Porter Cable problem?

[mark58]

Using Porter cable 7346 SP Lake Country 5.5" CCS pads and spinning is next to non existent. Yes, I marked the backing plate but there is just small rotation 10 -20 rpm? Tried light pressure to no pressure and nothing changed? Any ideas? Acts same on all speeds.
Thanks

[Mike Phillips]

Using Porter cable 7346 SP Lake Country 5.5" CCS pads and spinning is next to non existent. Yes, I marked the backing plate but there is just small rotation 10 -20 rpm? Tried light pressure to no pressure and nothing changed? Any ideas? Acts same on all speeds.
Thanks

The first generation PC's are not as good at keeping the pad rotating under pressure as the second generation PC polishers...

Under pressure the pad will spin slowly but you have to use very good technique. Vary your pressure to maintain the best pad rotation you can get.

We had a forum member join over a year ago to buff out his Corvette, he was using a first gen PC, here's the thread,

WG TSR/FG & PC 7335 Technique (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/21942-wg-tsr-fg-pc-7335-technique.html)


Here's a quote from the above thread from the Corvette owner...




As you predicted, the G100/PC7335 is doing the job, but very slowly, and also requiring MANY section passes. Sometimes I need to go back and do again. I'm using a 5.5 CCS orange pad with WG TSR. I'm using a 5.5 CCS white pad with WG FG.

I will definitely be purchasing a new DA in the spring!!!




He was able to remove the swirls out of the clear coat on his Corvette but discovered as you are that it was time to upgrade to either a second generation DA Polisher or a Flex 3401

Stick with thin pads, hold the pads flat to the surface at all times, plus some other tips here,

How to maximize the ability of the 1st Generation Porter Cable Dual Action Polishers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-ability-1st-gen-porter-cable-dual-action-polishers.html)


:)

[mark58]

The first generation PC's are not as good at keeping the pad rotating under pressure as the second generation PC polishers...

Under pressure the pad will spin slowly but you have to use very good technique. Vary your pressure to maintain the best pad rotation you can get.

We had a forum member join over a year ago to buff out his Corvette, he was using a first gen PC, here's the thread,

WG TSR/FG & PC 7335 Technique (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/21942-wg-tsr-fg-pc-7335-technique.html)


Here's a quote from the above thread from the Corvette owner...




He was able to remove the swirls out of the clear coat on his Corvette but discovered as you are that it was time to upgrade to either a second generation DA Polisher or a Flex 3401

Stick with thin pads, hold the pads flat to the surface at all times, plus some other tips here,

How to maximize the ability of the 1st Generation Porter Cable Dual Action Polishers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/27166-how-maximize-ability-1st-gen-porter-cable-dual-action-polishers.html)


:)

Thanks Mike, Never expected you to answer my post.

[Mike Phillips]

Take heart... hundreds of thousands of swirls have been removed using the first generation PC's, you just have to do everything right.

Little things like using "ample" product for good lubrication between the pad and the paint will enable your pads to rotate more easily. You can't overdo it though as you'll hyper-lubricate the surface so no cutting takes place.

Switching to dry pads when the current pad becomes wet will instantly restore rotating ability as wet foam absorbs and dissipates energy.

You could also look at the Meguiar's DA Microfiber DA System for your current tool, these pads are very thin and thus will work better with a first gen PC

The best remedy is to upgrade your polisher to a new XP or the Griot's knock-off of it... or get a Flex 3401


If you're going to do a lot of buffing then upgrading would be a good option, if you're just taking care of your car or cars, then you could get by with what you have... it will just take longer...


:)

[trencher7]

Can I use the new Meguire's DA system (pads) on my current PCXP if I got the Lake County package here? Or are the backing plates not compatible?

[dad07]

Can I use the new Meguire's DA system (pads) on my current PCXP if I got the Lake County package here? Or are the backing plates not compatible?

Meguire's recomend you use thier backing plates just a small expense to ensure results.

[trencher7]

Ok so the Megs backing plate will work on a PCXP?

[dad07]

Yes it will!

[mark58]

Take heart... hundreds of thousands of swirls have been removed using the first generation PC's, you just have to do everything right.

Little things like using "ample" product for good lubrication between the pad and the paint will enable your pads to rotate more easily. You can't overdo it though as you'll hyper-lubricate the surface so no cutting takes place.

Switching to dry pads when the current pad becomes wet will instantly restore rotating ability as wet foam absorbs and dissipates energy.

You could also look at the Meguiar's DA Microfiber DA System for your current tool, these pads are very thin and thus will work better with a first gen PC

The best remedy is to upgrade your polisher to a new XP or the Griot's knock-off of it... or get a Flex 3401


If you're going to do a lot of buffing then upgrading would be a good option, if you're just taking care of your car or cars, then you could get by with what you have... it will just take longer...


:)

Update, took my 7346 sp Porter cable back to Lowes since I only got it little over a wk. No problem they gave me full refund. Now back to shopping.
Thanks again for quick reply Mike.

[Mike Phillips]

Update, took my 7346 sp Porter cable back to Lowes since I only got it little over a wk. No problem they gave me full refund.

Now back to shopping. Thanks again for quick reply Mike.



No problemo...

Take a look at one of these,

Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html)

Dual Action Orbital Polishers and pads: Porter Cable 7424 : Porter Cable 7424XP: Lake Country Buffing Foam Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polishers.html)

Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Dual action buffer, DA polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-random-orbital-polisher.html)


:buffing:

[Matt575]

No problemo...

Take a look at one of these,

Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer (http://www.autogeek.net/flex-orbital-polisher.html)

Dual Action Orbital Polishers and pads: Porter Cable 7424 : Porter Cable 7424XP: Lake Country Buffing Foam Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-polishers.html)

Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Dual action buffer, DA polisher (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-random-orbital-polisher.html)


:buffing:

Mark, For what it's worth I just got the Griots and am very happy with it. I did a bit of internet searching and found it much cheaper and had AG price match it.