Orbital Polisher Time

[kayger12]

The time has come. I am ready to buy an orbital polisher and the associated supplies and figured I would tap the knowledge of my ZHP family.

Recommendations? I can pick up a Porter-Cable 7424XP 6-Inch on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002654I46/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B002654I46) for $117. Good way to go?

Also looking for suggestions on what supplies are best i.e. pads, swirl remover, polish, wax, etc.

Thanks for the help.

[danewilson77]

I got the kit that I think I outlined in the detailing section. It came with the porter cable, pads, polishes, and I picked up some dodo juice. I think it was a lil over 200 shipped....but it came with evrything and pretty high quality stuff. Now I would try to go with a kit from 2M if available.

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[kayger12]

Will check it out. Thanks, DW.

[2M Auto Body]

The time has come. I am ready to buy an orbital polisher and the associated supplies and figured I would tap the knowledge of my ZHP family.

Recommendations? I can pick up a Porter-Cable 7424XP 6-Inch on Amazon for $117. Good way to go?

Also looking for suggestions on what supplies are best i.e. pads, swirl remover, polish, wax, etc.

Thanks for the help.

Porter Cable 7424xp (http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=zhpcom-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=B002654I46) ftw. This is the exact tool we use at the shop for polishing.:roundel

[Marcus-SanDiego]

There you go, Keith. Winner.

[kayger12]

Porter Cable 7424xp ftw. This is the exact tool we use at the shop for polishing.:roundel

Thanks. Appreciate it.


There you go, Keith. Winner.

Agreed.

[2M Auto Body]

Btw, we paid $103 shipped :fistpump

[kayger12]

Btw, we paid $103 shipped :fistpump

Come on now, share the love- from where? That's a great price.

I already paid $117 shipped from Amazon (http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?lt1=_blank&bc1=000000&IS2=1&bg1=FFFFFF&fc1=000000&lc1=0000FF&t=zhpcom-20&o=1&p=8&l=as4&m=amazon&f=ifr&asins=B002654I46), but it would be good info for anyone else who's looking to buy.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Keith, they may have got the hookup because they're a body shop. The fact that you only paid $14 more means you still got a good deal. I'm now curious to see where they got that price. LOL.

[2M Auto Body]

Keith, sorry for the delayed response. I actually just ordered through Amazon as well...hmmm....I just sorted by lowest price and choose one that had free shipping. I had to wait a WHOLE 5 days for delivery!!! (haha, not long at all)

Also, $117 is still an awesome deal. There is a detailing center/shop right next to our shop and they sell their Porter Cables for $150. So...$117 is still a great deal! Be sure to click on AMAZON affiliated sponsor link (http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?229-List-of-Affiliate-Advertisers-at-ZHP-Mafia) here on the forum. (I'm sure you already knew that though) :roundel

[quikryptonite]

My dad for the most part uses Meguiar's consumer line (http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-4193730-10771029) with some semi-professional products mixed in. We started working on getting the swirls out of my car and it is coming along nicely so far. Good luck.

[JohnnyGraphic]

I've used Menzerna products on my car since it was new. It has always worked extremely well for me. There is a LOT of info and A LOT of products out there. Take your time, read the reviews and find out what product will do it for you. Since my car is a daily driver, I can't be polishing it every 2 months, or waxing it every 2 months. I've kind of let it go the last year and a half though. So, I just bought some more product and pads to get it back to the way it was. They say it is all in the preparation. Very true indeed!

My take on the Porter Cable-Very easy and forgiving to use. Combine that with the right pads and polishes, and you'll be set. Don't forget to clay your car too! Makes a HUGE difference!

All I need now is some sunny weather so I can actually wash my car!

Johnny

[zhpnsnv]

I second the rec for menz products. They're great for BMW paint. I don't get out all imperfections, but that's more a function of my lack of skill than it is of the products.


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[kayger12]

Many thanks for the opinions, gents.

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[Marcus-SanDiego]

Just a heads up. Detailed Image is selling these Porter orbital buffers for $114 right now. Affiliate link here: http://www.detailedimage.com/wax.php?id=13407&url=detailedimage.com/Porter-Cable-M17/7424XP-Random-Orbital-Buffer-P331/

[Nerius]

Keith, or anyone with a PC 7424 for that matter, which size pads did you go with? I see that DI has some kits with 5.5" pads and some with 6.5" pads and I'm just wondering what size pads work best for polishing up a ZHP.

[danewilson77]

I have the smaller Lake County pads.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[M0nk3y]

To be honest, I'm moving completely away from Menzerna Products right now. I do have 4 of their polishes sitting on my shelf, but I always grab M105/205 first before I touch anything else. I do need to use them sometimes if I want to do a 1 step finishing or something to that effect, but I enjoy what M105 can do.

As for pads, stick with 5.5" if you can. The smaller pads will turn faster and create heat faster.

When I worked with my PC, i used 6.5" pads, it wasn't terrible...just wasn't enjoyable

[kayger12]

Keith, or anyone with a PC 7424 for that matter, which size pads did you go with? I see that DI has some kits with 5.5" pads and some with 6.5" pads and I'm just wondering what size pads work best for polishing up a ZHP.

I went with the 6 in pads, but I didn't know any better.

Haven't used it yet.

Looking at next month for my first clay/polish/sealant project.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

[zhpnsnv]

Keith-

Let me know if you want help when you tackle the paint. I can bring over lots of products to try if you want.


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[kayger12]

Appreciate that. Thanks!

[danewilson77]

I went with the 6 in pads, but I didn't know any better.

Haven't used it yet.

Looking at next month for my first clay/polish/sealant project.

Droid X. Tapatalk. Use it.

Can't wait....in for pics.

Droid + Tapatalk = FTW!

[Nerius]

As for pads, stick with 5.5" if you can. The smaller pads will turn faster and create heat faster.

When I worked with my PC, i used 6.5" pads, it wasn't terrible...just wasn't enjoyable

Thanks for the advice!

[zhpnsnv]

I've got lots of detail products on the way for my post-winter cleaning. I go with the 4 inch pads based on preference. I tried the larger ones, but it was a mess. I find it easier to navigate with the 4 inchers. I'm not doing people's cars for $, so it's okay if it takes some time.

Spring detail started Sunday: Interior finished.

Thursday/Friday = exterior.

Process will be:
- wash
- clay/remove bugs/tar
- wash
- polish with menzerna line (I have 4 of them - how many I use will depend on paint)
- seal with menzerna FMJ
- top with Collinite Insulator Wax (845).

If IW is foreign to anyone here, I highly recommend you give it a shot. The beading is insane, and it lasts every bit as long as a sealant.

mb

[98Vette]

FWIW, if you want a good random orbital polisher, check out the Flex 3401. it's better than the PC, but does cost more. the upside is it takes less time for correction. I use it with LC pads and the 105/205 combo with great results.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Dayum. They are pricey. Normally $560? Amazon selling them for $320.

Is this the right one? Flex XC3401VRG Orbital Action Polisher (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DB0NVG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B001DB0NVG)

[danewilson77]

Das too much. M0nk3y turned me onto the Porter Cable. I got the entire kit with pads for around $180?

[M0nk3y]

Das too much. M0nk3y turned me onto the Porter Cable. I got the entire kit with pads for around $180?

For someone who wants to be general detailing, PC is really all they need.

Granted, it may take some time. But it's quality time with their "son" right? hahaha.

As well, I picked up my makita 9227c Rotary for $175. They go for around $190 now. But still, I can achieve more correction (around 95-99%) than a flex, and it's cheaper!

Of course, it's a more dangerous machine.

[98Vette]

Dayum. They are pricey. Normally $560? Amazon selling them for $320.

Is this the right one? Flex XC3401VRG Orbital Action Polisher (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001DB0NVG/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=zhpcom-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399349&creativeASIN=B001DB0NVG)

Yep, that's the beast. I guess they've upped the price since I bought mine. I had a PC and while it was ok, it didn't have the power of the Flex. With the PC I had better luck with 4" pads. They were far better than a 5.5" pad for that machine. While the Flex isn't up there with a rotary, it will do pretty much anything you want, especially when hooking it up with the Meguiars 105/205 combo.