Is there more than just 1 option for a backing plate? Last year on my pre-winter detail I removed a pad from the provided backing plate from ADS I think, its the yellow one with the blue/purple velcro section, and it ripped the velcro right off. Tried gluing it back to be able to finish my detail but yeah, is there a damn strong backing plate that won't crap out on me pathetically like that one did?

Also I would push the pad on semi-roughly after applying, are you not supposed to do this? Did that lead to the problem? shouldn't have imo..

 

I use the 5" Edge backing plate for my 5.5 and 6" pads. Haven't had a problem with it for 5 - 6 years now. I don't even have a hint of any of the velcro coming off. Not sure what you mean putting pad on semi-roughly. I lay the pad face down, center the plate over top then I push them together.

http://www.autogeek.net/damvp5.html

 

Edge, Lake Country, Meguiar's, and 3M all make high quality, durable backing plates that are compatible with the Porter Cable 7424xp.

Lake Country even goes as far as to make a 3.5", 5", and 6" backing plate for the 7424xp.





Lake Country Dual Action Backing Plates

 

That is what mine is, the Lake Country backing plate. Its a 5.5" plate and I used 5" pads on it, also by Lake Country.

Stormsearch I meant roughly as in I push the pad down hard against the plate before priming the pad.

 

I have the 3.5" and 5" backing plates from Lake Country and both have been great. I now use the 3.5" plate with 4" pads more than the larger option, with no issues at all. I also firmly seat the pad to the backing plate to make sure the Velcro is together. Not sure why you had an issue, but ADS might be able to help you out.

 

I pulled the pad off once and it ripped the velcro right with it. I have no idea, hopefully I had a lemon.

This originally happened last October so there is not anything a warranty could do. Just trying to find better options if any. Maybe I just need to pull the pad off more gently.

 

It sounds like you just got a bum pad. I've dealt with ADS before and don't see a reason why they wouldn't replace the pad. I'm assuming you're using a 5.5" pad on the 5" plate, not the other way around.

I also forcefully apply them together, last thing you want is the pad to come off and the plate to grind on the paint. Any chance some cleaner got into the pad during cleanup?

 

Not at all. I did everything properly with proper sized pads and everything. The only error I could foresee is I pulled too hard to remove, or somehow had a knock-off brand backing plate, but it was $14.99 at the time, the Lake Country plate is $16.99 now so it may have only gone up $2.00.

I fixed it when it ripped off with a cement type of glue, but it rips off every time I removed a pad.