3 or 3.5" Backing Plates on PC 7424XP

[Eldorado2k]

The whole idea for me (as a noob to machine detailing) is, of course, to have the ability to machine polish narrower and harder to get at areas. Which leads me to my next question: Does the whole pad need to contact the surface being polished? In other words, can a 4" pad be used to polish a 3" or smaller strip? Any advice much appreciated. Please forgive me if this has been addressed elsewhere.

There are certain areas that for sure can still be done by cheating.. Those areas are the A pillars, the D pillars, and even the B pillars in most cases... All you have to do is lay down a couple widths of 2" masking tape along the sides in order to cover up the rubber trim and glass. That allows you to simply use your 5" pad without any problem at all to quikly polish those thin strips of paint.

It's the smaller nooks such as around the rear license plate where you pretty much really need a 3" pad for sure.

[Rsurfer]

There are certain areas that for sure can still be done by cheating.. Those areas are the A pillars, the D pillars, and even the B pillars in most cases... All you have to do is lay down a couple widths of 2" masking tape along the sides in order to cover up the rubber trim and glass. That allows you to simply use your 5" pad without any problem at all to quikly polish those thin strips of paint.

It's the smaller nooks such as around the rear license plate where you pretty much really need a 3" pad for sure.

The problem with that is, it's harder to control a 5" pad on smaller areas and it will stall on a slight curve. Whereas a 3" is easier to control and won't stall if you don't use to much pressure.

[Eldorado2k]

The problem with that is, it's harder to control a 5" pad on smaller areas and it will stall on a slight curve. Whereas a 3" is easier to control and won't stall if you don't use to much pressure.

Once you apply 2 widths of masking tape around the A pillar it's no longer a small area.



The 5" pad is very easy to control here as you're basically polishing like normL thanks to the masking tape. Speed 4, 1 hand.



A pillars are straight as an arrow. I can't imagine the polisher ever stalling here.



Remove your tape and check out your results. Lookin good + your black trim doesn't have a spec of polish residue on it.😉



This will work on all the pillars on most vehicles. Parts like around the rear license plate he may want to invest in that 3" backing plate + pads.

[Rsurfer]

Once you apply 2 widths of masking tape around the A pillar it's no longer a small area.



The 5" pad is very easy to control here as you're basically polishing like normL thanks to the masking tape. Speed 4, 1 hand.



A pillars are straight as an arrow. I can't imagine the polisher ever stalling here.



Remove your tape and check out your results. Lookin good + your black trim doesn't have a spec of polish residue on it.��



This will work on all the pillars on most vehicles. Parts like around the rear license plate he may want to invest in that 3" backing plate + pads.

Looks like your polishing tape instead of paint.

[Eldorado2k]

Looks like your polishing tape instead of paint.

TBO it actually came out really good. So good I almost feel inspired enough to give the whole truck a quik go round just to freshen it up. It's been about 10-12 months since I last polished it.

Which leads me to my next question: Does the whole pad need to contact the surface being polished? In other words, can a 4" pad be used to polish a 3" or smaller strip? Any advice much appreciated. Please forgive me if this has been addressed elsewhere.

The only reason I recommended it was because he specifically asked if there was any way possible.^

These days I no longer have to do it that way now that I've got a 3" backing plate + pads.