well i decided to read through the detailering handbook today and i think it gave me a lot of great info i needed to take the plunge into detailing my car. i dont currently own an s2k, but my MSP is looking a little dull, especially in the headlights and my dads sc300 is about to get back from the shop after extensive paint repairs (mostly to fix years of neglect, door dings, some hale damage, etc) so i think now would be a great time to take the plunge and really learn how to detail and make sure our cars are well taken care of. doubly important since i will be putting the msp up for sale soon and would like to be able to get as much money out of it as possible.

the detailing handbook recommends a 3" backing plate mated with a 4" foam buffer pad for use on headlights. i cant seem to find a 3" backing plate for sale anywhere for the 7424xp, all im coming up with the is the 3.5" backing plate. the guide recommends that your backing plate be at least an inch in diameter smaller than the buffer pad used, but i cant seem to find 4.5" buffer pads anywhere, only 4" ones. can someone point me in the right direction?

 

The book is not so new. 3 inch (2.75 in) is pretty much the new standard. 4 inch pads are used.

good looking kit

If you check the image, there are 2 adapters. The one with threads if for the PC and the one with the non-threaded shaft is for a drill.

The kit I have

Little cheaper choice, but not as much in it. More bang for the buck in kit 1.

 

I use a 3.5" backing plate with 4" pads. They work well. The edge of the backing plate is soft rubber so even if it did make contact, it probably wouldn't cause any harm.

 

thanks a bunch for the replies guys. exactly what i needed to know.