Noobie With First Posting/Question....?

Zekester · 03-30-07, 12:31

Well I have been polishing my cars by hand for far too long, so I guess its time to graduate to a good machine polisher. I believe I have decided on a PC 7424. Seems from what I have read, its a good machine for the "novice" like me to start with.

Would just like anyones thoughts about this choice and what types of pads should I get to start with? Also, if anyone knows a web site where I could purchase, say a whole "kit" including the PC and applicable pads for a reasonable price, that too would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone for you assistance and patience.....

Denzil · 03-30-07, 01:43

There are tons of places to buy pads. Some brands of pads that come off the top of my head are Sonus, Lake Country, Edge and Propel (Excel). Personally, I purchased all my pads from Patrick at Excel Detail.

JDookie · 03-30-07, 01:52

Something else to consider is buying a PC 7336 instead of a 7424. The PC is designed with a counterweight to keep hand vibrations to a minimum. This counterweight is removable, and comes in two sizes; either a 5" counterweight or a 6" counterweight. The majority (including myself) prefer the 6" over the 5". Here's the thing, the 7424 comes with the 5" cw installed, and the 7336 comes with the 6" cw installed. Another difference between the two is the 7424 is mostly available online and varies in price, and can be included in detailing kits, etc. while the 7336 can be found at your local Lowe's. Every now and then, it even goes on sale for $99.

This being said, you may end up one of those guys that like to change back and forth between the 5 and 6" cw's, so none of this really wouldn't matter, but if you don't, you could save a few bucks by getting the 7336, which is otherwise identical.

fstb88 · 04-01-07, 03:21

Detailers Paradise: Premium Car Care Products, Auto Detailing has the pc 7474 with a package with a backing plate and four foam pads. sonus has a package that comes with what looked like three pads and a backing plate. Sonus Car Care & Detailing Products - Car Wax, Car Polish, Detailing Kits i think.

fstb88 · 04-01-07, 03:23

i was wrong in that other post deatilers paradise has the 7336 pc with a backing plate and four pads in a kit for 179$US its a 5" backing plate and 6.5" pads.

bauerbach · 04-01-07, 07:28

for a good deal on the PC itself

eBay: Porter-Cable 7424 6" Random-Orbit Polisher-NEW (item 170093193384 end time Apr-18-07 05:42:07 PDT)

I got mine from him, so I can say its legit. just got it last week off that actual listing. cheapest I found for NIB and not refurb.

then I went

New, 6.5 inch, CCS Technology, Foam Pad Kits

and got the 2nd kit with 2 orange, 2 white and a red pad. with the backing plate as well. comes with the pad lubricant, some darn nice MF towels, ect ect you can see it all.

185$ all tallied up.

good news is you get 1 extra pad, lubricant and 2 microfiber towels, bad news is you pay shipping twice.

though so far, all Ive used is orange and white pads. orange for the compound, white for the polish. I guess if I ever got a glaze Id use the red... I rather just apply wax by hand, I think it uses less, and at the price of wax, thats important

JDookie · 04-02-07, 09:51

Zekester,

It has come to my attention that Lowe's doesn't carry the 7336 anymore, so ignore that, but everything else still stands.

bauerbach,

I assume the red pad you bought is finer than the white pad? If so, you can use it to apply sealants too, not just glaze. I agree with you about applying wax by hand, but when it comes to applying liquids I like using the PC instead. I end up using less and getting a more even, and thinner application which is ideal for sealants.