and they work the same, the only difference I see is that some last longer than others do. With that said two pads come to mind I find buy one are for a Italian machine and the others are made by a little red car company lol. Stay away from these two, and that is my own opinion.

 

 

I was asking about the different faces on the pads. Some are flat, some have a hex pattern, some have a wave pattern. Does it make a difference?

I know some pads are made of a different type of foam (like Rupes pads), but my question is about the face of the pads.

I'll take a look at the HDO pads.