Just bought a HF DA

**BillyBob444** · 09-01-2014, 06:37 PM

Ok, so apon further investigation I returned my $250 7424xp kit I purchased from Auto Geek.

I spent two hours in Harbor freight trying to figure out which backing plate to get.

Should I get a 5" backing plate and use 6" pads or just keep the 6'' backing plate and use 7'' pads?

I have no problem buying a backing plate but I ran into another problem. HF had backing plates and they were all 5'8 threads when I need 5'16 thread..

Where can I buy another backing plate? I also want a 3 inch backing plate for when I do small areas.

Can someone point in the right direction to where I should buy the pads and backing plates and also what kind of pad I should get.. Waffle shape or just flat.

Then I need to get into compounds... so many options.. Which is the best for the money.. Where I can buy the cheapest.

Can someone point me in the right direction without blowing the bank. Thanks so much.

**The Guz** · 09-01-2014, 06:44 PM

Just buy a lake country backing plate. You should have just kept the PC.

**DaveT435** · 09-01-2014, 06:49 PM

5 inch plate 5.5 pads. 3.5 or 4 inch pads for the 3 inch BP. I use Lake country pads. As far as compounds, polishes, etc. what kin dog car/cars?

**Kamakaz1961** · 09-01-2014, 07:34 PM

Originally Posted by The Guz

Just buy a lake country backing plate. You should have just kept the PC.

+1 You will get what you paid for....headaches...the PC7424 XP is superior in quality.

**PeterPistol** · 09-01-2014, 07:35 PM

I'd check at the junkyard!!!!

**Andy B. Cool** · 09-01-2014, 07:38 PM

The porter cable is an under powered piece of junk. You probably won't have any issues withe the hf polisher I have heard nothing but good stuff about them.

**Andy B. Cool** · 09-01-2014, 07:42 PM

Oh and to answer your question so the 5 and 3 inch backing plates

**swanicyouth** · 09-01-2014, 07:44 PM

Originally Posted by propolishing

The porter cable is an under powered piece of junk. You probably won't have any issues withe the hf polisher I have heard nothing but good stuff about them.

Piece of junk? Really? Maybe you should tell that to like the zillion and one people who have perfected their paint with it. The PC is one of the oldest and most reliable detailing tools around that still is relevant .

It may not be the most powerful DA on the market - but it's no "piece of junk". It's quite powerful and capable... The caveat is the user has to know what he or she is doing - like everything else... It's just easier to say "it's a piece of junk" than to learn how to use it to it's maximum potential.

**Quickstrike32** · 09-01-2014, 07:52 PM

Debating between the PC and HF myself. Back on topic...pick up a 5 inch backing plate and some 5.5 pads. Mike recommends the Lake country flat pads for beginners.

**PeterPistol** · 09-01-2014, 08:01 PM

Take it easy!!! Just don't think it's fair to talk about other competitors on this forum!!!! Bought a few things from HF and they went right into the trash!!!!