Is this a good setup plus some

[Whelan]

Once again, 2005 Toyota Matrix w/ 30,000 miles. Black, loads of swirls. Paint color is in great condition, even throughout, just a lot of swirls and lines to be seen. Not cutting into paint, shallower.

I found the following:

Porter Cable 7424
6" Counter Weight
6" Foam Polishing Pad #54745

Price: $119.00


So I will be removing the swirls, and I read the write up on here on motions and speeds. But what I am also seeing is people say get the counter weight, get the 5" backing plate?

1) Am I fine getting this setup even though its 6"?

2) What type of Meguiar's pad for application?

3) Should I use Scratch X, Step 1, or Step 2 or something else?, I am never sure which gets rid of swirling since they all say they do.

4)Is removal of product by hand ok?

Thanks in advance everyone!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Is this a good setup plus some

Originally posted by Whelan
Once again, 2005 Toyota Matrix w/ 30,000 miles. Black, loads of swirls. Paint color is in great condition, even throughout, just a lot of swirls and lines to be seen. Not cutting into paint, shallower.

I found the following:

Porter Cable 7424
6" Counter Weight
6" Foam Polishing Pad #54745

Price: $119.00

Does this place you purchased your polisher offer a support forum on how to use the tool?

So I will be removing the swirls, and I read the write up on here on motions and speeds. But what I am also seeing is people say get the counter weight, get the 5" backing plate?

1) Am I fine getting this setup even though its 6"?

Are you referring to the counterweights for the different size backing plates? There is a counterweight for 5" backing plates and a counterweight for 6" counterweights but for all practical reasons it just doesn't matter. Or at least think of it this way, the counterweight that you have will be the least of all factors that will determine your success. Here, read this,

The Dual Action Counterweight "Controversy"

2) What type of Meguiar's pad for application?

3) Should I use Scratch X, Step 1, or Step 2 or something else?, I am never sure which gets rid of swirling since they all say they do.

Read this,

Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

4)Is removal of product by hand ok?

Yes.

Thanks in advance everyone!

We're always happy to help!

[Zet]

1. If the backing plate is 6" you have to be careful that it doesn't accidentally touch the paint, a 5" backing plate will be less likely to touch the paint.

2. Get a couple of W8006 polishing pads, and 1 or 2 W9006 pads for the LSP. The pad that comes with the machine will probably be fine for putting a bonnet over, otherwise you could get a W7006 for that.

3. While you can use those products with the PC, they are mostly for hand application. You will be better off with something like #80 from the pro line. Also be sure to get a LSP (wax/sealant) like NXT tech wax or GC wax.

4. Yes. Although removing the LSP with a microfiber bonnet over a pad is a great help.

And check these threads out:
Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle
Using the G-100 to remove swirls with the Professional Line

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by Zet
1. If the backing plate is 6" you have to be careful that it doesn't accidentally touch the paint, a 5" backing plate will be less likely to touch the paint.

I think they are referring to the counterweight when they use the measurements, 5" and 6" and not the size of the backing plate as the different size counterweights causes a lot of confusion for people mostly because of the silliness about the importance of this posted on other discussion forums.

Originally posted by Whelan
I found the following:

Porter Cable 7424
6" Counter Weight
6" Foam Polishing Pad #54745

[the other pc]

Re: Is this a good setup plus some

Originally posted by Whelan
...I found the following:

Porter Cable 7424
6" Counter Weight
6" Foam Polishing Pad #54745...

That's Porter-Cable's standard factory 7424 setup. It does not come with a backing plate. You won't be able to use anybody's interchangeable pads. You will have to buy a backing plate and pads separately. The #54745 is a screw-in pad and it's nearly useless anyway. It's usually best to toss it.

The way I see it, by the time you buy a plate and useful pads the total cost will be about the same as getting a G100 anyway. And the G100 comes with a lifetime warranty rather than PC's 1-year warranty.


PC.

[gb387]

Here is another post to read: which polisher ?

Just adding to the discussion, from what I have read... if you are going to get an backing plate from another source(other than Meguiars) make sure the plate is smaller then the Velcro backing on the pads themselves. If the backing plate is too large the plate will damage the pads.