Porter cable 7424 vs griots DA buffer recommendations

[DontHait]

Beginner looking to get into a proper machine polish on my car. What's a good buffer to get now? All the threads I found tend to have some outdated information, not sure if there's any newer technology available.

[pdqgp]

The PC7424 is a proven unit and available for great prices online. Can't go wrong. That said, the Griot's Boss units may cost a few bucks more but they offer more power and for a non-forced rotation unit is a better all around choice for the weekender or beginer.

The power difference isn't huge but it does help keep the unit spinning at low to mid speeds where the PC unit will stall sooner. That said, I would recommend buying a 5-5.5" backing place and not using 6" pads. They work but the smaller ones will spin better and enable the unit to work faster thus saving you time.

Lastly, if you have the money and enjoy the best, go with a Flex 3401 and call it a day. Forced rotation is amazing and will power through anything any curve/shape with zero stalling. That's my opinion.

Enjoy the new found fun!

[DontHait]

The pc is on sale for $80 on Amazon. Saving $70 is a steal for now. I'll update how my experience goes


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[pdqgp]

The pc is on sale for $80 on Amazon. Saving $70 is a steal for now. I'll update how my experience goes


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Good deal. When you buy pads, get the lake country "thin" pads. Thinner pads do much better on the PC Unit than the thicker ones.

[DontHait]

Good deal. When you buy pads, get the lake country "thin" pads. Thinner pads do much better on the PC Unit than the thicker ones.

Well that's unfortunate. I already ordered all of the pads. I got the chemical guys hex ones. Didn't find lake country anywhere in Amazon


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[ENV²]

I had a PC and then sold it for a flex. Flex is much better.

[bayonet14]

Thats a great deal on the PC - besides - when you decide to upgrade you can re-purpose & get smaller backing plates for the PC and dedicated that unit for say cleaning interior leather / headlight restoration / pillar work / bumper work etc for smaller areas ;)

[DontHait]

Thats a great deal on the PC - besides - when you decide to upgrade you can re-purpose & get smaller backing plates for the PC and dedicated that unit for say cleaning interior leather / headlight restoration / pillar work / bumper work etc for smaller areas ;)

I got a 6" backing plate with 6.5" pads. I looked at a bunch of guides and that was he concensus


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[pdqgp]

Well that's unfortunate. I already ordered all of the pads. I got the chemical guys hex ones. Didn't find lake country anywhere in Amazon

No worries. I have those in my cabinet too. They will work.

[pdqgp]

I got a 6" backing plate with 6.5" pads. I looked at a bunch of guides and that was he concensus

Just be mindful of the products being used and swap pads every two panels. The larger pads can get wet with product and as they get heavier they won't spin as well. That said, put a single hash mark with a Sharpie on the edge of the backing plate so you can see the rotation or more importantly when it stalls. If the pad isn't spinning, you're not correcting paint.

[DontHait]

Just be mindful of the products being used and swap pads every two panels. The larger pads can get wet with product and as they get heavier they won't spin as well. That said, put a single hash mark with a Sharpie on the edge of the backing plate so you can see the rotation or more importantly when it stalls. If the pad isn't spinning, you're not correcting paint.

Is there any way to avoid this? Maybe cleaning out the pad? I just bought one of each. Orange, white, black, and red


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[pdqgp]

Is there any way to avoid this? Maybe cleaning out the pad? I just bought one of each. Orange, white, black, and red

You can clean pads and reuse on the same detail but it's a PIA. Key reason to change pads isn't so much about being soaked with product but mainly contaminents and clear coat that will thus result in a reduction in effectively correcting subsequent panels.

It's not too late to order more. The typical number needed is:

5-6 orange pads when needed (usually swapping every other panel) for compounding or polishing medium+ swirled or dirty vehicles.

White pads are usually used as the second step in a multi step correction or to polish a orrected / clean car. There you can get away with 4 pads generally. However if you're starting off with a lessor aggressive means to correction on a car that needs it moderately and going with a whie pad first, you will generally need 5-6.

Black and red pads generally 2 is fine. 1 is pushing it but really just from a product and weight standpoint. Unless you're using a refining or jeweling polish which tend to have very very micro fine abrasiveness in which case you should use 4 or so.

I hope the above makes sense. I do strongly recommend if this is your first crack at correcting the car that you swap an orange pad every two panels.

1- Hood / Decklid
1- Roof / Rear Bumper / Front bumper
2 - on each side for a total of 4 pads for both sides

^^ The above is 6 pads total for the initial compound/polish.


Depending on the products used you may not need more than that. Opinions vary and I've been doing this a while and certainly have mine. Today's products are amazing and way better than those from even just 10yrs ago.

HD Speed, HD Adapt (HD Cut - new formulation replaces Adapt) are all awesome with an orange pad. HD Speed is an AIO but I'd still top it with a robust sealant. Adapt and Cut are compounds/polishes that will finish out like a jewel and not require a second step process. You can go right to a Last Step Product from there.

I'm doing 3 vehicles this weekend and will post some examples. Happy to answer questions too.

1st is a 2006 Honda Pilot in Taffeta White which is a single stage paint. It's chalking badly and in dire need. Customer chose more cost effective approach thus I'm using HD Speed, orange Hexlogic pads and topping that with Collinite 476 using a black pad.

2nd is a Lexus GS350. This one is getting a ceramic coating so I'm going to test both HD Adapt and Meg's Ultimate Polish. Adapt finishes nicer but Megs is easier to use. I'll be using a different pad than you have - I have a Flex 3401 polisher and will be using Lake Country's Hybrid Force Orange pad. I'm moving to all Force Pads as they are geared to work best with the 3401.

3rd is a Jeep GC in Pearl Red. IIRC they too are going with HD Speed and Collinite 476. This one is pretty clean so I'll likely be using Green Hexlogic Pads on it.

[DontHait]

You can clean pads and reuse on the same detail but it's a PIA. Key reason to change pads isn't so much about being soaked with product but mainly contaminents and clear coat that will thus result in a reduction in effectively correcting subsequent panels.

It's not too late to order more. The typical number needed is:

5-6 orange pads when needed (usually swapping every other panel) for compounding or polishing medium+ swirled or dirty vehicles.

White pads are usually used as the second step in a multi step correction or to polish a orrected / clean car. There you can get away with 4 pads generally. However if you're starting off with a lessor aggressive means to correction on a car that needs it moderately and going with a whie pad first, you will generally need 5-6.

Black and red pads generally 2 is fine. 1 is pushing it but really just from a product and weight standpoint. Unless you're using a refining or jeweling polish which tend to have very very micro fine abrasiveness in which case you should use 4 or so.

I hope the above makes sense. I do strongly recommend if this is your first crack at correcting the car that you swap an orange pad every two panels.

1- Hood / Decklid
1- Roof / Rear Bumper / Front bumper
2 - on each side for a total of 4 pads for both sides

^^ The above is 6 pads total for the initial compound/polish.


Depending on the products used you may not need more than that. Opinions vary and I've been doing this a while and certainly have mine. Today's products are amazing and way better than those from even just 10yrs ago.

HD Speed, HD Adapt (HD Cut - new formulation replaces Adapt) are all awesome with an orange pad. HD Speed is an AIO but I'd still top it with a robust sealant. Adapt and Cut are compounds/polishes that will finish out like a jewel and not require a second step process. You can go right to a Last Step Product from there.

I'm doing 3 vehicles this weekend and will post some examples. Happy to answer questions too.

1st is a 2006 Honda Pilot in Taffeta White which is a single stage paint. It's chalking badly and in dire need. Customer chose more cost effective approach thus I'm using HD Speed and topping that with Collinite 476.

2nd is a Lexus GS350. This one is getting a ceramic coating so I'm going to test both HD Adapt and Meg's Ultimate Polish. Adapt finishes nicer but Megs is easier to use. I'll be using a different pad than you have - I have a Flex 3401 polisher and will be using Lake Country's Hybrid Force Orange pad.

3rd is a Jeep GC in Pearl Red. IIRC they too are going with HD Speed and Collinite 476. This one is pretty clean so I'll likely be using Green Hexlogic Pads on it.

Wow I did not know I needed another $100 in pads...



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[pdqgp]

Wow I did not know I needed another $100 in pads...

Good news is you'll have them for years so long as you take care of them. Go to Amazon and order up some Snappy Clean packets of pad cleaner. Soak them in a 5 gal bucket with one packet and warm water for about 30 minutes. Then just use a soft bristel brush and wash them up. Rinse them out good and you'll be all set. Wring out and dry them with a towel and set them with the backing side UP to dry.

Remember from our PM's one of the keys to polishing is to FULLY decontaminate the paint chemically and phsycially so that your pads don't turn brown with dirt. That's not good for the pads nor your paint that is being polished.

Good luck and PM me with any questions.