Porter-Cable 7424 6in Variable-Speed Random-Orbit Polisher $108 delivered from Amazon

Amaz0n has the Porter-Cable 7424 6" Variable-Speed Random-Orbit Polisher for $119.95 with free shipping and no tax for most. Use code SAVMAY23 by June 5, 2006 to save 10% off of your power or pneumatic tool order. This gets you $12 off this polisher for a total of $107.95 delivered ($106.26 with A9 discount). This is the same one Griot's Garage used to sell (for $150 or so) and is sold at other car care web pages as the favorite for machine polishing/swirl removal/waxing.

Linky-Poo

The P-C polishing pads are only $10.97 at Amaz0n and if placed on the same order also get 10% off making them $9.87 each. They seem to get good reviews, except for the cost. $9.87 is less than the cost of most foam pads from any source.


Linky-Poo 2

You can also save 10% off of either the standard or contour hook-and-loop backing plate (for using hook-and-loop foam pads or bonnets), but you will most likely be buying the foam elsewhere - so I would get the pad and backing plate from the same place if you are going that route.

The PC 7424 has a large following and there are lots of places to sell you polishes, waxes, cleaners, pads, etc - including Amaz0n. There are some online "how-to" guides like this one.

EDIT: The deal is still on. The old code expired, but they have a new code SAVMAY23 to save 10% off your total purchase of Power or Pneumatic Tools offered by Amaz0n between May 23, 2006, and June 5, 2006

Dennis

This is a nice deal - I paid $130 for mine a few years ago. It really works well if you follow the procedures on the detailer web sites.

I have this polisher/sander and use it for waxing my 4Runner. Works great. I bought the hook and loop attachment (expensive @$17-before I learned of FW) for foam pads I bought @ Harbor Freight.

This is a really good deal. I have been wanting this for awhile now. Thanks OP.

A highly regarded tool on most of the automotive forums. I've had one for 3 years.

This is the same one I use on my vehicles and client vehicles. Great polisher.

(I know I will get flamed for this...) Pep boys is selling Vector brand 10inch random orbit polisher for about $11 after $5 rebate ($$ values rough estimate, give or take a couple of dollars). Now I know this portal cable polisher mentioned by OP is the undisputed king of all polishers among car detailing enthusiasts, but its 10 times more expensive....

This is the same as the G-100A by Meguiar's, only difference is that Meguiar's has a LIFETIME guarantee on it. Yes, it is more expensive, but you can usually find it with some waxes, pads and extras for $200 on car sites. Not as hot, but since you get a lifetime of use...it pays in the longrun, especially if you use it a lot.

Also, there is a HUGE difference in this and a rotary tool. The dual action has more of a vibrating motion and isn't nearly as hard to use as a rotary. If you push down too hard, the head will stop. Push too hard on a rotary and you'll have more problems than you bargained for.

I've been looking for a PC for a while now, and SOLDSHORT, your link is the one I've been trying to find. Thanks!

edit: Also, if you're looking to polish your car and get rid of swirls, people rave about 3M Finesse-It II Finishing Material.

Here is another option: The PC 7336 is usually $109 at lowes. Use HD 20% off coupon at lowesand that should bring the price down to under $90. The 7336 just has a different counter weight that is not a huge issue.

I buy all my pads at exceldetail.com Get the newer P2s. Two each of the orange and green ones. I use menzerna polish but the Optimum polish and compound are very nice and are priced better then the menzerna. You can pickup the Optimum products at exceldetail too.

If you want to be part of this sickness go to www.autopia.org

(I know I will get flamed for this...) Pep boys is selling Vector brand 10inch random orbit polisher for about $11 after $5 rebate ($$ values rough estimate, give or take a couple of dollars). Now I know this portal cable polisher mentioned by OP is the undisputed king of all polishers among car detailing enthusiasts, but its 10 times more expensive....

Yes the PC is 10x better then any of those. You can't remove any defects with those. All you can do it spread wax with it and I prefer to do that by hand.

I don't know how hard it is to use, mine has not come in yet

From what I read, the first thing is to use a random orbital - check. Then to apply no pressure yourself, just let the weight of the tool be the max you apply. Then use the proper pads and stuff and take it easy. Work in the shade when the surface of the car is cool and everyone says not to be afraid to use "a lot" of polish/wax as you work - you don't want a dry pad hitting your finish. Too little pressure or too much goop seems to be the way to mess up, rather than too much pressure and too little goop

There are any number of how-to guides on the web you can get. The guy at autopia has a free e-book you can download - registration (free) is required.

I have been wanting a polisher for a long time, I decided with this deal to spring for one. We have several new cars that do not need much work - but we have some older ones that do - and my daughter's car needs to be clayed, polished, and waxed - so I figured we could spend a father-daughter bonding day working on her car.

Dennis

Thanks OP.

I've been looking for a deal on one of these for some time. I bought mine today. Now to look for deals on pads/bonnets/etc.

WDEagle

ColonelCash said: This is the same as the G-100A by Meguiar's, only difference is that Meguiar's has a LIFETIME guarantee on it. Yes, it is more expensive, but you can usually find it with some waxes, pads and extras for $200 on car sites. Not as hot, but since you get a lifetime of use...it pays in the longrun, especially if you use it a lot.

Also, there is a HUGE difference in this and a rotary tool. The dual action has more of a vibrating motion and isn't nearly as hard to use as a rotary. If you push down too hard, the head will stop. Push too hard on a rotary and you'll have more problems than you bargained for.

really? this PC is the same as the G-100a in this whole kit?... but modified for Meguiars? Does seem like a good deal... saw it myself at the beginning of 2006 when i was looking at Meguiars tech wax.

apparently there is shipping and handling charges though for the kit from meguiars..

feeth said: Here is another option: The PC 7336 is usually $109 at lowes. Use HD 20% off coupon at lowesand that should bring the price down to under $90. The 7336 just has a different counter weight that is not a huge issue.



wow, awesome coupon. I hope I can use it in-store at Home Depot multiple times

Bump - last day for the discount coupon to work. I noticed the polisher is the #14 best seller in Tools and Hardware, #10 for yesterday

Dennis

FranksandBeans said: Some points:

1.) The PC is overkill if you are buying it just for waxing. If you keep very new cars (maybe a lease person, for example) then you don't need a PC. A simpler, lower cost traditional bonnet style random orbit polisher, or your good old hands, will do you just fine.

2.) What the PC is good for, is if you buy used cars, or have a car with less than perfect paint. Once you learn the ways of using the PC, and invest a solid additional $50-100 in the appropriate supplies, you can take truly crappy looking paint (oxidation, haze, swirl marks, light scratches) and restore it back to better than new. For such applications a PC can easily pay for itself with the benefits it can offer.

3.) The reason the PC is so popular, is because it is actually the cheapest way to get a safe random orbit polisher that is powerful enough to use frequently and capable of correcting paint flaws. The random orbit aspect is why it is such a safe choice. It's nearly impossible to mess up your paint with a random orbit polisher - unlike a simple rotary polisher or drill attachment that can burn through you paint in 20 seconds if you aren't careful. Think of it as the most powerful weapon you can use without hurting anything.

You should also realize the limitations of a proper polish job. Any imperfection that is down to the base paint, through the clearcoat, is not going to be fixed by even a proper 3 step polish job. They can be made less visible but not removed completely. Light scratches (barely feelable) just in the clearcoat can be fully removed or made nearly invisible. Swirl marks can be totally elminated. The average person would not believe the ability of a proper polish job to clean up a daily driver. But you can't expect it to fix everything.

On the other hand, you can't expect swirl mark or scratch removers to work worth a crap with a cheap polisher or by hand. It's a waste of time.

This is not for the light of heart or casual car guy. We're talking about a 3-4 step process to do a full restoration job. If you cannot process the idea of effectively waxing your car 4 times in a day then this is more than you need.


Good points although I'd say that dark colored cars, especially black get swirl marks fast and easy. My buddies one and a half year old Tundra is a good example, it's been detailed once, and isn't to far off from needing another Porter Cable intervention. I treat my Mazda 6 real well, but after 2 1/2 years it is time for the full treatment. A good polish job really needs something other than elbow grease.

FranksandBeans said: Some points:

1.) The PC is overkill if you are buying it just for waxing. If you keep very new cars (maybe a lease person, for example) then you don't need a PC. A simpler, lower cost traditional bonnet style random orbit polisher, or your good old hands, will do you just fine.

2.) What the PC is good for, is if you buy used cars, or have a car with less than perfect paint. Once you learn the ways of using the PC, and invest a solid additional $50-100 in the appropriate supplies, you can take truly crappy looking paint (oxidation, haze, swirl marks, light scratches) and restore it back to better than new. For such applications a PC can easily pay for itself with the benefits it can offer.

3.) The reason the PC is so popular, is because it is actually the cheapest way to get a safe random orbit polisher that is powerful enough to use frequently and capable of correcting paint flaws. The random orbit aspect is why it is such a safe choice. It's nearly impossible to mess up your paint with a random orbit polisher - unlike a simple rotary polisher or drill attachment that can burn through you paint in 20 seconds if you aren't careful. Think of it as the most powerful weapon you can use without hurting anything.

You should also realize the limitations of a proper polish job. Any imperfection that is down to the base paint, through the clearcoat, is not going to be fixed by even a proper 3 step polish job. They can be made less visible but not removed completely. Light scratches (barely feelable) just in the clearcoat can be fully removed or made nearly invisible. Swirl marks can be totally elminated. The average person would not believe the ability of a proper polish job to clean up a daily driver. But you can't expect it to fix everything.

On the other hand, you can't expect swirl mark or scratch removers to work worth a crap with a cheap polisher or by hand. It's a waste of time.

This is not for the light of heart or casual car guy. We're talking about a 3-4 step process to do a full restoration job. If you cannot process the idea of effectively waxing your car 4 times in a day then this is more than you need.
i agree. these are the only things i use on my car's (2001&2002) paint
Mother's Clay Bar
NXT Tech Wax
NXT Speed Detailer

i've used Zaino before it's too much hassle, as in you have to follow like 5-6 steps

DAC21 said: I think you would be amazed what a "light cut" polish would do for your 4 year old car. For that matter even a one year old car.Would any of the auto supply stores carry these light cut polishes? What brand do you find work the best?

Murray's and Napa carry 3M and Meguiar's products which are about as good as you can get without going to the internet or specialty vendors.

To do a proper full restoration job you need an abrasive polish (for light scratches), a fine polish (swirl remover), and a finishing polish (restores glass like perfection). Then a 4th step with wax or sealant of your choice. There are also appropriate pads (varying degrees of foam stiffness / materials) that work in conjunction with those different levels of polish. Most cars only need the last three steps, very nice cars only need the last two.

All in all, it's a ridiculously invovled process for someone who has a hard time building up enough energy to do a normal wax job. That's why I pointed it out, the PC is overkill for most people.

How many times in your life, have you ever heard of someone doing a 4 stage waxing process on a car? My bet is not very often. My friends looked at me like I was crazy when I did my car.

But oh man, the difference it can make to restoring a car is just crazy.

userfriendly said: DAC21 said: I think you would be amazed what a "light cut" polish would do for your 4 year old car. For that matter even a one year old car.Would any of the auto supply stores carry these light cut polishes? What brand do you find work the best?

Price has increased from $119.99 to $129.99 before coupon.
Dead? Or just less hot?

any new coupon for now? i only see 25 of 199