Porter Cable 7424XP Question

[blinkstafoo182]

I am looking to get this polisher mainly for applying CG BlackLight and CG wax.

I was wondering though what backing plate does the polisher come with?

Also, what pads do y'all recommend if I'm using it for applying those 2 products only.

Thanks

[inDetail]

It depends where you buy it from. If you buy it from a "tool" supplier you don't get one. It comes with a white pad that you thread right into the PC. You can toss it or use it as a backer for buffing bonnets. (There is a 5/8" washer threaded onto the stem of that pad. Don't throw it out. You will need it as a spacer between the backing plate and the polisher.
You might be able to get a kit through CG since that is where you are getting the rest of your stuff. PC, pads and some chems in the kit,
You want a 5.5" yellow backing plate for the PC.
When you get the PC make sure it has the 5" counter weight installed. You need that to run 5.5" pads. Those will be the most common size you will use.

[Mach1USMC]

The kit I got came with a 5 inch backing plate iirc, and (6) 5.5 inch hex logic pads. I have used the black pad to apply wax with great success.

I believe AG has similar kits- mine was through CG.

[inDetail]

Sorry make that a 5" plate for 5.5" pads

[inDetail]

Pads I use CG HexLogic or MF black optics.
For the Black Light I would use Black Foam pad. The pad has no cut so any polishing, cutting or glazing at this point depends on the chemical you are using. Black Light does have abrasives in it and can be used as an AIO. Run a test spot and see if it mars or further polishes the paint.
For CG wax I would use the red flat pad. I find it to be a pain in the ass to apply paste wax by machine. If you are using cream wax use the red and your good to get

[blinkstafoo182]

Pads I use CG HexLogic or MF black optics.
For the Black Light I would use Black Foam pad. The pad has no cut so any polishing, cutting or glazing at this point depends on the chemical you are using. Black Light does have abrasives in it and can be used as an AIO. Run a test spot and see if it mars or further polishes the paint.
For CG wax I would use the red flat pad. I find it to be a pain in the ass to apply paste wax by machine. If you are using cream wax use the red and your good to get

Red flat pad?

[mikesal57]

Do you really want to buy a machine to apply wax?

Some of the best waxes can go on by hand with no effort at all....

Sorry...I'm a frugal type guy :)

mike

[blinkstafoo182]

Do you really want to buy a machine to apply wax?

Some of the best waxes can go on by hand with no effort at all....

Sorry...I'm a frugal type guy :)

mike

Yeah you do make a point, but I know putting on paste products sucks by hand. I've been using a microfiber applicator pad in the past and its OK, but I wanted something a little easier for applying something like BlackLight.

Is there something better for hand application then MF applicator pads?

[inDetail]

Red pads have zero cut and a flat pad will ensure complete even coverage of a wax. Personally I apply all paste waxes by hand.

[inDetail]

I use the PS21 wax applicators the black and yellow one's are very comfortable to use because of how they are shaped

[ski2]

If you're going to buy a machine to apply wax, why not just get the Harbor Freight DA--about $50 with a coupon, then another $15 for a good 5" backing plate and $6 or $7 for each 5.5" red pad per LSP. And, the machine is very capable of doing polishing if you ever want to get into that phase of detailing.

[mikesal57]

How about using a Polishing Pal...easy on the hand and quick

[blinkstafoo182]

Well I went ahead and purchased the PC and really enjoy it. But I'm not sure if I have it set up correctly, there is some space between the backing plate tool, about 1/4 of an inch where I can see the washer moving up and down freely.

Also, how do I clean my foam pads?

[Mike Phillips]

I am looking to get this polisher mainly for applying CG BlackLight and CG wax.

I was wondering though what backing plate does the polisher come with?

Also, what pads do y'all recommend if I'm using it for applying those 2 products only.

Thanks


Well I went ahead and purchased the PC and really enjoy it. But I'm not sure if I have it set up correctly, there is some space between the backing plate tool, about 1/4 of an inch where I can see the washer moving up and down freely.

Also, how do I clean my foam pads?


Congratulations on the purchase. I love the PC for machine applying waxes and anyone that's read any of my write-up sees this tool used this way all the time and the results are always fast, uniform and easy.

Even got Wayne Carini's guys hooked on machine applying waxes using the PC and they were doing all their work by hand before we met. Here

Ferrari F430 - Used for the Autogeek how-to segment on Chasing Classic Cars (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/63621-wayne-carini-chasing-classic-cars-gets-visit-ivan-karstuff-autogeek-3.html)


Machine Waxing
Here's Marius machine applying wax for the first time too, after I left Marius said he would never apply a wax by hand again. For this I like to use the Porter Cable 7424XP with a Lake Country blue waxing pad and Pinnacle Souveran Paste Wax. This was also the first time Marius used a paste wax by machine.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1844/Buffing_Waynes_Ferrari_F430_006.jpg


Looking right at home in front of Wayne's F40.com store...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1844/Buffing_Waynes_Ferrari_F430_008.jpg



Here's the results...
Here's the full overhead sun shot out in front of the F40.com store...

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1844/Buffing_Waynes_Ferrari_F430_004.jpg






There's an answer for all of your questions here, just scan down it till you find the topic you're looking for,


Articles by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html)


For example... you asked about what pad comes with the PC?

The white foam pad that comes with a Porter Cable Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wool-foam-buffing-pads/50479-white-foam-pad-comes-porter-cable-polisher.html)



You ask how to clean a pad...

How to clean your foam pad on the fly (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/20135-how-clean-your-foam-pad-fly.html)

Why it's important to clean your pads often... (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/28755-why-s-important-clean-your-pads-often.html)

How to dry a foam pad after hand washing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/26512-how-dry-foam-pad-after-hand-washing.html)



I cover the actual "washing with water" ways to clean you pad here,

Detailing How-To Book and Detailing How-To E-book by Mike Phillips (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/64360-detailing-how-book-detailing-how-e-book.html)



You say the backing plate is loose?

The Compression Washer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/48913-compression-washer.html)



Lots more on my article list...


:)

[blinkstafoo182]

Thank you very much sir.