Hey everyone.

I know for most part, I don't want to go a cheaper route than what everyone is saying (Porter Cable 7424XP), but at this time I need something below $75 that would work for now. Anyone recommend a semi-decent one? I've never detailed a car, and completely new to the scene (minus the occasional wash). I wanted to start with something low-cost buffer than move on to the porter cable. (Money is tight at the same time) I've already looked at which pads I'm going to use (from detailer domain). Any advice is appreciated.

 

Hunt around detailingbliss.com for a used one. Or keep an eye out for Amazon, I've seen a brand new Griot's Garage 6 inch ROP go for 90 bucks shipped or something (Might have been 80 bucks shipped, I forgot)

 

I would just wait to save or find a used one.
I just bought the PC and its well worth it and best of all its dummy proof.
I've never detailed in my life before i bought the pc. I've polished two cars already, and the results are awesome!

 

The least expensive one thats "going" to work is the 7424XP ... unless you can find one used your wasting your $75.

 

^That is what I was thinking (or what I was told by a local detailer).

I was hoping in finding a used one, but searched 2 hours this morning in search of it with no results. There was one in the BM recently, but didn't have the funds at that time so he sold it.

I was on eBay and someone is selling it for $110 with free shipping, is that good?

 

You can buy a new one for $125 shipped with the right backing plate.

 

Aight thanks.

What are you looking for in a buffer? I'm looking for some used, but don't know these brands. I've seen a $200 Meguiars buffer going for $140 and stuff like that. Am I looking at RPM's? Basically what makes a crappy buffer and a good buffer stand out besides how long it will last?

 

First off you don't want a rotary which is RPM, you want an orbital which is OPM and outside of a 7424XP, The Griots version, Flex or the Meguirs G100

The rest of the orbitals don't have the power or the capability to accept the proper pads to do any correction at all.

 

What about the old UDM?

 

Good news, I'm getting the Porter Cable 7424XP! Hmm, which vendor should I go with

My girlfriend is buying it for me for early-Christmas along with the pads!

 

http://www.westcoastdetailsupply.com...ter_Cable.html

Also get an orange & a couple of white pads.

http://www.westcoastdetailsupply.com...hing_Pads.html

 

If its the original "old" UDM then you could be looking at trouble. The original had issues with the brushes and switches.

I have 3 of the originals and 1 works .. one sort of does and the other is for parts. I use it as a backup but wouldn't rely on it.

My opinion .. pass.

 

glad that you are shelling out the extra money for the PC... u figure that it is a good investment as it can last you a lifetime and even if you detail your car a handful of times per year, you already made back your investment the first time you use it... even a cheap detail done properly will cost you a few hundred dollars...

 

Yup.

On pads, do I need only 2-3 for a beginner? As in does everyone re-use the same pad over and over on a car? For example, just say white is for polish or for hard scratches/oxidation, do you use that pad for your whole car? My car is FULL of spider-webs, scratches, etc... The only time it looks good is at night because you can hardly see it at night, but it in the morning there is hazing, scratches, and about everything. Sorry still trying to learn these things and hopefully one day I get good enough to do it for family or even for money.

 

the champ, its easy as hell.

i bought my PC7424XP two weekends ago, since then ive done my black 2004 nissan frontier DD, and this halloween weekend I did my TL.

Dale, recommeneded 3 whites and 2 orange. and optimum polish II.
I wash and reuse the pads.
very easy. its just time consuming and since i dont have a rolling stool, I have to constantly move around. which makes you tired.
i can easily spend over 8 hours on a car.

 

If its really bad get 2 orange & 3 white .

 

I'm looking at vendors and sites like autopia and there's a lot of deals that I'm not sure who to go with. Detail Domain has a Intermediate package with the PC7424XP which includes backing plate, optimum polish's and pads. I can't find a deal on West Coast Detail Supply (as in a package deal), so I hope he can chime in.

2 orange & 3 white
Porter Cable with Backing Plate
I have Meguiars Gold Class Wax
I have Rubbing Compound
I have Ice Clay Bar
I have Meguiars Polish & ScratchX
I'm trying to get some pre-polish and final polish.
I have like 50 MicroFiber towels.
I'm getting a sheepskin and Microguard.
I got Dawn and Meguiars car soap.
I have 2 buckets.

Anything else I'm missing for a beginner?

 

two buckets with grit gaurds in each.

 

Thanksjustnspace, you wanna do it for me

This seems like a good deal: http://www.autogeek.net/poca74pofcop.html

I'll get some pictures of my car and see if I need a different pad.

 

sounds good! probably a better deal than what I got...i didnt search around. I just bought everything dale recommended.

 

Buy it then after you have it ... and try it you can come back and ask us what you need to do it properly...

 

I don't like kits ... and this one is no different .. gives you a bunch of stuff you don't need and leaves out some you do need.

 

Yeah but want to get everything right the first time, and I want to buy from a vendor .

I plan on taking 12 hours on this detail as I want it perfect. Hopefully it does. Was going to Wash twice with Dawn, Clay, Pre-Polish (Compound), Polish, Final Polish, 2 things of Wax/Sealant, Tire/Wheel care, Interior detail (303 and non-abrasive chemicals), and removing the sun/moon roof and cleaning that thing out. Fun fun

Uhm I'm going to message our two vendors and see what I can do for a package deal. 3 White/3 Orange, Porter with Backing Plate, 2 MicroGuards, a thing of Polish, and a sheepskin.

 

What your going to need

1) PC & backing plate
2) 2 Orange pads
3) 3 white pads
4) Optimum Hyper Spray Compound <<--- will do the same as comound & polish depending on the pad its used with
5) Optimum polish
6) Rubbing Alcohol / water 50/50 mix for a wipedown after polishing.
7) Sealant of choise. Layers to be applied at least 24 hours apart.
8) MF towels.

Note .. dump your rubbing compound and the Ice clay bar if its the liquid dump it too. No need to dawn wash twice.

 

actually the more i think about it, the money i spent on what Jesstzn is recommending, is money well spent. It has paid for itself in just two details.

Now, to make some profit. hehe

 

Detailer Domain has all these items minus the Alcohol as a Package, but they have 4 different colored pads, hopefully I can talk to him about changing them to 3-2. Thanks for the help again

 

You can pick up the Rubbing Alcohol locally at almost any store. Local Grocery store, CVS, Walmart, etc...

I picked up just a regular spray bottle at Walmart and do a 50/50 mix with the rubbing alcohol and water

 

What Dale said, I personally like to order from autogeek, their prices are good and they offer free shipping over $95, plus no tax for me! (I'm in California)

 

Correction, I order from whomever gives me the lowest price at the moment.
Whether it be West Coast Detail Supply (I can pick up from Patrick if he doesn't mind lol, might get ONR from him pretty soon), Autogeek, detailed image, or proper auto care.

 

Ive bought from west coast and detailed image.
Both are great suppliers.

 

http://www.detailersdomain.com/theub...mpolishes.aspx

Do you think the pads that come with this deal be OK? They don't have white pads, I'm assuming different companies have different color pads?

 

yes diff companies have different color pads.

if you're going for diff company's pad....all you really need is a medium cutting pad (the orange) and a finishing pad(the white)

diff cars have diff kinds of paint. As you know, Acura's use a softer paint and medium aggressive pad will get most of the swirls out....then use a finishing pad with a finishing polish to fine tune the polish job. you'll see what I mean when you start actually polishing.

In essence, if you're gonna get that package.....you just need a medium pad and a finishing pad.

 

No

 

^lol tough crowd

 

Aight they have a medium and finishing pad (not enough of course), but the package itself cannot be changed so I'm hoping to talk to Detailer Domains on what else we could do. Thanks for the help

Trying to search around Auto Geek and Autopia for a good package deal, still can't find one. I don't wanna order separately, usually cost more.

 

Well he has asked about a couple different 'deals" and was told the pads weren't the ones needed and he was told a few times what he needs ..


We might just as well say yes to give hime the answer he wants and let him waste his money that he doesn't really have.

 

Dale, thank you for recommending the 2 orange pads and 3 white pads to me.

 

What do you guys recommend on a cover? My garage in Houston is full of stuff and I can't put a car in there. Trying to see if I can find a good canopy maybe?

 

i have 2 of the old udm, one is the original, still going strong, and the other is a free replacement that udm sent me with the new brushes/switch in it, its still new in the box...but if i was getting into it now, i would get the pc....

 

Mine is from Costco... not a good pix but all I have .