Tight Spaces with the Flex?

**Irkie500** · 03-04-2009, 08:44 PM

How hard is it to get into tight spaces with the flex? im looking to get one this spring and I dont see how I can get around the badges on the back of any car its just to cramped in there. The smallest pad size I am aware of for the flex is 5.5 inches. What do you guys do? tilt the flex and be super carefull on a slower speed? or use a PC to get in there?

**GLuXuRy** · 03-04-2009, 11:54 PM

i angle and be extra carefull and where its impossible to fit .. just hand polish

in the future i do plan on buying a PC with 4" pad set up

**jordanrossbell** · 03-05-2009, 12:27 AM

Originally Posted by GLuXuRy

i angle and be extra carefull and where its impossible to fit .. just hand polish

in the future i do plan on buying a PC with 4" pad set up

Same with me, i wish there was an interchangeable backing plate but i havent heard..i know there was an edge system, but i have seen nobody use it or heard where to get it.

**Darkstar752** · 03-05-2009, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by jordanrossbell

Same with me, i wish there was an interchangeable backing plate but i havent heard..i know there was an edge system, but i have seen nobody use it or heard where to get it.

There was, but another company bought them and eliminated the system I believe.

**rwisejr** · 03-05-2009, 04:00 AM

I have and use the edge system but they were bought by 3M and I haven`t heard anything about when or if they will be released . You can either get a PC or do it by hand .As there are spots on some cars that you can`t get any machine in and can only do it by hand . In those spots I find that the megs 105 works great by hand.

**imported_mystic04** · 03-05-2009, 05:30 AM

you can go to the 3M site and look for the edge adaptor. i belive they are still going to sell them.

**Irkie500** · 03-05-2009, 05:57 AM

Doing it by hand is no problem thanks for clearing that up guys.

**autoconcierge** · 03-05-2009, 08:39 AM

This is where using the Flex ROTARY and three inch pads will save you, unless a DA polisher is your only choice because you have not used a rotary, the Flex only weighs 4.5 pounds and the neck profile allows for more precise polishing in tight spaces.

The absolute best solution for those of you with an air compressor is a Dynabrade right angle mini polisher.

**imported_mobenzowner** · 03-05-2009, 09:06 AM

Originally Posted by Irkie500

Doing it by hand is no problem thanks for clearing that up guys.

Can we please stick to detailing please.:LOLOL

**jordanrossbell** · 03-05-2009, 09:24 AM

Originally Posted by mobenzowner

Can we please stick to detailing please.:LOLOL

hahahaha

**rwisejr** · 03-13-2009, 01:58 PM

Well I see that 3M has updated their site and now have the Flex Edge adapter available. Shop 3M: Edge E2K Flex Conversion Kit, EF08

**Accumulator** · 03-14-2009, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by rwisejr

Well I see that 3M has updated their site and now have the Flex Edge adapter available...

Ah, that`s interesting! Heh heh, maybe 3M won`t turn out to be some Evil Empire after all :chuckle:

I too usually just angle whatever large-pad machine I`m using, but I gotta say that the little 3" polishers are kinda intriguing :think:

**Setec Astronomy** · 03-14-2009, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Accumulator

Ah, that`s interesting! Heh heh, maybe 3M won`t turn out to be some Evil Empire after all :chuckle:

Don`t count on it; we`ll see what happens after they clear out the 79 pcs. that Edge had in stock at the time of the sale.

**Street5927** · 03-14-2009, 11:16 AM

That is one reason I still keep my PC. I use the flex on everything, except those tight, hard to reach places. I will pull out the PC with 4" LC Pads. I also have the 3.75" backing plate for my rotary. As far as badging is concerned, don`t forget to tape off the badging and then just finish up real close to it by hand. Here are two links for the smaller backing plates. One is for the PC and the other for a rotary in case you were interested.

3-1/2 inch Flexible Backing Plate for DA polishers

3-3/4 inch Flexible Backing Plate for Circular Polishers

**Accumulator** · 03-14-2009, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Don`t count on it; we`ll see what happens ...

Heh heh...oh well...OK, well see :think: :nxiweiss

Street5927- This is just another example of why so many different machines have their place, huh?

I often find that the problem isn`t that a machine`s *pad* is too big, but rather that the machine`s body/housing is either shaped wrong or just too big and bumps into something.