How many here are still using the Porter Cable DA?

Still kicking, the PC7424 did the sanding work below on the E28's hood earlier this year to prep for some test paint.

Great little unit, this was actually my first polisher that I picked up that really sparked my polishing obsession, must be around 14 years ago now.

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Still use mine after ~20 years. But granted, I'm not a weekend warrior, just an occasional amateur.
 
Still have mine and use it. Just got a Griots G9 but now that I have it, should have just stuck with the PC. Have the PC set up with 3” backing plate.
 
I detailed a customers boat a couple of weeks ago and was offered a PC for free.. I respectfully declined.

I had just ordered a new mini polisher to replace my HF DA, so I didn’t see any possible use for what would’ve been a downgraded version of the HF DA which I had just replaced.

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Back in 2004 when I bought a Corvette I met a guy online at the Corvette forum who worked for Autogeek. He talked me into getting the PC.. it is the pre-XP one. I never really got good results with it other than applying wax until I found Mike Phillip's instructionals on how to use it correctly. I keep wanting to upgrade but it does everything I could ever need, especially since I own soft paint Subarus now. It's all about the right pad diameter and thickness and now I can make it spin well, polish and correct. If the PC ever breaks I will get a Flex but I just can't justify it when it does everything I need.
 
jem7sk said:
Back in 2004 when I bought a Corvette I met a guy online at the Corvette forum who worked for Autogeek. He talked me into getting the PC.. it is the pre-XP one. I never really got good results with it other than applying wax until I found Mike Phillip's instructionals on how to use it correctly. I keep wanting to upgrade but it does everything I could ever need, especially since I own soft paint Subarus now. It's all about the right pad diameter and thickness and now I can make it spin well, polish and correct. If the PC ever breaks I will get a Flex but I just can't justify it when it does everything I need.
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So what pad did you find that works optimally?
 
Don't mean to cut off jem7sk's answer, bcgreen, but i bought a bunch of LC Thin Pro 5.5" pad's specifically for my PC and they are phenomenal!
 
Also, reading back through this thread i agree with Mike's unused corporate feedback about a market for smaller and more powerful 8mm (or even smaller) throw DA's. I say "unused feedback" because at the time they seemed uninterested.

However...look at the market now for small DA units for sale!

I now use my rotary with 2 and 3" pads for tight areas because i wasn't really happy with my PC and 3" pads. I don't like the pad "shadow" as Mike calls it on the throw and a rotary gives me more precision.

I know, I know...i need a Nano!
 
bcgreen said:
So what pad did you find that works optimally?
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I haven't tried that many but found good success with Maquiar's 5" pads though I didn't think they lasted very long before they wore out. Right now I have some LC HydroTech 5.5" that I just tried on some test spots and like them a lot. I hope to try their flat and thin pro pads next. I also like the GG 5" micro fiber pad I have.. I think the key is a thin reputable pad so it can spin easily.
 
My Porter Cable was my first machine since I got serious about paint correction and I still use it. I have moved on to a Griots GG6 and then a Griots G9 but I still use the PC. I have a 3 inch backing plate on it and it is used for paint correction in small places and applying sealant.
 
UncleDavy said:
My Porter Cable was my first machine since I got serious about paint correction and I still use it. I have moved on to a Griots GG6 and then a Griots G9 but I still use the PC. I have a 3 inch backing plate on it and it is used for paint correction in small places and applying sealant.
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The 7424XP was my first machine I ever bought years ago and I've never gone back to "hand waxing". It cut my time easily in half and now using Wolfgang's DGS 3.0 it takes less than 2 hours to complete my job as I apply the sealant to the entire car and by the time I'm finished applying, I can begin wiping off the first sections. Believe it or not, I used to take about 4+ hours to clean and wax my car.

On another note, how long do the brushes on the 7424XP last? I'm wondering when I should check them to be sure they don't wear to the metal and start damaging the commutator on the armature.
 
My PC 7424XP bearing froze up on me, cost to repair was more than a new machine. Plus I was in the middle of a detail and needed a replacement quickly (I only use it for small areas, my Flex gets the big work) I went to Harbor Freight and bought their polisher and actually like it better than the PC.
 
My PC is going strong going on 8 years. I love it! I dont see a reason to get another at this time. Maybe if this conks out I’ll venture out and test the Rupes waters.
 
Wanted to bump this up!

I plan on receiving my new car shortly and plan on using my 7424xp! Would I be better off borrowing a buddy's Rupes or will this do the job just fine?
 
Game said:
Wanted to bump this up!

I plan on receiving my new car shortly and plan on using my 7424xp! Would I be better off borrowing a buddy's Rupes or will this do the job just fine?
Click to expand...

It’ll do the job just fine.
 
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