failed backing plates

[VanCityWW]

Despite only doing a cut/polish on 5 cars, I have gone through 2 backing plates on my Griots Garage DA. The first one (that came with the Meguiars MF polishing system) failed because the velcro lost its hold, and the second ones foam section failed and the pad actually came apart into 2 pieces.

I'm surprised that they keep failing, I only use very light pressure when using the machine, and I don't really use it on its highest setting either (not that it should matter). I did notice that when the polisher is running, it sorta bounces a little bit, like its not perfectly balanced - its enough that if I were hang onto the cable and let the main body go while it was running on a flat surface, it would probably wobble its way off its pad in 10 seconds or so. Is this normal? If its out of balance, is there a way to balance it? Any other suggestions?

thanks in advance

[Hernandez.Art13]

Since its from Griots, it should have the lifetime warranty. You might want to contact the Griots company and see if they can help you. Seems odd that this is happeneing, but maybe someone here or Griots can help you out.

Good luck

[Michael Stoops]

Re: failed backing plates

OK, so the first backing plate, according to your description, was our W67DA that comes with our DA Microfiber Correction System. It's extremely odd that the hook material failed on that backing plate, but we do offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our products so we'll gladly replace that for you. We would love to see a picture of it, if you can post one up here.

As for the second backing plate, we're a bit confused by the description of the " foam section failed and the pad actually came apart into 2 pieces". There isn't much of a "foam section" on the W67DA and, quite frankly, we've never seen the foam on that backing plate fail for any reason. But you then mention that the pad came apart, hence our confusion. Did the pad fail or did the backing plate fail?

[VanCityWW]

Re: failed backing plates

Here's the non Meguiars plate that failed - I purchased it from http://www.autoobsessed.com/shop/ (canadian) and they've been nice enough to offer to replace it for me (I also went though a Meguiars plate after only a cut/polish on 2 cars, they aslo have offered to help me with it, the great company they are). Before I replace the pad, I'm wondering if it might be the machine - I'll take a video of it, maybe the machine is too unbalanced or something, although I've watched many videos online of the same polisher, and mine seems to operate the same ... so nobody has seen/had this happen before?


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[Michael Stoops]

Re: failed backing plates

No doubt that this particular machine is a vibrating beast - it's loud, it moves like a paint shaker, but it does have a lot of power. But to see a backing plate fail like that is indeed very unusual. This is pretty popular tool and we just don't see comments about failing plates when using it. We can't speak to the plate shown in this image, but for one of ours to fail like that is extremely rare - in fact, I don't think that I, personally, have ever seen one fail in that manner.

[The Guz]

Re: failed backing plates

Are you using the compression washer?

[VanCityWW]

Re: failed backing plates

What's a compression washer? I don't have one... off to home depot

I'll try that and I'm also going to speak to Griots

[The Guz]

Re: failed backing plates

Here are some good threads about the washer.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?57529-The-Importance-of-the-Backing-Plate-Washer

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/48913-compression-washer.html