Need help with DA purchase

scottmoyer

scottmoyer

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Hey all,
For Christmas, my wife got me the Porter Cable 7424XP from Home Depot ($119). Prior to Christmas, I was looking at the Griot's Garage polisher and the PC, but haven't been able to make up my mind. Now that I have the PC, should I keep it and get a backing plate, pads and polish, or should I change out to the Griot's Garage polisher? I like the fact that the Griot's model has a lifetime warranty and also has a more powerful motor. Since I need to order the LC backing plate and pads, should I also order the Griot's polisher and return the PC?

I am not a professional detailer, but I use my polisher regularly. Prior to this, I have been using a Flex LK603VE that is like 20 years old. It will burn the paint and swirl if not careful and I'd like a simpler solution. The fact that I haven't had any issues with the Flex, makes me question which DA will also last. Tools and such aren't made like they used to.

Any suggestions or recommendations are appreciated.
 
Buy some 5.5" pads and a backing plate and try out the pc, if you don't like it then return it to HD and order the gg. You can use the pads and plate with the gg.
 
I've been using the PC as long as anyone because I started using it the year it was introduced to the paint polishing world by Meguiar's as the G100 back in the early 1990's

Myself and millions of people have buffed millions of cars using the PC and that was with thick foam pads and less effective chemicals.

Now days there are more and better pads and abrasive technology has skyrocketed...

Point being is you can tackle anything that comes your way using a PC as long as you're using good technique with the right pads and products.


The Griot's does have the most power but realistically, for most body panels you're never going to push down so hard on any DA Polisher to make it stop working with 5.5" thin pads.

For working tight concave curves, the pad can stop rotating with all three DA Polishers but the Griot's will be better able to maintain pad rotation with pressure applied to just outside edges from the curve of a concave shaped panel.


Another trick for working concave panels is to use a 4" Spot repair pad which will rotate better on all three tools.

I always wonder if anyone from Porter Cable ever reads the forums to see Griot's is one-upped them in the power category and if they even care?

For what it's worth, we use all three DA Polishers on all the projects we work on here at Autogeek and they all get the job done.

If it were me, since you already have the PC I would get a 5" backing plate and a selection of 5.5" thin foam pads like Lake Country Flat Pads, Hydro-Tech Pads or CCS pads. This will enable you to tackle anything in your garage.

This will help you too...

Paperback




:D
 
You already have the PCXP, so use it. And if you do decide you need more power someday I would keep the PCXP as a backup or for smaller pads.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
I always wonder if anyone from Porter Cable ever reads the forums to see Griot's is one-upped them in the power category and if they even care?
Click to expand...

Doubt it. Since PC is marketed by Black & Decker and IMO, B&D has shot themselves in the foot across most of their product line, the powers that be probably couldn't care less. Like many corporations the suits will get their golden parachutes and millions on the way out the door after running the company into the ground. "The American Way" has taken on a different and perverted meaning when it comes to big business.

TL
 
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