Looking to buy first DA!

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CaptN D

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I'm ready to step up to my big boy pants and get a DA polisher. Was wondering if it's worth it to dive in and get a Rupes or Flex off from the start or would the Porter Cable be sufficient. Not looking to detail any other cars but mine and my wife's. Also was wondering what's the biggest difference between a direct drive vs a floating style. Is one more forgiving than the other?


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CaptN D said:
I'm ready to step up to my big boy pants and get a DA polisher. Was wondering if it's worth it to dive in and get a Rupes or Flex off from the start or would the Porter Cable be sufficient. Not looking to detail any other cars but mine and my wife's. Also was wondering what's the biggest difference between a direct drive vs a floating style. Is one more forgiving than the other?


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Just for some background information, direct drive (or forced rotation) will NOT stop regardless of pressure. These types of devices are much more dangerous than the free spinning DA's like the PC. The Porter Cable style devices will stop rotating if you are applying too much pressure or if you are buffing on a hard body line. You can still damage your paint if you are not careful with a free spinning DA, but they are much more forgiving.

Thank being said, it really all depends on your budget. If you are only doing your own cars, I would say get the Griots 6 (GG6) inch DA. I have the GG6 and it is enough for what I need (for now). I really couldn't pass up on Griot's lifetime warranty. You can't go wrong with starting with the GG6 and then moving up if you decide you want something more. You can either sell it or turn it into a 3 or 4 inch DA.

I am not a professional detailer, just a hobbyist so others may have some additional information based on experience.

Let us know what you end up going with!

Best of luck,
Nick
 
Griots Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher
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Griots Garage 5 Inch Vented Orbital Backing Plate
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Griots BOSS 5 Inch Pads
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Ive used the flex and currently own a Rupes 21 markii. To me, the da is much more forgiving in terms of use. I found that with the forced rotation you at times fight against the machine. At the end of the day, I felt beat. The Rupes is incredibly smooth which was the selling factor for me. As far as d/as go, for personal use, I also highly suggest a gg6. I also have one and it's powerful enough to accomplish what my Rupes can accomplish, it just takes a bit more time since it has a shorter stroke. For the money and the warranty, you can't go wrong.
 
If I can offer my opinion on a DA polisher, it would be this: Everyone has preferences, but I would advise you to buy the very best that you can afford. I started with a 6" Griot's Garage, (very good quality and also affordable) and then I got a Flex 3401. I'm happy. Good luck.
 
That's what was thinking too, just needed to here someone else say it. Thanks


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Great advice from all above, but another factor is how much correction you need.

I've always hand-maintained my Ram truck and wife's Jeep Wrangler meticulously. But as I am getting older, wanted to give my arms and hands a break. Both vehicles have VERY minor swirls when I go to detail them, so I got the PC 7424XP. It does the job I need it to do extremely well, and in little time.

But, if you need more correction, then the guys who recommended the more powerful units are spot on.

All depends on your needs CaptN D. :)
 
Both vehicles are relatively new, '14 GLI and a '15 Focus ST! I know the ford has soft paint so I don't want to over do it. Would like something that I could use to maintain the vehicles finish/color over time. Polishing/waxing, swirl removing etc.


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if you're only doing your own vehicles and a few here and there then it makes no sense to spend hundreds ($300+) of dollars if you don't plan on using it often. the GG6 (lots of torque/power) with the right pads and polishes/compounds these days will do the job just fine...
 
VISITOR said:
if you're only doing your own vehicles and a few here and there then it makes no sense to spend hundreds ($300+) of dollars if you don't plan on using it often. the GG6 (lots of torque/power) with the right pads and polishes/compounds these days will do the job just fine...
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:whs: With a 5" backing plate and 5.5" pads and the right polishes there isn't anything it can handle!! To top it off you get a lifetime warranty.
 
Thanks y'all! ( yes I'm from Texas and we say y'all)! The price gap can vary by a lot and I didn't want to end up buying something that I would have to replace in a few months because it either stopped working or wasn't able to handle basic detailing. Lifetime warranty to boot..


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GC6 seems to be the best bang for the buck DA polisher, the only downside for me is the vibration. I seriously doubt that I could handle that vibration for more than 1 hour of work. After trying different pads, I found that the ThinPro are the best to make the polisher a little smoother but still not comfortable for me, that's why I'm planning to get in the future a Rupes and use the GC only for headlights/windshields restorations.
 
I love the Porter Cable 7424xp.

They have a reputation of extreme reliability and proven performance.

The reason I prefer it over competing basic d/a machines is the size of the shroud that houses the spindle. It's smaller in diameter which allows me to better see what I'm doing when using small pads.
 
Here's what i would do after the benefit of hindsight.

I KNOW if the Rupes or Flex units were out when i first started this OCD behavior on my own cars i would have jumped on one of those 2 machines out of the gate. I have always wanted the best tool for the job and best as in build quality and performance. However...

I would probably now get the Griots 6" DA and refine my technique working my own cars. To me the lifetime warranty speaks volumes for peace of mind. I would refine my skills, techniques, products etc and THEN take on a customer or 2 or 3 and make enough to then buy a Rupes Mark II or Flex. I would then delegate my trusty and soon to be dusty GG 6" to small pad diameter work for noses, tail sections, thin areas etc. The benefit of having 2 machines is good to have for a number of reasons.
 
CaptN D said:
Thanks y'all! ( yes I'm from Texas and we say y'all)! The price gap can vary by a lot and I didn't want to end up buying something that I would have to replace in a few months because it either stopped working or wasn't able to handle basic detailing. Lifetime warranty to boot..


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If you haven't already bought a machine maybe you live close to someone who has a few different machines that you could try out before you buy. A lot of us Texans on here. I'm from Arlington.
 
Another vote for the GG6....got one for Christmas...my first DA.....no regrets
 
The one thing nobody is bringing up is you will likely need 2 polishers if you buy a Rupes or a Flex.

The reason is, to polish every surface on most cars, it's takes the use of 3"-4" pads on certain areas. Rupes and Flex DA/RO machines don't have the flexibility to use pads from 3" to 6.5".

So, if you want a single machine that can do almost anything - get a Griot's Garage 6" polisher. I'd also get a 5" and 3" Lake Country backing plate and an assortment of 3" and 5.5" pads.

That is the least expensive way to achieve excellent results without shelling out a grand. The GG6 just out muscles the PC in every way. But, the PC is still capable in the right hands.

Noobs sometimes cook pads with a GG6 because of the power - that is the only real caveat compared to the PC.


****please support trans-species humans.
 
I had noticed that about the Flex and Rupes, buying to machines isn't in the budget. I'd narrowed it down to the GC6 or PC because they can use the smaller backing plate. I really appreciate all the input folks


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