Should I get a DA?

W3bb3r04

W3bb3r04

New member
Im new! My name is RJ out of East TN. I currently have a cheaper rotary that I have and just purchased some better pads for and a new Chemical guys R4 backing pad. Should I still look into getting a DA? The obvious 2 choices are the PC 7424 and the Flex 3401. I havent found much info on this aspect. Most of the things just compare the PC and the Flex. Just wanted some advice on what would serve me better.

Im torn. At times I think of getting the PC just so I can finish out the Rotary marks and then others I want the Flex and just ditch the rotary until something really needs it, but $330 is a big initial hit. I know somewhere here will know something! Thanks!!
 
I have a buddy who owned a exotic detail shop who's PC 7424 XP's broke down so he needed a quick DA so he went to Harbor Freight and picked up a DA there for like $50 and he loves it. Its more powerful then the PC 7424XP and about the same weight. He loves that DA.
 
On the other hand I can't even count how many rotaries and DAs from Harbor Freight I've tossed in the trash. If you want quality, HF isn't it.
 
I just cant decide if the DA will be worth my money yet or if I should put more time into perfecting my rotary. Ive heard with a good backing plate and pads I can end up with no holigrams. On the other hand a bunch of people suggest getting a PC or a Flex.
 
Hello RJ and :welcome: To Autopia Forums...
Personally I have both the Porter Cable 7424 and Flex 3401 dual action polishers. They are two completely different animals but both are top performers.

The Flex 3401 is an outstanding polisher but it is a bit pricey BUT it's engineering, build, quality, and performance are legendary..

Porter Cable wrote the book on the dual action polisher and there are a host of similar designs on the market to choose from

I have the first generation Porter Cable 7424 and it's 14 years old and soon to be 15.....and it's still going strong...

It sounds like the Porter Cable 7424xp will serve you well and you'll have quite a bundle of left over cash for foam pads and products...

My lineup of polishers and the Porter Cable 7424 is at the far left..

Collection_RD17.jpg
 
i still think you can't beat a griot's garage da, very powerful, and a lifetime warranty. i have the gg 3" and 6" da.
 
W3bb3r04 said:
I just cant decide if the DA will be worth my money yet or if I should put more time into perfecting my rotary. Ive heard with a good backing plate and pads I can end up with no holigrams. On the other hand a bunch of people suggest getting a PC or a Flex.
Click to expand...
If your having trouble with halograming up a car with a rotary I'd try keep the pad extremely flat and working small sections. It took me years to get to where I could get a car perfect just using a rotary. I actually got a lot better with a rotary after I learned how to use a DA(I went backwards). Just food for thought
 
Jsmooth said:
If your having trouble with halograming up a car with a rotary I'd try keep the pad extremely flat and working small sections. It took me years to get to where I could get a car perfect just using a rotary. I actually got a lot better with a rotary after I learned how to use a DA(I went backwards). Just food for thought
Click to expand...

I use this just as a hobby but may end up using it some on the side for a few bucks. Havent used the pads Ive just bought yet. I had a little holigramming before but I think the new pads with the combo I have been using I "shouldnt" have any problems. Tangerine, Cyan, and red pads with the Chemical Guys R4 backing plate. I will be using my M105 and M205 combo along with Poliseal and optiseal. I guess I should try it before I go and buy a DA. :bigups
 
W3bb3r04 said:
Im new! My name is RJ out of East TN. I currently have a cheaper rotary that I have and just purchased some better pads for and a new Chemical guys R4 backing pad. Should I still look into getting a DA? The obvious 2 choices are the PC 7424 and the Flex 3401. I havent found much info on this aspect. Most of the things just compare the PC and the Flex. Just wanted some advice on what would serve me better.

Im torn. At times I think of getting the PC just so I can finish out the Rotary marks and then others I want the Flex and just ditch the rotary until something really needs it, but $330 is a big initial hit. I know somewhere here will know something! Thanks!!
Click to expand...

On the same note...also check out the Griots Garage 6" DA...It was my pick over the PC 7424XP because I didnt have to buy a backing plate for $30 when the Griots DA came with it and it was less expensive. Im glad I made that choice.
 
Reflectiveauto said:
On the same note...also check out the Griots Garage 6" DA...It was my pick over the PC 7424XP because I didnt have to buy a backing plate for $30 when the Griots DA came with it and it was less expensive. Im glad I made that choice.
Click to expand...

And I believe the Griots is more powerful :rockon. If you hold off a new version should be coming out in Dec.
 
W3bb3r04 said:
I use this just as a hobby but may end up using it some on the side for a few bucks. Havent used the pads Ive just bought yet. I had a little holigramming before but I think the new pads with the combo I have been using I "shouldnt" have any problems. Tangerine, Cyan, and red pads with the Chemical Guys R4 backing plate. I will be using my M105 and M205 combo along with Poliseal and optiseal. I guess I should try it before I go and buy a DA. :bigups
Click to expand...
Sounds like a good ideal if you need any help feel free to ask, everyone here is more than helpful. One thing that helps me a lot when checking my work is using IPA or CarPro Eraser Intense Oil & Polish Cleanser 500ml. to make sure I'm not hiding any possible buffer trash with polish oil. Good luck and hope to see some pics soon
 
dd1101 said:
And I believe the Griots is more powerful :rockon. If you hold off a new version should be coming out in Dec.
Click to expand...

I believe the new one is just a color change and some rubber trim on the model.

Motor-wise, I think it is the same. So essentially the same machine, but nicer to look at and hold.
 
definitely get a DA. much safer with no holograms. I recommend the griots 6in polisher

the current version is great, and affordable. They're releasing a new version soon that is a little more ergonomically designed (but a little more expensive since its new and improved)

wait for a sale and you can score a GG6 for a good price. I thought AG even ran a VIP deal on them recently? somewhere in the $100 range
 
Not sure what kind of rotary you have but being new to detailing myself I didn't waste time and went straight for a DA. My choice was the Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital and I really like it. I am on their mailing list and received a notice of the new one coming out and it is pretty much the same everything except it looks as though they moved the switch to the top side. Mine is on the side and is a slight bit awkward but I have big mitts and don't really have to much of a problem with it. I definitely do not miss the days of laying on wax by hand. These machines are so much slicker and faster.

Dean.

:drive:
 
I have the Griots DA and I love it. I will use it on all customer cars and friends/family cars as well. I do have a couple.rotaries and use them on my cars for practice. I can get a pretty good finish using the rotary, but I am definitely not getting concours detailing results yet.

Get the da, it is a great way to get excellent results. Which I believe is a great motivator in continuing to perfect the craft.
 
AutoZone just got in some Shurhold 3100 Dual Action Polishers and they look a lot like the Griot....does Shurhold make the Griot???
 
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