Porter cable is (I have been told) the better polisher for detailing our cars. What model of porter cable is best?
Is there something better than Porter cable you would recommend?

 

The 7424XP is supposedly one of the best beginner polishers you can buy.

The better and more expensive ones, usually are just giving you a bigger pad and more speed options, which just help you do the job in less time. (and correct worse paint, but I don't think that would ever be an issue for you)

I would say you can't go wrong with the 7424XP

 

I got a rotary from harbor freight and it cost me $40 does just as good if not better than those expensive ones

 

Thanks guys. Working on the house I have come to like our nearby harbor freight

 

I have the Porter Cable 7424XP and will recommend it all day. It's easy to use, especially for beginners as Mike said, and is kind of noisy after it's on for a while so I wear ear protection when using it. Throw the cord up over your shoulder when working so it doesn't have an opportunity to drag over the paint. I have a buffing pad kit from Lake Country and am using a 5" backing plate and three grades of their 6.5" Smart Pads - orange for light cutting, white for polishing and blue for buffing/finishing. Their kit comes with recommendations on what speed to use depending on what pad you are using and what you are applying - higher for cutting and lower for buffing. Good info (and video) on the 7424 XP and pads/equipment:

Learn how to use the Porter Cable 7424 dual action buffer with CCS Smart Pads by Lake Country. Polish swirl remover car wax polisher wax buffing pad

 

Thanks Matt I am going to go with the 7424, pads where going to be my next question.

 

I've had my Porter Cable for about a year now and I use it regularly. Like Matt, I also use the Lake Country pads. I am very pleased with the versatility of the 7424XP and the results with the proper pads and polish are unbeatable... I got mine here:

Porter Cable Car Buffer Dual Action Polisher

http://www.ebay.com/itm/5-Inch-Backi...b486ba&vxp=mtr

 

Thanks for the links SSilver - I ordered the 7424 from your link on sale for $117.00

They go for about 125 on e-bay - will check out the pads soon too

 

Let us know what you think when you get it!

Once I own a garage, a polisher is going to be my purchase too. Tired of detailing by hand in my apartment parking lot