Porter Cable 7346SP - Okay for car use?

D

Dirty Jacket

New member
Hello all,



I have been lurking on and off for years, but pretty much on a daily basis for the last few months since purchasing a 2009 Infiniti G37 in Liquid Platinum (silver). My paint is in fantastic condition, but relatively boring - it doesn't pop.



I recently purchased Werkstat Prime:Strong, Werkstat Acrylic Jett:Trigger, and Natty's RED Paste Wax in an attempt to bypass the polishing step. As I'm waiting for my stuff to come in for this weekend's detail, I'm realizing I will probably just be disappointed if I don't just go ahead and polish.



I saw the Porter Cable 7346SP at Lowes and Home Depot for $99, I could probably get it down to $80-90, which is affordable for me. I searched here and other forums and have seen some users who have asked about its use on cars, and it seems like its okay. My question is - is it safe in the hands of a novice like myself? I have never machine polished a car before. I do not want to hurt my paint.



Also, what pads and backing plates are recommended for use with this machine? I am hoping to get everything in for a polish this weekend.



Thanks!
 
yes it can be used on paint. yes it fine for beginners. megs or optimum mf pads and matching backing plate would be a good start. later you can add a 3 7/8" backing plate and 4" pads. i think there is now 3" pads and backing plates available but i haven't tried them yet.
 
Wow this is a really good price, is there a significant difference between this and the 7424
 
From what I'm reading the 7346 is random orbit compared to the 7424 being dual action. For just a little more money you could get a 7424. You will need to order and wait for pads and backing plates anyway, so do a little homework.



Silver is a tough color to get to "pop". When you get your goodies you can try a small section to see if you are getting good results without polishing. That way you don't waste time on the whole car and if it works you might save yourself a little money, or at least buy yourself some time to acquire the tools you need for polishing.
 
hamza7 said:
Wow this is a really good price, is there a significant difference between this and the 7424
Click to expand...

That depends. Do you mean the original 7424 or the current 7424XP that replaces it?



The 7346SP is identical to to 7424XP but also comes with a backing plate for sanding wood (which you don't need) in addition to the foam pad (which is useless and you'll throw away).



Since you'll want to get "real" pads and a matching backing plate the machines are effectively exactly the same.





pc
 
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