Upgrading from Porter Cable 7424XP

roguegeek

roguegeek

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I'm an enthusiast and had my PC 7424 for several years before upgrading that to the 7424XP in 2009, so I've been working with the PC for over a decade now. Probably gone through several dozens worth of cars with it. It's definitely been enough rounds to have intimate knowledge of the tool that I feel very comfortable using. I'm at a point right now that I want to see what else is out there to play with for several reasons I'll get into and I'd like your help figuring out what I should potentially upgrade to.

Here's what I've loved about the PC:
  • Cost - It doesn't ask for much to put you into the game.
  • Form and Weight - It's fairly compact. Maybe it's just because I've used it for so long.
  • 3 to 6 in Backing Plates - I need this versatility.
  • Reliability - It's always started up and functioned perfectly for me.

Here's what has pushed me to start looking elsewhere:
  • Fatigue - There has always been numbness and itchiness due to how much it vibrated with extended use. This is the major issue I want to resolve.
  • Torque - The pad stops with pressure which doesn't make it great for deeper correction.

So here's what I'm looking for:
  • dual-action polisher (forced or free)
  • smooth action for less fatigue
  • more torque than the PC
  • possibly have the ability to accept 3 to 6 inch pads, but I'm ok with 5 to 6 inch capability

In my initial research, I think I was going to go with the Rupes LHR 21ES or Flex XC 3401 VRG for my 5 and 6 inch needs while keeping the PC for 3 inch pads with maybe later replacing the PC with a Rupes LHR 75E. I know that these aren't the only solutions in town, though. There's newer DAs like the Torq 10FX and Meguiar's MT300 that I don't know much about pull I'm sure a handful that I'm not even considering at the moment. I know for sure I've eliminated the Griot's because it's not that big of an upgrade over the PC and doesn't eliminate the fatigue issue.

Anyway, would like your thoughts as to what you think would be a nice upgrade and help point me down the right path. Thanks!
 
Oh man! You are going to get a lot of opinions and the 2 most common ones will be the Rupes vs. Flex. I have a PC7424 XP and used it quite a bit until I got the Flex 3401VRG. TO ME IMO it is the best DA out there.

There is nothing like the "forced rotation" of the 3401. You will cut down your correcting/polishing time by at least 50 percent!

If you decide on getting the Flex, get the Lake Country Backing Plates and the Lake Country Hybrid Pads 5" and 6.5". The Flex is very versatile and you will probably (like I did) delegate the PC 7424 XP to apply sealant/wax or small correcting/polishing areas with a 2 7/8 Backing Plate and 3" pads.

I have been so happy with the Flex. Mike Phillips even has a book about it.

You will definitely cut your fatigue issue dramatically.

Now for smoothness, I hear that the Rupes is very smooth. Is it smoother than the Flex? IDK never compared as I feel no need to as I love my Flex.

But read the many threads comparing the Flex vs Rupes pros and cons...I am on the Flex side and I like my Flex so much I bought the PE8 Kompakt rotary. That is a nice machine too!

Either way if you decide to go Flex or Rupes you have made a great choice. Either way BOTH will reduce your Fatigue issue when compared to the PC7424XP
 
In my mind, the Torq and Mequiar's are only incrementally better. If you're going to upgrade, spend a few more dollars and get either the Rupes or Flex. Me, I have a Duetto. If I was going to get another, it'd be the Flex.
 
I have a PC, 3401, and at the recommendation of another member, looking to get a Flex 3403 Rotary
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
Either way if you decide to go Flex or Rupes you have made a great choice. Either way BOTH will reduce your Fatigue issue when compared to the PC7424XP
Click to expand...

So when you went from your PC to your Flex, the fatigue difference was noticeable for you? This is, definitely, my biggest concern.
 
trekkeruss said:
In my mind, the Torq and Mequiar's are only incrementally better. If you're going to upgrade, spend a few more dollars and get either the Rupes or Flex. Me, I have a Duetto. If I was going to get another, it'd be the Flex.
Click to expand...

I figured that was going to be the answers I was going to get on the Torq and Meguiar's. Ok, those are out entirely.

Now the Duetto, this is a real interesting option to me. It's more compact like the PC, which makes it an option I wanted to throw onto this list. How it is against the full-sized options like the 21ES and 3401?
 
roguegeek said:
Now the Duetto, this is a real interesting option to me. It's more compact like the PC, which makes it an option I wanted to throw onto this list. How it is against the full-sized options like the 21ES and 3401?
Click to expand...

I don't get fatigued with my Duetto, but it will stop rotating on curved panels. Its speed of correction is not because it has more torque...it doesn't have that...but because of its larger stroke.

I think the advantage of the big guns is that they correct much faster, so fatigue becomes less of an issue. I'd choose the Flex for the correction via forced rotation vs. the correction due to the stroke of the 21.
 
roguegeek said:
So when you went from your PC to your Flex, the fatigue was noticeable for you? This is, definitely, my biggest concern.
Click to expand...

My fatigue was significantly reduced by using the Flex. I remember I was using the PC and it took so long to finish correcting 1 panel that had quite a bit of swirls. I spent 2 hrs on just one panel! Talk about frustrated and tired! My technique has improves considerably since then, but I was actually getting discouraged from all the work with little results.

With the Flex I would probably be able to finish correcting that panel in 15 to 30 minutes. The time saving alone reduces your fatigue factor by far.

I recently re-corrected my buddies x-wife 2014 Mercedes Benz 350. It had car wash induced swirls. I know if I used a PC the job would have taken at least 14 to 20 hours. This MB did not have the Ceramiclear coat but was still hard paint.

It took me 7 - 8 hours for a full re-correction with the Flex. I posted the same pics in a different thread, however, here they are so you can get an idea of what the Flex 3401 can do:

I used Menzerna FG400 with a 6.5" Lake Country Orange Hybrid Pad on Speed setting 5 and then followed with a 6.5" LC White Hybrid Pad with Menzerna SF4500 at Speed setting 5. Used Menzerna Powerlock with a 6.5" LC Red Hybrid Pad for sealant and then 6.5" LC Gold Pad with Pinnacle Souveran Liquid Wax. The Speed setting for the sealant and wax was at 2.
 
I feel like moving from the PC to the Rupes would be an easier transition for me than moving from the PC to the Flex simply due to the free vs forced rotation, but I'm all up for challenging myself and making my techniques better. Expand my horizons, if you will, instead of playing it safe. I know I'll definitely not have any torque issues with it and it seems like it will take care of the fatigue issues as well. I do have a couple of concerns, though. Obviously, the Flex can correct, but how is it with finishing? Also, is it only 6 in backing plate compatible or can you throw a 4 or 5 inch on there?
 
I think the new Meguiars MT300 is a great upgrade from the PC7424XP and half the cost of a Flex 3401XP. The MT300 has a new totque management system that will handle most situations.

AGO has a 15% off sale going on now, with no exclusions, and $7.95 shipping. You are looking at about $195 to your door.

Food for thought.

Roger T
 
Yeah, from everything I'm reading, it just doesn't look like enough of an upgrade over the PC. I definitely need my main concerns addressed and I'd be rolling the dice with that option. Good feedback, though.
 
The MT300 is a big upgrade from the MT300. It is a very capable machine. I like it.
 
Compared to my PC (admittedly, an older 7336 unit), I find the MT300 a much more powerful and refined machine. Actually, it's on an entirely different level. Besides the additional power, the ergonomics are better (chassis/handle design, finger trigger, speed switch location, balance, etc.) and it's noticeably smoother/quieter (a big plus). As a weekend detailer who polishes a few times a year, I just couldn't justify spending nearly $400 on Rupes or Flex. The MT300 is a great alternative; eighty percent of their performance for sixty percent of their price.
 
From someone else who is thinking about upgrading from the Porter Cable 7424xp, are the backing plates (3" and 5") and Lake Country Pads compatible with the Flex or Rupes? I can see if I am having a hard time deciding that might tip me one way or the other
 
Rod73 said:
From someone else who is thinking about upgrading from the Porter Cable 7424xp, are the backing plates (3" and 5") and Lake Country Pads compatible with the Flex or Rupes? I can see if I am having a hard time deciding that might tip me one way or the other
Click to expand...

PC backing plates will not fit Rupes or Flex polishers. However, correctly sized Lake Country pads will fit their backing plates (Flex includes a 5.5'' plate; Rupes includes either a 5'' or 6'' plate depending on the model; both offer optional smaller plates).
 
Flex 3401 is a great machine, drawbacks are the limited backing plate options, and that the cost has crept up over time to where it's almost as much as a Rupes LHR 21 (and I thought it was expensive back when I bought mine!).

There seem to be some...er...generic long throw machines that may be hitting the market soon that have standard backing plate attachment--whether a 21mm stroke machine will work with a 3-4" pad is another story.
 
rj45 said:
PC backing plates will not fit Rupes or Flex polishers. However, correctly sized Lake Country pads will fit their backing plates (Flex includes a 5.5'' plate; Rupes includes either a 5'' or 6'' plate depending on the model; both offer optional smaller plates).
Click to expand...
Thanks!
 
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