Porter Cable finally died, looking to replace

[natewood70]

Well, after 12 long years of faithful service my PC finally gave it's last breath this past weekend. It was the first polisher I ever owned that I got as a birthday gift from my parents when I was 15 (at that time it was to polish and wax their vehicles :dblthumb2. I've used it for corrections, AIO's, and laying down some wax over it's life and it was a fantastic tool.

I was thinking about investing in another one, but was wondering if it would be worth looking at the Rupes or FLEX line to get the job done. When I was detailing to make some extra money I was very close to purchasing a FLEX polisher, but that was about 3 years ago. Since that time I've stopped detailing as a side gig and have become mostly a weekend warrior keeping up on mine and my wife's car as well as the occasional friend who needed some help.

So... now... the question is: Since I only polish maybe 1-2 times a year and mostly use a machine to apply waxes and sealants, what would you recommend? I'm open to anything, and yes the price of the PC is great, but I have no problem investing in another tool that has fantastic quality.

Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[kevinmfitz]

I was in the same boat as you. Porter Cable died after 10 years. I detail a few more cars a year than you.
I invested in the Rupes Bigfoot LHR 15 ES. It is a wonderful machine. Balance is great and it works really well. I also had to get some new pads.
You will love this machine. Certainly more money than the Porter Cable. I had also used the Griots DA, which is also really nice.
There are some good deals on the Gen 1 Rupes with Pads out in the Market now as a new Mark II is out with more power for more a heavy user.

 

[natewood70]

I was in the same boat as you. Porter Cable died after 10 years. I detail a few more cars a year than you.
I invested in the Rupes Bigfoot LHR 15 ES. It is a wonderful machine. Balance is great and it works really well. I also had to get some new pads.
You will love this machine. Certainly more money than the Porter Cable. I had also used the Griots DA, which is also really nice.
There are some good deals on the Gen 1 Rupes with Pads out in the Market now as a new Mark II is out with more power for more a heavy user.

I was looking at that exact one, but just didn't know if it was overkill for my application.

Have you used it to spread wax, or do you still have a separate DA for that type of work? I really love the power that comes with the Rupes.

 

[Kamakaz1961]

I still have my PC7424XP and I have the Flex 3401 and it has been my Go-to DA and IMO the best for me. That being said, there are about 3 brands that everyone here seems to rave about. The Flex Brand, The Rupes brand and the Griot's Garage Brand. IMO you can't go wrong with any of these brands and their systems. I look at it as Ford (Flex), Chevy (Rupes) and Dodge (Griot's Garage) all are great like Detroit Muscle!

But 12 Years!! Dang!! I have about 8 more years to go before my PC will blow up...that's cool! I think I can live with that!....LOL

 

[natewood70]

I still have my PC7424XP and I have the Flex 3401 and it has been my Go-to DA and IMO the best for me. That being said, there are about 3 brands that everyone here seems to rave about. The Flex Brand, The Rupes brand and the Griot's Garage Brand. IMO you can't go wrong with any of these brands and their systems. I look at it as Ford (Flex), Chevy (Rupes) and Dodge (Griot's Garage) all are great like Detroit Muscle!

But 12 Years!! Dang!! I have about 8 more years to go before my PC will blow up...that's cool! I think I can live with that!....LOL

Haha, yeah it lasted a very long time for me. Truth be told, I wasn't the gentlest with it either.

Do you use your FLEX to apply wax? I know that question is redundant in this thread, but it's what I'll mainly use my new polisher for. I would love to have one with the power to carry out corrections when needed which is why I'm all for investing a little more to have that power on standby when needed.

 

[kevinmfitz]

I have spread wax with it and used very light pad. It worked well. The machine glides so easy you can use it with one hand sometimes.
I still do most of wax applications by hand.

 

[Hoytman]

Truth be told, I wasn't the gentlest with it either.

After 12 years the statement above should tell you everything you need to know. I'd buy another PC7424xp, then save up enough money for any other polisher of your choosing, but I wouldn't be without my trusty Porter Cable. Twelve (12) years of hard use is nothing to sneeze at. That's reliability!

Take your own words, then consider how often Mike Phillips still recommends the Porter Cable of other similar DA's...what more proof do you need. (That's a statement, not a question.)

 

[custmsprty]

Well, after 12 long years of faithful service my PC finally gave it's last breath this past weekend. It was the first polisher I ever owned that I got as a birthday gift from my parents when I was 15 (at that time it was to polish and wax their vehicles :dblthumb2. I've used it for corrections, AIO's, and laying down some wax over it's life and it was a fantastic tool.

I was thinking about investing in another one, but was wondering if it would be worth looking at the Rupes or FLEX line to get the job done. When I was detailing to make some extra money I was very close to purchasing a FLEX polisher, but that was about 3 years ago. Since that time I've stopped detailing as a side gig and have become mostly a weekend warrior keeping up on mine and my wife's car as well as the occasional friend who needed some help.

So... now... the question is: Since I only polish maybe 1-2 times a year and mostly use a machine to apply waxes and sealants, what would you recommend? I'm open to anything, and yes the price of the PC is great, but I have no problem investing in another tool that has fantastic quality.

Thanks for everyone's input!

Did you change the brushes on your PC?

 

[dlc95]

After 12 years the statement above should tell you everything you need to know. I'd buy another PC7424xp, then save up enough money for any other polisher of your choosing, but I wouldn't be without my trusty Porter Cable. Twelve (12) years of hard use is nothing to sneeze at. That's reliability!

Take your own words, then consider how often Mike Phillips still recommends the Porter Cable of other similar DA's...what more proof do you need. (That's a statement, not a question.)

I'm in agreement with Hoytman.

I'm continually satisfied with the reliability and performance of the Porter Cable tool. I recently purchased a couple of 1st generation units from 2006, and 2007 and find them to be more than adequate. My first d/a is a 7424xp from 2010 that has been getting beat up since day one. The gg6 is said to have more power, but honestly, I never tried it.

The Flex 3401 is very smooth, despite the amount of power it has. Unfortunately for me, I couldn't get the back plate speed from it that the Porter Cable would get me, so after repratedly setting it aside in favor of the PC, I eventually sold it. There are many people using the 3401 to great effect though. They've become masters of welding it's power, and it's the perfect fit for them. I do have a Flex PE14-2 rotary polisher, and that thing is a dream. Probably more muscle than you need though.

Then there is the Rupes Duetto.... I teamed it with a Rupes Mini, and that team has quickly become my "go to" outfitted with a selection of their pads and polishes. Like the Flex 3401, it's a much more refined machine compared to the PC. It takes less time for me to cut, polish, and seal than it the PC, and the 3401. Very smooth operating, and almost vibration free are other attributes of these machines.

If I were in your shoes though, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another PC.

You say it's dead. What's wrong with it?

 

[chet31]

I have both a PC7424 and a Flex 3401. If I had to own only one, it would be the Flex by a wide margin. I can correct a car in at least 1/2 the time with a Flex, which is valuable to me because running a polisher back and forth over clear coat is not my favorite activity.

 

[roguegeek]

I was in the same boat as you a while back. My PC (non-XP) finally died after years of use. I purchased a PCXP almost immediately, but after a couple years, it really started wearing on me. Lot of fatigue in my arms from it. Tried several options and landed on the Flex 3401. Nothing corrects like it and finishes just fine with the right technique. If I was in the same boat today, I would probably still go with the Flex XCE (the newer version of the 3401) if I was doing a ton of correcting. The other option is the Flex XFE7-15 if you want to do free-spin, long-throw. In my time with it at SEMA this year, it was clear none of its competitors were as smooth and powerful as it. It also had the typical Flex fit and finish, which is to say just nicer than Rupes or GG.

Hope this helps. Keep us updated with what you decide to do!

 

[VISITOR]

no sense in spending $300+ on a polisher if you're only going to use it a few times a year. with that said, the GG6 would be a great choice and is a step up from the PC/XP and has noticeably more power/torque, lifetime warranty, and better ergonomics. it's a little beast!

Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher FREE SHIPPING

 

[DBAILEY]

I agree. For your needs the GG6 would be a wise choice. More power than the PC and you still can swap out the backing plate to whatever size you need. And its still fine to apply sealant/wax with it. Using the long throw polishers to apply sealant/wax seems like over kill.

 

[natewood70]

Did you change the brushes on your PC?

I did not... and now that I googled it I'm wondering how much of an impact that might have had on extending the life... truth be told I'm now kicking myself for discarding it so quickly without hearing out what the forum has to say :doh:

 

[Kamakaz1961]

Haha, yeah it lasted a very long time for me. Truth be told, I wasn't the gentlest with it either.

Do you use your FLEX to apply wax? I know that question is redundant in this thread, but it's what I'll mainly use my new polisher for. I would love to have one with the power to carry out corrections when needed which is why I'm all for investing a little more to have that power on standby when needed.

You can apply wax as well as sealant with the Flex 3401. I have beaten up my Flex pretty hard. I dropped it a couple of times off my bench by accident (4+ feet). Still keeps on truckin. You can use 1 hand with the Flex for waxing as it is very easily controllable at low speeds. If you do a lot of detailing; I would look into the benefits of the DA. You will save a considerable amount of detailing time. More time = more detailing = more money. I use my PC as my mini 3" DA.

 

[natewood70]

I agree. For your needs the GG6 would be a wise choice. More power than the PC and you still can swap out the backing plate to whatever size you need. And its still fine to apply sealant/wax with it. Using the long throw polishers to apply sealant/wax seems like over kill.

That's pretty much my mindset. I have no problem paying for a better tool if it would be worth it for me. Since this will primarily be for laying down some wax/sealants and the occasional 1, maybe 2 step correction it really seems I am going to be within the realm of the following polishers:

1. Porter Cable 7424XP
2. Griots Garage 6"

I started looking at the chemical guys TORQ, but the specs just don't seem to sell the product AND I have yet to come across any thread where someone has mentioned using one.

All that being said, I'll probably end up going with the GG6 simply for all the great reviews, beefier motor, and the lifetime warranty.

Seriously, this place rocks. Since joining the forums 5 1/2 years ago I have learned a ton and could always count on this place to help guide me! Whether it was starting and running my own detailing business to the (now) transition to detailing enthusiast, I have never been disappointed.

 

[chet31]

You can apply wax as well as sealant with the Flex 3401. I have beaten up my Flex pretty hard. I dropped it a couple of times off my bench by accident (4+ feet). Still keeps on truckin. You can use 1 hand with the Flex for waxing as it is very easily controllable at low speeds. If you do a lot of detailing; I would look into the benefits of the DA. You will save a considerable amount of detailing time. More time = more detailing = more money. I use my PC as my mini 3" DA.

I do the same, the PC is fantastic with a 3.5" pad.

 

[VISITOR]

That's pretty much my mindset. I have no problem paying for a better tool if it would be worth it for me. Since this will primarily be for laying down some wax/sealants and the occasional 1, maybe 2 step correction it really seems I am going to be within the realm of the following polishers:

2. Griots Garage 6"

All that being said, I'll probably end up going with the GG6 simply for all the great reviews, beefier motor, and the lifetime warranty.

nobody here will try to stir you wrong, pick up this (GG6) little bad boy, you'll be glad you did. rest assured since you aren't going to be using it often, that you will be covered if something were to happen later down the road. GG customer service is excellent...

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Do you use your FLEX to apply wax?

Yes. Do it all the time and teach my classes how to do it also. It's easier to use a PC to machine apply a wax or even the Griot's Garage 3" polisher as they are smaller and more compact but the FLEX 3401 is very versatile with a soft foam pad is completely at home machine applying a wax or sealant.

I show this in my car detailing books and my boat detailing book.

After 12 years the statement above should tell you everything you need to know. I'd buy another PC7424xp, then save up enough money for any other polisher of your choosing, but I wouldn't be without my trusty Porter Cable. Twelve (12) years of hard use is nothing to sneeze at. That's reliability!

It's a very well built tool and it is the tool that everyone started the orbital revolution in the car detailing world and the tool that everyone else has cloned for their version.

Take your own words, then consider how often Mike Phillips still recommends the Porter Cable of other similar DA's...what more proof do you need. (That's a statement, not a question.)

I call these types of dual action polishers,

Entry Level DA Polishers

Even the slides in my Power Points for my Competition Ready 3-day detailing classes are titled this way as we move through ALL the tools. We start with the PC type because they are the easiest to learn how to use and master. (that's two things).

I also like them because I do wet work sometimes like machine scrubbing tires, machine scrubbing upholstery, machine scrubbing non-skid and machine wet sanding and the PC is CAS listed and I've never felt that little tingle shock when using the PC.

I do like the Griot's version and it does have a LOT more power. The reason it tend to use the PC over the Griot's however is because now that there are so many THIN 5.5" foam pads on the market pad rotation is never an issue so anything I can do with a Griot's I can do with a PC using thin pads.

If I need more POWER and SPEED I don't look for a more powerful PC I grab either a rotary buffer or a FLEX 3401

I have both a PC7424 and a Flex 3401. If I had to own only one, it would be the Flex by a wide margin.

I can correct a car in at least 1/2 the time with a Flex,

which is valuable to me because running a polisher back and forth over clear coat is not my favorite activity.

"With a FLEX 3401 you can power through a detail job"

You can quote me on that because it's true. Just look at some of the "times" I've posted for how long it takes me to go from start to finish doing the exterior of a car using a FLEX 3401.

All that being said, I'll probably end up going with the GG6 simply for all the great reviews, beefier motor, and the lifetime warranty.

It definitely has a lot more power than the PC.

Seriously, this place rocks. Since joining the forums 5 1/2 years ago I have learned a ton and could always count on this place to help guide me!

Whether it was starting and running my own detailing business to the (now) transition to detailing enthusiast, I have never been disappointed.

That is such a powerful compliment about this forum. Thank you for sharing your opinion on AGO.

 

[natewood70]

Yes. Do it all the time and teach my classes how to do it also. It's easier to use a PC to machine apply a wax or even the Griot's Garage 3" polisher as they are smaller and more compact but the FLEX 3401 is very versatile with a soft foam pad is completely at home machine applying a wax or sealant.

I show this in my car detailing books and my boat detailing book.




It's a very well built tool and it is the tool that everyone started the orbital revolution in the car detailing world and the tool that everyone else has cloned for their version.




I call these types of dual action polishers,

Entry Level DA Polishers

Even the slides in my Power Points for my Competition Ready 3-day detailing classes are titled this way as we move through ALL the tools. We start with the PC type because they are the easiest to learn how to use and master. (that's two things).

I also like them because I do wet work sometimes like machine scrubbing tires, machine scrubbing upholstery, machine scrubbing non-skid and machine wet sanding and the PC is CAS listed and I've never felt that little tingle shock when using the PC.

I do like the Griot's version and it does have a LOT more power. The reason it tend to use the PC over the Griot's however is because now that there are so many THIN 5.5" foam pads on the market pad rotation is never an issue so anything I can do with a Griot's I can do with a PC using thin pads.

If I need more POWER and SPEED I don't look for a more powerful PC I grab either a rotary buffer or a FLEX 3401






"With a FLEX 3401 you can power through a detail job"

You can quote me on that because it's true. Just look at some of the "times" I've posted for how long it takes me to go from start to finish doing the exterior of a car using a FLEX 3401.





It definitely has a lot more power than the PC.






That is such a powerful compliment about this forum. Thank you for sharing your opinion on AGO.

Thanks for the detailed reply, Mike. I'll be ordering the GG6 soon, and look forward to it providing many faithful years of service.