My First PC 7424!

[delikid]

Well, I've finally managed to sell enough old stuff on ebay and craigslist to get my PC 7424! I for it from TOOLS PLUS INC $99 (plus shipping).

So, I'll be researchin' the forums for pads and polish to use to work on :

1. 1998 Ford Explorer (which I waxed about 2 years ago by hand; never been clayed.)
2. 2004 Infiniti G35 Sedan (which needs to be clayed, but is in good shape overall.)

I'll keep y'all up to date on my progress. The wife says I have to do the Explorer first, since I'm new at this! LOL

[hoanger]

oh nice, I just ordered a PC from ebay also... i got mine for about 120$ CAD with shipping, did yours come with the pads?

and keep us up to date... especially me, i wanna know how hard it is lol

[delikid]

So... here's where I am: Selecting pads. I've read, and read, and read. PM'ed people. Then read some more.

So, I'm down to two possibilities:

www.topoftheline.com
Universal Flex Pad Holder 6" $19.95
7.5" Lake Country VC Cutting Pad (orange) $9.95
7.5" Lake Country VC Polishing Pad (white) $9.95
7.5" Lake Country VC Finishing Pad (black) $9.95

www.Autogeekonline.net
Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate 5" $16.99
Dual Action 6.5" Orange Light Cutting Pad $12.99
Dual Action 6.5" White Polishing Pad $9.99
Dual Action 6.5" Gray Finishing Pad $9.99

I've read that with the PC, I should use 6.5" pads. I've read that with the PC, I should use 7.5" pads. With so many products, so many experience levels, so many opinions, it's killing me to decide on who has the best recommendations.

Right now, I'm leaning more with the 6.5" DA pads...

[ahains]

I'm curious - why would you opt for something other than the Edge 2000 pads?
I came close to ordering some LC pads last week but I realized that since I would have to buy a hook & loop backing plate anyhow, I might as well just start off with the Edge pads.

[delikid]

I haven't gone towards the Edge system mainly because they cost twice as much! The Edge pads look sweet, double sided and all, quick release is neat, too. However, at this point, I'm going with an overall consensus of what ppl here are saying are good products.

I have never used a machine to clean/ polish/ wax. So, I am trying to lean towards "the cheap" while I learn what I'm doing. Spending $72 versus $49 to learn the technique is more my focus.

[Vw Gti]

I would go with either the 6.5" pads or the 6" pads. 7.5" is too big and will take you lonegr to complete your work.

[sQuashed]

Originally Posted by ahains

I'm curious - why would you opt for something other than the Edge 2000 pads?
I came close to ordering some LC pads last week but I realized that since I would have to buy a hook & loop backing plate anyhow, I might as well just start off with the Edge pads.

Lets hear your sales pitch. Why should I choose the Edge pads over the other ones?

[Ben Kenobi]

If you're going to go with the traditional backing plate and pads go for the smaller size. I bought my 7424 used from an Autopian and it came with the LC large VC pads. While they work well they can bog down as they are so large. I just invested in the Edge 2000 system for the PC and Rotary. Will have to see how they perform very soon. You say that you're looking at price. Well think about it this way. For just a few dollars more you'll have two pads instead of one. The benefit of the Edge 2000 system is that since the backing plate in sandwiched between the foam pads you can't damage paint finish like you can if a pad comes off (which has happened to me) or the backing plate breaks.

Just a few things for you to think about. I've been very pleased with LC pads, I have the yellow, white and black grades which seems a good combo.

[delikid]

Originally Posted by VwGti

I would go with either the 6.5" pads or the 6" pads. 7.5" is too big and will take you longer to complete your work.

So... for even a NEWB like me, the flat pads will be ok? I was going the the VC bacause of their versatility.

[delikid]

Well, after an extended conversation with Partrick @ Exceldetail, I went with the following:

Propel Grey Finishing Pad (Level-1)
Propel Green Medium Polishing pad (Level-3)
Propel Orange Medium Cut Versatile Pad (Level-4)
Excel 6" Flex Plate

I guess only time will tell... as I learn and see the results.

[ahains]

Originally Posted by sQuashed

Lets hear your sales pitch. Why should I choose the Edge pads over the other ones?

I'm not sure if my sales pitch would mean much to you because, so far, I've used:
Edge 2000: 0 times
Other brands: 0 times


My point in asking in this particular case is that *if* you don't already have a velcro backing plate & pads, then choosing Edge 2000 doesn't have the downside of pouring money into two incompatible systems (old backing plate and pads can't be used with Edge 2000 system). I found the price of a backing pad and the Edge 2000 adapter to be similar.
The Edge 2000 pads were certainly more expensive, but most folks seem to want to have more than one of a given grade anyhow so the value of them being double sided is real. For me the question became "why NOT buy Edge 2000", and the only answer I could come up with was the $20 or so I'd save on my mini starter collection.

I decided on Edge 2000 because:
-No chance of pad flying off of backing plate
-No chance (or at least appears greatly reduced) of backing plate shearing off
-The rave review in this forum is pretty compelling
-"Perfectly" centered every time (according to the above review link, this is significantly noticeable)

Obviously folks have great successes with other systems, and I'm not trying to put them down. My point of view is just recommending folks in my shoes make the same considerations

[GearHead_1]

I've used both LC and Meguiars pads for over a decade (I've got many dozens of these type pads). I recently made the switch to Edge 2K product and I'm not going back to hook and loop. This system is just too easy and convenient.