I have read many article posted since January 2006 on polishers, and now I am looking to purchase one for Christmas. I am down to three models, PC 7424, PC 7428, or Makita PV 7001 C. I can not tell what the difference is between the two PC models, the description appears to be the same. The makita weighs 1 pound less, and is 7" versus 6". Anyone want to weigh in on the better polisher? I will be using it on my 1997 355 Carver, so I am leaning towards the lighter Makita. Is there any problems finding 7" pads? Thanks for the help.
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Which Polisher??
- Thread starter tim f
- Start date
Is that HF one an orbital or rotary? Am I correct in being a bit "afraid" of rotary because they take some skill or one can screw up the finish? (Swirls, etc.?)
I have a buffer as part of a new 18V Cordless set, I assume that is for really light duty, right? Haven't used it yet but I just assumed it can only have enough power for final polish/wax if that. I have a HF store credit card so maybe I'll get the polished recommended here.
I have a buffer as part of a new 18V Cordless set, I assume that is for really light duty, right? Haven't used it yet but I just assumed it can only have enough power for final polish/wax if that. I have a HF store credit card so maybe I'll get the polished recommended here.
I had to use my rotary on the top of the arch this wkd - it's the only neglected part of the boat, so I otherwise try to stick to the orbital. Sure enough, I wasn't paying attention for just a few seconds and I created a few burn marks.
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Any recommendations about polishers that are available at Home Depot or Ace Hardware?
yep. They're PERFECT if you have a door that won't stay closed, or if you need to hold down papers in a windy area. (I'm assuming you're talking about automotive style polishers in the $15-$30 price range)
I burned up several of those per year for too many years. My PC 7424 arrived on Friday, and after working with it all weekend, I came to 2 conclusions:
- I need the hook and loop setup. the standard foam pad works on the surfaces well, but it's designed to disintegrate and PC should be ashamed to put their name on it.
- Manmade should edit his post and put it all in caps. He's exactly right. The 7424 isn't made to bring back a neglected boat, but for simple polishing it IS a "dream machine".
I burned up several of those per year for too many years. My PC 7424 arrived on Friday, and after working with it all weekend, I came to 2 conclusions:
- I need the hook and loop setup. the standard foam pad works on the surfaces well, but it's designed to disintegrate and PC should be ashamed to put their name on it.
- Manmade should edit his post and put it all in caps. He's exactly right. The 7424 isn't made to bring back a neglected boat, but for simple polishing it IS a "dream machine".
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- Sep 23, 2006
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SLW,
Thank you for the honest review. The price range doesn't bother me. I am looking for something I can use for light polishing. I have had the entire boat polished by a local crew but I want to be able to do some myself in between. I don't need a 9 pound heavy duty. I was looking at the PC 7424 based on this thread but was hoping I could get something comparable locally. I guess I will just have to breakdown and order the thing. Any suggestions on additional accessories while I'm at it?
Thank you for the honest review. The price range doesn't bother me. I am looking for something I can use for light polishing. I have had the entire boat polished by a local crew but I want to be able to do some myself in between. I don't need a 9 pound heavy duty. I was looking at the PC 7424 based on this thread but was hoping I could get something comparable locally. I guess I will just have to breakdown and order the thing. Any suggestions on additional accessories while I'm at it?
I'm really the wrong one to ask, since i haven't ordered my accessories yet. The 4724 comes with a foam pad, and I ordered an additional one so I could keep the momentum in my project going by switching pads instead of stopping and cleaning.
I should have ordered the hook and loop setup from the get-go. The first foam pad is about half destroyed, and the second is showing wear, so they won't make it all the way through next wkd.
I should have ordered the hook and loop setup from the get-go. The first foam pad is about half destroyed, and the second is showing wear, so they won't make it all the way through next wkd.
Silverton 34,
Get the hook & loop from the start. I am always working against time, so after about a half hour of polishing I switch to waxing, and alternate like that throughout the project. That way I never have to walk away from a clean boat that has no protection on it. The hook & loop makes pad changing about a 1 minute job. Like you, I just do the mid-term (topsides) job myself. I just did it this past weekend, in about 12 hours spread over both days. My only beef with the PC 7424 is that it shakes my arms off, and is hard to hold when I'm hanging over the gunwale.
Get the hook & loop from the start. I am always working against time, so after about a half hour of polishing I switch to waxing, and alternate like that throughout the project. That way I never have to walk away from a clean boat that has no protection on it. The hook & loop makes pad changing about a 1 minute job. Like you, I just do the mid-term (topsides) job myself. I just did it this past weekend, in about 12 hours spread over both days. My only beef with the PC 7424 is that it shakes my arms off, and is hard to hold when I'm hanging over the gunwale.
I'm still a big fan of the Harbor Freight 7" rotary polisher even though I initially purchased the Porter Cable orbital and tried it. It may be okay for adding a coat of wax, but if you have to polish or remove oxidation, it doesn't seem to do the job as well. I think the guys who are putting burn marks in with an orbital are running them at too high a speed. I run the HF ata setting of 1-3 and have had no problems of burning or leaving marks and it removes the oxidation well. I also had the poor performance of the foam pads as well. I think the hook and loop wool pads are the only way to go.
Dave, you probably meant to say the guys burning with ROTARY? I mentioned burning a few posts up, and it was caused by several factors: too much speed first and foremost, and I wasn't paying the attention to it that I should've been. In my own defense, I also had a bad angle (standing on the dash and leaning over to the top of the radar arch) and maybe even the surface itself could've worked against me: painted aluminum instead of gelcoat.
I've never burned gelcoat, and hopefully, never will.
My rotary is a cheap 7" unit. It has only 2 speeds and has a fix plate, but my biggest complaint about it is finding 7" pads for it. It seems like 5-6 and 9-10 are a LOT more common...
I've never burned gelcoat, and hopefully, never will.
My rotary is a cheap 7" unit. It has only 2 speeds and has a fix plate, but my biggest complaint about it is finding 7" pads for it. It seems like 5-6 and 9-10 are a LOT more common...
I did mean to say rotary and I assumed your arch was gel coat. It is easier to burn painted surfaces. If you don't like your rotary unit, give Harbor Freight a try. They sell theirs for $29.95 on special several times a year. It even comes with the hook and loop pad and I buy the wool pads at an auto paint shop. They usually have a good selection of various grades.
"- I need the hook and loop setup. the standard foam pad works on the surfaces well, but it's designed to disintegrate and PC should be ashamed to put their name on it."
SLW, Aren't you suppose to put a hook and loop pad over the white foam pad that comes with the machine? My assumption is that you didn't
SLW, Aren't you suppose to put a hook and loop pad over the white foam pad that comes with the machine? My assumption is that you didn't
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RonF,
Thanks for the advice. I have been looking at various special packages with the PC 7424.
Thanks for the advice. I have been looking at various special packages with the PC 7424.
Mike,
The terms can be confusing, but the foam pad I'm referring to is a white foam pad glued to a hub with a machine-thread post. I suppose you could put a microfiber/terrycloth "bonnet" over the foam part to provide a different surface, but it wouldn't prolong the life of the foam pad assy. It's fatal flaw is that as the machine rotates, the foam that's glued to the hub begins to deteriorate under the stress and it separates from the hub. Suprisingly, the SURFACE of the pad - the area that was in constant contact with the boat, didn't wear at all.
That's why I want to take "glue" out of the equation. The hook and loop setup (aka velco?) uses the full surface of a "backing plate" to attach the pads to the machine.
The terms can be confusing, but the foam pad I'm referring to is a white foam pad glued to a hub with a machine-thread post. I suppose you could put a microfiber/terrycloth "bonnet" over the foam part to provide a different surface, but it wouldn't prolong the life of the foam pad assy. It's fatal flaw is that as the machine rotates, the foam that's glued to the hub begins to deteriorate under the stress and it separates from the hub. Suprisingly, the SURFACE of the pad - the area that was in constant contact with the boat, didn't wear at all.
That's why I want to take "glue" out of the equation. The hook and loop setup (aka velco?) uses the full surface of a "backing plate" to attach the pads to the machine.
I got my HF for Christmas and can't wait for warm weather to try it out. I have always used orbitals with good sucess but after reading these forums and purchasing a larger boat, I figured it was time to make the switch. I have been surfing the net to figure out which pads, foam or wool to use. I came across an excellent (IMO) website (www.properautocare.com) that explains how to wax boats and the differences between wool and foam and who should use what. Their prices for Lake Country pads (recommended by several forums) look reasonable. I have read all of Mike's forums and respect his advice. I will probably try both pads and see which one is for me and my boat. As a novice with a polisher, I will try the foam first.