Which buffer? DeWalt DW443 or Porter Cable 7424?

[plentine]

I am preparing to enter into the wonderful world of detailing my Black 300C. After much research the best tools seem to be either the DeWalt DW 443 or the Porter Cable 7424. Any insight into the benefits or drawbacks of either would be appreciated. I live in Minneapolis, MN and would like to know where is the best/least expensive places to buy the buffer and kits for them. Thanks in advance!

[JMatt]

Originally Posted by plentine

I am preparing to enter into the wonderful world of detailing my Black 300C. After much research the best tools seem to be either the DeWalt DW 443 or the Porter Cable 7424. Any insight into the benefits or drawbacks of either would be appreciated. I live in Minneapolis, MN and would like to know where is the best/least expensive places to buy the buffer and kits for them. Thanks in advance!

Porter Cable 7424 is considered the gold standard.

Rebranded as the Meguiar's G-100, it has a lifetime warranty. I bought mine from autodetailingsolutions.com (no affiliation). You pay a little more, but I thought the value of the forever warranty compared to the one year warranty made it worth it for me.

[stillbad]

Originally Posted by plentine

I am preparing to enter into the wonderful world of detailing my Black 300C. After much research the best tools seem to be either the DeWalt DW 443 or the Porter Cable 7424. Any insight into the benefits or drawbacks of either would be appreciated. I live in Minneapolis, MN and would like to know where is the best/least expensive places to buy the buffer and kits for them. Thanks in advance!

I picked mine up here Porter Cable Polisher Ask for Don straight shooter. They had a special going on that wasn't listed on site and he hooked me up. Very good customer service.

[rjkusse]

Porter Cable, no question.

[turbomangt]

I thought we went through this....anyway, the PC is a fine machine for applying polish/wax/sealant, the DW is a BETTER machine for removing paint defects such as minir scratches, blemishes and swirls, the DW is more or a work horse. This is why I have both. if your car in a prestine condition and you just want to save time detailing the PC is perfect, if however you have some problems you need to work out, the DW is the best choice. Gary

[plentine]

Originally Posted by turbomangt

I thought we went through this....anyway, the PC is a fine machine for applying polish/wax/sealant, the DW is a BETTER machine for removing paint defects such as minir scratches, blemishes and swirls, the DW is more or a work horse. This is why I have both. if your car in a prestine condition and you just want to save time detailing the PC is perfect, if however you have some problems you need to work out, the DW is the best choice. Gary

Thanks for the clarification. I did not go back far enough to have seen this information. My 300 is a 2005 model with some minor scratches and swirls. I will look at the DW as my machine of choice.

[300C2NV]

Originally Posted by plentine

Thanks for the clarification. I did not go back far enough to have seen this information. My 300 is a 2005 model with some minor scratches and swirls. I will look at the DW as my machine of choice.

fyi, you can EASILY tackle minor scratches and swirls with the PC.

[JMatt]

Originally Posted by plentine

Thanks for the clarification. I did not go back far enough to have seen this information. My 300 is a 2005 model with some minor scratches and swirls. I will look at the DW as my machine of choice.

Just a warning: The DW is a rotary buffer, right? Well it will certainly get rid of scratches quicker, but if you are not a pro, your chances of burning your paint and causing a need for a new paint job are huge.

With the PC, on the other hand, its powerful enough to remove about anything an amatuer should be removing - and not powerfull enough for you to #$%& up your own paint job.

[goherd90]

Originally Posted by JMatt

Just a warning: The DW is a rotary buffer, right? Well it will certainly get rid of scratches quicker, but if you are not a pro, your chances of burning your paint and causing a need for a new paint job are huge.

With the PC, on the other hand, its powerful enough to remove about anything an amatuer should be removing - and not powerfull enough for you to #$%& up your own paint job.

No its not. DW makes an orbital buffer that Gary believes to be a bit more aggressive for getting out swirls and scratches. Here ya go:

DeWalt DW443 6" Random Orbit Variable Speed Sander

[JMatt]

Originally Posted by goherd90

No its not. DW makes an orbital buffer that Gary believes to be a bit more aggressive for getting out swirls and scratches. Here ya go:

DeWalt DW443 6" Random Orbit Variable Speed Sander

Thanks. Didn't realize that. I'd still go with the PC. Everyone has it, and you can get a lot of advice about what speed to use, etc based on the settings on the PC. Finally, I don't know if the DW has changeable backing plates, but I have a 4" backing plate on my PC so I can use smaller pads. They let me use more pressure without bogging the machine down, in order to do more agressive work. Maybe you can get a 4" plate for the DW though, too?