Looking To Upgrade From PC 7424 - Help!

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001jigsaw

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Hey everyone,

So as the title states, I'm finally looking to upgrade from my PC 7424 that I've had for 6 or 7 years. I was compounding a customer's car this week, and I decided that I would like something smoother and more effective. I've used 6.5" pads for all these years out of habit, and obviously those don't work well in tight spots on bumpers and a-pillars. While I can achieve GREAT results with the 7424, as my business improves and I set a higher standard every year, the PC feels a little clumsy - I feel I've grown as a detailer and I'm holding a somewhat "beginner's machine."

The other day I was doing a trunk panel, and I found myself thinking "I think I'd rather meticulously go over this trunk lid with a smaller, smoother, and more precise machine than quickly run this 6.5 pad across the trunk." So, while the larger pad is great for covering more area, I don't like that it gets a bit sketchy near edges. I'd rather have a smaller, smoother tool that won't be throwing dust everywhere.

I thought about just getting a smaller backing plate and pads, but I think my issues come down to the machine as well. It's an old gal, and is probably considered one of the safest (weakest) of the machines. Plus, after holding that thing for hours and hours, my hands aren't very happy, and I'm quite the young fella.

All in all, I want to enjoy the paint correction process, and I feel the machine is taking me away from that. I kind of feel like the 7424 is like polishing with heavy rock on in the background, while I would like something a bit more classical. :)
 
Budget allowing, I'd suggest stepping up to a long throw (such as the flex xfe-7-150) as they are quite smooth, and then changing the backing plate on your PC to 3" for tighter areas. Or consider adding a 3" mini like the flex xfe-7-80 or Rupes lhr75e.

Long throws will dramatically speed up correction on large, mostly flat panels, while a lot of minis are 12mm orbit- you'll see an increase in correction potential there as well!

Another suggestion (personal preference) is to run a 5" backing plate on a long throw to accept a 5.5-6" pad. Ive felt that a smaller pad on these tools not only spins better, but is also easier to maneuver.

A long throw and mini are a pretty killer combo!
 
I've had a PC7424XP for a few years now. And I outfitted it with a variety of Backing Plates, and have numerous sizes of Pads on hand.

For a recent new machine to compliment my arsenal, I chose the Griots BOSS 15 DA. (I also have the GG 3")

While you can throw any backing plate on it, I'd say the 5" Ventilated Backing Plate it comes with is fine, and then compliment your PC Machine with a couple smaller Backing Plates, so that you can use this machine in smaller-tighter areas more effectively.

Many have commented that the Griots BOSS machines are smooth operating, they have a lifetime warrantee, and if you are one who likes using a Stick Handle with a DA, the optional Handle that can be gotten for the BOSS is very nice, rubber wrapped, and very cushy.
 
use 3"- 4" pads with the PC and pick up a long throw, either the G15/21 would be a great choice!
recent video of someone who picked up the G15...
and another (G21)...
 
The smoothest and most correction ability I think still you get with the Rupes 21mm mkII polisher. Then either the Rupes 75e mini or Flex XFE7-12 mini 3" polisher for the tight spaces. The GG BOSS polishers with the lifetime warrenty is a great value in the longrun. If you don't do much of heavy defects correction a 15mm longthrow polisher is a good choice.

If you have the budget and willing to learn and an even more smooth running polishers. The combo Rupes LH19E rotary polisher and Rupes Duetto 5" 12mm throw DA is an awesome setup. The rotary for compounding and the Duetto to finish to perfection. And a Rupes ibrid nano to the small sections on the car.
 
Switching to the 5" plate 5.5" pads will tremendously increase the smoothness and performance of the 7424xp.
 
Thank you for the replies everyone. I’m surprised there weren’t more suggestions for the Rupes line, I see a lot of people using those.

So the BOSS is liked that much, huh? I wouldn’t have expected that. I’ve been eyeing the Rupes LHR-15ES and thee 21, as well as the Flex 3401. It’s been a while since I’ve researched buffers, so I have some searching to do.

By the way, I’m using the 7424, not the XP.
 
001jigsaw said:
Thank you for the replies everyone. I’m surprised there weren’t more suggestions for the Rupes line, I see a lot of people using those.

So the BOSS is liked that much, huh? I wouldn’t have expected that. I’ve been eyeing the Rupes LHR-15ES and thee 21, as well as the Flex 3401. It’s been a while since I’ve researched buffers, so I have some searching to do.

By the way, I’m using the 7424, not the XP.
Click to expand...

Same deal with the original 7424. I actually have a couple of the originals, and love them. I can run 6.5" pads on them, but not over speed 5, because the vibrations will rattle you into bad health.

Use the 5.5" pads, and you'll see a world of difference. The only way it might not be as comfortable is if you use the traditional yellow, orange, and white foam pads. I've never really enjoyed using those foams from any manufacturer. The Meguiar's plate/pad set up would also be a great option.

Out of the tools I have, that 7424 probably gets used the most. My favorite is the Rupes Duetto. The 3401 gets used on larger vehicles....
 
001jigsaw said:
Thank you for the replies everyone. I’m surprised there weren’t more suggestions for the Rupes line, I see a lot of people using those.

So the BOSS is liked that much, huh? I wouldn’t have expected that. I’ve been eyeing the Rupes LHR-15ES and thee 21, as well as the Flex 3401. It’s been a while since I’ve researched buffers, so I have some searching to do.

By the way, I’m using the 7424, not the XP.
Click to expand...

I started off with the PC 7424XP and it is a great machine to start with. The issue I had was the numbing effect it left on my hands from the vibration of the machine. I later upgraded to the Rupes LHR15 MKII along with a Rupes Mini and never looked back. I later on picked up a Rupes nano and Duetto. The Duetto was more to have a spare polisher when my brother comes to help me on his stuff every now and then. The Duetto is a nice polisher as well. Same PC style body but runs smoother and it much more comfortable to use.

I have never used any of the Griot's tools.
 
001jigsaw said:
Hey everyone,

So as the title states, I'm finally looking to upgrade from my PC 7424 that I've had for 6 or 7 years. I was compounding a customer's car this week, and I decided that I would like something smoother and more effective. I've used 6.5" pads for all these years out of habit, and obviously those don't work well in tight spots on bumpers and a-pillars. While I can achieve GREAT results with the 7424, as my business improves and I set a higher standard every year, the PC feels a little clumsy - I feel I've grown as a detailer and I'm holding a somewhat "beginner's machine."

The other day I was doing a trunk panel, and I found myself thinking "I think I'd rather meticulously go over this trunk lid with a smaller, smoother, and more precise machine than quickly run this 6.5 pad across the trunk." So, while the larger pad is great for covering more area, I don't like that it gets a bit sketchy near edges. I'd rather have a smaller, smoother tool that won't be throwing dust everywhere.

I thought about just getting a smaller backing plate and pads, but I think my issues come down to the machine as well. It's an old gal, and is probably considered one of the safest (weakest) of the machines. Plus, after holding that thing for hours and hours, my hands aren't very happy, and I'm quite the young fella.

All in all, I want to enjoy the paint correction process, and I feel the machine is taking me away from that. I kind of feel like the 7424 is like polishing with heavy rock on in the background, while I would like something a bit more classical. :)
Click to expand...

Your last paragraph screams Rupes.
 
My normal suggestion is a Rupes 15. It’s more maneuverable than the Rupes 21. I would also suggest using Rupes pads and polishes to begin with to see what they are capable of. Pick up Mike Phillips book on the Rupes System for a comprehensive read. I started off with the PC too. I have both the legacy and the MKII versions, if you can pick up a legacy version cheap enough you won’t regret passing on the MKII. I still rarely run my legacy on speed 6 and I can correct the hardest BMW paint out there. Remember the Rupes 15 is the only Rupes tool that says Detailing right on the handle. Lol.
 
I was considering the Duetto, but I figured it didn’t have much more correction power than the PC? It just looks like a nice machine to work with. I sometimes struggle to get the results I want on harder clears, so maybe a 15mm (Griots or Rupes) would be better.

Ive always used lake country flat pass, do you guys recommend I try another?

I’ve clearly been set in my ways and have fell behind with my research lol.
 
001jigsaw said:
I was considering the Duetto, but I figured it didn’t have much more correction power than the PC? It just looks like a nice machine to work with. I sometimes struggle to get the results I want on harder clears, so maybe a 15mm (Griots or Rupes) would be better.

Ive always used lake country flat pass, do you guys recommend I try another?

I’ve clearly been set in my ways and have fell behind with my research lol.
Click to expand...

No, the Duetto has quite a bit more correction power than the PC. It's also a LOT more refined, smoother. I can get great correction from the PC, but the Duetto makes it almost too easy. Kind of like I'm cheating.

I personally prefer using the Rupes pads and polishes, but the Lake Country HDO and any quality abrasive compound or pus will also work great with the Rupes tools.

Once in a while I'll use Menzerna or Meguiar's abrasives on either the Rupes or Lake Country HDO pads... Works great!
 
Does anyone recommend Flex 3401 for mainly 5”-6.5” pads, or would you recommend the long throw more for those sizes (assuming I could keep my PC for 3”-4.5” pads for tight areas, per earlier suggestions in this thread). I only do this for a hobby, not professionally. I would think the 3401 is more versatile than the long throw, and maybe that’s good even if I do have my PC anyways. Any thoughts?
 
acuRAS82 said:
Does anyone recommend Flex 3401 for mainly 5”-6.5” pads, or would you recommend the long throw more for those sizes (assuming I could keep my PC for 3”-4.5” pads for tight areas, per earlier suggestions in this thread). I only do this for a hobby, not professionally.
Click to expand...

I'm not a pro, just a part time detailer and hobbyist. That said...

It's all personal preference. People often complain about the 3401, due to it's "heating issues" or the weird rotation, or the [whatever]. I don't think any of that a real issue.

I started with the PC, like many others. I've gone through GG6, MT300, 3401, G15, and Bigfoot 21 MKII. Of all those tools, I reach for the Flex 3401 and the Meguiar's MT300 the most. I like the 3401 so much, I bought a second one to have both backing plates avail on dedicated machines. So one is set up with the LC smaller plate, and the other is set up with the original backing plate. The 3401 works great with the LC Hybrid pads.

I've also used the 4" Hydrotech pads on the smaller plate - works great here too.
 
Thanks for the info JustJesus. I already have a lot of LC pads and the 5” and 3” backing plates. I only get to polish 2-4 times a year and I’m not particularly looking for a smooth ride. I just want something that has the power to correct well and versatile enough to not render all my assortment of pads to dust collectors. When I do polish I use about 4-6 larger pads and 2-3 small pads. I also take breaks on occasion, and my cars are maintained well enough that I rarely need to be too aggressive in isolated areas, so hopefully heating issues wouldn’t be a problem for me. From what I’ve read, the 3401 may meet my desires and usage the best.
 
acuRAS82 said:
From what I’ve read, the 3401 may meet my desires and usage the best.
Click to expand...

You're welcome. Be aware, though, the 3401 is a gear-driven tool and the backing plates are not compatible with the PC-style machines.

Scroll down this page, about the 3rd row down of the Flex products, you'll see 3 different backing plates, a 4", 4.5" and a 5.5"Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer

For "standard" 5" pads, I'd go with the 4.5" plate. The LC Hybrid 5" pads have a taper and the hook-n-loop part is actually 4" and fits perfectly onto the 4" plate.

(EDIT:Never mind about the Hybrids. The "newer" ones seem to be a bit different in size/backing material. I need to buy some and know for sure! But I won't be buying pads anytime soon.)
 
acuRAS82 said:
Does anyone recommend Flex 3401 for mainly 5”-6.5” pads, or would you recommend the long throw more for those sizes (assuming I could keep my PC for 3”-4.5” pads for tight areas, per earlier suggestions in this thread). I only do this for a hobby, not professionally. I would think the 3401 is more versatile than the long throw, and maybe that’s good even if I do have my PC anyways. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

Imagine your PC with a pad that will not stop rotating - sort of..

I like the 3041. I find it to be a very smooth running tool. The pad spin never bothered me.
 
JustJesus said:
You're welcome. Be aware, though, the 3401 is a gear-driven tool and the backing plates are not compatible with the PC-style machines.

Scroll down this page, about the 3rd row down of the Flex products, you'll see 3 different backing plates, a 4", 4.5" and a 5.5"Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer

For "standard" 5" pads, I'd go with the 4.5" plate. The LC Hybrid 5" pads have a taper and the hook-n-loop part is actually 4" and fits perfectly onto the 4" plate.

(EDIT:Never mind about the Hybrids. The "newer" ones seem to be a bit different in size/backing material. I need to buy some and know for sure! But I won't be buying pads anytime soon.)
Click to expand...

I’m OK with getting new backing plates. I’m having trouble picturing the gear driven movement, and the pad that never stops rotating, even though I’ve heard these descriptions of the 3401 before... just can’t get my head around it, but I don’t see these things as having downside either.
 
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