Taking the plunge (on a budget), getting a Griot's 6"...how does this plan look?

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miceandice

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After reading and reading (and reading some more) I've finally convinced myself to get a Griot's 6". I'll only be using it for my car and possibly 1 or 2 other family cars for light swirl removal and polishing. And I'll only be using it once or twice a year - so I'm forcing myself to a tight budget (and I'm a student). There are so many awesome products/pads I've been having to constantly remind myself I don't need very many at all. So, here goes for the bare-bones budget list of things I think I'll need to get started:


  1. Griot's Garage 6" polisher (chosen because of the good reviews, price, and warranty)
  2. Lake Country CCS 6.5" pads: 1 orange, 1 white, 1 gray finishing (looks black to me). Why did I chose Lake Country CCS? No idea :) It's just what most people here mention, let me know if there's something comparable at a better price. Also, I know most recommend using 5.5" pads, but that means buying a 5" backing pad... something I might eventually do, but for now I figure its good enough to stay with 6" to keep costs down
  3. Polish: don't really know. Suggestions? I've seen many people recommend the "Wolfgang twins." They seem expensive to me, and I'd like to stick with something OTC (there are several well stocked auto paint and body stores around), but if Wolfgang's the way to go, so be it. Note: I already have a big bottle of Meguire's #81 that I'd love to be able to use in place of buying yet another polishing product.
I already have clay and Duragloss 101 that will be going on before and after polishing (clay before, DG 101 after obviosly).

Suggestions, thoughts, other ideas? I've seen some polish pad kits for ~$50 for 6 pads, which would seem to be a sensible upgrade to simply getting 3 for $36 ($12 each).

See below for a very amateur attempt to show the paint condition I'll be working on. It is an '08 Nissan Rogue, Venom Red that I've clayed once and put DG 101 on a couple times + DG Aquawax every 3-4 weeks (the car is NOT clean in this picture). I have seen many people say Nissan paint has a hard clear coat, but for what it's worth my car seems to scratch and chip very easily.

In this image you can see the swirl marks and some sort of defect in the paint (appears it might be below the clear) that has been on the car since I got it used 6 months ago. This is the only spot on the car with this sort of defect and it really isn't noticeable, so correcting it isn't a priority.

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The Griots will work the 6.5" pads just great so save the money on the 5" backing plate. I like the Lake Country Hydro-tech pads better Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads, water-based polish pads, foam buffing pads, hydro tech pads than the CCS, they don't absorb as much product and work very well. The correction in your photo looks very minimal so on a budget you might give an all in one a try like XMT 360 XMT 360 corrects, cleans, and seals auto paint! XMT 360 is more than a cleaner wax, its a swirl remover, polish, and paint sealant in one. or Optimum Optimum Poli Seal, paint sealant, optimum detailing products (available in the 3 pack kit below) with the HT Crimson or Tangerine pad. Then maybe a reasonable good carnauba to top it off like DP Max Wax. DP Max Wax- Made with pure carnauba wax and advanced polymers.. Don't forget this weekend there is a 20% off sale and that helps any budget.

I'm a fan of the WG polishes but they are spendy for sure. AG has a build it yourself kit of 3, 8 oz bottles of Optimum products that's a reasonable priced deal for some very good products Optimum Polishes 3 Pack, build you own kit, Optimum car polishes, compound, finishing polish great for a budget. Theres my 1/2 cent of advise.:buffing:
 
miceandice said:
  1. Lake Country CCS 6.5" pads: 1 orange, 1 white, 1 gray finishing (looks black to me). Why did I chose Lake Country CCS? No idea :) It's just what most people here mention, let me know if there's something comparable at a better price. Also, I know most recommend using 5.5" pads, but that means buying a 5" backing pad... something I might eventually do, but for now I figure its good enough to stay with 6" to keep costs down
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DA Polishers rotate smaller pads under pressure better than larger pads and thats why the trend has been towards 5.5" pads. The GG ROP can rotate 6.5" pads just fine but as the pads become wet with product ALL larger and thicker pads will see a fall off in pad rotation performance.

miceandice said:
[*]Polish: don't really know. Suggestions? I've seen many people recommend the "Wolfgang twins." They seem expensive to me, and I'd like to stick with something OTC (there are several well stocked auto paint and body stores around), but if Wolfgang's the way to go, so be it.
Click to expand...

The Wolfgang Twins are without a doubt the easiest products I've ever used with a DA Polisher and consistently produce show car results.

Over the counter you can get Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and SwirlX or you can order them from us with your polisher. I like to give my business to company's that give me good service, you decide. I've called on "counter people" as job in my life and most of them are just order takers, they can't tell you how to use the products let alone recommend the correct product for the task at hand.

miceandice said:
Note: I already have a big bottle of Meguiar's #81 that I'd love to be able to use in place of buying yet another polishing product.
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M81 is a non-abrasive pure polish, it will not remove any swirls at all. It's for making paint look clear and glossy before 30 days air-cure after being freshly painted or for creating gloss on any paint. It is also water soluble, so it offers no long lasting protection. It's a great product if you want an easier version of #7 Show Car Glaze to use on modern clear coat paints.


miceandice said:
Suggestions, thoughts, other ideas? I've seen some polish pad kits for ~$50 for 6 pads, which would seem to be a sensible upgrade to simply getting 3 for $36 ($12 each).
Click to expand...

When you science out which products you want to go with, call our Customer Care Hotline as these folks are very good at helping you get jut the right product for your detailing project.

1-800-869-3011


miceandice said:
100_2000.JPG
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Any forum member that figures out how to crop, resize and upload their photos into our gallery so they don't have to attach them as a thumbnail that has to be clicked on gets my respect.

:bowdown:
 
Buckskincolt said:
The Griots will work the 6.5" pads just great so save the money on the 5" backing plate. I like the Lake Country Hydro-tech pads better Lake Country Hydro-Tech 6.5 Inch Foam Pads, water-based polish pads, foam buffing pads, hydro tech pads than the CCS, they don't absorb as much product and work very well.
Click to expand...
Thanks for all the tips! With just this little bit about the water based vs CCS pads you've gone and blown my mind :props:. I take it all (or most) polishes sealants and waxes I will probably come across will be water based? Just want to make sure I don't get myself some pads that don't end up working with other products I get/have.



The correction in your photo looks very minimal so on a budget you might give an all in one a try like XMT 360 XMT 360 corrects, cleans, and seals auto paint! XMT 360 is more than a cleaner wax, its a swirl remover, polish, and paint sealant in one.
Click to expand...
You're probably right, but for future versatility I'd like to stick with single purpose products, i.e. a polish (and even a second finer finishing polish if needed) and then a sealant. And I'm comfortable with and really like the results I've gotten from duragloss sealants.

I like your suggestion on the Optimum 3 pack. I'm thinking 2 bottles of Polish II and one bottle of Finish Polish (Compound II seems a little bit more aggressive than anything I'd want to tackle just starting off)?
 
miceandice said:
Thanks for all the tips! With just this little bit about the water based vs CCS pads you've gone and blown my mind :props:. I take it all (or most) polishes sealants and waxes I will probably come across will be water based? Just want to make sure I don't get myself some pads that don't end up working with other products I get/have.
Click to expand...

With todays environmental laws most polishes are water based and most will be into the future IMO.



miceandice said:
You're probably right, but for future versatility I'd like to stick with single purpose products, i.e. a polish (and even a second finer finishing polish if needed) and then a sealant. And I'm comfortable with and really like the results I've gotten from duragloss sealants.
Click to expand...
I was just trying to keep on a tight budget, I think in the long run you will be better off your way for sure.Im the MAN

miceandice said:
I like your suggestion on the Optimum 3 pack. I'm thinking 2 bottles of Polish II and one bottle of Finish Polish (Compound II seems a little bit more aggressive than anything I'd want to tackle just starting off)?
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I would agree with that.

If you can find it in your budget I really like the WG polishes for their user friendly characteristic's. the 20% sale makes them better priced but you will get 20% off any products. Don't forget to check the BOGO list before you order...Some really great deals there usually. It will be changed with new items this afternoon.
 
I would say go ahead and get the 5in bp. It is only $16 and if you think about it you will be able to use 5.5 pads which work better AND they are cheaper so if you were ever going to get more pads then you have already payed for the backing plate in the pad savings.

As far as polishes go I like Megs and Menzerna (havent really used wolfgang yet)

I am finishing up my college career in december so I know what you mean in living on a tight budget but I really think spending a little more in the initial investment is going to save you money in the long run.

Jon
 
Mikes advice to me was to have plenty of pads. You said you want to get 3 pads, 1 of each, I don't think you will be able to do a whole car with only 1 pad, from what I understand they get saturated with product and you need to change to a new pad frequently. I bought 4 of each i wanted and I'm not sure that will be enough. I agree with Jon that that initial investment will save you money in the long run. You didn't mention microfibers, if you don't have any you will need plenty of these also.
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
Any forum member that figures out how to crop, resize and upload their photos into our gallery so they don't have to attach them as a thumbnail that has to be clicked on gets my respect. :bowdown:
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Thanks for the respect :-) It didn't seem too hard a task, and I found your "how-to" posts easy enough to follow.


DA Polishers rotate smaller pads under pressure better than larger pads and thats why the trend has been towards 5.5" pads. The GG ROP can rotate 6.5" pads just fine but as the pads become wet with product ALL larger and thicker pads will see a fall off in pad rotation performance.
Click to expand...
Point taken. It's good to know coming from you, especially, that it is an important factor. Can you suggest a decent 5" pad? How bout this THIS?
Over the counter you can get Meguiar's Ultimate Compound and SwirlX or you can order them from us with your polisher. I like to give my business to company's that give me good service, you decide. I've called on "counter people" as job in my life and most of them are just order takers, they can't tell you how to use the products let alone recommend the correct product for the task at hand.
Click to expand...
Completely agree... although in the case of my local stores the people are a little too helpful. For example I went to them for a DA machine, they didn't carry any, but said what I really wanted was a rotary because they are much more effective. Probably right and to each his own. But from reading here and elsewhere I know rotary is definitely NOT what I want (at least to start).

Mostly I like keeping product (polish, wax, etc) purchases OTC simply because its easy to run over to the store and get more... or try something different. But I really like Buckskincolt's suggestion of the Optimum Polish II and Final Polish 3 pack to start off with. Between that and the Meg's Compound/SwirlX, which do you guys think is the better way to go (regardless of OTC)? I'm going to forgo the Wolfgang on this purchase simply to keep costs down, and hope what I end up with works well enough (I know I've read a couple good reviews on the Optimum).[/QUOTE]
 
miceandice said:
How bout this THIS?
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That is a very good backing plate.


miceandice said:
Completely agree... although in the case of my local stores the people are a little too helpful. For example I went to them for a DA machine, they didn't carry any, but said what I really wanted was a rotary because they are much more effective. Probably right and to each his own. But from reading here and elsewhere I know rotary is definitely NOT what I want (at least to start).
Click to expand...

For the swirls you want to remove and for what you want to do over the long run a DA Polisher is a good match.

Technology is always changing, DA Polishers will never replace a rotary buffer but much of what had to be done with a rotary in the past can now be done with a DA polisher with the right pads, products and technique.


:buffing:
 
S2K said:
Mikes advice to me was to have plenty of pads. You said you want to get 3 pads, 1 of each, I don't think you will be able to do a whole car with only 1 pad, from what I understand they get saturated with product and you need to change to a new pad frequently. I bought 4 of each i wanted and I'm not sure that will be enough. I agree with Jon that that initial investment will save you money in the long run. You didn't mention microfibers, if you don't have any you will need plenty of these also.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I'm nearly convinced to just go the 5" backing plate route, save a little money since I'll be getting smaller pads...and maybe go with the Lake Country Flat 5.5" 6 pack so that I can get more pads (although I lose the better performance of the hydro-tech). I'm thinking 2 orange, 2 white, a black and a blue.

I think I'll just try the Optimum Polish II and Finish II since I can get it in the 3 pack deal. Too bad there aren't as many attractive Griot's kits as there are PC kits.
 
S2K said:
You didn't mention microfibers, if you don't have any you will need plenty of these also.
Click to expand...

I do have microfibers and can get some more locally at a quality and price I'm happy with.
 
Mike can use the Dual Action 5 Inch HD Backing Plate on the Griot 6" polisher?

Thanks
 
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3Guy said:
Mike can use this backing plate on the Griot's 6 inch polisher?

Thanks
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Any backing plate for a PCXP will fit the new Griots. this one does fit I have it. [URL="http://www.autogeek.net/damvp5.html"]http://www.autogeek.net/damvp5.html.

miceandice said:
Thanks for the advice. I'm nearly convinced to just go the 5" backing plate route, save a little money since I'll be getting smaller pads...and maybe go with the Lake Country Flat 5.5" 6 pack so that I can get more pads (although I lose the better performance of the hydro-tech). I'm thinking 2 orange, 2 white, a black and a blue.

I think I'll just try the Optimum Polish II and Finish II since I can get it in the 3 pack deal. Too bad there aren't as many attractive Griot's kits as there are PC kits.
Click to expand...

I've never used the LC flat pads but they are very attractive priced. I would expect them to work very well. I'd go 3 Orange, 2 White and a black.... I have the black and blue pads but never use them. Sometimes I'll use a black to apply XMT 360 but thats about it.
Asphalt Rocket will love me for suggesting these:dblthumb2:.....You also might take a look at the Mequiars 105/205 combo. Lots of people like them the best of all polishes and you can get lots of help for their use here because of their popularity. here is a package deal thats an awesome buy with 32 oz bottles of each and you get 2Orangee CCs pads and a couple micro fibers too.
Meguiars Swirl-Free Kit for Machine Application, Meguiars Swirl Remover Kit, Meguiars Machine Polishing Kit add more pads and you are set. Or you could pickup the 8 oz bottles for $7.99 each Meguiars Mirror Glaze #105 Ultra-Cut Compound, polishing compound, ultra cut compound, paint compound, car polish and Meguiars Mirror Glaze #205 Ultra Finishing Polish, final polish, car polish, M205, Meguires Don't forget if you order this weekend you get 20% off everything but the Griots RO. I know when you master the 105/205 combo you can get awesome results and can correct from mild to wild. I'd opt for the 32 oz kit and add more pads to it and you will be set for a while! :buffing:
 
I recommend you get everything from AG and use the AGO code for free shipping. I would try the Opttimum Spray Polish.
 
S2K said:
The 20% off is only good for 1 more hour.
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I called them today and they told me News letter forum members will get the 20% off through Sunday the 15th at midnight Eastern time!:dblthumb2: The AGO Code might save you more, try them both and see which total is lower.
 
Buckskincolt said:
I called them today and they told me News letter forum members will get the 20% off through Sunday the 15th at midnight Eastern time!:dblthumb2: The AGO Code might save you more, try them both and see which total is lower.
Click to expand...

Oh, I saw a banner on the store site counting down less than an hour now, maybe that is for non forum members.
 
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