The newest Porter Cable 7424XP "Ultimate Detailing Machine". Product recommendation by Terry Freiberg
We've taken Porter Cable's newest, beefed-up polisher, the 7424XP, and made it into the "Ultimate Detailing Machine". In our 7424XP Ultimate Detailing Machine, we first removed the mediocre, white foam pad with it's hard backing plate. We then substituted a professional, Velcro® backed, flexible backing plate and a Lake Country, 6.5 inch, CCS Technology, engineered, white foam polishing pad. This modification of the stock machine totally transforms the flexibility and performance of the polisher. By adding the Velcro® backed, flexible backing plate, we opened the door for the enthusiast to achieve professional-like results by allowing the use of the same compounding, polishing, glazing and finishing foam pads used by body shops and professional detailers.
The hand grip can be screwed into either side making the polisher adaptable for right or left handed operators.
Tech Note: Within the industry, this polisher is classified as an orbital polisher. It is designed to safely apply polish and wax in a manner similar to hand application. It minutes, it creates a mirror-like finish and shine that would otherwise take hours of hand labor. It will not create swirls or remove your car's clear coat finish.
The pad does not rotate in the conventional sense, it oscillates. This "jiggling" occurs at such a high rate that the eye can not see any pad movement. This is normal. This is the way the polisher is designed to work. This polisher is not designed for heavy compounding and may not fully remove scratches, deep swirls or paint imperfections. To completely remove swirls and scratches, consider a professional, circular polisher such as the Makita 9227, or DeWalt 849.
The white, Closed Cell Structure™ pad we include is the current state-of-the-art in foam technology. This technology, which puts a pattern of collapsed "dimples" on the surface of the pad, was developed for the new super-hard, scratch-resistant clear coats but can also be used on conventional paints and clear coats.
What is CCS Technology?
The newer, harder, scratch-resistant clear coats require longer polishing times to remove swirls, spots and defects. The longer you polish with conventional foam pads, the less effective they become because polish migrates below the working surface of the pad. The pad "dries out."
We offer a number of specially priced CCS PAD-KITS for this machine that contain an assortment of pads for handling most detailing tasks.
Features & Specifications
Personal Note: Several years ago, before I invested in a machine polisher, I took delivery of a new, deep burgundy vehicle that I swear was dealer prepared with a Brill-O Pad! The finish was a mass of swirls. Repeatedly polishing the finish, by hand, over a period of 3 to 4 months, I was able to create a pristine, swirl-free finish. After my burgundy car experience, I invested in a machine polisher. I started with the original, Porter Cable 7424 because I was inexperienced in using a polisher and did not want to harm my car's finish. It was the best car-care investment I ever made. I was able to achieve better results in 20 to 30 minutes of machine polishing than I could in months of hand polishing. If you're serious about keeping your car's finish vibrant and swirl-free, I strongly recommend investing in a machine polisher.
Answers to commonly asked questions:
Warranty:
This polisher has a three year warranty from Porter Cable that will be honored by any Porter Cable Service Center (Keep your sales receipt to verify the date of purchase). Service Centers are listed on the back of the Instruction Book that comes with the polisher or you can call Porter Cable at 1-800-487-8665 to locate your closest service center. We will gladly exchange out-of-box defectives (I can't remember every having one) but once the machine is used it must be returned to a Porter Cable Service Center for service.
Customer Comments:
"I recently purchased a Porter Cable 7424. I was reluctant to buy it because I found it hard to believe that there was a polisher that would not "burn" the paint. When I received it and saw it could also be used as a sander I was scared to death and was tempted to send it back without even trying it. I held my breath and tried it. All I can say is, it was better than I had hoped. I have a Lexus SC 430, black. I thought the car looked great before but using the 7424 has made it look even better with far less effort. I am so pleased I had to tell you." Steve F., Cherry Hill, NJ
"Just wanted to say thanks for the great newsletters and detailing tips. I just purchased your 7424 polisher and the FMJ Car Care Kit - truly amazing results. Overall, better shine and much less back pain than doing it all by hand. Here's my 2002 Honda S2000." Doug M., Ft. Lewis, WA
There are now a number of Chinese-made polishers being imported to compete with the Porter Cable 7424XP. We have decided to stay with the time-tested, Porter Cable machine. The Porter Cable 7424XP is UL Approved and has a neutral balance with very little vibration for fatigue-free polishing. With tens of thousands (if not hundreds of thousands) of machines in use, the Porter Cable 7424 series has withstood the test of time and become a detailing icon.