Which PC to buy?

bimmerzhp

bimmerzhp

New member
I have decided to get a PC but not sure which on to buy. I have been using a Black and Decker which spins at 2800 but need a better machine. Do I buy the 7336 which is the orbital sander from Lowes for $99 or go with the 7424 the polisher (not sure if this is the correct number). I plan on buying the velcro adapter for $15. Will this attach to either machine? Any help is appreciated.
 
The 7336 and 7424 are the exact same thing. There are numerous threads around here on the differences. The only thing I can think of is that one has a different counter weight. I would buy the 7336 from Lowes, because you dont have to wait for shipping, and the 7424 online is always more expensive for some reason.
 
As Glenn said, it's the counter weight. The 7336 has a larger counter weight, which is considered to give less vibration with pads 6" and larger. However you can buy the larger counter weight separately.



In either case, you'll need to buy pads. If you are new to PC-based detailing, I STRONGLY suggest that you buy the velcro backing plate with the pads as a kit. Different pads require different size backing plates. Several vendors offer them.



Regards,



Dan.
 
BookemDano said:
As Glenn said, it's the counter weight. The 7336 has a larger counter weight, which is considered to give less vibration with pads 6" and larger. However you can buy the larger counter weight separately.



In either case, you'll need to buy pads. If you are new to PC-based detailing, I STRONGLY suggest that you buy the velcro backing plate with the pads as a kit. Different pads require different size backing plates. Several vendors offer them.



Regards,



Dan.
Click to expand...



Dan,

Can you suggest any vendors? Thanks for the quick replies.
 
I just got mine from Coastal tools and the service was really good. I'm not sure if the deal at Lowe's is better, but we have 8.5% sales tax out here in Los Angeles so I think it came out about even.
 
Here's an analysis:



Assuming that you want the LC 6" constant pressure pad kit (http://www.properautocare.com/hipadkitwive.html) from www.properautocare.com, the cost from them will be: $60 + $11 (shipping) = $71



At Lowes - cost is $100 + $9.00 (assuming about 9% sales tax) = $109. With pad kit (above) = $180.



From Coastal Tool, the cost will be $119 + $2.00 (6" counter weight) + $7.50 (shipping) = $128.50. With pad kit (above) = $199.50.



Or you can purchase the whole thing from Proper Auto Care:

http://www.properautocare.com/74uldemawico.html



This gives you the 7424 PC = 6" LC pad kit for $195 + $4 (6" counter weight) + 18 (shipping) = $217.



If you want to get everything from one vendor, the www.properautocare.com can do it. If you want the lowest cost, the Lowes + www.properautocare.com is the choice.



Coatal Tool isn't a good choice because 1) it doesn't carry an appropropriate list of detailing products, especially pads, and 2) it is not the lowest cost. They may be a good company, but by using them, you would end up paying more or would have to get your pads and other tools and supplies from two vendors.



I bought my PC from Lowes and bought most of my other detailing equipment and supplies from www.properautocare.com. (My first pads were the kit I recommended.) I also bought my current, preferred sealants, QD, carwash and several other items from Zaino Brothers (www.zainobros.com). All three are very good companies and have very good customer service policies.



I hope this helps.



Regards,



Dan.
 
You can get the 7424, backing plate and 3 pads from the Autopia store for $199, and sometimes it is discounted to $179. Great deal and they had it to me in 3 days.
 
Short Cut said:
Good analysis Dan. The Coastal Deal does come with the counter weight and velcro backing pad for $119, though.
Click to expand...



Good catch! I didn't notice that "bonus offer" on the right of the page.
 
I found at coastal tools for $119 the 7424 with the 6" counterweight and the velcro backing. I will be getting it from them. One more question, will a 6.5" pad be okay to use with the 6" counterweight or do I need to use a 6" pad?

Thanks
 
With the 6" counter weight, you will be fine with 6" pads and larger. With the 5" counter weight, you would be more limited to 6" pads maximum.



What pads are you using? Again, make sure that your backing plate is sized correctly for your pads.



Regards,



Dan.
 
BookemDano said:
With the 6" counter weight, you will be fine with 6" pads and larger. With the 5" counter weight, you would be more limited to 6" pads maximum.



What pads are you using? Again, make sure that your backing plate is sized correctly for your pads.



Regards,



Dan.
Click to expand...



Dan,

I wanted to buy Meguiars 6.5 inch pads. Are there better ones out there? I am new to the PC. I currently use a Black and Decker. You would replace the bonnets with either terry, foam or wool. This is a welcome change to pads being easily removed and velcro on a new one.

Thanks,

Joe
 
The only pads that will touch my cars are Edge, Sonus and Lake Country pads.



Edge makes some good pads, but their primary market is rotary buffers, not PC's. (They do make PC pads, but they are radically different from their other pads. I don't like the shape of their PC pads.)



That leaves you with Sonus and Lake Country pads. I understand that Sonus pads are good, but I use Lake Country pads that I purchased from www.properautocare.com.



One thing to be aware of is that Lake Country makes different LC pads for different retailers. The LC "Constant Pressure" pads that I purchased are only available from www.properautocare.com. Better than other LC pads? I don't know. Different? Yes.



First I started with the 6" LC pad kit with flexible backing plate. They were nice, but I liked the flexibility that the 7.5" pads offered. I came up to speed with the 6" pads quickly, so I ordered the 7.5" pad kit from Proper Auto Care. Here's the 7.5" pad kit with the 6" flexible backing plate:



http://www.properautocare.com/ad712inhipad.html



The 7.5" pads work well, center easily and have a plastic backing that is completely different from the 6" pads (which have no plastic backing). The velcro sticks so well to the backing plate that, after washing, they can be dried by sticking the pad in a large bucket and turning your PC on. (They're almost dry in 30 seconds or so.)



In addition to the kit, you may want to order order a yellow pad for compounding.



If you feel comfortable with a buffer, you may want to go the with 7.5" pads. If not, try the 6" pads. Here's the 6" pad kit with backing plate:



http://www.properautocare.com/hipadkitwive.html



Two additional points:



First, get a backing plate matched to your pads.



a backing plate came with the PC. That's useful for sanding. Also, I understand that, in combination with the pad that came with the PC, it is useful for buffing out the last step product (LSP) with an MF bonnet. However, do NOT use it with good quality polishing pads.



Regardless of where you get your pads and the brand that you buy, make SURE that you get a good quality backing plate with it that is matched to pads that you buy. Different pads require different backing plates. Even some LC pads need different backing plates.



The 6" flexible backing plate that I bought with the 6" LC pads also fits the my 7.5" LC pads. It works great. After a several hours of use on four cars, the pads and the backing plate are still in perfect condition. No foam tearing. No loose velcro. So...



Strong recommendation - Get a backing plate matched to the pads.



Second, get something to clean the pads. I use "Snappy" from www.properautocare.com, but there are other choices and other vendors which also may be good (check around).



I hope this helps.



Regards,



Dan.
 
I've been happy with Meg's pads.



If you are fond of Meg's products here's another option worth considering; get it from Meg's. Yeah, yeah, I know they're way overpriced on the PC. True enough, but it does come set up with a velcro backing plate and counterbalanced for their pads. Depending on your long-range plans they have some options.



They sell the PC packaged with "collections" of their products. If you add the prices you'd pay for everything separately you end up getting a good discount with the package and it sort of helps equalize the overall cost. So you can sort of rationalize it as either getting a good deal on the polisher and paying retail for everything else or paying a lot for the polisher but getting a good deal on the other products.



The logic only holds up if they're products you'd buy and use anyway but if you're already a Meg's fan that isn't necessarily a stretch. Their "Concours Collection" includes the PC along with a bunch of their Pro products, Medallion products, brushes, MF towels, terry towels and such. Not cheap, but you get a lot of stuff.





PC.
 
I too have been pleased with the Meg's pads (polishing and finishing). I have used the LC orange pad (light cutting) with good results also, but there is a thread where a user is having problems with the one he bought recently. My next pad purchase will be Sonus (from here on Autopia), I've yet to hear a negative comment about them. I'll probably also pick up a couple of polish pads from Excel Detail (Patrick) on my next MF order.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top