Newbie needs purchasing help.

S

srt4tocobra

New member
Okay so I am planning to buy a Porter Cable 7424 this week, but I still have a ton of questions. The car that I am working on has some light water spots on the roof and the trunk, as well as, so swirl marks on the body in random spots. Right now I have Meg's Ultimate Compound, Scratch X, and Meg's Cleaner Wax. I want to stick to these products since I have them. Assume that the car will be completely washed, clay barred, and then washed again. My biggest issue is that I have no clue which pads I should get, the sizes, and the brands. I have researched some and see that there tons. I need something to get out the water marks mostly, nothing to extreme, but enough to get them out. I am sorry I know this has probably been answered somewhere in a bunch of different posts. I found a couple kits on Ebay let me know what you guys think:



New Porter Cable 7424 XP with backing plate/ pads - eBay (item 330345066272 end time Aug-14-09 18:55:22 PDT)



7424XP Ultimate Detailing Machine w/ a complete pad kit:eBay Motors (item 260446067637 end time Aug-12-09 11:32:54 PDT)



I know that the second one does not have an orange pad but will these kits work well for something like I need?
 
If you take a look at some of the different forum sponsors sites, you can find tons of kits with a description for each type of pad and what it does. Also, don't forget that the search feature is your friend. There are lots of different threads that can answer alot of your questions.
 
FYI, I just did this whole thing w/an order for a PC w/products. I'm a beginner, as well. Look at the various forums (probably suggested......if not, check detailing sponsor sites & probably one for the SRT). However, I did pick-up a few speed tips along the way.



> Look to combine a polishing chemical with pad type (color), aka, estimate what product you'll use with what pad.....that will help you with the choices. Whether you use all the Meguiar's stuff up and then change or add others. Based on all I've seen for a relatively new car -- orange, white, black (gray) & an applicator pad for waxes or sealant, if deisred, say blue or red. AG just posted a chart that "matches" (estimates) what polishing chemical to use with what Lake CCS pad type. Good realtive info.



> Sizes: Seen various discussions about 5.5" vs. 6.5" (surface area/pressure used with PC, as well as, clearance between pad edge & backing plate). If they come with the machine, either is probably OK. Have been advised that a combination of 6.5" dia. & 4" dia. pads in appropriate colors are an OK way to go. 4"-ers for places harder to reach, etc.. For backing plates, I have a 5" dia. plate to keep some distance between the 6.5" dia. pad edge & urethane plate. Protection for the rank beginner! There is a 3.5" backing plate from Lake for the PC D/A, but I also chose to get a smaller backing plate (~2.75"dia.) to give me that additional safety margin. We'll see.



> Brands - there are some choices, but the typical recommendation is for Lake CCS pads. Like I said, there are other choices from different vendors (many sell Lake or OEM-variants of them. One, sells 7.5" dia. & 4" dia.......But the Lake CCS seem most "popular" for a reason.



> Also, have to clean the pads after your done. The sponsor sites sell a variety of pads cleaners (some that you toss in a pail with water to wash the pads, others that are spray-on cleaners, etc.). BTW, the number of pads recommended to me to "start" was two per car per color. If you own a few cars this is overkill, but if you want to do a single or say, two cars, having an extra pad of each type is a good idea to avoid a mishap in mid-detail.



The real experts have a lot more juice to offer, but those are the recent findings relative to "pads".



Hope it a helps some.



See ya. :wavey
 
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