While the Porter Cable 7424 is very paint safe, sometimes it's TOO safe and simply doesn't have enough power to get the results you are looking for. An easy way to increase the bite and effectiveness to your PC 7424 is to invest in a smaller set of pads.

Smaller pads allows you to generate more heat and friction with the PC, which breaks polishes down more effectively and efficiently. This happens due to the fact your generating the same amount of energy in a more concentrated, smaller area. The random orbiting motion of the PC generates the most power in the center of the pad, since the pad revisits that section more frequently than any other part of the pad. The area of a 6.5" pad is ~33 inches squared compared to the area of a 4" pad is ~12.5 inches squared. This means that the area of the smaller 4" pads is less than half of a 6.5" pad. This provides you with additional cutting power that you normally wouldn't get out of larger pads, which leads to deeper imperfections being removed.

The opposite is true with rotary buffers. When you go with a smaller pad, the speed of the outer edge of the pad is slower than a larger pad. This helps reduce the amount of heat and friction generated, which makes polishing tighter areas much safer. Since you are generating less heat than larger pads, it's easier to finish the paint down hologram free.

With both a random orbital buffer or a rotary buffer, you gain increased control and maneuverability with smaller pads. You'll be able to get closer to trim, emblems, lights, and other hard to reach areas.



We put together a couple starter packages at some great prices so you can experience the benefits of having some smaller pads in your detailing arsenal.

The Porter Cable 7424 4" Pad Kit includes:
1x 4" Backing Plate for Porter Cable 7424 - $12.99
1x 4" Purple Foamed Wool Pad - $5.99
1x 4" Yellow Cutting Pad - $4.99
1x 4" Orange Light Cutting Pad - $4.99
1x 4" White Polishing Pad - $4.99
1x 4" Black Finishing Pad - $4.99
1x 4" Blue Fine Finishing Pad - $4.99
Regular Price - $44.93
Package Price - $34.99

Rotary Buffer 4" Pad Kit
1x 4" Backing Plate for Rotary Buffers - $14.99
1x 4" Purple Foamed Wool Pad - $5.99
1x 4" Yellow Cutting Pad - $4.99
1x 4" Orange Light Cutting Pad - $4.99
1x 4" White Polishing Pad - $4.99
1x 4" Black Finishing Pad - $4.99
1x 4" Blue Fine Finishing Pad - $4.99
Regular Price - $46.93
Package Price - $34.99

If anyone has any questions on anything, please do not hesitate to ask.

George

 

Very good points here, George and just my experience as well. While larger pads may make the job seem easier and quicker, this is not necessarily the case as the reduced friction and heat make it tougher for the products to break down and correct the paint.

Personally, I like using a smaller pad for my polished like Menzerna PO106ff and will use a larger pad when applying a sealant such as Menzerna FMJ.

Cliff Notes... George is dead on here and I agree 100%.

Great post, George.

 

Ordered the 4" PC pd package this week. Thanks!

 

Thanks Blackjack. I agree, for polishing to remove imperfections, the smaller pads are much more effective on a PC. For spreading a sealant or perhaps a gloss enhancing glaze, then the 6.5" pads are a little quicker since you don't need to move the buffer so slowly. Thanks for sharing your experiences!

Keep us posted on what you think of the smaller pads on your PC!

Thanks as always for your support.

George

 

if only the flex 3401 could use a pad smaller than 6.5...