Who on this forum owns a PC?

[Bayou Titan]

I know what you're thinking- Duh?, you just about have to have a PC to view this site. But what I am talking about is the Porter Cable random orbit, electric buffer that is affectionately referred to as a "PC" on the Autopia site. This buffer is all the rage with professional detailers and I just got one for my birthday. I haven't used it yet because I am waiting on pads that I ordered for it on the internet. I'm just curious how many Titan Talk owners have one and what their experience was using it on their Titan.

[daschtick]

I've had one for several years , but I honestly don't use it often. I used to use it when working with Meguiars products, but it's been collecting dust since I began with Zaino, which BTW, has produced far better results. I debating ebaying the buffer, but I might have a need for the thing someday (maybe as it's original intended use - a random orbit sander?), and I would be really pissed if I had to buy another.

It really does not do much more than allow you to apply products much faster than by hand, but you do waste a lot of material initially soaking the pad. The random orbit action is not really designed for "buffing out" or removing layers, but this also makes it a safe tool to use especially for a novice.

My overall rating - Meh!

[schneid]

Yep, Zaino. I don't know about it's protective and staying powers yet, but it is by far the easiest product to apply ever. I did my Armada in an hour.

[Titano24's]

Sorry to whore your thread, but I have a pearl white titan and I live in South Louisiana were it is humid as all hell. This morning I put a coat of Z1 followed my a coat of Z5 and let that dry. Wiped it off then applied a coat of Z2. I let the Z2 dry for around 6 hours and i'm still getting what looks to be an oily film on the paint. I mean if you rub the towel another way on the paint you can actually see it in the paint. Help anyone!!!



-Shane

[daschtick]

From the Zaino site:

Q: Z-2, Z-3, or Z-5 is taking hours to dry. What's wrong?

A: Sounds like you applied it too heavily. A neat trick that helps you get even coats without having to load the polish up on the paint is to lightly dampen your applicator pad, spray a couple mists of Z-6 on it, then put a few thin stripes of polish on it and spread the polish evenly across the face of the pad with your fingers. The object of applying the polish to your car is to get on thin, even coats. Putting it on heavy only wastes polish, and slows the dry time.

Also, keep in mind that cool temperatures or high humidity can lengthen the drying time of Zaino polishes.

OR THIS

Wait a minimum of 12 hours between coats, or use our new ZFX™ Flash Cure Accelerator Additive.

[jburson250]

Bayou, it's amazing how quickly a thread on the PC 7424 turns into a Zaino discussion. Believe it or not there are other products available that do a superb job without waiting "12 hours between coats" or adding additional chemicals.
I bought a PC two months ago after being overwhelmed by the surface area of my Titan - so much sheet metal, so little time. The addition of the second Titan was enough to push me over the mechanized edge.
First of all, take a look at/join the Detailcity.com forum. The members there are a great resource. They gave me meaningful, usable responses to some pretty basic (for them) questions.
I've used my PC to apply Klasse All In One to my CC LE. Just before I did it, I used clay to remove some bedliner overspray from the sides of the bed. The results were excellent. The PC and I applied this product far more thoroughly, and in way less time than if I'd have attempted it by hand. The key to a fantastic wax-job is in the preparation and polishing of the paint (clearcoat in our case).
Last Sunday I used the PC on my wife's '00 Passat, first with an ultra-fine polishing cleaner, then Klasse All In One. Absolutely beautiful. If I'd have tried to duplicate it by hand, I'd still be out in the driveway polishing.
I'll not say more about products - Detailcity.com does a fine job with that.
IMO the PC is an excellent tool for car and truck care - more for superior application of abrasive and non-abrasive polishes and wax than for saving time.
I still like to hand wax and buff. With a machine polished finish, applying a very thin coat of carnuba after washing is a really quick process.
The PC was a worthwhile purchase. It's easy to use, and produces superior results compared to hand polishing. It's not mandatory to use it every time you wax - if you wax frequently, like me. If polishing/waxing is something you do twice a year, the PC is an indispensable labor saver. It'll produce results you just can't match by hand.
Gonna do the black Titan this weekend.

[jhawk]

I bought my PC (model 7735 or something like that) from Lowes this summer. I like it a lot and have found it easy to work with. It not only takes less time but, in my opinion, results in a better shine and gloss compared to hand (at least my hand). No regrets getting it.

[GETSOMZ28]

I use a porter cable 7424 to correct minor paint problems (swirls/scratches) and applying polish/wax/etc. I use a variety of products ranging from Meguires, 1Z, Klasse, and 3M. It does things you couldnt think about doing by hand.

[StumpZ]

I have one. Works nice and fast. Make sure you clay your Titan before using it though. Without that step, you will create swirls in your paint!

[Bayou Titan]

Originally Posted by jburson250

Bayou, it's amazing how quickly a thread on the PC 7424 turns into a Zaino discussion.

Yes, before long this will be a who waxed who's a** in the presidential debates thread.

[jburson250]

Bayou, most likely whichever candidate brings the widest variety of Zaino products will end up the a** waxer.

[Stitch]

Same here, PC 7424. Nice machine, makes doing the "acres" of Titan fast enough to really do a good job overall. Without it, I'de get pooped fast.

[ben95m]

I also have one, have yet to use it on the titan. But my other car's sure look good...

[talkslow]

I'm a big fan of mine. I use it to apply Klasse AIO. I then hand apply Klasse SG and a top coat of P21S carnuba, using the PC with a microfiber buffing bonnet to buff off each. I couldn't be happier with the results. I highly recommend.

[greg w]

WTF!!!! Zaino?????

I thought you meant pelvic clitoral .....I'm in the wrong thread.

Would be much more interesting anyway. go wax your freaking truck. Wax on wax off. wax on wax ofzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz