How safe are the porter cable Random orbitals

2

2003TRD

New member
Just wondering how safe it is to use the porter cable Random orbital buffer? I understand its harder to damage the finish with them so its safer for a novice, but how much clearcoat does it cut down? How often can you use the buffer? Or are these things just independent on the pad and compound used?

Also what are those devices that measure the thickness of clear coat? where would you purchase one from/cost? how accurate are they?
 
The random orbital is "fool proof". Its practically impossible to damage the paint. But on the other hand it doesn't correct paint defects and the deeper scratches..I love my PC , its easy to use and beats polishing by hand. You choose the correct pad ( cutting, polishing , finishing ) and choose the desired compound and/or polish. I've had mine for 4 months and use it all the time, but I'm looking at upgrading my detailing arsenal with a rotary buffer ..

I've seen the device that measures clearcote and paint but can't remeber where. The other members can point you in the right direction. Or check the sponsers links on this site.
 
Not that I am expert by any means, but I am also new to machine polishing aka pc. I purchased the machine a few months ago and have used it a few times. I don't find it hard to manage the pc at all nor has it damaged my paint. I will admit I was apprehensive at first too as my car was only two months old at that time so the pc stayed in the box until I got the nerve to just try it.


Pretty much everyone here and on the other forum will tell you it's totally safe. I can't tell you how many times I have heard "the only way your going to damage your car with a pc is to throw at the car". Not that I would go to those extremes, but as with anything else you would have to use common sense. A pc definitley will cut down the time you are doing with hand polishing. Although I still apply wax by hand and polish with the pc. As for as clearcoat removal I can only imagine that there some slight abrading of the clear coat but in very small form whether you were using polish with a pc or not. I guess it will vary highly on the degree of abrasiveness of the product or products you are using, pc speed and pad choice, that will determine how fast you can cut through your clear. Someone please clear this up. Good luck!

Michelle
 
I suppose if you grabbed the PC by the cord and got on a horse and swung the PC over your head like a slingshot and slammed it down on the hood as you galloped by, then you could possibly cause some damage the the vehicle. :naughty If you are 'using as directed' then you would have to be getting some punishment from God to be clumsy enough to damage the car in any other way.
 
Good Answer!

The Fuzz said:
I suppose if you grabbed the PC by the cord and got on a horse and swung the PC over your head like a slingshot and slammed it down on the hood as you galloped by, then you could possibly cause some damage the the vehicle. :naughty If you are 'using as directed' then you would have to be getting some punishment from God to be clumsy enough to damage the car in any other way.
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If this piece is indicative of the style and quality of the writing in "the book", it is sure to be not only a best seller, but also critically acclaimed!!

Nice answer, Fuzz!!
 
Contrary to most opinions, you have a valid point in your initial statement..."using too aggressive of a pad or product can cause damage"...most of it will be repairable, but it can cause damage.
As Fuzz said using it as directed and asking good questions for product and pad choices for your particular problems or use will definitely help to eliminate any chance of causing damage.
 
2003TRD said:
Just wondering how safe it is to use the porter cable Random orbital buffer? I understand its harder to damage the finish with them so its safer for a novice, but how much clearcoat does it cut down? How often can you use the buffer? Or are these things just independent on the pad and compound used?

Also what are those devices that measure the thickness of clear coat? where would you purchase one from/cost? how accurate are they?
Click to expand...

I would agree............ the PC is "fool proof". However, it is not "idiot proof"! :D

On a recent bet from a friend (for a case of Sam Adams), I showed him how even a PC can burn paint, and I'm currently enjoying the beer immensely. :D Of course, I had to really go way, way, way out of my way to cause the paint to burn. You have to go over, and over, and over a small area with an extremely aggressive product and pad with abnormal pressure, and angle of the PC.

Now, the PC won't burn the paint like a rotary buffer, where you can actually see "smoke". However, it will heat the paint up to a point where clear coat will turn "milky" in appearance............. that's burnt paint.

Again, the above is "almost" impossible to do. Still, when working on paint with any machine, you should always monitor how hot the paint surface is getting. If you are working a small area to remove say.............. a deeper scratch............. occasionaly check the paint with your hand to make sure it isn't over heating.

Also, you are correct............. you need to judge the aggressiveness of the products and pads you are using to determine the frequency you can use the PC............... clear coat is only so thick. :(

Paint thickness gauges are pretty expensive.
 
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My 6 year old son works with the PC !!! I had him polish out a few panels on my black Mercedes with #9 last fall.
 
I agree with all the previous posts, unless you grab the thing by the cord and start swinging it around your head yelling YEE HAW!, then throw it at it, you aren't going to damage anything. Just take your time reading all of the posts here, and ask lots of questions and you will be fine. IMHO, you could probably do more damage by hand then by PC. Here's a link to a good info page from Autopia, it's a step by step how-to for the PC 7424.Link
 
The PC, when combined with the correct pads & products, will give you results that are way beyond what you'd probably achieve by hand IHMO.

Could be one of the best $100 investments I ever made, saves wear 'n tear on my
not-as-durable-as-they-used-to-be arms.

If you have a choice, I'd recommend a 7336 over a 7424 'cause it comes with the larger 6oz counterweight .... or buy a 7424 and order the larger counterweight. It's easy to change.
 
back in the day when i was skeptical about getting a PC, my friend told me that the only way i would damage my paint with a PC was by dropping the PC directly onto the paint (which ive managed to do once). besides that, its safe. not sure about the clearcoat, but my guess would have be minimal.
 
Am I the only one not impressed by the PC? I find it too small to cover a large vehicle in a descent but thorough amount of time, which is why I opted for the Dewalt. Also the speed adjuster is in a bad spot IMO, as well the pad selection available for the Dewalt is just as vast as for a rotary. I've turned the PC I have into what I call the doorjam polisher, for those small areas it is tough to get a normal size pad into, is there a company that makes a larger head or pad adaptor I am unaware of? The PC has a much lower speed available for those times you really do not want to tempt fate by polishing at 4k OPM's which is why I purchased it, but I am not happy with pad selection versus price and time to apply. Am I missing something?
 
What DeWalt did you get? Is it a rotary or a random orbit? I personally don't think pad selection is a problem for the PC...seems to me there are a ton of different pads to choose from. As far as the time issue goes, working with a PC is far more efficient than working by hand and I really don't want to use a rotary. Please elaborate on this DeWalt polisher. Thanks!!
 
NYV6Coupe said:
The PC, when combined with the correct pads & products, will give you results that are way beyond what you'd probably achieve by hand IHMO.

Could be one of the best $100 investments I ever made, saves wear 'n tear on my
not-as-durable-as-they-used-to-be arms.

If you have a choice, I'd recommend a 7336 over a 7424 'cause it comes with the larger 6oz counterweight .... or buy a 7424 and order the larger counterweight. It's easy to change.
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I purchased the 7336 with the larger counterweight and on any setting over 5 I find that it vibrates so much that it is difficult to use. Is this common or do I have a defective unit OR do I just have to use it a bit more and get accustomed to it?
 
SquiderM3 get use to using Speed 6, thats where the most cutting occurs. You will have to get use to it, I actually like running it at 6 since it seems very fluid and smooth. If your scared of the PC just make sure to inspect the surface continually! To me, the PC is like an electric toothbrush, while a rotary polisher is like a metal polisher that grinds @ your local dentist.
 
SquiderM3 said:
I purchased the 7336 with the larger counterweight and on any setting over 5 I find that it vibrates so much that it is difficult to use. Is this common or do I have a defective unit OR do I just have to use it a bit more and get accustomed to it?
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Just interested, what pads are you using?

Also, some users report less vibration if they take the plastic handle off and just use the palm of their hand on the head of the PC. :)
 
I'm using Lake Country 6.5" pads with a 5" backing plate. I do also have the handle on it but the entire unit, regardless of how I hold it, shakes my teeth loose.
 
The Woob said:
SquiderM3 get use to using Speed 6, thats where the most cutting occurs. You will have to get use to it, I actually like running it at 6 since it seems very fluid and smooth. If your scared of the PC just make sure to inspect the surface continually! To me, the PC is like an electric toothbrush, while a rotary polisher is like a metal polisher that grinds @ your local dentist.
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Erm ... can we PLEASE lose the analogies to the dentist? Ya setting my teeth on edge! :lol

Mike <--- not a big fan of the dentist :(
 
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2003TRD said:
Just wondering how safe it is to use the porter cable Random orbital buffer? I understand its harder to damage the finish with them so its safer for a novice, but how much clearcoat does it cut down? How often can you use the buffer? Or are these things just independent on the pad and compound used?

Also what are those devices that measure the thickness of clear coat? where would you purchase one from/cost? how accurate are they?
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Sorry 2003TRD, didn't mean to hijack your thread. To answer your question, I bought mine out of necessity after getting some water spots that wouldn't come out. I was nervous at first but after finding this site, getting the right products and doing some reading I finally worked up the nerve.

My first car was 2004 BMW M3, NO PROBLEMS.
 
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