asianisafish
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- Jun 11, 2015
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I do detailing as a hobby, so nothing too major except our own cars. I got a griots garage 6 inch polisher . I got it on eBay for less than 100$ and it runs great. I've had good luck with it so far
I need a buffer/polisher, what to get?
- Thread starter dseg
- Start date
- Thread starter
- #22
I don't plan on putting swirls on my car's paint.
So I would say no... So the GG6 would be the best for a safe wax applicator?
trekkeruss
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- Nov 25, 2013
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"Best?" Heck, for just spreading wax, you could buy one of those traditional orbital buffers that your local Walmart, Sears, or auto parts store sells for $30.
cardaddy
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- Nov 20, 2012
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Ab-so-FREAKING-lute-ly!
rops: What would make you think the GG6, (or any other "non forced rotation") DA wouldn't work for paint correction? :dunno: With the exception of the Flex 3401.... ALL of the rest are 'non-forced'.... including the Rupes 12, 15, and 21mm throw units.
The GG6 can correct paint all day, every day. I know of a local high end guy that does exotics (as well as daily drivers), is one of the highest priced guys around Atlanta, and for YEARS used nothing BUT a bunch of GG6's to do paint correction. (Yes he had a rotary, but just didn't use it as it wasn't needed.) I've done dozens with a GG6 before I ever picked up a Rupes, then later a Flex.
I'd agree with the post that the Flex would in fact be dangerous (when compared to the rest) and I'd suggest if you've never done paint correction that the GG6 should be where you start. It can do literally anything you'll need with your personal vehicles, just get several backing plates. Use the 5" backing plate as your large one, then get a 3"~4" one for working with smaller pads.
Can the Flex save you a little time, on a big job, IF you're looking to knock it out non-stop as in using a pad till it's dirty and/or warm and tossing it in cleaner, grabbing another pad, then another, then another (meaning you'll use 6~8 pads for the compounding session)? Well... yes it can. But that'll mean you don't stop, and keep hammering at it till it's done. Even then... you're maybe saving 30~45 minutes on the compounding session.
I can tell you that the GG6 is easier on the arms!
- Thread starter
- #25
Thanks for the feedback. Is there a better/safer polisher/buffer for a simple wax applicator on newer cars?
I did not mean to say the GG6 can not do paint correction. I just did not plan on doing any. Thanks for the clarification though. Same question as up top though, is there a better/safer polisher/buffer for a simple wax applicator on newer cars?Ab-so-FREAKING-lute-ly!
What would make you think the GG6, (or any other "non forced rotation") DA wouldn't work for paint correction? :dunno: With the exception of the Flex 3401.... ALL of the rest are 'non-forced'.... including the Rupes 12, 15, and 21mm throw units.
The GG6 can correct paint all day, every day. I know of a local high end guy that does exotics (as well as daily drivers), is one of the highest priced guys around Atlanta, and for YEARS used nothing BUT a bunch of GG6's to do paint correction. (Yes he had a rotary, but just didn't use it as it wasn't needed.) I've done dozens with a GG6 before I ever picked up a Rupes, then later a Flex.
I'd agree with the post that the Flex would in fact be dangerous (when compared to the rest) and I'd suggest if you've never done paint correction that the GG6 should be where you start. It can do literally anything you'll need with your personal vehicles, just get several backing plates. Use the 5" backing plate as your large one, then get a 3"~4" one for working with smaller pads.
Can the Flex save you a little time, on a big job, IF you're looking to knock it out non-stop as in using a pad till it's dirty and/or warm and tossing it in cleaner, grabbing another pad, then another, then another (meaning you'll use 6~8 pads for the compounding session)? Well... yes it can. But that'll mean you don't stop, and keep hammering at it till it's done. Even then... you're maybe saving 30~45 minutes on the compounding session.
I can tell you that the GG6 is easier on the arms!
Not really looking for a crappy Walmart brand. There has to be a preferred simple wax applicator (excluding hand).
- Thread starter
- #26
Ehhh, I was hoping to get away from Walmart brands and find a preferred simple wax applicator.
trekkeruss
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- Nov 25, 2013
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None of the machines sold here are simple wax applicators; they are professional polishers. Kind of like the different between a point-and-shoot pocket digital camera and a DSLR.
I guess if you wanted a "name brand" wax applicator, Griot's Garage offers a lithium ion powered random orbital, so I presume it is lighter than all the machines here, and there is no cord to deal with. But it is expensive at $239. It is only available direct from Griot's Garage.
conman1395
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- Nov 23, 2013
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If you're not going to do correction, there's no point in buying a machine capable of correction.
Just wax by hand or get a cheap ~$25 hand orbital.
Joe@NextLevelDetail
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- Jun 4, 2015
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Flex is nice but kind of overkill if you are just wanting it to apply wax or a light polish for your new cars.
if you really want to just maintain your car the porter cable Griots Garage 6 and the Harbor freight DA will all get the same results.
the Harbor freight is the cheapest of the 3, however will still get the same results
if you really want to just maintain your car the porter cable Griots Garage 6 and the Harbor freight DA will all get the same results.
the Harbor freight is the cheapest of the 3, however will still get the same results
conman1395
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- Nov 23, 2013
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The reason we don't use the stuff from Walmart is because it can't correct paint. If you're not going to correct paint just use that. If you wanna spend unnecessary money, nobody is stopping you from buying a Rupes 21. The Flex, Rupes, Griot's Garage, Porter Cable, and "crappy Walmart brand" will do the same job to the same level of quality. You're just applying wax.
The 3403 is a rotary, not a DA, you'll probably want to pass on this
The other two are the same unit with the exception of the HD flavor has a 25' cord on it. Nothing an extension cord won't fix but some people don't like that longer cord.
Personally if you just have a couple personal cars I'd get the GG6. Will certainly do the job, with a lifetime warranty at 1/2 the cost.
dlc95
Well-known member
- May 18, 2013
- 6,062
- 26
Walmart sells Meguiar's Ultimate line.
I correct paint all the time with Ultimate Compound...
But I don't buy from Walmart..
conman1395
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- Nov 23, 2013
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What I'm talking about is the "Crapp Walmart Orbital".
I love UC and have bought it at Walmart.
dlc95
Well-known member
- May 18, 2013
- 6,062
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Oh yeah, those are garbage.
cardaddy
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- Nov 20, 2012
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If all you're doing is spreading wax, doing slight buffing and the like you might even go for the Harbor Freight unit.
Although I'd stay far far FAR away from their pads!
Thing is... (when they get them back in stock) you can buy the GG6 from Advance Auto Parts for under a hundred bucks (delivered).
rops: You'll not find one in-stock at a store, but ordering and delivery is just as fast as anywhere else.
There simply isn't another tool to add to your arsenal that offers the value that the GG6 does (even at $140).I tend to buy tools I need, when I need them, (rather than rent for instance). Which means I have saws of all types from radial arm to jig and everything in between, drills, (all sizes) a drill press, hand routers, sanders of all types, shop vacs, laser levels (hand held and tripod mounted), electrical meters, tons of compression tools/connectors for building custom AV cables, air compressors, 40 years of hand tools, even a hand held power planer because at the time I needed/wanted it.
And that's just tools not related to detailing. Although I'd say the most useless of those tools, but IMO by FAR the most valuable (to me at least) are two hand saws that my grandfather used to build houses back over 100 years ago. I still go down to the house where my father (and his 5 brothers and sisters were born in) to admire the construction from time to time. Of course there is always more that you're looking forward to down the road. Which is;
A functioning small woodshop with band saws, planer, joiner, table saw, table routers, table sander, belt sander, you name it at my father in laws that I need to expand my shed for to make room for them all (along with a bunch of hand tools) sometime soon.
To the original poster, hopefully by now you have figured out that the Flex is the wrong tool for what you want to do. Like buying an AK-47 to go squirrel hunting.
Suggest getting a Porter Cable or Meguiars da. That will do all you need to do and a LOT more for when you decide to move past just waxing.
For a hobbyist, this is not a bad basic setup - it comes with everything you need except polish and wax:
LINK REMOVED : PLEASE REVIEW TERMS/CONDITIONS
I've heard on here from more than one pro detailer that they built their businesses on the Porter Cable, so look along those lines.
Suggest getting a Porter Cable or Meguiars da. That will do all you need to do and a LOT more for when you decide to move past just waxing.
For a hobbyist, this is not a bad basic setup - it comes with everything you need except polish and wax:
LINK REMOVED : PLEASE REVIEW TERMS/CONDITIONS
I've heard on here from more than one pro detailer that they built their businesses on the Porter Cable, so look along those lines.