PC 7424 XP counter weight

[Smoke244]

Hey guys and gals, I am new to the machine paint correction and polishing world. I got the detail bug over the Holidays and spent a lot of money at AG :-). I purchased a PC 7424 XP, lots of pads, WG swirl remover, polish, and paint sealant along with many other items to do the job right. I have read The Complete Guide to a Show Car Shine and watched many of Mikes videos on YouTube and feel confident I can clean up the Black paint on my Avalanche.

The question I have is I purchased the PC package that came with a 5" back plate and a few 5.5" Lake Country pads. I also purchased a 3.5" back plate and a bunch of 4" LC pads. Do I need to change the counter weight in the PC 7424 XP for the 4" pads to work correctly?

[Kamakaz1961]

No need to do anything. You should be fine with your set up. I have the PC7424XP with all size backing plates and pads and it is a great 1st time DA. Mikes book is a great help.

Just remember patience and patience and breath!!! Orange Pad = correcting = Wolfgang Swirl Remover

White Pad = Polish = Wolfgang Polish

Black or Red Pad = Wax or Sealant or both.

My biggest and best suggestion is HAVE FUN!!!!

[Smoke244]

Will do and THANKS! I did buy all those color pads and am ready to have fun with this!! I have always kept my truck clayed and waxed so it's not real bad but like any black daily driver it could use some correction.

[FUNX650]

I change-out the 5" counterweight that came with my PC 7424XP...
to the below 6" counterweight whenever using size 5.5", and larger,
buffing pads.

Often I'll just then go ahead and leave the 6" cw installed for buffing
with smaller-sized pads as well.

Counterweight for Porter Cable 7424XP Polisher


Bob

[Smoke244]

I change-out the 5" counterweight that came with my PC 7424XP...
to the below 6" counterweight whenever using size 5.5", and larger,
buffing pads.

Often I'll just then go ahead and leave the 6" cw installed for buffing
with smaller-sized pads as well.

Counterweight for Porter Cable 7424XP Polisher


Bob

Did you notice much change or smother operation with the 6" CW?

[Kamakaz1961]

I change-out the 5" counterweight that came with my PC 7424XP...
to the below 6" counterweight whenever using size 5.5", and larger,
buffing pads.

Often I'll just then go ahead and leave the 6" cw installed for buffing
with smaller-sized pads as well.

Counterweight for Porter Cable 7424XP Polisher


Bob

Wow!! I never knew my PC came with a counter weight!! Thanks for the info Bob!! Unfortunately, I threw my box away years ago!!

But I do not go over 5.5" pads in fact I only use it for 4" Pads or less and that is for waxing and very light polishing.

My Flex 3401 takes care of the bigger Pads (5.5 - 6.5") and now my new PE-8 will be doing some other duties too!! My PC will probably be a polisher for follow up after the PE-8. The PE-8 even though it is a rotary is now my goto for waxing and laying LSP. It is a way cool Rotary! Speed setting 1 Bob just an FYI

The AGO encyclopedia strikes again!!!!!

[Blade]

Like Bob, I changed out the counterweight in my PC before I used it the first time. And never changed it again even for smaller 3" backing plates.

Here's Mike Phillip's reply, when asked if different cw's are required for different sized bp's:

"No.
The entire counterweight issue had more to do with using the tool as a sander, not a polisher.
The Porter Cable unit was originally designed to use for wood sand and as such instead of a thick foam pad on the end of the backing plate you would place a paper thin piece of sandpaper.
Attach the correct size backing plate, then your buffing pad and get busy with it!" - Mike Phillips, Aug 2008

[Kamakaz1961]

Like Bob, I changed out the counterweight in my PC before I used it the first time. And never changed it again even for smaller 3" backing plates.

Here's Mike Phillip's reply, when asked if different cw's are required for different sized bp's:

"No.
The entire counterweight issue had more to do with using the tool as a sander, not a polisher.
The Porter Cable unit was originally designed to use for wood sand and as such instead of a thick foam pad on the end of the backing plate you would place a paper thin piece of sandpaper.
Attach the correct size backing plate, then your buffing pad and get busy with it!" - Mike Phillips, Aug 2008

WOO HOO!!!! I guess I did it right after all these years!!!!! But interesting to know about the counterweight thing!! I never even knew about it till it was brought up on these posts!! My PC7424XP has done a great job for me in correcting and Polishing with no issues!

[Smoke244]

Thanks guys, I will run it as it came! I have always been a clean car freak but now that I drive a black Avalanche LTZ I can see I need to up my game to keep this baby looking good! (Going to need to up my income too ;-)