Backing Plates Don't Grip. Any Design Changes?

[mmgrad]

Mike,

I'm having the exact same problem. I bought a backing plate from a local shop, and after working on a few panels, I no longer get good adhesion between the pad & plate.

The pad has a tendancy to shift after a few minutes of use.

The only thing I can piece together is that when the wax/cleaners reach the backing plate, it causes the pads to slip off VERY easily.

Is this suppose to happen? or am i using too much solution? I went through 3/4 of a 32oz bottle of #83 detailing 3 midsize sedans... is that excessive?

Should I be sending my pad back to Meguiars too?

[Setec Astronomy]

I just had a similar problem...I am running a 7006 pad (the burgundy one) at 6 on the PC. After a few minutes, I noticed the pad didn't look right, so I stopped the machine. The backing plate foam was puckered in a couple of spots, as was the pad. I pulled the pad off, and it came off much easier than normal. I found that the velcro side of the pad and the backing plate were hot, and that (apparently the heat has damaged both the foam of the backing plate and the adhesion of the velcro pad to the cutting pad. The "car" side of the cutting pad was cool.

The heat seems to be coming from the PC unit itself, rather than friction with the car surface. This amount of heat doesn't seem excessive enough to harm the machine, but apparently it is hot enough to affect the foams/adhesives.

Suggestions?

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
I just had a similar problem...I am running a 7006 pad (the burgundy one) at 6 on the PC. After a few minutes, I noticed the pad didn't look right, so I stopped the machine. The backing plate foam was puckered in a couple of spots, as was the pad. I pulled the pad off, and it came off much easier than normal. I found that the velcro side of the pad and the backing plate were hot, and that (apparently the heat has damaged both the foam of the backing plate and the adhesion of the velcro pad to the cutting pad. The "car" side of the cutting pad was cool.

The heat seems to be coming from the PC unit itself, rather than friction with the car surface. This amount of heat doesn't seem excessive enough to harm the machine, but apparently it is hot enough to affect the foams/adhesives.

Suggestions?

Your observations are dead on. Contrary to popular believe, the PC generate heat, especially on the higher settings. You may, or may not have seen me post in other threads that Meguiar's doesn't recommend using the PC on the 6.0 setting for the reasons you are experiencing. Event the 5.0 setting over time generates enough heat and wear & tear that it will loosen the water-proof, chemical resistant adhesive from the foam pad causing the velcro to separate.

It is a problem Meguiar's is aware of and currently working on improving, but note: When you take it upon yourself to run the PC at higher speeds, Meguiar's cannot be held responsible for the negative results to the Velcro backing system, that's why Meguiar's doesn't recommend speeds over the 5.0 setting. At the same time, even though the problems are a result of pushing technology to the limits, Meguiar's believes in going above and beyond the call of duty and taking care of our customers.

I push technology to the limits all the time, that's one of the ways we learn what can, and what cannot be accomplished. But everyone needs to realize, there comes a point where a company cannot be help responsible for technology's limits.

We're working on it!

Mike

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
You may, or may not have seen me post in other threads that Meguiar's doesn't recommend using the PC on the 6.0 setting for the reasons you are experiencing. Event the 5.0 setting over time generates enough heat and wear & tear that it will loosen the water-proof, chemical resistant adhesive from the foam pad causing the velcro to separate.

To be fair, Mike, the instruction manual for the G100 doesn't say that. It says, in 2 places "polisher works best on settings between 3-5". It doesn't say "we don't recommend going above 5" or "using at 5 or above may cause damage to pads or backing plates". Don't say you told me so, when you didn't. (Don't take that the wrong way, I'm not being argumentative, just making a point)

I'm not complaining that this happened, it just took me by surprise. I fully understand the technical issues with it, and I'll try to stay within the limits of the technology.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Setec Astronomy
To be fair, Mike, the instruction manual for the G100 doesn't say that. It says, in 2 places "polisher works best on settings between 3-5". It doesn't say "we don't recommend going above 5" or "using at 5 or above may cause damage to pads or backing plates". Don't say you told me so, when you didn't. (Don't take that the wrong way, I'm not being argumentative, just making a point)

I'm not complaining that this happened, it just took me by surprise. I fully understand the technical issues with it, and I'll try to stay within the limits of the technology.

Hi Setec Astronomy,

I've never read the instructions for the G-100, that's my fault. I'll see that they are updated to state the recommendations. Thank You! for bringing this to my attentions. I know that this is what we tell people through our Customer Care Center, and what I tell people at the Saturday clinics.

Again, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I'll forward this link to the person in charge of that department.

And I don't take your post as complaining one little bit, in fact, had you not taken the time to reply to this post, the problem would have gone on longer, so again, thank you.

Mike