Upgrading from Porter Cable 7424XP

if you want an upgrade to the PCXP then a flex or rupes would be ideal. if you can't afford it, and want a DA with a similar rotary body style like the formentioned polishers, then the Megs MT300 would be a good choice, but the some have mixed reviews/thoughts on the torque/power so you'll have to try one out and decide for yourself. IMO, the GG6 is a step up from the PCXP and has a good amount of torque/power while having all the ergonomics built into it and one up'd everything the PCXP had. speaking of the Griot's, i'm curious as to what they have new coming out soon? maybe a new polisher!?
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I'm hoping it's the entire MaxShine MS-L line of polishers. They make 8mm, 12mm, 15mm and 21mm orbit units all in the same long handle form factor.
 
I made the change from a stardand PC7424 (the 7424XP was not out at the time) to a flex 3401. I really enjoy the machine.iv had it for 5 years and its been a work horse for me. People complain of the machine walking at times and it does for me but doesnt happen all the time. This happens because if i get lazy i dont have the pad flat on the surface.Once i make the adjustment it runs smoothly. So as long has you have the pad flat it runs smooth and doesnt have the vibrations like the PC does. I use my PC with 3inch pads for small area and it works very well for me. I have been tossing the idea around of picking up the MT300 to use the megiuars microfiber system with it. It seems to get great results. For extra Cut on the Flex 3401 i use tufbuf wool pads. I have no issues finishing down with the flex. You just have to make sure you keep the heat down on the panel you are working on. I find myself most of the time using either just a mid level polish or finishing polish to achieve good results.
 
Question: Can a newbie damage their paint with the Duetto or Flex? I have the 7424XP and want to upgrade (it just beats the hell outta me, long working time) but my technique still needs work. I got the 7424 b/c its nearly impossible to hurt the paint...thoughts.
 
Thoughts from a (relative) newbie:

Got started with this madness in late November, wife wanted her garage queen 1979 Corvette back on the road.

Started out with the HF DA, lasted a few panels with it (not a bad machine, but I wanted better) then upgraded to the PC7424XP. It performed adequately but with all the curves on that car rotation was an issue, along with just the time it was taking. Plus I was now hooked, and staring at my Yukon and thinking about the time that was going to take...I knew what I had to do...

Yup, got the Flex3401, backing plates and hybrid pads, and couldn't be happier. Learning curve was very short, easy to use, performance is outstanding. I suppose it is possible to do damge with it but it would take a concerted effort to do so; I had no problems at all.

Finished the Vette with it, did my sister's Mini with it (she was thrilled) and the Yukon is up next. IMO can't go wrong with the Flex, love it.
 
VISITOR said:
if you want an upgrade to the PCXP then a flex or rupes would be ideal. if you can't afford it, and want a DA with a similar rotary body style like the formentioned polishers, then the Megs MT300 would be a good choice, but the some have mixed reviews/thoughts on the torque/power so you'll have to try one out and decide for yourself. IMO, the GG6 is a step up from the PCXP and has a good amount of torque/power while having all the ergonomics built into it and one up'd everything the PCXP had. speaking of the Griot's, i'm curious as to what they have new coming out soon? maybe a new polisher!?
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Money isn't an issue except in that I would like to have only one machine right now that does well with correcting and finishing. My main concerns are the fatigue with the PC, so as long as that's addressed, I don't mind spending the coin.

I think I'm probably going to go with the Flex over the Rupes because 1) people are saying the vibration and smoothness of the unit will definitely be better than the PC and will, hopefully, address the fatigue concerns, 2) it can accept 5" - 7.5" pads depending on the backing plate, and 3) seems like a machine that will actually challenge me and help push my technique better in that it's closer to a pure rotary.
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
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.
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This is exactly what I am thinking. Found the 3" bp for the PC, but not the Lake Country bp for the Flex.
 
94LT1 said:
I have no issues finishing down with the flex. You just have to make sure you keep the heat down on the panel you are working on. I find myself most of the time using either just a mid level polish or finishing polish to achieve good results.
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Good to know. I've had no issues finishing with my PC and so I knew the Rupes would do fine finishing as well. My only concern with the Flex was how it would finish, but it doesn't sound like it's going to be an issue.
 
roguegeek said:
Good to know. I've had no issues finishing with my PC and so I knew the Rupes would do fine finishing as well. My only concern with the Flex was how it would finish, but it doesn't sound like it's going to be an issue.
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If you have the technique down with the PC7424 then you will not have any issue with the Flex. The walking and pulling can be easily adjusted. What you will notice...is how much time you will save from correcting.....HUGE difference!!

Once you use the Flex you will wonder why it took so long to change!!

But awesome choice!!
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
If you have the technique down with the PC7424 then you will not have any issue with the Flex. The walking and pulling can be easily adjusted. What you will notice...is how much time you will save from correcting.....HUGE difference!!

Once you use the Flex you will wonder why it took so long to change!!

But awesome choice!!
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Thanks. I mean it's literally been over a decade with the PC, so I better know what I'm doing with it by now. :xyxthumbs:
 
I keep hearing people talking about the Flex "walking" on them. I have not used it. The only problem with the Rupes is maybe the price. I polish my car one handed and sometimes I forget I'm working at all. I use two hands to place it on the car and let the machine go to work, well except on the sides. I have the 21 and the 75 for tight areas. I still keep the PC ready to apply waxes.
 
Update: Since looking into replacements, I've been able to use the Flex 3401 and Bigfoot 15 on six different vehicles. I am confident either one of these machines solves all of my major issues I wanted to address and either would be a fine choice.

There was also an alternative solution released yesterday in GG's The Boss. As the machine is so similar to the Bigfoot, I'm sure it would also be an excellent option, but I do have a couple of questions about it that will probably go unanswered before I make my choice.

  1. Only 4 and 5 inch backing plates. Maybe a 3rd party will fix that in the future, but right now, nothing exist below this.
  2. Build quality? GG's past offerings never felt solid to me before and I recently tried the Rupes as well. None of them compared to Flex. How would this new solution compare?
  3. Smoothness and fatigue? My PCXP and GG's 6 are not comfortable machines to use at all. The Rupes and Flex are. How is the smoothness of their new machine and is the fatigue experienced (or not experienced) close to the Rupes and Flex?
  4. Price. Really? I guess only time will tell if it's something comparable to a 3401 or Bigfoot (since GG is pricing it with the big boys), but that initial price is definitely not helping its initial attractiveness for me.

Again, both the Rupes and Flex are going to be great machines to step up to. I think the Boss would be fine as well. That being said, I am going to buy the Flex 3401 simply because I believe it corrects faster and is much easier to get around corners with due to the forced rotation. I'm also not having any of the "walking" issues people are describing. So yeah, Flex it will be.

Thanks everyone for your feedback!
 
roguegeek said:
So yeah, Flex it will be.
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keep in mind like anything else these days, it comes down to personal preference (the whole flex vs. rupes debate) on what you like and are comfortable with. what might be right for some, may not be for others. nice choice, I think you're going to like it... :xyxthumbs:
 
I think the advantage I had was the ability to try them both out for a couple of weeks before making a decision. In the end, the Flex was just the better tool for me because of it's flexibility, adaptability, and correction speed. But, like I said before, I think both would have fixed the issues I had with the PCXP. So yeah, couldn't have gone wrong with either.
 
Got my birthday present yesterday...

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I got a good SO. :props:
 
Happy b-day and congrats on the new machine!!

I have one coming as well and can't wait to put it to the paint. :buffing:
 
Congtats, man! You should see what my 3401 is doing to some extreme oxidation on my car. Thought I would need a rotary, but the 3401 is KILLING it!

It will also polish to a high gloss, and it did a perfect job on a recent vehicle that had insanely hard paint, and I needed an AIO.

I wouldn't want to be without this monster. I'm gonna pick up some wool pads to finish my car. From what I've read, the 3401 has no problem spinning the wool.
 
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