What polisher to purchase

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911 Carrera S

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Hello everyone
I'm new to this forum so bare with me if this is posted in the wrong place.. Anyway I am in much need of some advice. I have recently purchased a 2013 Porsche Cayenne with 9400 miles the previous owner went thru the car wash all the time. I am left with a lot of swirling.. I also have a new 911 Carrera S,I would like to keep these cars in show quality shine. (No rids or swirls). I have a PC7424XP works very well. I'm an old school rotary guy, but I need something to remove swirls. Is a rotary the right tool or could you please help with advice on what to buy. I am using menzerna products and waxing with soviergn paste wax. I have 400,1000,2500,3500,3800.. I have heard a lot about griot and flex ... Sorry this was so long of post. Any input would be appreciated
 
If you are comfortable with a rotary there are some great machines today.

FLEX PE14-2-150 Rotary Polisher, FLEX circular polisher, rotary buffer, circular buffer, FLEX PE14

DeWalt DWP849X 7 & 9 inch Variable Speed Rotary Polisher, rotary buffer, circular polisher, car polisher

However, you can certainly remove swirls with your PC XP, you just need the right combo of product and pads (looks like you already have the right products, with the Menz FG400, I'd skip the 1000).

If you want something in between you could look at a Flex 3401 (or the upcoming replacement), or one of the several available long-throw machines (Flex, Rupes, Griot's).

Just bear in mind that removing all the RIDS you have may not be feasible.
 
I would suggest the Flex 3401. Lake County foam pads and Buff & Shine Microfiber cut & polish pads with your current Menzerna selection will knock out the swirls.

The 3401 is a forced rotation machine. I find it very balanced and easy to use. It cut thru the dealer induced swirls on my Touareg (midnight blue metallic) with no issue. I just started using the buff & shine MF pads and find them awesome! The extra cut of the MF with FG400 cuts they swirls quick. Finish it off with Menzerna 3500 and a lake county white pad and you should be good.

Flex XC 3401, FLEX Orbital Polisher,flex XC 3401 VRG dual-action polisher,flex XC3401VRG,Dual Action polisher,FLEX buffer

Buff and Shine Microfiber Pads

Lake Country Hybrid Power Finish Ultra Performance Pad System, buffing pads, foam pads, polishing pads
 
Yes that is true the cayenne is pretty much an everyday driver,I would like to keep it as nice as I can. I will look at the links you sent me. Thank you for all the Infor. Just wasn't sure if this is a specific reason for buying one over the. Like parts availability or better yrs of service etc.... Thanks again I'll start looking at the links. I did order a dozen LC tangerine pads, people seem to have had great luck with them.
 
My car is midnight metallic blue also. Sometimes I think it's as bad or worse than black. Very frustrating, I use the two bucket method and wheels are always done separately. I find the old rotary's are heavy and I'm not 21 anymore. I'm just trying to find something almost in between them. I still want to take out swirls just don't need sore arms for the next 3 days
 
911 Carrera S said:
My car is midnight metallic blue also. Sometimes I think it's as bad or worse than black. Very frustrating, I use the two bucket method and wheels are always done separately. I find the old rotary's are heavy and I'm not 21 anymore. I'm just trying to find something almost in between them. I still want to take out swirls just don't need sore arms for the next 3 days
Click to expand...

The smoothest I have ever used is the Rupes. But I went from the Porter Cable to the Flex and my results were better and faster. I'm not 21 anymore either so comfort is key. Flex gives the power needed.

The midnight blue metallic is a color looks great when swirl free and polished up. I would encourage you to also check out coatings. Mine is coated now with Wolfgang Uber Ceramic, looks awesome and easy maintenance.

Coated with: Wolfgang Uber Ceramic Coating

2 bucket wash with: Wolfgang introduces a luxury Auto Bathe Car Wash

Or do a rinsless wash with: Wolfgang Uber Rinseless Wash, no rinse car wash
& 6 - 700GSM towels: Shine & Buff Waterless Wash Towel
 
I also purchased WG auto bathe and the wheel cleaner ,both seem awesome. The smell on wheel cleaner is not very pleasant tho...
I,m very grateful for the advice. I am going with the flex is the new one out already?.
 
911 Carrera S said:
I also purchased WG auto bathe and the wheel cleaner ,both seem awesome. The smell on wheel cleaner is not very pleasant tho
Click to expand...

Yeah the wheel cleaner smells crappy, but works awesome. It's a trade off I guess. I'd encourage you to checkout the WG Rinsless, I also use it as a Quick Detailer; very versitle product. It leaves a nice shine on the midnight blue metallic.
 
Right now you have the choice of (the ones I like)

Boss polishers
Flex polishers
Rupes polishers

Those are the best on the market.

I love my boss G21 alot , it's easy to use ton of power and comfortable.

You can't go wrong with your choice tho
 
Thanks all I'm going to think about it for a few days and read all the recommendations from this thread. I will let you know what I'm buying for sure. Thanks again. It really helped me with my options
 
911 Carrera S said:
Thanks all I'm going to think about it for a few days and read all the recommendations from this thread. I will let you know what I'm buying for sure. Thanks again. It really helped me with my options
Click to expand...

One thing to consider is that the Flex 3401 can use 5" or 6.5" pads and then your Porter Cable can be dedicated to 4" or smaller pads with a backing plate change.
 
Well if you know how to properly use a rotary then buy a flex pe 14 between that and your PC and a couple different bp options for each you may tackle anything.

I myself have a G21 and a Rupes mini...soon to have nano.

Been thinking about getting one of the new flex machines don't don't really need them
 
The Menzerna range of polishes are designed more for rotary use. However its not to be said they don't work with DA machines.

If you are looking into a new machine, I would pick up the 3401. This has more than enough power to tackle anything you throw at it. It is best to equip this machine with the Lake Country Hybrid pads as they were designed for the characteristics of the 3401.

This will get you going on the right foot.
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...rning-3401-menzerna-products-hybrid-pads.html
 
I bought the 3401 on the advice of members because they stressed this polisher was more user friendly.So, it's certainly faster than my 7424 but i'm a little dissapointed with it. I believe I would have been happier with a circular polisher. For me, Would Be Even faster. I guess I was intimidated by the less than popular reviews of a circular.
 
911 Carrera S said:
Hello everyone
I'm new to this forum so bare with me if this is posted in the wrong place.. Anyway I am in much need of some advice. I have recently purchased a 2013 Porsche Cayenne with 9400 miles the previous owner went thru the car wash all the time. I am left with a lot of swirling.. I also have a new 911 Carrera S,I would like to keep these cars in show quality shine. (No rids or swirls). I have a PC7424XP works very well. I'm an old school rotary guy, but I need something to remove swirls. Is a rotary the right tool or could you please help with advice on what to buy. I am using menzerna products and waxing with soviergn paste wax. I have 400,1000,2500,3500,3800.. I have heard a lot about griot and flex ... Sorry this was so long of post. Any input would be appreciated
Click to expand...
What pads are you using.with the right pads such as microfiber cutting pads or the thin foam cutting,you should be able to remove 90 percent of swirls.If you can't remove deep scratches with a pc a new griots or 3401 more than likely won't level them.In that case a rotary may be in order.With 9400 mi how bad can it possibly be.
 
mtnbiker said:
I bought the 3401 on the advice of members because they stressed this polisher was more user friendly.So, it's certainly faster than my 7424 but i'm a little dissapointed with it. I believe I would have been happier with a circular polisher. For me, Would Be Even faster. I guess I was intimidated by the less than popular reviews of a circular.
Click to expand...

The nice thing about the 3401 is that you can still finish down hologram free.

Mike Phillips recently did a write up where he was getting some killer results with the 3401 and a wool pad to cut.

It's a pretty versatile machine.

When the new version of the 3401 is released I'm absolutely going to pick one up.
 
Seeing as this is now an older thread i assume 911 Carrera S has already made his purchase. If so, what did you decide? If not and are still considering I'll throw in one more comment.

If you are coming from rotary experience i would wholeheartedly suggest the Flex 3401. It has the direct drive component you may be used to plus the DA of a throw...for me, the best of both worlds. I was primarily a rotary user before my 3401. I now get the same or better results with my Flex, LC Hybrid pads and Menzerna products.
 
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