Porter Cable 7424 noob needs help.....

Dominican335 · 03-07-2007, 01:58 PM

I am about to place an order for the 7424. I have done some searching on various websites and the amount of information available regarding, pads, polishes, backing plates, counterweights, etc.....is dizzying to say the least.

My basic question is 95% of my use with the 7424 will be to apply Zaino's ZPC polish to the car. Which pad would be best to use for this purpose (my vehicle is jet black and has very minor scrathes in the clearcoat and swirl marks)? Also, I will be ordering the 7424 from Coastal Tool. Does the buffer come with a 5" inch backing plate? If so, I would assume I would need to purchase a 5" pad to use with it. If I get a 6" pad do I then need to purchase a 6" backing plate?

Sorry for the noobish questions but just want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff. Thanks in advance.

picus · 03-07-2007, 02:08 PM

Which pad you use will depend on the condition of the paint. I'd get one of each (assuming lake country), orange, white, and grey. Odds are you'll use the white one most, so you might consider getting two of those.

The 7424 comes with a 5" CW, however the one from Coastal Tools also comes with a free 6", so whichever BP you get will work. I prefer a 6" BP and pads. Remember, do not use the pad that comes with the PC.

Dominican335 · 03-07-2007, 03:56 PM

Picus: Thanks for the help. I did some quick searching online and it looks like lake country makes the 6" backing plate and 6.5" pads. I'm assuming the 6.5" pads are appropriate for the 6" BP despite the 0.5" difference (I didn't see any 6.0" pads for sale).

Lastly, is there an online retailer you recommend for purchasing the backing plate and pads? Preferably one I can call and ask questions if need be. Thanks again. Please PM me with the retailer if forum rules don't allow you to post it.

picus · 03-07-2007, 04:03 PM

Yep, the 6.5" pads are made for the 6" bp.

I think I'm allowed to post sites. I'm in Canada so I order mostly from Canadian sites, but autogeek.net, detailedimage.com, pakshak.com, properautocare.com etc are all reputable online shops.

NFS13 · 03-07-2007, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picus

Yep, the 6.5" pads are made for the 6" bp.

I think I'm allowed to post sites. I'm in Canada so I order mostly from Canadian sites, but autogeek.net, detailedimage.com, pakshak.com, properautocare.com etc are all reputable online shops.

Oddly enough LC is suggesting that you use their 7.5 pads with a 6" plate?
This is from Autogeek:

CCS pads are available in 6.5 inch and 7.5 inch. For a 6.5 inch pad, we recommend a 5 inch backing plate. For a 7.5 inch pad, we recommend a 6 inch backing plate.

Dominican335 · 03-07-2007, 11:24 PM

I noticed that same suggestion as well. So now I'm confused.

Also, are the CCS pads better than the standard ones? I read what they have to say about them on the website but do they actually perform better and offer the benefits they claim?

NFS13 · 03-08-2007, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dominican335

I noticed that same suggestion as well. So now I'm confused.

Also, are the CCS pads better than the standard ones? I read what they have to say about them on the website but do they actually perform better and offer the benefits they claim?

I just ordered a couple of the 7.5's They are pretty good pads IMO. Picus?

JF · 03-08-2007, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picus

Yep, the 6.5" pads are made for the 6" bp.

I think I'm allowed to post sites. I'm in Canada so I order mostly from Canadian sites, but autogeek.net, detailedimage.com, pakshak.com, properautocare.com etc are all reputable online shops.

Picus: Could you please list a few of your prefered Canadian sites?

Thanks,
JF

picus · 03-08-2007, 10:09 PM

You can use any size larger than 6" with a 6" pad. I prefer 6.5", here is why:

When you use a PC you'll notice it doesn't have a ton of motor power. The success of your work depends on how much of that power you can transfer to the paint. Using 6.5" pads on a 6" plate means almost all of the pads surface is contacting the surface with backpressure. Using a 7.5" pad on a 6" means there is a ring around the pad that is always pressed back as you apply pressure to the BP.

Also, the smaller the pad the more aggressive, that's just the way it is (surface area, and all that). 7.5's are fine and will work, they are quality pads. It's just a preference thing.

JF - eshine.ca and carcaresmart.com, both good sites.

JF · 03-08-2007, 11:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picus

JF - eshine.ca and carcaresmart.com, both good sites.

Thank you my friend!

JF

NFS13 · 03-09-2007, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picus

You can use any size larger than 6" with a 6" pad. I prefer 6.5", here is why:

When you use a PC you'll notice it doesn't have a ton of motor power. The success of your work depends on how much of that power you can transfer to the paint. Using 6.5" pads on a 6" plate means almost all of the pads surface is contacting the surface with backpressure. Using a 7.5" pad on a 6" means there is a ring around the pad that is always pressed back as you apply pressure to the BP.

Also, the smaller the pad the more aggressive, that's just the way it is (surface area, and all that). 7.5's are fine and will work, they are quality pads. It's just a preference thing.

JF - eshine.ca and carcaresmart.com, both good sites.

I was a little worried about the minimal overhang on a 6.5 pad with the 6" plate. Just for those instances when the you hit 90 degree upturn angles.

picus · 03-09-2007, 10:33 AM

Ya I understand. I haven't had a problem with it, but the 7.5's will work fine.

03-07-2007, 01:58 PM	#1
Dominican335 Private 2 Rep 92 Posts Drives: '11 M3 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Porter Cable 7424 noob needs help..... I am about to place an order for the 7424. I have done some searching on various websites and the amount of information available regarding, pads, polishes, backing plates, counterweights, etc.....is dizzying to say the least. My basic question is 95% of my use with the 7424 will be to apply Zaino's ZPC polish to the car. Which pad would be best to use for this purpose (my vehicle is jet black and has very minor scrathes in the clearcoat and swirl marks)? Also, I will be ordering the 7424 from Coastal Tool. Does the buffer come with a 5" inch backing plate? If so, I would assume I would need to purchase a 5" pad to use with it. If I get a 6" pad do I then need to purchase a 6" backing plate? Sorry for the noobish questions but just want to make sure I'm getting the right stuff. Thanks in advance. __________________ Current - 2011 M3 Convertible - Jerez Black/Individual Rust Brown, ED pickup 9/8/11 Past - 2008 650i Coupe - Jet Black/Black Past - 2007 335i Coupe - Jet Black/Coral Red, ED 10/2006
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03-07-2007, 02:08 PM	#2
picus Brigadier General 127 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Which pad you use will depend on the condition of the paint. I'd get one of each (assuming lake country), orange, white, and grey. Odds are you'll use the white one most, so you might consider getting two of those. The 7424 comes with a 5" CW, however the one from Coastal Tools also comes with a free 6", so whichever BP you get will work. I prefer a 6" BP and pads. Remember, do not use the pad that comes with the PC.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2007, 03:56 PM	#3
Dominican335 Private 2 Rep 92 Posts Drives: '11 M3 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Picus: Thanks for the help. I did some quick searching online and it looks like lake country makes the 6" backing plate and 6.5" pads. I'm assuming the 6.5" pads are appropriate for the 6" BP despite the 0.5" difference (I didn't see any 6.0" pads for sale). Lastly, is there an online retailer you recommend for purchasing the backing plate and pads? Preferably one I can call and ask questions if need be. Thanks again. Please PM me with the retailer if forum rules don't allow you to post it. __________________ Current - 2011 M3 Convertible - Jerez Black/Individual Rust Brown, ED pickup 9/8/11 Past - 2008 650i Coupe - Jet Black/Black Past - 2007 335i Coupe - Jet Black/Coral Red, ED 10/2006
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2007, 04:03 PM	#4
picus Brigadier General 127 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Yep, the 6.5" pads are made for the 6" bp. I think I'm allowed to post sites. I'm in Canada so I order mostly from Canadian sites, but autogeek.net, detailedimage.com, pakshak.com, properautocare.com etc are all reputable online shops.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-07-2007, 11:24 PM	#6
Dominican335 Private 2 Rep 92 Posts Drives: '11 M3 Convertible Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	I noticed that same suggestion as well. So now I'm confused. Also, are the CCS pads better than the standard ones? I read what they have to say about them on the website but do they actually perform better and offer the benefits they claim? __________________ Current - 2011 M3 Convertible - Jerez Black/Individual Rust Brown, ED pickup 9/8/11 Past - 2008 650i Coupe - Jet Black/Black Past - 2007 335i Coupe - Jet Black/Coral Red, ED 10/2006
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-08-2007, 10:09 PM	#9
picus Brigadier General 127 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	You can use any size larger than 6" with a 6" pad. I prefer 6.5", here is why: When you use a PC you'll notice it doesn't have a ton of motor power. The success of your work depends on how much of that power you can transfer to the paint. Using 6.5" pads on a 6" plate means almost all of the pads surface is contacting the surface with backpressure. Using a 7.5" pad on a 6" means there is a ring around the pad that is always pressed back as you apply pressure to the BP. Also, the smaller the pad the more aggressive, that's just the way it is (surface area, and all that). 7.5's are fine and will work, they are quality pads. It's just a preference thing. JF - eshine.ca and carcaresmart.com, both good sites.
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03-09-2007, 10:33 AM	#12
picus Brigadier General 127 Rep 4,172 Posts Drives: e92 SG 335i Coupe Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto, ON iTrader: (0)	Ya I understand. I haven't had a problem with it, but the 7.5's will work fine.
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