Did I make a mistake buying the PC 7424XP?

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I'm a newbie who is wants to get into detailing because my girlfriend just bought a new car and I would like to do what I can to protect and maintain it's new finish while also putting an end to neglecting the paint on my own vehicle. I bought the Porter Cable 7424XP for a $100 based on the advice I read from initial Google searches on car care. I also bought the 5" backplate and 6 pads from ebay for ~$60 (coincidentally from autogeek's ebay account). But after discovering this forum, I am wondering if I should have gone for the GG6 instead for $140. With the included backplate, of course, it is more like a $30 difference.
 
I don't think you made a mistake.
I've had mine for two years I guess and not once did I have a problem.
But if you want to get the most out of your PC use 5 inch pads, you'll get better results faster.

I also bought the GG6 a few months ago and died yesterday but I have a lifetime warrant so Griot's will take care of me.
Does it correct faster than the PC?, yes, will it out last the GG6 yes, IMO anyway.

You have a great tool in that PC of yours so enjoy it:dblthumb2:
Many, many people own the PC and happy with them, I know I love mine.
I still use it even today.
Can't tell you how many cars I've corrected with my PC but it's a lot:dblthumb2:
 
I think the pc is the best tool to start with. It is the least dangerous and it has the shortest learning curve. Once you master the pc and your techniques you can always move up to a more powerful machine. The pc will get the job done and will serve you well for a long time. I also recommend going with the 5 inch pads. Good luck!
 
If you are just maintaining your own cars the PC is good enough.
 
My first polisher was 7424 then I added the flex, I probably use the porter cable more:buffing:
 
You made an excellent choice. The PC is a great tool.

Given the plethora of pad and polish choices these days you'll be able to do a lot (of correction) with it if needed. The Meguiar's MF system is one that comes to mind which I've personally used with my PC and had great success.

You shouldn't have any buyers remorse. This tool, especially for a beginner, will be more than enough to get you wonderful results. :xyxthumbs:
 
Yes, the GG 6 is better. However, the PC is very useable and can get the job done.
 
Sorry to butt in folks, but maybe there needs to be a correction on a couple of recommendations to the OP here.

Two have suggested the five (5") Pads, where I think you actually meant to say five and a half inch (5.5") Pads.

The 5.5" Flat Thin LC Pads are the general recommendation for use with the 5" LC Packing Plate. Using a 5" Pad with a 5" Backing Plate gives little to no safe overhang of the Pad in relation to the Backing Plate.

Correct?
Mark
 
To follow up, as others have said and I agree, I don't think you've made any mistake in the purchase of the PC Machine.

The price you paid sounds very good, and it should give you years of good service if properly used, and cared for.

While the GG6 is said to be a more powerful tool, I have seemed to notice as well, a greater said rate of reported failure, and a seeming need for quite a few users to return these machines for replacement.

Sure, the GG Warrantee is basically unbeatable, but I myself would rather forego such inconveniences if such a tool is not that reliable.
Mark
 
I agree with MarkD51. Everyone raves about the lifetime warranty of the Griot's machine. The way I see it I would rather have a reliable polisher from a well known name brand than have to worry about using a warranty. I have been a happy Porter Cable 7424xp owner for a year and a half. I only use it maybe 4 times a year (on vehicles). It suites my needs perfectly!
 
Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Foam Pads, buffing pads, Lake Country curved edge pads, polishing pads

These are the pads that our forum guru-expert Mike Phillips generally recommends as being one of the best pads for use with the PC7424XP Machine.

I agree, the qualities of these pads are 7/8" thickness, and possess a beveled edge. I agree with Mike, for a Foam Pad, these appear to be the perfect compliment to the 5" LC Yellow Urethane Backing Plate.

Having the complete assortment of these should basically cover all basic aspects of paint correction with Polishes-Compounds, and as well for the application of waxes-sealants also.

As some folks have suggested about the use of the original white pad-backing plate that comes with the PC 7424XP, that it is useless, and should be tossed in the trash.

Well yes, it has limited use, but as some that are wise have suggested, one good use would be to have some 6" MF Bonnets on hand that can be slipped over this 6" Foam Pad, and then can be used for removal of waxes or sealants if desired.
Hope this helps,
Mark
 
WOW, just great, I have my GG6 being shipped to me and now I'm hearing these horror stories about the quality of it. I'm a carpenter and a lot of my quality tools are Porter Cable and I should of listened to my gut instinct and purchased the PC 7424XP.
 
C'mon you guys. How many times does this get used per year for a guy taking care of two cars? 8 maybe? Suppose a guy uses the Nano-skin as a claybar substitute. Then There is the application of the sealant and wax. I'm thinking on average 12-15 hours per year, for a guy who Nanoskins his car every single time.

A PC can do that while sleepwalking.
 
IMO:
I do not think that you made a mistake in purchasing the PC 7424XP...
I've had mine for many years now, with absolutely no problems to report.

Get ready to enjoy your turn at experiencing:
Safe paint polishing!!


:)

Bob
 
pld said:
WOW, just great, I have my GG6 being shipped to me and now I'm hearing these horror stories about the quality of it. I'm a carpenter and a lot of my quality tools are Porter Cable and I should of listened to my gut instinct and purchased the PC 7424XP.
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The GG6 is a fine tool. Some break, most are fine - like most things made in China. It's a lot more powerful than the PC and has a usable handle. I dunno. What advantage does a PC have over GG6 other than some anecdotal data from a forum that says it's more reliable? I'll go with the more powerful tool every time.
 
swanicyouth said:
The GG6 is a fine tool. Some break, most are fine - like most things made in China. It's a lot more powerful than the PC and has a usable handle. I dunno. What advantage does a PC have over GG6 other than some anecdotal data from a forum that says it's more reliable? I'll go with the more powerful tool every time.
Click to expand...

But that data is from this forum, not "a" forum. Of course I understand many new uninformed users has fubarred quite a few DA, just by overlooking the Washer between the Backing Plate, and Machine
 
MarkD51 said:
But that data is from this forum, not "a" forum. Of course I understand many new uninformed users has fubarred quite a few DA, just by overlooking the Washer between the Backing Plate, and Machine
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Mine works fine. I have both machines and I'll go with the GG6 every time. It's just a better machine. You just can't stop the pad. It corrects glass like a rotary. PC hasn't left the box since I got the GG6. I'll let ya'all know when it breaks.

You can say a Toyota is more reliable than a BMW, so why buy a BMW? Why, because it's just better. You can't live your life expecting stuff to break. It's just a bad way to live IMHO. I just buy what works well, try to take care of it, and hope for the best. I'm not going to get an "appliance" as a car - or for a DA. I'm going to get the most powerful or best correcting one they make. If it breaks - oh well.

I'll leave the reliability reports to washing machines and vacuums. I just want the best working stuff when it comes to my car.
 
swanicyouth said:
Mine works fine. I have both machines and I'll go with the GG6 every time. It's just a better machine. You just can't stop the pad. It corrects glass like a rotary. PC hasn't left the box since I got the GG6. I'll let ya'all know when it breaks.

You can say a Toyota is more reliable than a BMW, so why buy a BMW? Why, because it's just better. You can't live your life expecting stuff to break. It's just a bad way to live IMHO. I just buy what works well, try to take care of it, and hope for the best. I'm not going to get an "appliance" as a car - or for a DA. I'm going to get the most powerful or best correcting one they make. If it breaks - oh well.

I'll leave the reliability reports to washing machines and vacuums. I just want the best working stuff when it comes to my car.
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I know this will seem to come across as seeming to be rude, but I'm trying to be kind, and not mean with this response.

But what you've said in your response seems to make little sense in the realm of things.

Take the BMW, or whatever other car because it's better? Not if the dealer has the vehicle more than I do, which I've experienced a couple times in my life with some "wonderful" bought new Trans Ams. Such a problematic vehicle, no matter the cost to me, is a total waste of expenditure of my hard earned money, thus, it was not better, not for instance that brand new 1986 TA that cost me $20K out the door, and that I dumped less than 11 months later because I was losing sleep at night.

It's all personal taste, same with audio gear, Some love Krell Class A Amps, and skeeve such as McIntosh Gear, yet the Mac gear is running 30 straight years, and the Krell stuff is breaking down a year or two later, or starting of fire. Then which is in truth better?

I'd hate things like having to ship a 160lb Amp back to be repaired just months after purchase, no matter how much "better" it is claimed by some to be, just like I hate bringing some "better vehicle", or a so called better DA back for service on a weekly basis
 
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