Okay, so I figured out that I should get the Porter Cable 7424xp buffer, but what else do I need to order? I see that a particular seller sells a 6" counter-weight and the buffer itself comes with one buffing pad. What buffing "kit" do I need? I have plenty of wax. I just need to know what buffer accessories I need so I can get it all at once.

Also, any ideas on the best place to buy? Online, I have found $109 plus $6.80 shipping (including counter-weight)

Thanks in advance!

 

you should also get the appropriate size hook and loop adapter for your buffing pads

 

Yeah, get a 6" hook and loop backing plate and a few foam sponges. You can get them in a kit too but most of the time, I just use one firm and one soft foam.

http://www.tools-plus.com/porter-cable-7424.html
http://www.autogeek.net/dual-action-foam-pads.html

 

For someone who has no clue about this, what is a hook and backing plate? I see the picture of it, but what does it do?

 

hook and backing plate is just a Velcro pad so that you can attach your Pads onto.

 

yeah its the vel.... the cro comes on the back of the pads..... I'd suggest you look at detailedimage.com. They are very helpful especially with a noob like me.

 

I have the PC 7336 which I believe is very similar to the one you are getting. I did not need to buy a counter weight or anything. Go to meguairs website and order the backing plate for their buffer (a rebadged porter cable) and some of their pads. You want the 6.5 inch pads....I use the 8001 and 9001 which are the polishing pad and finishing pad. I hope this helps. If you need any advice on which products to use let me know.

 

Do I still need to buy a hook and loop backing if I use the Meguiar's?

 

And if I need a backing, any opinion on the Astro Pneumatic 4506 and the Porter Cable that is almost twice as expensive?

 

I got mine from these guys a few weeks back:

http://www.coastaltool.com/a/port/7424xp_polisher.htm

That kit includes the 7424xp, Lake Country 6" hook & loop backing pad and 6" counterweight. It also includes the white pad that porter cable includes with all their 7424xp, you DO NOT want to use that on your car.

Next you'll need some pads, which they also carry:
http://www.coastaltool.com/a/lakecou...ffing-pads.htm

I highly suggest you get a blue pad and a orange pad. The blue one will be for applying wax and the orange one you can use to polish. I wouldn't jump right into polishing your car without visiting the forums on autopia.org, autogeekonline.net and meguiarsonline.com.

 

No,
The meguairs backing plate has velcro on it so it will work with their velcro backed pads.
Here is the plate-- http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+W67DA
Here are the pads-- http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/produc...?T1=MEG+PAD+65
and-- http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/produc...=MEG+FINISH+65

 

you should have posted this in the detailing forum, where more people can help.

But yea, i have the 7424 with ~5 lake country pads with the hook and loop base, You really don't need the portercable to wax your car, you use it for correction...

 

Not to make this a Coastal Tool thread, but I purchased my 7424xp from them as well. Shipped out fast, no issues, and I also got the 6.5" backing plate and 6" counterweight.

I have only used my PC7424 3 times, doing a section of the car at a time, because it's all I have time for. On my 3rd use of the PC7424, it just stopped. Checked the plug, outlet, let it cool off (it had only been running for around 1 hour), etc. Called up Coastal Tool, they said send it back to us free of charge, sent me a shipping label, and said we'll send you a new one as soon as we get yours. I called them on a couple of occasions concerning the issue, they were very helpful and accomodating. So far they have been a very good online vendor. Just thought I would toss that out for anyone looking for a PC7424, and they were the cheapest I found on the net.

 

i got mine at detailedimage and they shipped it as soon as they got the 7424xp in and since they are on here, have helped me picking pads and such. I went with the 4" after reading reviews on this forum and others about it's pros. I bought an orange, yellow, and a blue pad but looking back I should've ordered a few more at the time.

 

What do yo mean you don't use it to wax? Is this a once a year or more device and the rest of the time you hand wax?