Which Porter Cable?

[Patas]

Which Porter cable do you guys would recomend me to buy? I am really a newbie and have no idea which rpms, power, etc to choose.
Thanks for reading.

[Inspector1]

? are we talking rotary or Dual action ?

I1

[psyshack]

I really dont think its needed. I bought a 13 dollar 5" china osalator at walmart and every yellow foam pad they had. Think I have 12 yellow pads.

I used this rig to take out caustic splatter marks on the top of the car, trunk and hood. Used meguires liq. polish. Also apply wax with this rig and no swirl marks. I just did the car last weekend. Clayed it out and polished on it, re clayed and polished put 4 wax layers on the top surfaces and 2 on the sides. The car looked wet and deep. NO swirl marks what so ever.

Im a gaget / tool dude. But to date I cant justify a portal cable for diy work. Im just amazed how the car looks with a bit of tlc.

Yellow pads and clay... can make a car look great!

[EXLNavi]

Originally Posted by Inspector1

? are we talking rotary or Dual action ?

I1

Which is better? I'm interested in getting one now that I actually have space to detail my car.

[IMOL]

Originally Posted by EXLNavi

Which is better? I'm interested in getting one now that I actually have space to detail my car.

It depends what you want to do. For normal detailing and minor swirl removal, you would want a dual-action "orbital" polisher. These are reasonably foolproof and just take some of the elbow-grease out of getting the work done.

A rotary polisher can really get rid of some deeper scratches/swirls, but needs a great deal of care to avoid adding more swirls to the paint. I don't think you need one for most detailing work. If you do, I would suggest getting a professional to do it. These things rotate at quite a high speed and can completely wear through the clearcoat if used inexpertly.

FWIW, I have a Porter-Cable 7424 orbital polisher that I use when necessary - it works very well.

IMOL

[RTexasF]

I chose this one but it would be hard to go wrong with any of the PC products -

http://portercable.cpoworkshop.com/s...?ref=googaw439

The learning curve is short, can't goof usability, and works wonderfully. Proof? OK -

[RTexasF]

My very first attempt with the PC - By the way I owe all to Inspector 1. His advice and PM's helped me to decide to just go for it. Since then I've found some top products, Wolfgang, among others, (we all have our favorites) and started doing cars for ca$h.

Even when the paying jobs are few, OUR cars look like a million bucks! What happens when the inevitable swirls show up? Out comes the Porter Cable and the Wolfgang products to renew it once again. It works for me!!

[Inspector1]

Great last shot RTF It looks like your car is real happy !!

Yep sooooo many products and sooo little time

I'm thinking about Optimum Polish & Compound. Works a real long time and cut depends on pad.

A PC can remove all swirling and some pretty bad scratching but you will have to make multiple passes.

A Rotary will remove all but the deepest scratches and that is more of a flowing process while heating up the paint... it's all about technique

Pad selection is key on either and learning how each product reacts with the pad/work time etc.

A PC is a good bet for beginners, it's very hard to damage your paint(unless you set down on the ground pad first then back onto your finish )

I1

[Inspector1]

Here's another source Coastal Tool

It comes with a backing plate and counter weight to use larger pads

I1

[RTexasF]

Patas-

A rotary buffer isn't for the beginner whereas the PC is pretty much goof proof.

I would pay a pro to teach me or go to a detailing school to learn the rotary process.

[EXLNavi]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm going with the 7424. I'll try to scout around local shops in New Jersey to see if they have it otherwise I'll just order it online.

[RTexasF]

You'll also need these, or similar:

http://www.detailersparadise.com/Vie...2%2D2491365434

[Inspector1]

Those look like Lake country pads..they custom logo for so many suppliers.

A little more pad info

Pad chart

PAC has them on sale right now.

Top of the line has some good pricing.

The link to coastal tool has the backing plate included on their PC which is a plus.

If you check thru the list of suppliers you can find Pad kits with compounds and polishes and save also

I1

[RTexasF]

I suggest, that whichever pads you decide on, buy the bundle (usually offered). It saves you some $$ over single pad purchase.

Frankly, the different colors,meaning different abrasive properties, from various manufacturers confuses me. There is no color standardization.

The pads I gave the link to have worked wonderfully for me. I used them 12-15 times before any wear was shown at all. Obviously they are cleaned every time they are used using ordinary car wash soap and water. There are specialty products that clean the pads better and quicker but I've been too cheap to spring for them....so far.

When it's time to reorder I'll buy the same pads because
1. They worked.
2. They are still working well.
3. My alleged mind won't be taxed by varying colors/abrasive properties.

[anysia]

there shoulda been a poll about how long will it be before anysia finally orders a pc....

just ordered one!!!!

http://www.topoftheline.com/tolae/porcabpolpac.html

can't wait till it arrives!!!!!!!