Portercable xp7424...what smaller pads and attachments?

M

Matth3w

New member
I have a PC7424 en route from Amazon (mostly need to use Amazon, shipping is a pain from anywhere else to Hawaii). I have Meguires ultimate compound and a 6.5" light orange cutting pad from CCS, and a black finishing pad for M205, and a black finishing pad for wax/sealant.

What I realized is that these are pretty darn big when they arrived. Great for large areas, but what backing plate/pads would you recommend that I can get on Amazon (preferably prime) at like 3-3.5"?
 
I don't recall which brand mine is but it looks like this one. I believe mine is a 3" plate, I have both 3" and 3.5" LC pads and they work good for small areas. For larger areas, I wouldn't go past a 5.5" pad .
 
I prefer using a PC DA with a Meguiars Soft Buff DBP5 DA Polisher 5 inch Backing Plate
I like using this with the Megs DA Microfiber Cutting Discs, 5 inches and 5"-5.5" foam pads

The 5" BP also works well Meguiars 5 Inch DA Foam Discs cutting, finishing & polishing.
I prefer 5-5" flat foam pads with the 5" backing plate on a PC DA

If you want to go smaller (for those tight places) Megs DBP3 DA Polisher 3 Inch Backing Plate
For the 3" pads I might suggest Megs DA 3" mf discs and Lake Country 3 Inch Flat Foam Pads
 
I understand your reasons for using Amazon, but have you considered dealing with Ranney Pak @ Pakshak?

He's based in Honolulu (not sure of your exact location) and may be a good resource for you.
 
I've used the 3" plate from Meguiar's and also various 4" ones originally made for my Cyclos. Probably bought the Meg's one from AutoGeek and the Cyclo ones from their factory store or Top of the Line.

Gotta be a little careful with this, the *only* time I've damaged clearcoat badly enough to require paintwork was with a PC/4"/mild product combo! Never did anything like that even when getting aggressive with a rotary! (It was on a Mazda with very thin clear...) That said, I'm still a big fan of using small pads on "regular size" polishers, especially for spot-correction. Though I am tempted to look at the Rupes Mini and Nano...

EDIT: and yeah, PakShak is a good company to do business with IME, and their location doesn't always result in expensive shipping either.
 
Side note:

Be careful with 3" pads & a "generic" 3" backing plate.
I've seen where the bp is "slightly" larger than the pad.
This can be dangerous if the bp hits the paint.
I've found the Megs bp to be smaller than the mf discs.
 
Perfect information above ^^^

I would go down to the 5" backing plate that is also on Amazon from a few people and then get pads that are a little bigger - not the same size or smaller, for that backing plate..

When Detailing an entire vehicle, you want the 5" + 5.5" pads so you can cover more area effectively, and speed up your work...
Trying to do this with a smaller pad - say a 3" - 4" will take forever...
DanF
 
Ok can someone explain to me how much of an idiot I am? It arrived with one plate which is glued to a white polisher I'm guessing. So now I have a bunch of pads that don't have anything to adhere to because it's a soft foam (even the picture on the box looks like a backing plate, so I'm obviously stupid for not realizing it doesn't come with a velcro backing plate). Also the XP says "only use a 6.5 pad/plate" on the place where you attach.

Also, you're saying when the 3" plate and pads come, don't use those? I thought they would be necessary for things like small spoilers, mirrors, trim pieces, etc.
 
IMHO The backing plate that come with the PC is useless for polishing paint.

5" BP and pads
1) Meguiars DBP5 DA Polisher 5 inch Backing Plate
1) Lake Country 5.5 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack - You Pick!
...2) Orange 2) White 1) Black 1) Blue

3" BP and pads
1) Meguiar's DBP3 3" DA Backing Plate
1) Lake Country 3 Inch Flat Pads 6 Pack - You Pick!
...2) Orange 2) White 1) Black 1) Red

1) Foam Pad Conditioning Brush (for cleaning foam pads)

I'm also a big fan of the Megs 5" microfiber discs
1) Meguiar's DMC5 5" DA Microfiber Cutting Disc, (Pack of 2)

Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad (for cleaning discs if you don't have compressed air)
 
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Matth3w said:
Also, you're saying when the 3" plate and pads come, don't use those? I thought they would be necessary for things like small spoilers, mirrors, trim pieces, etc.
Click to expand...

Go ahead and use the 3" setup for tight spots and spot-correction.

Back in the day I did whole panels/cars with a 4" setup on the (older model) PC because that was the only way to accomplish anything with that model. Your XP oughta work a lot better so again, be just a little careful regarding how aggressive the small pads might be.
 
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