Is this typical ? Pad size confusion, Help please.

[Fishing]

Newbie polisher here. I have only used Griots pads and thought I would try something new. So I ordered some new pads advertised as 5 inch pads. I have the 5" Griots backing plate. What I am confused about is that the Velcro side of the pad is 4" and the polishing side is 5". Is it ok/normal/good to use a 4" velcro pad part on a 5" backing plate ? Thank you for ANY help with this.

[The Guz]

Have you tried to mate it to the backing plate to check the fitment?

[Stokdgs]

Newbie polisher here. I have only used Griots pads and thought I would try something new. So I ordered some new pads advertised as 5 inch pads. I have the 5" Griots backing plate. What I am confused about is that the Velcro side of the pad is 4" and the polishing side is 5". Is it ok/normal/good to use a 4" velcro pad part on a 5" backing plate ? Thank you for ANY help with this.

Who makes that Blue pad you took the picture of ?

All of my Lake Country pads in that size you mention are 5-1/2" in diameter, and the White Velcro on the back of the pad is 5-1/8" in diameter..

The average size of the Blue Velcro on all the Backing Plates I have for that size pad is 4-5/8" in diameter..
These sizes for my pads and backing plates work great..

The reason the 2 velcro sides are smaller in diameter than the pad and the backing plate is so you don`t accidently get the Edge of the Backing Plate or the Blue velcro side especially, on the paint work and really mess it up..
Dan F

[Fishing]

Guz, Stokdgs thank you for the help. You can see from the machine/pad pic what I am talking about. Should I be buying larger pads for my 5" backing plate ? Did I make a mistake when reading the pad label ? Thank you for your help.

[dcjredline]

You need a 4" backing plate for those. I made the same mistake. They arent 5.5 pads and dont have the same sized Velcro as traditional 5.5 pads do.

[Accumulator]

Fishing- I`m guessing that you can see the potential problem. Some here would just go ahead and use it for some areas while taking *extreme* care, but if that makes you nervous I`d just not do it.

[rlmccarty2000]

Looks like those are made for the Cyclo brand of polishers which use a 4 inch backing plate. I picked up some similar ones for a cheap price and I use them on my Rupes 75 mini which has a 3 inch backing plate. I mostly use them for light duty jobs like spreading wax.

[BudgetPlan1]

I think those were some of the 1st pads for the 3401, designed to go with the flawed FLEX XC3401 4 Inch Changeable Backing Plate System by Lake Country`which had a 4" plate.

Those pads were supplanted by the LC Force Hybrid pads quite a while ago, no?

Regardless, spinning big fat pads like those on a anything but a forced rotation machine probably not the best way to go even if they did fit.

[Stokdgs]

Here is a cut and paste from this Lake Country Pad at the Store --- "" ITEM DESCRIPTION:

This light cutting pad features super dense construction which enables it to remove defects quickly without compressing, like softer pads can.

Please note, backing material on each pad is 4 inch, which makes it self-centering on the Flex XC3401 VRG Orbital Polisher with the Changeable Backing Plate System. With all other applications, a 3.5 to 4 inch backing plate is suitable.""

So Lake Country is saying that Foam Pad you have can be used with a 3.5 inch to 4.0 inch backing plate..

Dan F

[Fishing]

Thank you ALL for the great info and research that I guess I should have done. lol Ill have to call this the cost of education lol. I will not use them on the DA,,,due to my low skill level,,, not worth taking the chance. Now I will have to think of a creative way to use them

[Stokdgs]

Thank you ALL for the great info and research that I guess I should have done. lol Ill have to call this the cost of education lol. I will not use them on the DA,,,due to my low skill level,,, not worth taking the chance. Now I will have to think of a creative way to use them

Amigo,

You can use those pads if you get yourself a 4" backing plate for your machine.. That is what the pad manufacturer recommends..
Dan F

[Accumulator]

You can use those pads if you get yourself a 4" backing plate for your machine..

Having different sizes of plates/pads is very useful! I second the recommendation to get a 4" plate. And then a 3" one...