Backing Plate Help?

[ksrep28]

I have the porter cable 7424 with the original backing plate. I have always used Megs soft buff pads. The new 2.0 pads look better, are they? I was thinking of switching.....My question is kind of long, sorry:

1 can I use my current backing plate with the new 2.0 soft buff pads or do I need to get a the new W68 plate?

2 If I get the new one, will it still work with the original soft buff pads.

3 Is the new backing plate worth upgrading over the standard plates that come with the DA.

[Fly Bye]

Re: Backing Plate Help?

3 Is the new backing plate worth upgrading over the standard plates that come with the DA.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Backing Plate Help?

I have the porter cable 7424 with the original backing plate. I have always used Megs soft buff pads. The new 2.0 pads look better, are they? I was thinking of switching.....My question is kind of long, sorry:

The major differences are the size (a minor consideration, really) and the fact that they can be machine washed and dried. The W8207 polishing pad uses the identical foam from the W8xxx series before it. The W7207 cutting pad is a noticeable improvement over the W9xxx pads in that it holds its shape and cutting ability for a much longer time period. The W9207 finishing pad obviously is a different color than the old W9xxx pads (black vs tan) and it is also a bit softer foam construction. This new finishing pad addresses a sometime skipping issue found only with rotary use.

1 can I use my current backing plate with the new 2.0 soft buff pads or do I need to get a the new W68 plate?

Technically yes, you can use the old backing plate with the new pads. But, if you're one of many who really leans on these pads, that smaller backing plate can potentially cause issues with the hook & loop attachment layer on the back of the pad - specifically cutting into it under extreme pressure.

2 If I get the new one, will it still work with the original soft buff pads.

The W68DA backing plate is wide enough that when used with smaller pads you run the risk of having it contact trim or, worse, the paint itself. It's really best not to use the W68DA plate with smaller pads.

3 Is the new backing plate worth upgrading over the standard plates that come with the DA.

The standard backing plate is relatively hard and offers very little flex. The W68DA was not only designed to fit perfectly into the recess on the back of the Soft Buff 2.0 pads, but it's wide diameter and firm but flexible outer reaches give great support well out on the diameter of the pad, including when working on concave surfaces around the vehicle.

Backing plates are probably the most overlooked part of the whole detailing process. They are generally viewed as nothing more than the means by which the pad is attached to the tool itself, with little to no regard for the impact they can play in the correction process. If you're going to move to the Soft Buff 2.0 pads, do yourself a favor and use them with a W68DA backing plate.

[ksrep28]

Re: Backing Plate Help?

Thanks for the reply Mike, that was exactly the advice I was looking for!