starting out - which is better, PC 7424 or Cyclo or other?

thecarguy · 03-08-06, 09:21

Going to purchase an orbital to begin with and probably move to a rotary at some point - or maybe I should just start with a rotary, you tell me.

If an orbital is sufficient for superior results, which is better, a PC 7424, a Cyclo or some other mahcine?

Thanks guys.

Danase · 03-08-06, 09:26

Don't start with a rotory! You will not have anything to fix the mistakes you will make with it while trying to learn. I vote for a Cyclo or Porter Cable.

thecarguy · 03-08-06, 09:43

if you had to choose between a cyclo & PC, which would you choose and why?

Accumulator · 03-08-06, 10:01

NO time to post details at present, but I'll say the dreaded "do a search" as we've gone into the pros and cons of each in excruciating detail a few times. I'm generally a Cyclo guy myself but the PC has it's points too.

thecarguy · 03-08-06, 11:02

thanks - I did a search and it resulted in lots of "mentions" but did not find discussions about the two. I'll search again.

littlejohn · 03-08-06, 12:08

OK.. I'm probably gonna get flamed for this..
But You CAN go straight to a rotary.. I did with very good results and without destroying anything.
I found that using the 6" Edge 2000 pads, a rotary is very controllable so long as i kept the speed below 1200.
Just to throw a spanner in the works, I also got a Makita BO6040 (DA Orbital w/ forced rotation) and this works really well for cars with slightly softer paint like Subarus, Fords etc. and also for finishing.
I've found that the tools you use is only one part of the puzzle, as you have to experiement with different polishing products to work out which is best suited to your vehicle.

As for your question about cyclo or PC.. in my experience I've found the BO6040 with forced rotation off (working the same way as a PC) fairly lack lustre.. ie takes too long to do anything.. so with this in mind I'd say go with the cyclo..

cwcad · 03-08-06, 12:46

Ok Littlejon consider you being flamed. just kidding!!

If I were to do it all over again I would still by the PC 7424. The more that you work the PC the more you can learn. I have been able to do some pretty dramatic paint correction with the PC. It is not a rotary but I do not have rotary holgrams either.

Had considered purchasing a Cyclo. Did not since it was more money than I wanted to spend at the time. The price has been coming down, as of late, because more people are selling it. I would not discount it. Yet as a beginner I would still purchase a PC. The user learning curve is easy. So is the productive level of paint correction. Once that pads and product have been determined the art of paint correction will get better and better as you practice the art.

I have a rotary. The PC is not only easier but it is safer. Although more paint correction can be obtained faster. I am not sure if it is easier for the novice once weighed against the potential danger of paint correction disasters.

Accumulator · 03-08-06, 02:26

thecarguy- There are at least a few posts where I (and others) went into this choice in great detail (as in, a *LOT* of typing).

Short answer: there are contours the Cyclo can't do (such as on my XJS); the Cyclo doesn't work well for me with AIO and others find it tricky with a few products; it only has one speed, which sorta explains the trouble with certain products. Other than those caveats I prefer it over the PC hands-down. I've had PCs go bad after a short time, but my older Cyclo was still fine after ~20 years (some of it commercial use) when I sent it in for a factory going-over. The Cyclo doesn't vibrate like the PC does and I find the Cyclo far more user-friendly. The Cyclo is generally more aggressive than the PC but the PC is similar if used with 4" pads.

IMO the problem with rotary-only is that if (ok, maybe it's a big "if" but it's sure not uncommon) you get holograms the PC/Cyclo is the easiest/mildest way to eliminate them. While I wouldn't want to be without my rotary, I use the Cyclos (and even the PCs) far more often. I think of the rotary as a chainsaw and the Cyclo/PC as a hand saw for light pruning. For most of what *I* do, the Cyclo/PC, like a hand saw, is the tool I go for first. Heh heh, wouldn't want to be without that chainsaw either though

When you need more power you need it, but otherwise it's just overkill.

SpoiledMan · 03-08-06, 02:51

The more I use my Cyclo, the more I HATE *using* my PC. The Cyclo cuts faster than a PC, has less vibration and will lay down a coat of 845 that wipes away like EX-P!

themightytimmah · 03-08-06, 10:54

Cyclo, hands down. Since I bought one, my PC hasn't done anything but carpet duty with a brush. The Cyclo is just *that* much better, it's a lower vibration, faster, quieter and better made tool. Significant price premuim, but it's a tool that you can hand down to your grandkids, unlike the PC (which is well made, but the Cyclo is just off the charts for reliability and build quality).