Porter Cable 7346SP - Okay for car use?

[Dirty Jacket]

Hello all,



I have been lurking on and off for years, but pretty much on a daily basis for the last few months since purchasing a 2009 Infiniti G37 in Liquid Platinum (silver). My paint is in fantastic condition, but relatively boring - it doesn`t pop.



I recently purchased Werkstat Prime:Strong, Werkstat Acrylic Jett:Trigger, and Natty`s RED Paste Wax in an attempt to bypass the polishing step. As I`m waiting for my stuff to come in for this weekend`s detail, I`m realizing I will probably just be disappointed if I don`t just go ahead and polish.



I saw the Porter Cable 7346SP at Lowes and Home Depot for $99, I could probably get it down to $80-90, which is affordable for me. I searched here and other forums and have seen some users who have asked about its use on cars, and it seems like its okay. My question is - is it safe in the hands of a novice like myself? I have never machine polished a car before. I do not want to hurt my paint.



Also, what pads and backing plates are recommended for use with this machine? I am hoping to get everything in for a polish this weekend.



Thanks!

[wascallyrabbit]

yes it can be used on paint. yes it fine for beginners. megs or optimum mf pads and matching backing plate would be a good start. later you can add a 3 7/8" backing plate and 4" pads. i think there is now 3" pads and backing plates available but i haven`t tried them yet.

[hamza7]

Wow this is a really good price, is there a significant difference between this and the 7424

[Nth Degree]

From what I`m reading the 7346 is random orbit compared to the 7424 being dual action. For just a little more money you could get a 7424. You will need to order and wait for pads and backing plates anyway, so do a little homework.



Silver is a tough color to get to "pop". When you get your goodies you can try a small section to see if you are getting good results without polishing. That way you don`t waste time on the whole car and if it works you might save yourself a little money, or at least buy yourself some time to acquire the tools you need for polishing.

[the other pc]

Wow this is a really good price, is there a significant difference between this and the 7424

That depends. Do you mean the original 7424 (http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=11080)or the current 7424XP (http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21436) that replaces it?



The 7346SP (http://www.portercable.com/Products/ProductDetail.aspx?ProductID=21428) is identical to to 7424XP but also comes with a backing plate for sanding wood (which you don`t need) in addition to the foam pad (which is useless and you`ll throw away).



Since you`ll want to get "real" pads and a matching backing plate the machines are effectively exactly the same.





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