how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

[Jefri Lay]

Hi all,
Recenly I've bought Porter Cable 7424XP and have used it several times, but sometime I find the PC stop rotating when the position is not flat. the questions are:
1. How to hold the PC while working with it??
2. Why sometimes it is stop rotating?
3. When it is stop rotating, is it still polishing because the PC is just shaking when it is stop rotating?
4. How to properly run a PC (in my cases) on complex surfaces??
I think that's all for now. Need responds as many as possible.
Thanks in advance guys for the advice and information.
Best regards,
Jefri Lay

[Pro01]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

how much power do you put in it??
usually, PC will stop rotating if you put too much pressure on it..(if i'm not mistaken)

what do u mean by 'complex surface' ??

[Jefri Lay]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

how much power do you put in it??
usually, PC will stop rotating if you put too much pressure on it..(if i'm not mistaken)

what do u mean by 'complex surface' ??

When I applied M80 using PC I set the speed to 5 and it often stopped rotating. So I had to readjust the position of the PC. The pressure is about 15-20 pounds.
When I applied M21 using PC I set the speed to 3 and it often stopped rotating too without pressure, just the weight of the PC itself.
And the complex surface I mean is the edge and the narrow area and the curved area.
Thanks for joining this thread Pro01. If you have another advice, please tell me.

[Andy M.]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

Hi all,
Recenly I've bought Porter Cable 7424XP and have used it several times, but sometime I find the PC stop rotating when the position is not flat. the questions are:
1. How to hold the PC while working with it??
are you using the handle on the PC? If so try removing it and holding the top of the PC. IMO it creates more even pressure on the head of the tool.
2. Why sometimes it is stop rotating?
It sounds like you are having issues going from flat surfaces to a contoured surface such as around the edge of a hood, or the transfer from the top of the car to the side of the car.(see question 4) Lighten up your pressure when doing this. One to create a smooth transition from panel to panel and two because the paint on the drop or curved edge is normally thinner than the paint on a flat surface.
3. When it is stop rotating, is it still polishing because the PC is just shaking when it is stop rotating?
No. If it isn't rotating you are basically spreading wax or polish by just pushing the machine around. Here is a tip. Take a sharpie or permanent marker and mark the back of the pad around the edge just beside the backing plate. That way it makes it easier to make sure your pad is still spinning.
4. How to properly run a PC (in my cases) on complex surfaces??
See answer #2.
I think that's all for now. Need responds as many as possible.
Thanks in advance guys for the advice and information.
Best regards,
Jefri Lay

See answers in bold. Hope that helps a little my friend. One other thing. When using a polish like M80 you want to do smaller areas. It isn't like a wax where you can do a very large area and come back to remove. For example. Split your hood into 4 sections. Do each section working the polish until only a slight haze remains and remove. When applying a wax or sealant like M21 you are essentially just spreading the product. Not much pressure is needed at all.

Here look at this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i_cPtLHQDw

And this one,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrse_DBaUbc

Andy

[Pro01]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

you could try using smaller pads..but that's just me..

[Merlin]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

are you using the handle on the PC? If so try removing it and holding the top of the PC. IMO it creates more even pressure on the head of the tool.

When you remove the handle the black cover is no longer attached.
This cover can slide forward & come off the machine while you're working.
You really DO NOT want that to happen! Don't ask me how I know.

Notice the picture below. There is a SCREW in the black cover to hold it on.
This way you can wrap your hand around the PC black cover for better control.

Here is a tip. Take a sharpie or permanent marker and mark the back of the pad around the edge just beside the backing plate. That way it makes it easier to make sure your pad is still spinning.

Also notice the small magic marker black mark that is on the backing plate.
Keep your eye on the black backing plate mark to make sure you are spinning.

[Merlin]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

Keep even pressure.

[Jefri Lay]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

you could try using smaller pads..but that's just me..

Noted Pro01 and will try using smaller pad, still looking for smaller backing plate and the pads also. As you know in Indonesia we have difficulties in buying Megs product or anything similar to it, right??

[Jefri Lay]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

Keep even pressure.

Noted Merlin, by the way all the suggestion you've given me already been done. I guess I just need to practice more with my PC so I can understand better how it works. Anyway thanks for the suggestion and also the PM...

[Jefri Lay]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

See answers in bold. Hope that helps a little my friend. One other thing. When using a polish like M80 you want to do smaller areas. It isn't like a wax where you can do a very large area and come back to remove. For example. Split your hood into 4 sections. Do each section working the polish until only a slight haze remains and remove. When applying a wax or sealant like M21 you are essentially just spreading the product. Not much pressure is needed at all.

Here look at this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6i_cPtLHQDw

And this one,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xrse_DBaUbc

Andy

Hi Andy, we meet again on this thread, really glad you still respond to my questions.
About the handle I have removed it because it is uncomfortable for me and it made me push tilt.. Am i spelling it right?? Ha ha... I've pushed on the head of the PC too actually. Maybe I need to practice more to understand the movement better.
And about polishing with M80 I have apply it in small section each panel. and for M21 I didn't put a pressure on applying it, but sometimes it's just stop spinning when I tilt it even just a little bit. that's frustrating me and encourage me to make a new thread on this forum. The technique I am using is exactly the same on the videos that Mike Phillips upload on youtube, I even copied it and watch it during polishing with PC. but somehow there's still something else I should learn with this machine.
About the marker, I've given the backing plate a marker so I can see whether it is rotating or not.
By the I just finished detailing my black color car, you can check it on this youtube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcAEQsOF5xU

Really appreciate your respond Andy. And I will practice more to be the better. Thanks.

[stephensdetail]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

if you use to much product it will clog your pads and cause them to grab the paint which will also cause the pads to not rotate

[Andy M.]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

Jeff,

Checked out your video. It looks like you are well on your way buddy.

Andy

[Jefri Lay]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

if you use to much product it will clog your pads and cause them to grab the paint which will also cause the pads to not rotate

I use the product not too much and follow the instruction on video by Mike Phillips. I have checked this videos many times before I start my first detailing project (I'm beginner in detailing )

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fxwlWijdIxM&feature=relmfu

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9objUFdpsG4

Anyway thanks stephensdetail for reminding me...

[Jefri Lay]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

Jeff,

Checked out your video. It looks like you are well on your way buddy.

Andy

Thanks Andy,
It can happen mostly because of people in this forum too...

[Merlin]

Re: how to properly run a Dual Action Polisher???

^ Nice work...well done!