Porter Cable 7424XP - Question

Pelican170 · 07-11-2012, 02:26 PM

Ok, I got this polisher in the winter and just got to using it this week. Ive read about what im going to ask but prefer the voices of the Z forum over others... when using it, I noticed that it seemed like the pad was not really spinning much, but more "vibrating". Then I started playing with it and realized that it would only really spin when not touching any surface. Ive read its normal and you have to get used to it but just wanted some advice.. maybe im doing it wrong?

Proshop01 · 07-11-2012, 04:22 PM

You are using too much pressure. I use the same PC. I buy most of my detailing products from Adams Polishes and they have a great forum (www.Adamsforums.com). There is some great info about detailing on there, especially info on the PC.

Best of luck...it just takes practice.

Yutnaka · 07-11-2012, 08:25 PM

Draw a line on the backing plate. Once you turn on the PC on the paint surface, you should see that line turn. If it doesnt you are using too much pressure. Give that a shot.

Vbp6US · 07-11-2012, 08:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yutnaka

Draw a line on the backing plate. Once you turn on the PC on the paint surface, you should see that line turn. If it doesnt you are using too much pressure. Give that a shot.

Use a sharpie to mark a line so you can keep track.

Pelican170 · 07-12-2012, 09:08 AM

Ok, i will give it a shot. But i dont think im applying too much pressure. when doing, for example, the hood, i can hold it with 1 hand and only have the weight of the polisher doing the work and it still seems to stop... when doing the sides it seems even harder to get it to spin...

wheee! · 07-12-2012, 09:11 AM

Do you have the proper counterweight installed??

Pelican170 · 07-12-2012, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheee!

Do you have the proper counterweight installed??

Installed? There was nothing in the instructions saying i needed to install anything except for the backing plate...

wheee! · 07-12-2012, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

Installed? There was nothing in the instructions saying i needed to install anything except for the backing plate...

This:

Quote:

Porter-Cable 7424XP Counterweight Facts
5" or 6" Polishing Applications
The counterweight is a half-moon shaped piece of metal attached to the rotating shaft of the tool. This smooths out the random orbit action by providing a counter balance to the elliptical orbit of the rotating backing pad. If you change the pad size you must also change the counterweight or suffer unnecessary vibration and possible damage to the tool.

7424XP Polisher Facts

7424XP Polisher

7424XP Countweights
The counterweight off-sets the weight of the pad and ensures overall balance of the system. The Counterweight always has to match the pad to minimize vibration.

5" Pad Counterweight
#874011
For pads between 95 and 105 grams. 6" Counterweight
#699933
For pads between 125 and 135 grams.

There are two different counter-weights which are clearly marked to indicate use with either a 5" or 6" backing pad. Therefore, if you decide to outfit the 7424XP with a 6" backing pad you must use the 6" counterweight. If you decide to use 5" backing pads you must use the 5" counterweight.

NOTE: This applies for sanding as well as polishing applications.

Pelican170 · 07-12-2012, 01:23 PM

Thanks. yes, that piece is on there. I am using a 5 inch backing plate with a 6.5 inch pad... i assume its ok... maybe it needs to be tightened or something...

I also need to mark a line on the backing plate to be sure of how much it is actually spinning...

GaleForce · 07-12-2012, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelican170

Thanks. yes, that piece is on there. I am using a 5 inch backing plate with a 6.5 inch pad... i assume its ok... maybe it needs to be tightened or something...

I also need to mark a line on the backing plate to be sure of how much it is actually spinning...

Using a 6.5" pad is the problem. Switching to a 5" will make a big difference.

One_Quick_Z · 07-12-2012, 10:56 AM

Its not going to have much rpm to begin with its made to make it easy to use and safe so people dont burn through their paint. Lessen your pressure and it should increase rpm.

DAN

Pelican170 · 07-12-2012, 11:03 AM

ok, guess ill just have to play with it more. just seems like once any pressure is applied, it barely turns, literally...

Ive read a lot of stuff that says its normal to do this and it will still work...

GaleForce · 07-12-2012, 03:44 PM

Yes, 5.5" pads would be good. Check out Detailers Domain.com, email Phil. He is very helpful and also is a the370z.com forum supporter. He'll get you set with what you need.

wheee! · 07-12-2012, 03:44 PM

The counterweights are designed for either 5 or 6 inch pads. There are two different sizes. A 5 inch counterweight will not work well with a 6.5" pad.

AdamsPolishes · 07-12-2012, 04:12 PM

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.

07-11-2012, 02:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	Porter Cable 7424XP - Question Ok, I got this polisher in the winter and just got to using it this week. Ive read about what im going to ask but prefer the voices of the Z forum over others... when using it, I noticed that it seemed like the pad was not really spinning much, but more "vibrating". Then I started playing with it and realized that it would only really spin when not touching any surface. Ive read its normal and you have to get used to it but just wanted some advice.. maybe im doing it wrong? __________________ Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

07-11-2012, 04:22 PM	#2 (permalink)
Proshop01 Base Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Ohio Posts: 56 Drives: 2011 370Z Roadster Rep Power: 14	You are using too much pressure. I use the same PC. I buy most of my detailing products from Adams Polishes and they have a great forum (www.Adamsforums.com). There is some great info about detailing on there, especially info on the PC. Best of luck...it just takes practice. __________________ 2011 Roadster, Gun Metallic, Sport Package, Touring Package, Stillen G3 Cold Air Intake, Fast Intentions SS 18" Resonators CBE, H&R 20mm spacers, Stubby antenna, Z1 Hood Struts, Smart TOP.

07-11-2012, 08:25 PM	#3 (permalink)
Yutnaka Base Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Columbus, GA Posts: 212 Drives: 2011 370z 7at GM Rep Power: 15	Draw a line on the backing plate. Once you turn on the PC on the paint surface, you should see that line turn. If it doesnt you are using too much pressure. Give that a shot. __________________ Z1 Test Pipes, AAM S-Line Midpipe, Nismo Axleback, Takeda CAI, JDM fog light, Avant Garde M310 matte black, Tein springs, uprev 310whp-SOLD!

07-12-2012, 09:08 AM	#5 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	Ok, i will give it a shot. But i dont think im applying too much pressure. when doing, for example, the hood, i can hold it with 1 hand and only have the weight of the polisher doing the work and it still seems to stop... when doing the sides it seems even harder to get it to spin... __________________ Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

07-12-2012, 09:11 AM	#6 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	Do you have the proper counterweight installed?? __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

07-12-2012, 01:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	Thanks. yes, that piece is on there. I am using a 5 inch backing plate with a 6.5 inch pad... i assume its ok... maybe it needs to be tightened or something... I also need to mark a line on the backing plate to be sure of how much it is actually spinning... __________________ Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

07-12-2012, 10:56 AM	#11 (permalink)
One_Quick_Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seneca Il Posts: 1,374 Drives: 10 Civic EX Sedan Rep Power: 219	Its not going to have much rpm to begin with its made to make it easy to use and safe so people dont burn through their paint. Lessen your pressure and it should increase rpm. DAN __________________ -My BRZ with exhaust will decimate all if we overnight parts from Japan- 10 Civic EX Sedan- Current Daily

07-12-2012, 11:03 AM	#12 (permalink)
Pelican170 Track Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Sandy Hook, CT Posts: 972 Drives: Nissan 370z Nismo Rep Power: 16	ok, guess ill just have to play with it more. just seems like once any pressure is applied, it barely turns, literally... Ive read a lot of stuff that says its normal to do this and it will still work... __________________ Fast Intentions CF Exhaust - Fast Intentions HFC's - HPS Tubes w/ AFE Dry Flow Filter's

07-12-2012, 03:44 PM	#13 (permalink)
GaleForce A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 21,749 Drives: Varis Arising II Rep Power: 51865	Yes, 5.5" pads would be good. Check out Detailers Domain.com, email Phil. He is very helpful and also is a the370z.com forum supporter. He'll get you set with what you need. __________________ >>>GaleForce's Build<<< >>>FaceBook @3GsCustoms<<<>>>Instagram @GaleForce370z<<< Varis Kamikaze-Z

07-12-2012, 03:44 PM	#14 (permalink)
wheee! A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mod Capital of Canada Age: 58 Posts: 7,354 Drives: cars. lots of cars. Rep Power: 40182	The counterweights are designed for either 5 or 6 inch pads. There are two different sizes. A 5 inch counterweight will not work well with a 6.5" pad. __________________ H&R / Stillen / Berk / HKS / Swift / Michelin / UpRev / SPC / Amuse Rep / Seibon / Fringe XVO / TWM / more... My Journal

07-12-2012, 04:12 PM	#15 (permalink)
AdamsPolishes The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: SoCal Posts: 724 Drives: 2009 Avalanche Rep Power: 16	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. __________________ Use the code NISSANZ* at checkout to save 10% off your next order at www.AdamsPolishes.com* Last edited by AdamsPolishes; 07-12-2012 at 04:20 PM.

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