More cut from 7424XP

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ChrisB2

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Here is my dilemma... I own a white 2013 VW GTI. There are some scratches in the clear that nothing would touch the last time I dedicated a good bit of time to polishing the car. I tried Lake Country Yellow cutting pads with Optimum's spray compound, 3M compound, and Chemical Guys V32. For giggles, I worked a test spot for nearly 20 minutes, and noticed no significant difference between it and the untouched area next to it. I even repeated the process on the front door, and noticed no significant difference when compared to the rear door.

The common consensus when asking others what to do is that I either need to switch to microfiber cutting pads OR or move to the Flex XC3401 if I want to stick with foam pads. It would appear that my VW has a super hard clear coat that makes it tough for the Porter Cable and foam pads to level out.

One of my friends even suggested that I keep the Porter Cable and just get a rotary to cut with. The only down side is if I maintain the car after correcting it with a rotary, I'll probably never need the rotary again.

Naturally, trying microfiber cutting pads next would be the simple solution. My only dilemma with doing so is if the scratches and minor etchings don't come out again, it will have been yet another waste of time, money, and effort.

I had my hands on a friend's Flex, and I hate to say it, but I like the ergonomics and layout of it way better than the Porter Cable. My dilemma here is do I really need to spend another $400 just to make use of the Lake Country foam pads that I have on hand and will it really be that much better than the Porter Cable 7424XP with microfiber cutting pads?

Lastly, I'm on the fence about a true rotary. While I have used them in the past, I have been known to let my mind drift every now and again while polishing my car versus paying complete attention to someone else's. Because of that reason, I'm hesitant to purchase a rotary for my own vehicle because I'm just a hobbyist detailer and do not do this for a living.
 
The most aggressive foam cutting pad I know of for the PC would be the Meguiar's maroon foam cutting discs.

Get these,

Meguiars 5 Inch DA Foam Discs

watermark.php




Read through this thread because this car was hammered with swirls....

NEW! Meguiar’s Foam Buffing Discs

watermark.php




And whatever these discs and a quality compound don't remove you might want to consider living with if the car is a daily driver.




:)
 
I would suggest trying the MF cutting pads, much less expensive!
On my son's pewter colored Civic, I tried the most aggressive foam pad I had (LC yellow), but could not remove the swirls. A few month's later I picked up the Meg's DA Microfiber system. I used the cutting pad with 2 dots of D300 and 1 dot of M105. It not only removed the swirls, it finished down so nice it did not an 2nd step! (I did try following it with M205, but could not see the difference).
 
Thanks Mike!

mc2hill said:
I would suggest trying the MF cutting pads, much less expensive!
On my son's pewter colored Civic, I tried the most aggressive foam pad I had (LC yellow), but could not remove the swirls. A few month's later I picked up the Meg's DA Microfiber system. I used the cutting pad with 2 dots of D300 and 1 dot of M105. It not only removed the swirls, it finished down so nice it did not an 2nd step! (I did try following it with M205, but could not see the difference).
Click to expand...

I'm leaning towards the microfiber route. I know I would have no problems selling the Porter Cable, but, it does seem easier to get into the nooks and crannies of my compact car compared to the Flex, which would be a little larger and more cumbersome to work with. After all, I did get rid of a 10" random orbit buffer with a whole bunch of microfiber bonnets because it was too large and cumbersome to use on this little car.
 
ChrisB2 said:
Here is my dilemma... I own a white 2013 VW GTI. There are some scratches in the clear that nothing would touch the last time I dedicated a good bit of time to polishing the car. I tried Lake Country Yellow cutting pads with Optimum's spray compound, 3M compound, and Chemical Guys V32. For giggles, I worked a test spot for nearly 20 minutes, and noticed no significant difference between it and the untouched area next to it. I even repeated the process on the front door, and noticed no significant difference when compared to the rear door.

The common consensus when asking others what to do is that I either need to switch to microfiber cutting pads OR or move to the Flex XC3401 if I want to stick with foam pads. It would appear that my VW has a super hard clear coat that makes it tough for the Porter Cable and foam pads to level out.

One of my friends even suggested that I keep the Porter Cable and just get a rotary to cut with. The only down side is if I maintain the car after correcting it with a rotary, I'll probably never need the rotary again.

Naturally, trying microfiber cutting pads next would be the simple solution. My only dilemma with doing so is if the scratches and minor etchings don't come out again, it will have been yet another waste of time, money, and effort.

I had my hands on a friend's Flex, and I hate to say it, but I like the ergonomics and layout of it way better than the Porter Cable. My dilemma here is do I really need to spend another $400 just to make use of the Lake Country foam pads that I have on hand and will it really be that much better than the Porter Cable 7424XP with microfiber cutting pads?

Lastly, I'm on the fence about a true rotary. While I have used them in the past, I have been known to let my mind drift every now and again while polishing my car versus paying complete attention to someone else's. Because of that reason, I'm hesitant to purchase a rotary for my own vehicle because I'm just a hobbyist detailer and do not do this for a living.
Click to expand...

Microfiber disks respond very well on the Porter Cable, but I wouldn't say that they would always level a scratch to perfection very quickly. They do, however, work very well in removing swirls and bringing paint back to life, providing you use the system correctly. This means: properly priming the pad, using proper machine and arm speed, and keeping the pad clean by blowing them out with compressed air.

If your goal is to remove a few scratches or defects quickly, then in the hands of an experienced user, the rotary will do the job a bit more efficiently. The Porter Cable and the Flex makes things much safer for users.

I love the Flex, but we polish many cars a week and can justify its expense. It certainly makes sense for us to use it. If you are a weekend enthusiast there is no doubt you can achieve similar results using a PC as a Flex or rotary, but it just takes a little more time.

My recommendation is to try a microfiber disk. They are certainly more cost effective than buying a new machine. Then read about how to use microfiber disks properly and then give it a whirl. I think you will see a difference in your results when cutting with a microfiber than you will with a foam pad on a PC. If you wish to refine your work a bit more, you can always follow up with a foam polishing pad on the PC. If you like the results, then you have achieved your success. You've also saved money on buying a new machine.
 
I was wondering the exact same thing, but I'm thinking of trying the CarPro Flash pads (I heard they have as much cut as MF but made of foam).

Why? Well, because I don't have a compressor to fluff up the MF pads.
 
4u2nvinmtl said:
I was wondering the exact same thing, but I'm thinking of trying the CarPro Flash pads (I heard they have as much cut as MF but made of foam).

Why? Well, because I don't have a compressor to fluff up the MF pads.
Click to expand...

I don't either, but wiping off with either a terry cloth, or microfiber towel does a great job cleaning them up between sections. I also use the pad conditioning brush.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
The most aggressive foam cutting pad I know of for the PC would be the Meguiar's maroon foam cutting discs.

Get these,

Meguiars 5 Inch DA Foam Discs

watermark.php




Read through this thread because this car was hammered with swirls....

NEW! Meguiar’s Foam Buffing Discs

watermark.php




And whatever these discs and a quality compound don't remove you might want to consider living with if the car is a daily driver.




:)
Click to expand...

These work great on the PC.

4u2nvinmtl said:
Why? Well, because I don't have a compressor to fluff up the MF pads.
Click to expand...

Don't let this be the reason to not get them. Cleaning on the fly and a pad brush will work just as well.
 
The Guz said:
Don't let this be the reason to not get them. Cleaning on the fly and a pad brush will work just as well.
Click to expand...

K I got a pad brush and everything else. I'm definitely going to pick up one of each (MF, Wool DA, and Flash pads) and see what works best for me. Might even make a comparison review for others on the fence...
 
Do not discount the new thin discs from Meguiar's, they are AMAZING. The burgundy cut pad cuts like crazy, leaving a great, sometimes LSP ready, finish behind. I would say it might cut 10-15% LESS than the Meguiar's MF cutting disc, but does not leave near the haze behind if at all. They are a great purchase, especially for a small throw DA. They are definitely my favorite pad EVER.
 
4u2nvinmtl said:
K I got a pad brush and everything else. I'm definitely going to pick up one of each (MF, Wool DA, and Flash pads) and see what works best for me. Might even make a comparison review for others on the fence...
Click to expand...

Lake Country Thin Purple Foamed wool is really nice!
 
I also really like the Lake Country Hydrotech line, specifically the Cyan cutting pad. They do wear out a bit faster than my CCS, or B&S pads, but they're just awsome.
 
Once again, dlc95 nailed my approach. Before i went to my rotary i found my purple foamed wool to be the hammer in the velvet bag! I would use my most aggressive compound with that little 4" baby and cranked all the way up to 6 and slow arm speed. I've also used that pad with less aggressive products and it cuts very nice. Sure, i always have to clean up after it but i had that nailed anyway.

With that said, i am interested in the MF pads so many here talk about but simply don't have any (yet). And without having to say it, anything Mike suggests gets me piqued as well! I suggest the PFW pad also because it finishes pretty good too. It might get more use for you over time.
 
Puckman said:
Once again, dlc95 nailed my approach. Before i went to my rotary i found my purple foamed wool to be the hammer in the velvet bag! I would use my most aggressive compound with that little 4" baby and cranked all the way up to 6 and slow arm speed. I've also used that pad with less aggressive products and it cuts very nice. Sure, i always have to clean up after it but i had that nailed anyway.

With that said, i am interested in the MF pads so many here talk about but simply don't have any (yet). And without having to say it, anything Mike suggests gets me piqued as well! I suggest the PFW pad also because it finishes pretty good too. It might get more use for you over time.
Click to expand...

Thanks!

The only problem I had with that pad, was the feel. Those things took me for a ride, like a 3401 does to a newb.
 
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