Looking for new pads for the Griots G9 in 5.5”

[MrOneEyedBoh]

So I used to use the LC Basic flat pads on the HF buffer. Now I have the GG9 and looking to get some new pads. I’m sure there is some Better technology for the foam now days.

I do this just on my vehicles, so not a professional setting.

I used to use primary the white LC flat pads with a fine polish and that typically would look good. I’d assume that still stands today, right? No need to use two grads of pads to finish out a lightly marred panel to a glossy panel?

Yeah so, just looking for something new to try out in 5.5”.

Thanks!

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

Everyone loves the Rupes yellow pads for light polish and one steps. Haven’t had to pay the Rupes premium as I love the Griots Boss pads.

They yellow in these are what you want.

Actually I see the griots 6 pack is $55 on AG. With no more 25% off sales I’d get the Rupes from CG for $48 for 6


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[MrOneEyedBoh]

Everyone loves the Rupes yellow pads for light polish and one steps. Haven’t had to pay the Rupes premium as I love the Griots Boss pads.

They yellow in these are what you want.

Actually I see the griots 6 pack is $55 on AG. With no more 25% off sales I’d get the Rupes from CG for $48 for 6


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Thanks. I’m actually got for now but I want to get some to have on hand. I’d assume the pads don’t expire, as dumb as it sounds, I don’t want to get 6-12 pads and then have them fail sitting on the shelf lol.

 

[Coatingsarecrack]

Thanks. I’m actually got for now but I want to get some to have on hand. I’d assume the pads don’t expire, as dumb as it sounds, I don’t want to get 6-12 pads and then have them fail sitting on the shelf lol.

Not that I know of…


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[PaulMys]

IMO, the LC Flat pads are still the best all-around pads out there.

But nothing wrong with the GG BOSS lineup, either.

There are times I cannot tell the difference between the two on my G9.

That said, I have a very limited number of vehicles I deal with. Unlike a pro detailer.

 

[noorth]

For the GG9 i would look at lake country SDO pads. Orange for light polish or blue for heavy polishing.

 

[Eldorado2k]

IMO, the LC Flat pads are still the best all-around pads out there.

I agree. No better pads for noobs to get their feet wet than Lake Country Flat Foam Pads. 1st pads I was recommended and used. They stand the test of time.

 

[chefwong]

I’d assume the pads don’t expire, as dumb as it sounds, I don’t want to get 6-12 pads and then have them fail sitting on the shelf lol.

I can't say for certainty as I've had a few pads -dry rot-. Aka, foam just crumbles. Pads are always cleaned after use, but maybe I guess I didn't get them uber clean...
Anyhow, I'd say YMMV. So far, for me it's been 1 LC Applicator and a pair of 4" pads.

 

[Desertnate]

Everyone loves the Rupes yellow pads for light polish and one steps. Haven’t had to pay the Rupes premium as I love the Griots Boss pads.

They yellow in these are what you want.

Actually I see the griots 6 pack is $55 on AG. With no more 25% off sales I’d get the Rupes from CG for $48 for 6


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I really like the Rupes Yellow pads and they are slowly filling my pad inventory as my LC Flat and Thin Pro pads wear out. I looked at the Griots BOSS pads, but found the Rupes to be a similar, if not lower, in price depending in where I shopped.

Not only do the Rupes pads finish out nicely, but I like the shape of the them. The beveled edges and their thickness allow you to get into some tighter areas you can't get to some other pads.

 

[Desertnate]

I agree. No better pads for noobs to get their feet wet than Lake Country Flat Foam Pads. 1st pads I was recommended and used. They stand the test of time.

They are good stuff, but I found the ThinPro's to work a little better and held up better over time when using something like a standard HF or Porter Cable-like polisher.

 

[PaulMys]

They are good stuff, but I found the ThinPro's to work a little better and held up better over time when using something like a standard HF or Porter Cable-like polisher.

Agreed.

The thin pads are always a better choice on the PC or (original) HF machines. They are way less powerful, and it is easier for those units to churn a pad with less rotational mass.

 

[Eldorado2k]

That Grey thinpro pad might just be the most aggressive cutting pad I’ve experienced. IMO it has even more bite than a microfiber cutting pad. It amazing that it can still manage to finish out lsp ready in most cases.

 

[noorth]

FYI I seen one of the lake country guys explain awhile ago that the SDO/HDO line was designed to reduce the amount of pad options in the flat pad line. He also said you can do more with the 3 foam SDO/HDO pads than the 4 or 5 different LC ordinal foam pads - the pads have bigger cut and finish ranges. One more thing he said they are keeping the flats in there range because so many people still like them.

The message i got was that the SDO/HDO line is now there flagship line and innovative.

How many different foam pads are in the LC originals line, 6?

 

[PaulMys]

FYI I seen one of the lake country guys explain awhile ago that the SDO/HDO line was designed to reduce the amount of pad options in the flat pad line. He also said you can do more with the 3 foam SDO/HDO pads than the 4 or 5 different LC ordinal foam pads...One more thing he said they are keeping the flats in there range because so many people still like them.

The message i got was that the SDO/HDO is now there flagship line and innovative.

How many different foam pads are in the LC originals line, 6?

Funny that the sales guy from LC would say that............:laughing::laughing:

 

[Desertnate]

That Grey thinpro pad might just be the most aggressive cutting pad I’ve experienced. IMO it has even more bite than a microfiber cutting pad. It amazing that it can still manage to finish out lsp ready in most cases.

The gray ThinPro pad scares me. Years ago when the ThinPro's first hit the market, I was given a sample bag of ThinPro pads that had one of each color. I still remember feeling the gray pad and thinking, "yikes, I hope I never have to use this!".

FYI I seen one of the lake country guys explain awhile ago that the SDO/HDO line was designed to reduce the amount of pad options in the flat pad line. He also said you can do more with the 3 foam SDO/HDO pads than the 4 or 5 different LC ordinal foam pads - the pads have bigger cut and finish ranges.

I have 1~2 HDO pads, but I wouldn't use them as a replacement for the Flats or ThinPro if I still used my HF polisher. The HDO's are really thick and that's a lot of foam to move around for an old/lesser powered polisher. On my GG15 they are fine in that regard.

Their height/rigidity and flat sides also make them hard to get into tighter areas or areas with a slight contour. I typically only use it on large, flat, open surfaces.

 

[noorth]

The gray ThinPro pad scares me. Years ago when the ThinPro's first hit the market, I was given a sample bag of ThinPro pads that had one of each color. I still remember feeling the gray pad and thinking, "yikes, I hope I never have to use this!".



I have 1~2 HDO pads, but I wouldn't use them as a replacement for the Flats or ThinPro if I still used my HF polisher. The HDO's are really thick and that's a lot of foam to move around for an old/lesser powered polisher. On my GG15 they are fine in that regard.

Their height/rigidity and flat sides also make them hard to get into tighter areas or areas with a slight contour. I typically only use it on large, flat, open surfaces.

He has the G9 which i believe would pair very well with SDO pads. They are a little thicker but you can compress them more than thin stiff pads like the griots BOSS orange. For me at least i rather like the little extra thickness. The machine runs smoother IME.

The ability to slightly compress the SDO is why i would pick it over the rupes yellow anyday of the week. Those pads really like to skip. I actually gave my last one away to a shop in the Philippines 3 or 4 mths ago lol Brand new. That's what i think of rupes yellow lol

Also you can - you probably read this before - get the SDO's with CCS. That would be my first choice for a short throw. Big fan of non-flat pads actually.

I have yet to try my very nice looking orange shinemate diamond cut. Basically the same foam as the orange SDO in feel. But the diamond cut pad will be easier to clean and the pad is more rupees style in its taper.

I'm planning on giving my BOSS orange a run this year too - first time in 2 or 3 years. I still have 2 in good shape. I like orange pads lol

 

[Desertnate]

I haven't noticed any difference in "smoothness" with between the Rupes and the HDO's on my GG15, but I actually found the HDO's to skip around a lot more than the Rupes. On a contoured vertical pannel like a BMW 4-series door, the HDO was really hard to control and keep flat on the surface. It's fine on a slab-sided SUV for the most part and probably the reason I've kept the pad. I only bought 1~2 to try out, so there wasn't a heavy investment on my part.

Funny how our experiences are so different.

 

[noorth]

I haven't noticed any difference in "smoothness" with between the Rupes and the HDO's on my GG15, but I actually found the HDO's to skip around a lot more than the Rupes. On a contoured vertical pannel like a BMW 4-series door, the HDO was really hard to control and keep flat on the surface. It's fine on a slab-sided SUV for the most part and probably the reason I've kept the pad. I only bought 1~2 to try out, so there wasn't a heavy investment on my part.

Funny how our experiences are so different.

Different styles i believe.

However, I don't think I made myself clear I'm referring to HDO with CCS and just the normal SDO. I don't have a regular HDO pad.

I assume your aware SDO and HDO are much different pads in of themselves. But they are the same foams.

SDO more universal for all machines and budget friendly. HDO was designed for a long throw and pricey.

 

[Desertnate]

I didn't know all the differences between SDO and HDO, but since some the comments mentioned "SDO/HDO" I figured I could provide my thoughts on the HDO's.

I'm using a long-throw polisher and never thought about getting an SDO to compare. You're right they are pricey. Another reason why I like the Rupes better. They are closer in price to the BOSS pads, if not a bit cheaper.

 

[Bri26]

Which pad is less prone to stalling on a low power DA - Rupes yellow, LC flat or LC thin pro?