Porter Cable

[rajinder_1]

Guys,
I am thinking about buying a Porter cable, after polishing my car and still not elliminating the swirls in the paint work i am tempted to buy one.
I havent used one before so am a bit catius about taking too much paint/laquer off?
also i would need to buy a transformer and extension leads for the PC to work is that correct?
It then seems to be getting quite expensive, as the Pc is 150 transformer 50 and the extension around 20....
is it worth while?????

Raj

 

[vindaloo]

Hi Rajinder,

I used my PC for the first time last week. I was very worried about taking off the clearcoat so went real easy on it. Just dont expect instant swirl removal the first time you use it.

If you get your PC from the states, it works out to roughly £120 delivered, with no customs to pay A pretty good time to buy with the $ being so weak.

THIS is the kit I got.

I wish I'd ordered some extra pads while I was at it. Do yourself a favour and get some...I'm ordering some 4" pads this week.

Clicky for 110v plugs and sockets if you're handy at making your own cable.

Sorry..can't help too much with the tranny...£50 is about the going rate.

If you're in Leicester, you're welcome to try mine out before buying.

 

[daveenty]

Just a thought...If it's just for a one off (your own car) why not get a professional detailer? He'll have all the gear and will be knowledgeable in how to use it.

Not cheap for a good one, but saves you having to: -
(a) Buy the gear & (b) Store it somewhere.

If you've a few cars yourself then great, worth buying, but for your own motor these guys are absolutely worth it.

No recommendations BTW, but sure you'll find one by you

 

[rajinder_1]

Just a thought...If it's just for a one off (your own car) why not get a professional detailer? He'll have all the gear and will be knowledgeable in how to use it.

Not cheap for a good one, but saves you having to: -
(a) Buy the gear & (b) Store it somewhere.

If you've a few cars yourself then great, worth buying, but for your own motor these guys are absolutely worth it.

No recommendations BTW, but sure you'll find one by you

hi Dave,
I have 2 of my own cars and my mums car as well, so it makes sense me getting one, for detailer to do it they will charge around 150 mark and for that much i can get most of the kit.
Its just a matter of practice i would imagine, as mentioned above i may ask Vindaloo to use his and see how it feels.

Raj

 

[R2e]

Can I ask a question - why the PC instead of any other random orbit polisher? What are the benefits of the PC?

I ask because I use a Bosch PEX400 random orbit sander/polisher for finishing vintage guitars which I respray in nitrocellulose lacquer (soft compared with current car finishes) and I'm looking for a mirror finish. The finishing regime is Micromesh (cloth backed abrasive, used for, among other things, polishing aircraft perspex windows, runs from 1500 to 12000 grit), not suggesting this for cars of course (!!), then Meguiars Swirl remover with a lambswool bonnet, then clean lambswool bonnet to high gloss.

Never tried the Bosch on a car, thus the question. Is one reasonable quality Random orbit polisher not effectively as good as another?

 

[Dosco]

Can I ask a question - why the PC instead of any other random orbit polisher? What are the benefits of the PC?

I ask because I use a Bosch PEX400 random orbit sander/polisher for finishing vintage guitars which I respray in nitrocellulose lacquer (soft compared with current car finishes) and I'm looking for a mirror finish. The finishing regime is Micromesh (cloth backed abrasive, used for, among other things, polishing aircraft perspex windows, runs from 1500 to 12000 grit), not suggesting this for cars of course (!!), then Meguiars Swirl remover with a lambswool bonnet, then clean lambswool bonnet to high gloss.

Never tried the Bosch on a car, thus the question. Is one reasonable quality Random orbit polisher not effectively as good as another?

I have asked the same question of the experts - see http://www.detailingworld.co.uk It would appear that Porter Cable make this machine for this specific job and from the comments on the above forum "it does exactly what it says on the box"

 

[rajinder_1]

Hi Rajinder,

I used my PC for the first time last week. I was very worried about taking off the clearcoat so went real easy on it. Just dont expect instant swirl removal the first time you use it.

If you get your PC from the states, it works out to roughly £120 delivered, with no customs to pay A pretty good time to buy with the $ being so weak.

THIS is the kit I got.

I wish I'd ordered some extra pads while I was at it. Do yourself a favour and get some...I'm ordering some 4" pads this week.

Clicky for 110v plugs and sockets if you're handy at making your own cable.

Sorry..can't help too much with the tranny...£50 is about the going rate.

If you're in Leicester, you're welcome to try mine out before buying.

Where abouts in leicester are you im in coventry so not far, would love to give the PC a go if you dont mind...

Raj