I am looking for a orbital polisher that fits my needs.

P

ppastos

New member
I am new to detailing and I apply AG SRP, NXT 2.0 and more by hand. I also have a very very old orbital buffer that is only good for applying wax.



I am looking at the Porter Cable 7424XP (PC) but I am open to other options. What I fear about the PC is that it doesn't have the best warranty.



Has a PC ever failed?



I will be using this on three cars maybe more if I have friends that need a clean car.



And I will be using waxes with fillers as I am afraid of removing clear coat without a paint thickness gauge.



Also how do I change my screen name?
 
I would suggest a Cyclo over the PC for a couple of reasons. It won't vibrate your hands numb after only a few minutes of use. The Cyclo also has more correction ability and easier to maneuver up and down tight spots like a-pillars. It's also built very well. Of you like well built quality tools the cyclo is the best on the market.
 
Thanks for the reply.



I want to watch out for is cost. The PC is far less expensive than the Cyclo. I know the PC is also very loud which is not as nice since I live in an area with many aged folks. And also like you say the PC vibrates your hands numb. But for the price I would live with it. I also don't mind spending more time correcting something or using more of a chemical if it saves me $200. I am not a pro detailer and where I live we only see three months of summer.
 
Griots has the most power, but also the highest level of vibration. I do not like the side switch position.

Meguiars G110 V2 has good power and the lowest level of vibration.

PC XP has same power as G110 v2, but more vibration.



IMO the G110 V2 has the best feel in my hands.
 
You do not worry about numbness? You should! It might be OK to live with now, but wait until you are 55 yrs. old- it is not just numb, but you have constant pain. That $200 you saved on a Cyclo will seem like a penny.



I have a Cyclo, Griots, 2 makitas and a PC. I use the mechanics gloves that really help with vibration and like my Griots lately- using with megs. pads and 105/205 and Opti. products. I have not touched my Cyclo is a year or so, but might see how it works with these products. Noise..Cyclo is much louder. Quality? Cyclo is built like a rock! I used to sell them and never had one problem, mechanically.



If you can, get yourself a pair of high-end mechanic's gloves that reduce vibration.



Rob
 
Some interesting stuff on this thread (see, there's a point to more "which polisher?" threads :D ).



I can be bothered by vibration from powertools (not just polishers) and yeah, "white finger" is nothing to scoff at, it can lead to permanent nerve/circulatory damage.



I never noticed any excessive vibration from my Griot's :think: Actually thought it's pretty good in that regard.



The Cyclo *IS* the most user-friendly and well-built polisher I've ever used, but I find the Griot's better for serious correction.



After the way Barry Theal's PCXP failed, I would steer clear of that unit (even if he probably did subject his to unusual stresses).



All-in-all, I'd recommend the Griot's 6" RO.
 
Right now price wise Griot's and Porter Cable (PC) are the two that stand out in my opinion. But what I don't like about the Griot's version is that it doesn't have a clutch that stops the pad from spinning when pressure is applied. The PC does. But like you say the Griot's has less vibration where as the PC is like a jack hammer.



Would a smaller pad lessen the vibration?



I do also like that the Griot's has a Velcro pad already included. The PC does not but then again it wasn't designed to work on paint, (Or so I hear from another forum).



Thanks for the tip about the Mechanics gloves (WCD)!



And like I said I am no professional detailer and I have no Paint Depth Gauge so I won't be removing paint. Hence why I want the safest, cost effective machine polisher.
 
ppastos said:
But what I don't like about the Griot's version is that it doesn't have a clutch that stops the pad from spinning when pressure is applied. The PC does.
Click to expand...





The whole idea that a DA has a "clutch" is a complete myth. No DA (G110, 7424XP, Griots, etc) has a clutch.
 
ppastos said:
Right now price wise Griot's and Porter Cable (PC) are the two that stand out in my opinion. But what I don't like about the Griot's version is that it doesn't have a clutch that stops the pad from spinning when pressure is applied. The PC does...
Click to expand...



I'm no authority on the PCXP (I only have the older model PCs), so any "clutch" is news to me. But you don't *want* the pad to stop spinning when you apply pressure, you want to maintain both the elliptical and circular motions. When you lose the circular part of it, the pad merely "jiggles" (because it's only doing the elliptical half of the motions) and little gets done. This is one reason why less powerful machines require small (e.g., 4" pads) to work effectively; the small pad has less friction than a larger one so pressure can be applied without overcoming the pad's ability to rotate.



Would a smaller pad lessen the vibration?
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Sometimes a smaller pad is actually *worse* in this regard; I often use slower speeds with small pads because things seem unstable at the high speeds I normally employ. I use small pads for different reasons (including as a means of making the machine behave more aggressively).

I do also like that the Griot's has a Velcro pad already included. The PC does not but then again it wasn't designed to work on paint, (Or so I hear from another forum).
Click to expand...

You'll want a variety of velcro-backed pads anyhow.



While the original "PC" was designed as a random orbital finish sander, the upgrades made to create the "XP" model seem specifically designed to make it more useful as a polisher (the original PC was plenty powerful for sanding wood, where applied pressure is *not* called for).
And like I said I am no professional detailer and I have no Paint Depth Gauge so I won't be removing paint. Hence why I want the safest, cost effective machine polisher.
Click to expand...



If you polish with an abrasive polish (say, to remove swirls/scratches), you *will* be removing paint; think of it like sanding a piece of wood to make it smoother. But as long as you don't a)do it too often and/or b) do something unusually ill-advised, or maybe c) have unusually thin/fragile paint, it shouldn't be a concern.



When it comes to being cost effective, a Griot's, with its lifetime warranty, or a Cyclo, which will last for decades easily, seem like the best choices to me.
 
I can highly recommend the Cyclo. As stated, very little vibration and super balanced because of the two heads. When combined with the correct pad/product combination, it can correct moderate defects. Other than that a breeze to use for everyday light polishing and paint sealant application. I only use the Metabo rotary for heavy scratch removal.
 
ppastos said:
I am new to detailing and I apply AG SRP, NXT 2.0 and more by hand. I also have a very very old orbital buffer that is only good for applying wax.



Has a PC ever failed?
Click to expand...



My 5 units of PCs have given me fantastic service over the past 5years.

Besides the usual carbon brush, the only 1 problem I encountered was a faint burning smell, which was later traced to a partially worn-out capacitor. That cap was quite big and expensive.



On the whole, I'd strongly recommend the PC. It's hardy and durable.
 
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