SwedeMetal

I just ordered Porter Cable 7424XP and from researching it the pad that comes with it is no good and I need to buy a backing plate for hook/loop and some pads.

What size plate should I get... 5" or 6"?

My car is 2008 IS350 in smokey mica. I plan to wash it, clay it, then do a compound, polish, wax on it.

And yes, I basically will spend an entire Saturday on this and I know it will be time consuming.

Any noobie tips for which plate/pads to get would be GREAT.

ALSO - Is the paint on the IS350 considered SOFT?

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

5" backing plate for 5.5" pads for the majority of your work.
3" backing plate for 3" pads for the tighter areas.



I recommend the following pads for a general starter kit...
Orange Light Cutting Pads (min. of 3 5.5" pads and 1 3" pad)
White Polishing Pads (min. of 3 5.5" pads and 1 3" pad)
Black Finishing Pads (min. of 3 5.5" pads and 1 3" pad)


Smokey Granite Mica is not hard or soft... very easy to work with.

-Zach

SwedeMetal

Excellent. My 7424XP is on the way (killer deal @ $103 free ship on eBay new) and I will pickup a 5" and the 3" velcro backing pad so I get those on the way, too.

Thanks a mil for the pad color descriptions. If my main goal is to WASH IT with meg suds, CLAY IT with meg kit, WASH IT AGAIN then do a POLISH and a WAX, what color pad should I be targetting? I bought the 7424XP to make the job go a bit faster instead of doing the whole gosh darn car by hand.

What about this crazy crap from chemical dudes called BLACK LIGHT?

SwedeMetal

OK Bro Dudes... My arsenal is slowly being built. My 7424XP, 5" disc and 3" disc are ON the way. I have not ordered any PADS yet though.

I also have 2 grit guards and 2 grit guard washboards en route! That washboard seems like the ticket to making the system work better the way it sits on top of the GG.

Will hit lowes tonight for a few $2 buckets.

Now I continue my research on pads and compound/polish/waxes.