Baby's first orbital?
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Op is too busy to care
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Baby's first orbital?
Hello folks, can anyone help recommend a beginners orbital or polisher for someone whos just starting out? I am not looking to become a professional detailer but on occasion when i do wax and shit it would be nice to cut down on the time and physical labor
From what i read the go to polisher for everyone old and new is the PC7424xp but i was wondering if there was something cheaper but still decent
From what i read the go to polisher for everyone old and new is the PC7424xp but i was wondering if there was something cheaper but still decent
2016 E350 Sport
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: East Bay Area, CA
I cannot recommend a cheaper more effective polisher than the 7424XP. However, I think the best alternative to a rotary polisher is the Flex XC3401VRG. It has forced rotation and has all the power you will ever need. If you want to be a professional detailer I think your tool of trade should be top quality. 
PC7424XP is it my friend. I would not recommend a Flex to someone without experience as it is my understanding you can indeed burn your paint with the Flex. Not to mention is costs a lot more then the PC7424XP.
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52,768
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From: Phoenix, AZ
PC7424.
If you are looking to save some cash and the 7346 works for you (slighter lighter weight machine, link below), give this a shot:
Go to post office.
Grab a "new mover" coupon pack at the front counter
Retrieve 20% off Lowe's coupon from said "new mover" coupon pack
Purchase PC at Lowe's.
Comparison page from Porter Cable:
http://www.portercable.com/Products/...4272.4288.4296
Link to 7346 @ Lowe's:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_137715-70-73...tal&facetInfo=
If you are looking to save some cash and the 7346 works for you (slighter lighter weight machine, link below), give this a shot:
Go to post office.
Grab a "new mover" coupon pack at the front counter
Retrieve 20% off Lowe's coupon from said "new mover" coupon pack
Purchase PC at Lowe's.
Comparison page from Porter Cable:
http://www.portercable.com/Products/...4272.4288.4296
Link to 7346 @ Lowe's:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_137715-70-73...tal&facetInfo=
Needs more Lemon Pledge
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52,768
Likes: 2,000
From: Phoenix, AZ
One thing I would recommend AGAINST is purchasing a "starter kit". They generally make you pay for a bunch of stuff you don't really need/use.
All you really need is the machine, a backing plate, some pads (diff colors depending on what you want to do to the paint) and some polish.
All you really need is the machine, a backing plate, some pads (diff colors depending on what you want to do to the paint) and some polish.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 294
From: Trail BC CanaDUH
One thing I would recommend AGAINST is purchasing a "starter kit". They generally make you pay for a bunch of stuff you don't really need/use.
All you really need is the machine, a backing plate, some pads (diff colors depending on what you want to do to the paint) and some polish.
All you really need is the machine, a backing plate, some pads (diff colors depending on what you want to do to the paint) and some polish.
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Needs more Lemon Pledge
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 52,768
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From: Phoenix, AZ
Also, 4amp vs. 4.5 amp. I have no idea what an amp is, maybe some mythical car detailing creature. Does an extra .5 make a big difference?
Last edited by stogie1020; May 22, 2011 at 09:32 PM.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 294
From: Trail BC CanaDUH
PC7424.
If you are looking to save some cash and the 7346 works for you (slighter lighter weight machine, link below), give this a shot:
Go to post office.
Grab a "new mover" coupon pack at the front counter
Retrieve 20% off Lowe's coupon from said "new mover" coupon pack
Purchase PC at Lowe's.
Comparison page from Porter Cable:
http://www.portercable.com/Products/...4272.4288.4296
Link to 7346 @ Lowe's:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_137715-70-73...tal&facetInfo=
If you are looking to save some cash and the 7346 works for you (slighter lighter weight machine, link below), give this a shot:
Go to post office.
Grab a "new mover" coupon pack at the front counter
Retrieve 20% off Lowe's coupon from said "new mover" coupon pack
Purchase PC at Lowe's.
Comparison page from Porter Cable:
http://www.portercable.com/Products/...4272.4288.4296
Link to 7346 @ Lowe's:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_137715-70-73...tal&facetInfo=
The higher the amp rating draw usually the higher the power.
www.coastaltool.com has them for $125 shipped and they come with the 5" backing plate and the proper counter weight.
Thats where I bought both mine.
Both of those are pretty well the same machine .. one is called a sander the other a polisher ... both use 6" pads where the 5.5" is prefered. I don't know why the weight difference. Both are 4.5 Amp.
The higher the amp rating draw usually the higher the power.
www.coastaltool.com has them for $125 shipped and they come with the 5" backing plate and the proper counter weight.
Thats where I bought both mine.
The higher the amp rating draw usually the higher the power.
www.coastaltool.com has them for $125 shipped and they come with the 5" backing plate and the proper counter weight.
Thats where I bought both mine.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 294
From: Trail BC CanaDUH
Pro
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 514
Likes: 15
From: Elizabethtown, KY
I cannot recommend a cheaper more effective polisher than the 7424XP. However, I think the best alternative to a rotary polisher is the Flex XC3401VRG. It has forced rotation and has all the power you will ever need. If you want to be a professional detailer I think your tool of trade should be top quality.
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 294
From: Trail BC CanaDUH
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 294
From: Trail BC CanaDUH
Then the neighbor wants his done ... charge him a small ammount .. and go from there .. a couple of weekend neighbor details pays for 1/2.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 31
This is the best route .. we mostly all started this way ... for the cost of a good detail you can buy all the supplies ... and you learn from your first ... mediocre = way better the second time....
Then the neighbor wants his done ... charge him a small ammount .. and go from there .. a couple of weekend neighbor details pays for 1/2.
Then the neighbor wants his done ... charge him a small ammount .. and go from there .. a couple of weekend neighbor details pays for 1/2.
I still remember my first time, took forever and was just meh, lol.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 31
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 31
Suzuka Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,424
Likes: 294
From: Trail BC CanaDUH
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