Porter Cable 7424XP - Question

AdamsPolishes

Counterweights when using the PC for polishing absolutely do not matter... a 5 or 6" counterweight will work just fine and as far as I'm aware those are the only 2 sizes they come equipped with.

Remember - its a counterWEIGHT not counterSIZE... so the jump from a 5 to a 6 or 6.5" pad does not require a different weight. You're offsetting the weight, and another 1-1.5" of foam doesn't make a significant enough difference in weight to justify a change.

To the OP... what speed are you running the machine at? Anything at setting 4 or below and it takes almost no pressure at all to stop the rotation of the backing plate. We recommend that all polishing be done at setting 5 or 6.

Even at speed 5 you may see the pad stop from time to time due to the contours of the vehicle... remember the PC is not driven to rotate, its simply the centrifugal force of the oscillation that causes it to spin. So when you come up to a contour or curve that is in opposition to that rotation it may stop or slow, just work on keeping your pressure constant.

The only other thing that could be attributed to stopped rotation is lack of speed caused by using an improper gauge extension cord. When this happens you may notice the machine stop or sputter, as well as get excessively hot after short amount of use.

Check out this video specifically when you have a moment... I explain the rotation and pressure using our system. As I get up near the cowl in some of the spots you can see the pad stop rotating for a little bit... its not the end of the world, just practice on keeping that pressure constant.

__________________

wheee!

^ good info!

__________________

Pelican170

Great info up above!

I will watch the video when I get a chance. I am new to using the Porter Cable and I only tried to wax the car, not polish, just for practice. I had it at speed setting 3 as I was told it shouldn't go higher for waxing....

__________________
Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

AdamsPolishes

Oh, then you're absolutely fine! Waxing with the PC is a totally different animal than polishing. You don't have to worry about pressure, rotation, and all that... you're not breaking the product down or attempting to impart change on the clear coat, you're simply spreading a thin coat of product over the surface.

in this video I'm demoing the Flex 3401 which has forced rotation to it, but it should give you an idea of the time/pressure/etc you'll use to apply wax or sealant to the finish by machine... its not much.

__________________

Pelican170

Dylan,

So your saying, that with the Porter Cable not spinning much really at all isnt a problem for waxing? I figured it was still getting the job done as it was spreading the wax and thats really all that matters. Just want to be sure and also that the machine was working properly..

Thanks again for your help and peace of mind...

__________________
Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

AdamsPolishes

Yes... the spinning part of the movement and the close attention to how much pressure is all a part of POLISHING. For waxing all you're doing is spreading the product on the surface so there is no need to worry about the rotation.

__________________