My first impression of the Porter Cable 7424XP was that it looked very study and also felt sturdy. Not one cheap look or feel about this polisher. This is also my first polisher I've ever purchased or used and it took no time to get the hang of it. I just used it today on the hood, roof, quarter panels and spoiler of my 2007 Mazda3, using Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, a coat of Mother's Carnuaba wax and then a coat of 3M Performance Finish... the paint looks and feels like slick glass. The rest of the car is soon to undergo the same treatment.
With my PC, I bought a Lake Country backing plate and 2 Lake Country pads, cyan and tangerine, one for compounds and one for polishes. This machine has made the detailing process for me so much easier than doing it all by hand. I still wax by hand, but the PC is also capable of applying and buffing wax. I'm just happy enough to be able to work the compounds and polishes with this machine now. It was very well worth every penny spent on it. And because it's easy to get used to, I seriously may consider detailing people's cars as a side job.
If you're new to machine polishing, you absolutely cannot go wrong with the Porter Cable 7424XP. You can do no wrong with it and it will make detailing your vehicle so much easier. I'm very happy with this machine.
EDIT: 12/23/12
I just wanted to do a little follow up review since I've had the 7424XP for some time now. It's a solid machine and I just recently started applying my favorite sealant with this thing and waxing has never been such a breeze. Not only is waxing my car with this machine faster, but it lays down a nice, thin coat of my preferred sealant, so I'm not over-using the sealant. Most of us know that sealants are a lot harder to apply by hand than a traditional carnauba wax, that's because sealants are synthetic and engineered to last a lot longer, therefore they're more trouble to apply by hand and sometimes difficult to buff off. I use Menzerna Power Lock sealant and it goes on in very thin coats when using the PC 7424XP paired up with a Lake Country black finishing pad. I allow the sealant to dry for 20 to 30 minutes or so, which is about the time it takes to apply it to my Mazda3 when using the PC, if I'm not taking any breaks, lol. I then buff the residue off by hand and because it is applied in a thin coat, buffing by hand couldn't be any easier. My main point is that the PC is an awesome detailing weapon. I also do spot polishing for isolated scratches or stains here and there. I'd buy this polisher again if I had to. It's worth its weight in gold and is a plain solid tool. I couldn't be happier with it.
| Specific Uses For Product | Outside; Professional |
|---|---|
| Item Weight | 5.8 Pounds |
| Voltage | 120 Volts |
| Manufacturer | PORTER-CABLE |
| Part Number | 7424 |
| Item Weight | 5.75 pounds |
| Product Dimensions | 14 x 6.5 x 6 inches |
| Country of Origin | Mexico |
| Item model number | 7424XP |
| Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
| Size | full size |
| Style | Polisher Only |
| Item Package Quantity | 1 |
| Special Features | variable-speed |
| Batteries Included? | No |
| Batteries Required? | No |
| Warranty Description | One Year Warranty |
