Need 3" backing plate and pads and an AIO

I like both the Meguiar's and Lake Country plates.

For AIO products, I really like Duragloss 101, and 501 if more cleaning is needed.

I have a 3" backing plate and flat pads from Lake Country that I use on my PC7424XP. The 3" flat pads are about 1.25" tall, so it helps keep the large buffer away from the intricate areas where you need a small pad.

dlc95 said:

I like both the Meguiar's and Lake Country plates.

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IIRC the 3” Meguiars plate was so troublesome that they quit making it.

@OP. I’d recommend the 3” Griots Boss Backing Plate. I upgraded to this from the normL Lake Country 3” backing plate and it’s alot better.

Eldorado2k said:

IIRC the 3” Meguiars plate was so troublesome that they quit making it.

@OP. I’d recommend the 3” Griots Boss Backing Plate. I upgraded to this from the normL Lake Country 3” backing plate and it’s alot better.

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I did not know that!

I rarely ever use them. If I need small, I'll usually grab the Mini.

The LC is really solid.

Love the GG 3" HD plate and Boss pads with my GG 6. Not big on AIOs but do really like Essence.

Griot's Garage 3 inch HD Backing Plate

To address the rock chips, the Dr Colorchip system is a real easy and fast one to work with.

For an AIO, and although I have not personally used this product, Mike Phillips has showcased the Blackfire AIO and it looks like a really nice product.

I'm seriously considering getting this Blackfire AIO for myself at some point this coming spring to have on hand for cutting time and work off of paint corrections.

I'd suspect the Wolfgang Uber AIO to also be a very fine candidate to choose.

JMak97008 said:

Thanks, Mark. I think the Blackfire may be too $ for me, though. What do you think of the pad selection and backing plate I noted above?

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Yeah, the Blackfire AIO is $40 Skins, but it is a quart. That is a lot of product, probably only take you a few ounces to do the entire car.

The Wolfgang Uber AIO is $30 but is only a pint. Again, more than plenty to do your car 3-4 times.

The Wolfgang Total Swirl Remover (TSR) is $27.00 but is only 8oz. But it is a superb product, I always keep this one in my arsenal.

Or, here's another superb ultra fine Finishing Polish, Meguiars #205, and commonly sells for about $23/quart. It can be bought here, and even many big box auto parts stores, and some Walmarts sell it.

Only things with the last 2 products I mention, WG TSR, and Meg's #205, neither contain any waxes-sealants, they are strictly pure Polishes, and you then choose a protection product of choice, which you may already have on hand?

As for Backing Plates and Pads, most usually pair either the Porter Cable 7424XP, or the Griots GG6 with a Lake Country 5" Yellow Urethane Backing Plate. And the 3" Black Griots Backing Plate somebody else posted would as well convert your GG6 to 3" Pad use for the tighter-smaller areas.

As for Pad choice with the above mentioned Backing Plates, my personal #1 choice would be the Lake Country Thin Pro Pads in white color mostly, in both 5.5" and 3" sizes. Maybe have 1 or 2 more aggressive Orange Pads of the same brand-type on hand for deeper sleeks-scratches if you should so find them.

I have those Thin Pro Pads on hand in the sizes I mention, they are very nice, very high quality, you won't go wrong with them!

As for previous suggestions of Duragloss 105, or 501, these are really nice sealants indeed (I have them both, and 111 as well), and relative steals for what they cost. 501 has a great deal of "cleaning" power, taking out dirts, but lacks in correction abilities as both are extremely low to nothing in the finishing abrasive department needed to remove fine swirls level-smooth paint and to bring out the very highest gloss your paint can attain.

Again, Meg's #205 is an exceptional product, a knock your eyes out fine finishing Polish that's very easy to work with, and can be used either by hand, DA, or Rotary Machine.

Get this. It’s all you need.

Meguiar?s D166 Ultra Polishing Wax

One error I made with my last post. Lake Country does not make a 3" ThinPro Pad. They are 3.5" in diameter.
But they will work just fine with a 3" (actually 2-7/8") LC Backing Plate or the black Griots 3" Plate.

JMak97008 said:

I've been looking at the D166.

Did you see that 3" plate and pads I listed a few posts ago? Do you think these will be good for me to convert my CG Torq 6" to a 3" tool? I'd like to keep my GG 6" as my primary tool with 5" pads and the Torq as the 3" using the pads I listed a few posts ago. Thanks for looking.

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I know zip about the Chemical Guys Torq Tool. but will guess it's just another Chinese knock off of the Griots or PC-Harbor Freight Tools, and then you should have no problem adapting the 3" GG Backing Plate, the Spindles should all be the same exact size and thread pitch.

As for your selection of the smaller Pads you listed earlier, it is hard to say if you have selected the right types.

Why I say this, is that it will largely be dependent on just how much you choose to "push" any one particular pad?

If for say you only plan to use a particular pad of this assortment to polish a couple side view mirrors, a rear license plate cove, an A Pillar or two, or a couple headlights or tail lights and that's it, then, you might just get away with just one of those particular pads.

Otherwise try taking just one pad, and push it on all I mention above, no matter how careful, you will pretty much destroy that pad by overuse, due to overheating and overloading.

I'd say at least have 2 of any particular type that you think you might be needing to get this specific job done and completed.

Sure, there's always the future, where once you have the goodies in hand, you'll then have a better idea what you may need for future uses.

But for now, I will assume you want to have your bases fairly covered for the proper completion of this detail, and not find yourself wanting, or make-shifting a wrong pad or product for the wrong application.

Hope this helps.

MarkD51 said:

I know zip about the Chemical Guys Torq Tool. but will guess it's just another Chinese knock off of the Griots

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This would be a bit of the kettle calling the pot black^... FYI, the Griots polishers are made in China.

JMak97008 said:

Thanks, all....I'm thinking the following to use on the CG TorqX machine??

Griots Garage 3 inch BOSS Foam and Microfiber Pads - 6 Pack
Pad 1 : Microfiber
Pad 2 : White Correcting
Pad 3 : Orange Correcting
Pad 4 : Orange Correcting
Pad 5 : Yellow Perfecting
Pad 6 : Black Finishing

Griots Garage 3 inch HD Backing Plate

Together, the plate and pad kit = $46.

Thoughts? I was thinking 2 of the orange correcting because I assume I'll be using that pad the most. But I'd appreciate any advice.

Oh, and Megs D166 to go with this?

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As far as the pads, If it was me, I’d go 2 White Correcting, 2 Orange Correcting, 2 Yellow Perfecting.

I have no use for a 3” finishing pad. But keep in mind that I apply lsp by hand. Either ways you’ll have 5” finishing pads. IMO the 3” ones are next to useless.

Also, I have no clue about the Torx polisher. It outta be the standard fare, but if for some reason it isn’t and doesn’t come with the standard 5/16ths spindle to attach to you’ll be screwed. If it was me I’d get the HF Polisher. You might be surprised at how good it is. IMO it’s even better than the GG6. Not to mention it’s a steal.

Test the GG6 backing plate on the torq or the other way around. Then you now if the GG 3" backing plate will fit. The pads seems to be a good mix to test out which pads of them you like. It's depends much on how much you are going to use the torq 3" and the hardness of the clearcoat and what kind of swirls you are going to correct. I have stocked up with the same kind of color on the pads on my mini 3" polisher as I have on the 21mm longthrow polisher I have.

If I remember right your car was dark? Many like the HD Speed which has montan wax in it that makes dark color paints looks awesome. For the longevity a coat of the HD Poxy on top of Speed.

Eldorado2k said:

This would be a bit of the kettle calling the pot black^... FYI, the Griots polishers are made in China.



As far as the pads, If it was me, I’d go 2 White Correcting, 2 Orange Correcting, 2 Yellow Perfecting.

I have no use for a 3” finishing pad. But keep in mind that I apply lsp by hand. Either ways you’ll have 5” finishing pads. IMO the 3” ones are next to useless.

Also, I have no clue about the Torx polisher. It outta be the standard fare, but if for some reason it isn’t and doesn’t come with the standard 5/16ths spindle to attach to you’ll be screwed. If it was me I’d get the HF Polisher. You might be surprised at how good it is. IMO it’s even better than the GG6. Not to mention it’s a steal.

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To your first response to my post, this is what I'm basically touching upon (Asian Manufacture), unless CG is having Rupes pr Flex making their machines, I just don't know, you tell me?