mini REVIEW - CarPro [spot repair] Flash Pad (with Flex 3401 & Menz FG400)

Just a mini review of my recent experience with CarPro`s Flash pad. The one I used is a 5" version of the smaller Flah Spot Repair as seen on AG`s site :
CarPro Flash Spot Repair Pad - 3 1/2 inch


Based on the descriptions I`ve read, it sounds like they`re the same pad, just different sizes.


The Guz was kind enough to send it my way, as it didn`t fit any of his backing plates. With me having a variety of machines and backing plates, one was sure to work with it. Thanks The Guz !!


From Autogeek`s store page on the CarPro Flash Spot Repair Pad:


CarPro Flash Spot Repair Pads were specifically designed to remove isolated deeper scratches on today’s scratch resistant cleat coat finishes. Engineered to work with a dual action (DA) polisher, CarPro Flash Spot Repair Pads do not create unsightly swirl marks or holograms. CarPro Flash Spot Repair Pads are constructed using super strong polyurethane foam that promises to outlast other foam pads.


CarPro Flash Spot Repair Pads remove defects in as little as 10 seconds! You’ll be amazed at how quickly stains caused by bird droppings, scratches, and swirl marks are removed using CarPro Flash Spot Repair Pads.
My initial thoughts: Whoa. Another firm pad. Much like the Rupes UHS pads. With a bit of that memory foam feel. Also, it`s quite coarse. I also thought Rupes Blue Coarse pad.


Before I put it to use, I read up as much as I could find, and watched some videos. Seems like people used Menzerna`s FG400 with this pad. Okay, I`ll try that too. I noticed some people said it has slightly better cut than an MF pad, and finished off better, too! Really?


So that made me think: why haven`t I heard of this one before? Well, judging by the posts, it`s a slightly older pad; in the sense that it was maybe made and used prior to my short detailing "career" - so it was before I got into this stuff.


Anyway....

The pad as it fits onto the Flex Mini Backing Plate (the 4.5" one)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...lashPad_1_.jpg



The panel I`d be working with. 2008 Toyota Yaris OEM paint
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...lashPad_2_.jpg



Damp sanding with 2000 grit I wanted to see how well and how fast it cut. I had some minor scratches on the hood in the two sections here. I figured, might as well sand these down, then sand down the rest of the roughly 2x2 section of the hood
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...lashPad_3_.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...lashPad_4_.jpg


Zoomed in a little bit
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...lashPad_5_.jpg


Results after ONLY two section passes!
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...lashPad_6_.jpg


When I started, I used 4 pea sized drops after giving the pad 2 spritzes of ONR. It was a hot and humid day, and with the pad being coarse and stiff, I thought I`d help it out a little with the spritz of ONR. This was just to get things going a bit. Once the pad was on the panel, I turned on the machine to speed 1.5 or so, let it sit in the same spot for roughly 20-25 seconds. Then I did a quick pass to spread the product. Followed that up with speed 4 and an arm speed a bit faster than I normally use. Why? This pad is supposed to cut quick, after all :) Downward pressure was about my usual.


As I was finishing the first section pass, I was thrown off. I was starting to see through the compound. I didn`t make anything of it until I realized...this was just sanded down with 2000 grit, and I`m seeing my reflection Huh. As much as I wanted to stop and wipe off right then and there, I said to myself there was no way it was already that much better. So I finished the pass, and then the second section pass. Stopped, wiped off. The pic above is what I saw.


THEN.... I saw some spots that I sort of missed. I was focusing on "testing" in that general area, not so much going for a full on paint correction, so forgive me for missing a spot or two.


At this time, I decided to do 4 passes. Five pea sized drops of FG400 (after scrubbing off the pad, of course). Another spritz of ONR, and on I went.


http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...lashPad_7_.jpg



The results after the additional four section passes
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...lashPad_8_.jpg


http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...lashPad_9_.jpg


Out in the sun...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...ashPad_10_.jpg


For comparison, here`s a section I did not do
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...ashPad_11_.jpg


and a parting shot...
http://www.autogeekonline.net/galler...ashPad_12_.jpg


Conclusion: It was a hot and humid day. Menz FG400 did fine, as did the pad. Minimal dusting that only really happened when I buffed onto an edge or raised body panel. I was really surprised at how fast this combo was able to correct. If I could really get `er done in only two section passes (that`s 2000 grit to start with!), then I can imagine how much time I`d save on the complete car. Nice. The finish? You saw the pics, you tell me. I`d be okay with that finish. I did want to follow up with CarPro Essence on a Gloss pad, then coat it. BUT. But, it was hot and humid, and no way was I about to start my first coating in such conditions. No thank you, come again.


All in all....good combo. Good pad. It was soft by the time I was done. The panel...oops, forgot to mention...the panel was quite warm when I was done with the four section passes. My temp gun lives no more, so I couldn`t take readings.


Oh, so all in all....good stuff. Why this has slipped under my radar for so long, I don`t know. Glad I found it. I may just pick up some more pads. I`m not sure yet. Good and all, but I have a ton of pads already, some I still haven`t tested out....


Thanks for reading.

Nicely done

Those pads are scary in their cutting ability. I used the 3.5 ones on friends headlights the other weekend because I was too lazy to sand. They worked as well as sandpaper. I used the bigger ones on my last bmw, which had the hardest paint I’ve ever dealt with. Definitely not a “least aggressive” approach, but very effective in the right circumstance.

Great write up! Appreciate the info!

I never thought about using Flash pads on headlights. I think I bought some a few years ago and never got around to using them.

Great review and write up!

Think it was made for Carpro Fixer compound. Wonders how it will do with the more aggressive cutting compound Carpro ClearCut? One thing that I like about Carpro polishes is they are designed to be polished fast with. Interesting that the fg400 did well with it and it took so little time to get out the p2000 sanding marks.

/Tony

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Originally Posted by atgonzales

Nicely done

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Thank you

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Originally Posted by RMD

Those pads are scary in their cutting ability... They worked as well as sandpaper.

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What?! wow, that is pretty scary indeed

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Originally Posted by RMD

Definitely not a “least aggressive” approach, but very effective in the right circumstance.

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haha Not even close :)

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Originally Posted by Sizzle Chest

Great write up! Appreciate the info!

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Thank you, Sizzle. Appreciate the reading and comment.

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Originally Posted by rlmccarty2000

I never thought about using Flash pads on headlights. I think I bought some a few years ago and never got around to using them.

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Too many products? :) I still have some pads I have yet to try.

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Originally Posted by SWETM

Great review and write up!

Think it was made for Carpro Fixer compound. Wonders how it will do with the more aggressive cutting compound Carpro ClearCut? One thing that I like about Carpro polishes is they are designed to be polished fast with. Interesting that the fg400 did well with it and it took so little time to get out the p2000 sanding marks.

/Tony

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Thank you. I was kind of wishing I had some ClearCut to keep things in the family. Oh well. It was interesting. I told my wife about it, I was so surprised at how quick it could have been done. She put it into perspective for me when I told her they were not cheap pads. She reminded me: time saved. And time is money, right?

JustJesus- Hey, thanks for posting this, those pads had slipped under my radar.

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Originally Posted by Accumulator

JustJesus- Hey, thanks for posting this, those pads had slipped under my radar.

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You`re plenty welcome. It slipped under mine as well. :)

Well done review.

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Originally Posted by Merlin

Well done review.

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Thanks, Merlin