Porter Cable Help
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: wherever my hair went tennessee
Porter Cable Help
I just bought a Porter Cable from Autogeek, along with the Menzerna Polishes, and I took off this afternoon to work on some swirl marks. I must be PC handicapped, because I never got in a groove. Besides slinging polish everywhere, I felt like I was going to melt my finger or burn the PC up. Are the PC's supposed to get so hot? This thing literally had smoke coming off the body. Help.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
Something is wrong, you shouldnt be getting any smoke. You either have a defective one, or you're putting too much pressure on the PC. Also, what kind of extension cord are you using? You also shouldnt be slinging polish with the PC.
http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/video.html
http://paintcare-n-detailing.com/video.html
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: wherever my hair went tennessee
I was plugged directly to a wall outlet (I bought the PC with the long cord). I don't think that I was putting on too much pressure, because it wasn't bogging down. The polish slinging was definitely operator error. I have been hand waxing and polishing all of my adult life, and so far it seems a whole lot easier than the pc.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,069
Likes: 1,287
From: Central Ma
Do you have the washers installed correctly?
Slinging is definitely operator error. Put a small amount of polish on the pad, before turning it on spread on the 2x2 area you are doing, start at speed 2 for a few seconds, then ramp up to 5-6.
My biggest problem was confining myself to an area as small as 2x2. It's very small, but correct.
Good luck.
Slinging is definitely operator error. Put a small amount of polish on the pad, before turning it on spread on the 2x2 area you are doing, start at speed 2 for a few seconds, then ramp up to 5-6.
My biggest problem was confining myself to an area as small as 2x2. It's very small, but correct.
Good luck.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
As offered the machine should not smoke. Try using again and if it still does, then contact Meghan for replacement. As for slinging, never use machine at more than a 2 while spreading polish. Then kick it up to the high 5 area and polish the same area until the polish flashes from a paste to an almost translucent looking coating.
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 0
I was plugged directly to a wall outlet (I bought the PC with the long cord). I don't think that I was putting on too much pressure, because it wasn't bogging down. The polish slinging was definitely operator error. I have been hand waxing and polishing all of my adult life, and so far it seems a whole lot easier than the pc.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,069
Likes: 1,287
From: Central Ma
I practiced on my Wife's Maxima first. When I did the vette the first time it took me a looong time to do it right.
The PC will always be slow going, but you will get much better with time.
The PC will always be slow going, but you will get much better with time.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: wherever my hair went tennessee
best advice given .... I have had more than a couple calls asking if they could return a buffer as results were not up to par on first use. I usually offer to let them keep it a couple weeks and try in once more. None ever come back, and usually get an email stating how much better it went. We dont learn to swim or ride a bike in a day, this really needs some time and effort.
What great customer service. My problem was not with the machine, but with my stupidity. Thanks for the support.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
I dont think you are stupid nor does anyone else. What we offer is that it takes time to get to know your buffer. Dont rely on first use as indicator of the benefits the machine can bring. Soon you will be on top of it, and your neighbors will want to borrow you as much as your buffer. Just dont give up !