Questions about PC purchase and pads

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01GTB

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I really can't believe I am doing this. After nearly 12 years since I closed up shop, I am considering easing back into the world of detailing...albeit on a limited basis. And it's all your fault :-p Well, maybe not all your fault, but you didn't help :)

Fact is, I did not pick up a bottle of any kind of polish for 6 years or so. I drove a work truck and did not really care about. When I bought my 2001 Mustang I discovered Zaino. I still really like their stuff, but the paint needs a little correction after 3 years. I also bought a new work truck that stickered at about half as much as my house, so I can't neglect it like I did the last one.

Anyway, to my question. The last piece of machinery I used on paint was an 11" Waxmaster (or polishmaster) orbital buffer :dancin As funny as that might sound, I was pretty good with it. I am interested in something more 21st century, and I have read a lot of stuff about the PC and I think I am more confused now than when I started searching. What am I going to need as far as pads and backing plate? I don't want this thing to show up on the door step only to not be able to use it because I didn't accessorize :-p I don't think I will need to do any heavy cutting, so if you could recommend some polishes to use with it, that would be a big help. Remember, this boy has been out of the business since the early 90's :beat I also remember reading something about counterweights. Is the one that comes with the 7424 all I need to worry about? Is this thing pretty much idiot proof? Anything in particular I need to watch out for when using it?

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but you guys seem to have fun teaching people. Better to ask stupid questions than to never know the answers :D
 
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Call Dwayne. All problems solved, all questions answered in one fell swoop.
 
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. What am I going to need as far as pads and backing plate? I don't want this thing to show up on the door step only to not be able to use it because I didn't accessorize :-p I don't think I will need to do any heavy cutting, so if you could recommend some polishes to use with it, that would be a big help. Remember, this boy has been out of the business since the early 90's :beat I also remember reading something about counterweights. Is the one that comes with the 7424 all I need to worry about? Is this thing pretty much idiot proof? Anything in particular I need to watch out for when using it?

Sorry to beat a dead horse, but you guys seem to have fun teaching people. Better to ask stupid questions than to never know the answers :D [/B][/QUOTE] Since you haven't received much information yet, I thought I would post my experiences.
1. I have the 7336, which came with a 6" counterweight.
2. I use a Meg's 5" Velcro backing plate with Meg's 605" pads. The vibration doesn't give me a problem, but since it is all I have used, I can't compare it to any other combination.
3. I still use the screw-on pad that came with the PC for Meg's #9. It doesn't get much respect, but I have had no problems with it. It is showing some wear, but certainly hasn't "come apart" for me.
4. I have 5 polishing pads and 3 finishing pads. I use polishing pads for polishes and the finishing pads to apply sealants or liquid waxes. The only paste wax I use, (S100), is hand applied.
5. I don't own or feel the need for a cutting pad. Not everyone agrees with that, but my vehicles aren't usually in very bad shape so a lot of correction is needed.
6. On the subject of paint correction. I'm not too sure how much "correction" you can do with a PC. Swirl removal, yes. Beyond that. :dunno
7. Other than swirl removal, the main benefit to the PC for me is less time and effort. The only product I use that I feel the PC is required is the #9. I don't think I would ever attempt swirl removal without the machine. The other products I use seem to work fine with hand application.
8. Check the instructions of any products you plan to use to be sure they are meant to be applied by a DA polisher. Some compounds have abrasives that need a rotary go get them to work correctly.
9. Some of the products I have used with the PC withgood results are:
Meguiar's #9 Swirl Remover 2.0 (Polishing pad, speed 4 or 5)
Klasse AIO (Polishing pad, same 4 or 5 speed)
4 Star UPP (Finishing pad, 4 or 5 speed)
The above 3 products probably make up my favorite combination.
The following products are great products as well. Just not my favorites right now. They all worked good with the PC.
Poorboy's PwC (Polishing pad, speed 4 or 5)
Meguiar's NXT Tech Wax (Finishing pad, speed 4 or 5)
I intend to try the NXT with a polishing pad as I have read that it will remove/cover up some of the micro marring that is sometimes in the paint.
S100 SEC (Polishing pad, speed 4 or 5)

The speed dial on my PC is pretty much left at the mid-point between 4 and 5. Seems to do just about everything I want at that setting. If I have a particularly severe or stubborn swirl or scratch, I have used it at 6. I t definitely has some vibration at 6.:)
Sheesh, that's enough. It's time for my nap. :D

Charles
 
Take a look at the link below. Great thread at Autopia on using the PC and what accessories to buy.

Good luck with your purchase! Have fun!:)
 
RedondoV6 said:
Take a look at the link below. Great thread at Autopia on using the PC and what accessories to buy.

Good luck with your purchase! Have fun!:)
Click to expand...
:beat You forgot to post the link!

Charles :)
 
Along the "better to ask stupid questions" line... before I drop the dough I've got to ask.

Have been preparing to by a PC... checked out PorterCable's website, been watching DC and other sites, hit the link above, etc. Still confused about the diff between 7336 and 7424.

Is the diff in the accessories, or is there an actual difference in the tool itself? Everything I see makes it look like the two stock numbers are the same tool... they just call one a sander and the other a polisher to justify a price increase.

Lowes has the 7336SP (7336 "sander" complete with the same polishing pad as the 7424 "polisher") for $109. Was planning to stock-up on some Edge2000 foam pads to complete my kit. Am I on target here?

Thanks!
 
E43sp0rt said:

Lowes has the 7336SP (7336 "sander" complete with the same polishing pad as the 7424 "polisher") for $109. Was planning to stock-up on some Edge2000 foam pads to complete my kit. Am I on target here?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Close, but keep in mind that Premium Auto Care gives you a 10% discount as a Detail City member.
It's $139.95 right now at PAC. With the 10% discount, it is $125.96. Not quite as much difference as it seems. If you take into account their free shipping and the fact that it is going to cost you a few bucks to drive to Lowe's, it isn't a real big difference.

Charles
 
Originally posted by CharlesW [/i]
Close, but keep in mind that Premium Auto Care gives you a 10% discount as a Detail City member.
It's $139.95 right now at PAC. With the 10% discount, it is $125.96. Not quite as much difference as it seems. If you take into account their free shipping and the fact that it is going to cost you a few bucks to drive to Lowe's, it isn't a real big difference.

Charles



I was planning to get the pads, plus a bunch of products (my entire list), from PAC. Had not thought about the PC... maybe dismissed it as too big to ship. The diff (with tax here) would be around $8, but PAC gets the support and business and that's good all-around. Thanks.
 
Thanks everybody. I'll get with Dwayne when I get ready to order...even though I'll have to pay Florida sales tax ordering from him :-p
 
E43sp0rt said:
Had not thought about the PC... maybe dismissed it as too big to ship.
Click to expand...

The PC box actually is about the same size, or smaller, than a shoe box for dress shoes. I kinda had a hard time finding mine at Lowes because it was tucked down on a bottom shelf (no display unit) and hard to see. Wasn't expecting / looking for such a small box.

Yea, the 7424 and 7336 are the same machines with different accessories in the box. 7424 (and 7335) comes with a 5" counterweight, 7336 comes with a 6" counterweight.
 
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