I recently purchased a pc7424 and have been reviewing the posts from bugman, zaneo, agentf1 and others. All outstanding work and advice.

Trying to determine the speed settings. Noticed quotes of 1.5 to 5.5. I recently attended a car detailing demonstration and was told to just set it at "3" and it should do fine.

Is there a "rule of thumb" on the settings?

Thanks.

 

3 is only good for apply sealants or waxes, I do that by hand anyway.

I usually start by spreading the product with the PC off, then I go to 4 to work the product in a bit. Then I usually go to 6, but if you feel better with 5.5 that is fine.

If you are working on a vette, make slow passes and apply some pressure to the PC. The vette clear is very hard.

What pads and products are you going to use?

 

Table II Foam Pad Selection / Use


Polish / Cutting Pad (*Yellow)
A harder more dense foam composition (40 PPI ) with an abrasive cutting action, for use with a medium abrasive polish, Machine Polish 1 or 2, Swirl Mark Remover, or Autoglym Paint Renovator Polish (Speed number 4-5)


Polish / Light Cutting Pad (*Orange)
A mid range, high density foam composition (60 PPI) with a medium abrasive cutting action, for use with a Swirl Mark Remover, Pre-Wax Paint Cleaner, Klasse All-In-One, or Autoglym Super Resin Polish (Speed number 4)


Polish / Waxing Pad (*White)
Asofter less dense foam composition(70 PPI) with a light abrasive cutting action, for use with a Swirl Mark Remover, Pre-Wax Paint Cleaner, Klasse All-In-One, or Autoglym Super Resin Polish (Speed number 4)


Finishing Pad (*Black)
An ultra-smooth foam that has no abrasive cutting ability (80 PPI) for use with Klasse High Sealant Gloss, Autoglym Extra Gloss Protection, Zanio Z-2 or Z-5 or a Glaze (Speed number 3)


Levelling Pads (Wool)
Are made from 100% natural lambs wool (do not use synthetic wool) are usually used to level a paint film surface with an abrasive machine polish (compound) or to apply a polish to large areas
Wool pads used wet or dry produce the most paint surface `compounding haze' (40 PPI)

4 Ply 100% Twisted Wool
Each strand of high grade wool fibre is tightly twisted, allowing our pad to stay at a consistent level of aggression for longer periods of operation. Choose from 1", 1-1/4", 1-1/2" and 2" pile lengths. Choose shorter pile for your most aggressive compounding and longer pile for aggressive compounding with greater durability.


Electrified White Sheepskin
The electrification process removes the microscopic barbs from the hairs in the wool resulting in a soft and effective compounding material that does not scratch the painted surface.
Choose from 3", 4", and 5" diameters with a 1/2" or 3/4" pile height.


Lake Counties (LC) A patented process encapsulates the base of the lamb’s wool fibres with microscopic polyurethane foam particles. Cuts like natural sheepskin but finishes like a foam pad. Aggressively removes 1500 - 2000 grit scratches, leaving a lustrous finish with no hazing by reducing compounding swirls. Foamed fibres resist matting and compression. Foaming process also creates minute air pockets at the base of the fibres, which improves cushioning and retention of compounds and polishes.

Information Resource http://www.lakecountrymfg.com/woolcutpads_feat.html


*The foam pad colour identifications and specifications are by Lake County Manufacturing (LC) other manufactures of foam pads use different colours to identify the abrasiveness or cutting ability of their foam pads, they can be purchased at www.properautocare.com.

 

My PC never goes below 5.

 

Thanks for the replies.

I will be using lc pads, orange, white and black and will be using Meguiars products. Plan to practice on my relatives daily drivers before attemping my Vette and needed a starting point.

Very good info.

 

I might suggest using the Menzerna product line. Their polishes are second to none and really working quite well.

I used the Intensive Polish with an orange pad (it usually took 3 - 4 passes to get out 99% of the swirls). This was followed by their Final Polish - II on a white pad to remove any of the micromarring and the last of the swirls.

Best of luck and post some pics!

 

I agree with most of the above. For scratch and swirl removal stick with a range from 5 to 6, I use 5.5. For applying LSP's 3 or 3.5 is all that is needed.

 

That's what I do too. I find 5k-5.5k opm to be the right pace for me to move the PC around and work the product in nicely

 

I don't think anyone would EVER set their PC on 1.5. (IS there really a 1.5? I've never even noticed that there are any numbers less than 3 - ok just kidding)
Don't confuse references to 1500 rpms (discussing rotary machines)
with settings on a PC (1 through 6)

Your setting depends on the vehicle and how soft the clearcoat is, along with many other factors. You'll quickly find that it's a total waste of time to use the pc to remove scratches unless it is on 5.5 or 6. So that's a good setting to use with your abrasive polish.

If you are applying #7 or similar glaze by machine, you can do that on a setting of 3, realizing that you're really not abrading the surface much if at all.

A setting of 3 is also good if you are applying #26 by machine with a black pad.

You'll gain your own experience and preferences based on your product selection and the car you're working on. Good luck !

 

...what he said.