[Sean]

Random Orbital? Is it easy to use? How are the results and is it really worth the money?



Thanks,
Sean

 

[Guest84]

Easy to use, you cannot screw up a finish with one unless you use the wrong products or drop the pads in sand. The outcome is beyond belief. I will post the videos off autopia.com (or you can go search for them) tomorrow, I have it bookmarked at my work computer.

I would never do a car by hand again after using one, it cut my bi-annual detail time down from 7 hours to 4.

 

[Sean]

Sounds like a time saver. Best place (price) to purchase it from?

 

[Guest84]

I bought mine from Coastal Toolsfor $115. Griots Garage had them for $199 so it pays to shop around. Someone else on the bimmer.org found it for 3 dollars less, but by the time you added shipping and handling from the two respective sites, it came out the same. I would get an extra white foam pad (comes with one) for applying the polish and wax on separate pads, or get the pad kit they sell. Also, if you plan to use something other than the white pad, make sure you get the 6" pad counterweight ($3.00), it'll elongate the life of the bearings (website describes this for you)

Here's the link for using the PC, and some video:
http://autopia-carport.com/ProductTests/PC7424.htm

 

[Sean]

Thanks! For a $115.00 I think I'll have to order me one. :thumb:


I just noticed this at Coastal's site.

The only exception is when using the 54745 6" Foam Polishing Pad. Due to its light weight and the small-diameter backing pad used (included with pad), it can be used with either the 5" pad or 6" pad counterweight. Porter-Cable outfits the 7424 6" Polisher with the 5" pad counterweight.


So, did I still need the other counterweight? :dunno: I'm new to this.

 

[Guest84]

Just get the counter-weight. Its cheap insurance. You'll be using nothing but 6" pads on it, so it will extend the life of the bearings. Its only $3 or $4 bucks.

 

[Sean]

Your right, cheap insurance. What pads/bonnets do you recommend? What do you use? Do you have the 6' velcro back-up plate?

 

[Guest84]

The unit comes with a 6" white foam pad, wool backing pad (baa!) for bonnets if you use them. I have Griots Red foam pads for the wax application, which has a matching velcro backing for the Porter cable velcro pad. Summary of what I ordered :

(1) extra white foam pad
(1) velcro backing pad (might be included? I don't remember)
(1) Counterweight, 6")

I use one white foam pad for the polish stage, one white foam pad for the Paint cleaning product that I prefer, and the Red foam pad (from Griots) for the wax application stage. Many use the terry cloth bonnets over the wool backing pad for product removal, but I still prefer doing it by hand with 100% cotton...I call it "sculpturing wax removal"

 

[Sean]

Thank you.