Polishers

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Apr 8, 2008 | 10:59 AM

MagRedConv

Thread Starter

Team Owner

Joined: Sep 2007

Posts: 21,915

Likes: 61

From: Miami Beach FL

Polishers

I've been having a great discussion with Maverick and JoshVette on the SW board regarding the removal of swirl marks (titled Detailing). I'm now of the mindset to purchase a polisher after hearing what they both had to say.

So here's my question with a preface - The Porter Cable 7424 seems to be the standard in this space but there's another, Ultimate Detailing Machine that looks to be a nice piece as well. Does anyone have personal experience with either they wouldn't mind sharing?

Here's a link - http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-pc7424.html

Thanks

Apr 8, 2008 | 11:18 AM

steve8

Race Director

Joined: Nov 2004

Posts: 11,062

Likes: 1,267

From: Central Ma

I love my pc7424.
The udm sounds better in theory, but I have heard of some problems with the machine.
I like the orange pads the most. The advice is to start with the white pad, which is one step less aggressive than the orange and see if that accomplishes what you want.

Apr 8, 2008 | 11:21 AM

Stock Man

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 11,945

Likes: 12

From: Vancouver

2015 C5 of Year Finalist

St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10

I'd probably get the UDM with the accessories. I have the 7424 now and love it but I do need to get a couple more foam pads for it. Anyone know where to get them at a decent price? Remember you still have to clay bar and wash before you use it to get a really great finish. But I have done a lot of cars before I got this machine but never got the praise from my friends for a nice paint job like I get now that I am using the Porter Cable. Also the PC started out as a wood finish sander and was adopted into the detailing business since there's nothing else out there comparable it's got the lime light. The UDM seems to be a purpose built machine and is stronger than the PC with a better system for the pads so I think it's probably the machine to buy. My .02

Apr 8, 2008 | 11:41 AM

DPG

Le Mans Master

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 7,201

Likes: 0

From: DP(oh you know where) IL

St. Jude Donor '06

i agree with stockman. Get the udm, it seems to have a really good return policy. Give that one a shot since it comes with some accessories and if you don't like it, you can return it and get a porter cable.

Apr 8, 2008 | 01:20 PM

JimZRyd

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 2,620

Likes: 81

From: Florence SC

St. Jude Donor '12

Check out Griot's Garage. They sell a great little random orbital (looks alot like the Porter Cable) that has worked wonders for me. My wifes car has had afew scuffs in the recent pass and with very little effort you can not even hint as to where they were.

www.griotsgarage.com

Apr 8, 2008 | 01:41 PM

Chicago

Race Director

Joined: Jul 2004

Posts: 10,295

Likes: 4

From: Downers Grove IL

St. Jude Donor '15

Before you buy anything keep this in mind: Corvette C5 clearcoat is one of the strangest automotive phoenomenons in history. It scratches easily, yet is brutal to correct. My 7424/orange pad/Menzerna combo did very little to improve things. I eventually had to step up to a rotary/purple wool/Menzerna SIP combo to get some results. Then again, I have a black C5, so it's about the toughest car around to correct. Just be prepared to spend a lot of evenings polishing.