Flexipads Dual Action Backing Plates

When you really begin to get into polishing with a dual action machine polisher, you will discover that the type of backing plate you use can make a tremendous amount of difference to the polishing process in terms of comfort and control. Because both of these factors have a heavy bearing on the quality of the final result, we would always recommend using flexible backing plates, as they help to dampen vibration from the machine and offer far more feel for what is happening between the pad and the paint than their fully rigid counterparts. Out of all the flexible backing plate designs we have tested, we favour the two Flexipads Dual Action Backing Plates shown on this page, as they offer perfect levels of flexibility and feel for the size of areas they will most likely be used upon (the smaller version is thinner and more flexible than the larger version, and as a result offers more feel when working with spot pads).

Flexipads Dual Action Backing Plates are constructed from semi-flexible polyurethane (PU) and offer numerous advantages over fully rigid backing plate designs, primarily because the polishing process is made to be more comfortable and controllable. Further benefits include the hook and loop fastening material being moulded into the plate, which eliminates the risk of delamination, and internal steel reinforcement, which gives superior strength whilst keeping overall weight down. The steel 5/16 UNF threaded post fits all popular dual action machine polishers, including those manufactured by Kestrel and Meguiar's, while the hook and loop fastening material enables quick and easy pad exchanges. Flexipads Dual Action Backing Plates are available in two sizes, to facilitate use with standard sized pads and spot repair pads respectively.

General usage notes: (i) always switch off your machine at the mains before fitting or removing a backing plate; (ii) always ensure that you tighten the backing plate sufficiently, but without over tightening it – a half turn of the spanner after it first pinches tight is usually sufficient for safe and effective use, and; (iii) always use an appropriate sized backing plate for the pad you are using – the pad should always protrude past the edge of the backing plate, never the other way around.