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- Nov 26, 2009
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Porter Cable XP ?.
- Thread starter Sal
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Sal
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- Dec 29, 2009
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- Thread starter
- #22
This will sound strange but if there is no pressure or rather hardly any pressure against the foam pad none of the DA Polishers will rotate the pad, in fact they will just flutter and sometimes just spin backwards.
Put the speed setting on at least 5.0, put some product, (liquid/lubricant), on the face of the pad, place the face of the pad against some paint and then turn the polisher on and push on it about 10 to 15 pounds and you'll see the pad rotate.
Lift up and just let the pad rest against the paint and it will more or less do nothing. I can't explain it I've just played with all the tools enough to have noticed this phenomena. I'm confident it has something to do with the Free Floating Spindle Assembly.
I used the XP all day long and all night long and it performed flawlessly. These are high quality tools, getting one that's bad is truly an exception.
Mike, so what would be the explanation for setting 3-4? From what I read here those settings are meant to apply/remove, wax/sealant. I can't do anything with those settings, I'm not even able to spread the polish over my sectioned off area. I just doesn't seem right.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
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The 3-4 setting can be used to apply a finishing wax after the correction and polishing steps are finished. When spreading out a coat of wax or paint sealant you don't need the pad rotating to remove paint, so it's a non-issue. Just to note I usually use the 4.0 speed setting and at this setting the pad will rotate most of the time when spreading out a wax.
For removing a wax or paint sealant you really need the higher speeds of 5.0 to 6.0 or the "bite" between the wax and the nap of the cloth will overcome the power supplied by a DA Polisher you just won't be effective at removing wax off the surface.
Also keep in mind that removing waxes by machine works best when you apply a thin layer of a drying wax. Thick layers of any wax or paint sealant don't remove easily by hand or machine and wet films don't remove as easily as dry films
Have you watched this video? It shows the technique for using a DA Polisher and you can see the black make on the backing plate spinning around as I work the section.
Show Car Garage Video: How-To do a "Section Pass" when Machine Polishing with a DA Polisher
Maybe try to come to our next class and learn first hand how to best use a DA Polisher...
Sal
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- Dec 29, 2009
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- #24
The 3-4 setting can be used to apply a finishing wax after the correction and polishing steps are finished. When spreading out a coat of wax or paint sealant you don't need the pad rotating to remove paint, so it's a non-issue. Just to note I usually use the 4.0 speed setting and at this setting the pad will rotate most of the time when spreading out a wax.
For removing a wax or paint sealant you really need the higher speeds of 5.0 to 6.0 or the "bite" between the wax and the nap of the cloth will overcome the power supplied by a DA Polisher you just won't be effective at removing wax off the surface.
Also keep in mind that removing waxes by machine works best when you apply a thin layer of a drying wax. Thick layers of any wax or paint sealant don't remove easily by hand or machine and wet films don't remove as easily as dry films
Have you watched this video? It shows the technique for using a DA Polisher and you can see the black make on the backing plate spinning around as I work the section.
Show Car Garage Video: How-To do a "Section Pass" when Machine Polishing with a DA Polisher
Maybe try to come to our next class and learn first hand how to best use a DA Polisher...
Mike. Thanks again. Problem solved. I went back to may car and tried everything you mentioned on your earlier reply. I applied the suggested pressure to the machine and setting 4-6 worked effortlessly. I really don't know what I was doing wrong. I have been using my Flex 3401 and I guess I just got spoiled. They are really two different types of machines when power is compared.
I would love to go to a class. Unfortunately I'm to far away. Maybe I will try to get my next duty station in Florida. Thanks again.
Mike Phillips
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- Dec 5, 2022
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ASPHALT ROCKET
SELF BANNED
- Mar 4, 2006
- 2,872
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WHAT A PC GONE BAD! DON'T TELL ASPHALT ROCKET.(only kidding i'm just sarcastic)
I was waiting for someone to say something and I know you are kidding but, 1 pc out of numerous failed Griots, that right there tells you something. The Porter Cable is and always will be the better tool.
Dubbin1
Active member
- May 28, 2009
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Too bad it doesn't have the power of the GG.
ASPHALT ROCKET
SELF BANNED
- Mar 4, 2006
- 2,872
- 0
Why do you say that, you can get the exact same results with the pc as you can with the GG.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
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Just a friendly reminder of our forum rules as I don't want to see another thread about power tools go south...
Forum Rules
Here's a few that apply or if this thread continues in a negative direction will apply...
1. No personal attacks toward members or non-members will be tolerated.
3. You are welcome to disagree but you must be polite.
4. No bashing any company or their products. No bashing other people. If you can't say anything nice about someone, then don't say anything at all, this also includes talking to others in a demeaning manner.
REMEMBER this forum is here for those that are new to detailing and those that have been doing this for years. We expect that you treat everyone with respect no matter what their level of detailing is. We all had to start somewhere.
12. Continuously breaking the rules to disrupt the online community will result in you being banned from the forum.
Thank you ahead of time for complying with the forum rules.
rops:
Forum Rules
Here's a few that apply or if this thread continues in a negative direction will apply...
1. No personal attacks toward members or non-members will be tolerated.
3. You are welcome to disagree but you must be polite.
4. No bashing any company or their products. No bashing other people. If you can't say anything nice about someone, then don't say anything at all, this also includes talking to others in a demeaning manner.
REMEMBER this forum is here for those that are new to detailing and those that have been doing this for years. We expect that you treat everyone with respect no matter what their level of detailing is. We all had to start somewhere.
12. Continuously breaking the rules to disrupt the online community will result in you being banned from the forum.
Thank you ahead of time for complying with the forum rules.
rops:
Dubbin1
Active member
- May 28, 2009
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I agree 100% but IMO you will get there faster with the GG.
I too had this same problem of the PC bogging down while trying to put a coat of wax on new paint job( only the second time i have used it-i am a neebie)just would not turn the pad on speed 3 -thats the speed the product recomends-ended up waxing by hand.But then went to work on different vehicle with orange pad and a swirl remover on speed 6 and it worked fine.Guess i will have to speed it up on wax too?
For applying wax, it is NOT paramount that the pad 'spins.' You aren't doing any correction, just applying a surface coating (with a little help).
You do have the washer installed, right?
Bill
Washer is installed. If the pad is not spinning seems it would be simpler to apply by hand. On Mikes videos you can see the pad turning and I would think it would aid in spreading the wax around. Like I said the pc worked fine using orange pad and Pinnacle 2.5 but when I switched to grey pad and Mothers liquid cleaner wax it wouldnt turn it at all unless you lifted the pc so there was no pressure at all-you could hold the machine at the end of the handle with just using the weight of the machine and it would not spin. I just could not understand how this would happen-need more practice i quess.
I agree, the pad should be able to 'rotate' while at a low speed. But, it really doesn't take much to keep it from spinning a such a low speed. Kinda nature of the beast.
As to 'just applying by hand', using a DA helps to insure that a THIN wax application is what is happening. I know is does sound anti-productive, but even just the 'jiggling' is laying down the LSP.
As I'm typing this, I looked up and noticed that you are using a cleaner wax...if so, try jumping you speed up a notch or so. With a 'cleaner wax' you are doing some correction.
Make sense?
Bill
As to 'just applying by hand', using a DA helps to insure that a THIN wax application is what is happening. I know is does sound anti-productive, but even just the 'jiggling' is laying down the LSP.
As I'm typing this, I looked up and noticed that you are using a cleaner wax...if so, try jumping you speed up a notch or so. With a 'cleaner wax' you are doing some correction.
Make sense?
Bill
Earlier in this thread, the importance of using a washer with the 7424XP (mine arrived tonight) is brought up.
In the 7424XP box, there was a silver washer in the same plastic bag as the instructions, handle and tool. On the yellow backing plate (I bought one of AG's kits), there is a black washer below the rubber cap.
Which washer should I be using (or both)? If both, what order do they go on in?
Thanks!
In the 7424XP box, there was a silver washer in the same plastic bag as the instructions, handle and tool. On the yellow backing plate (I bought one of AG's kits), there is a black washer below the rubber cap.
Which washer should I be using (or both)? If both, what order do they go on in?
Thanks!
I use the black one
swanicyouth
New member
- Mar 3, 2011
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For all those that are having trouble keeping their PC spinning what size pads are you using? The PC really spins best with 5.5" x 7/8" pads. Also, my PC sat for years because I thought it was broke because I didn't think the pad was spinning right. Later I went back to it determined to practice enough on it to either figure it out or figure out it was broke and replace it. It turns out in my case I needed more experience using the machine. I never use the machine to apply waxes as I think it can be done faster by hand