Help me convince myself to buy a DA

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lee1dew

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I feel like it's time to invest in a DA polisher, but I need a bit of a push. I'll never have the time to do a full correction, but I recently had my car professionally detailed with a two-step polish and liked the improvement. I figure a quick polish with a one-step (I have a bottle of Poliseal) should be enough to keep my daily drivers in decent shape. I would also most likely pick up a Meguiar's MF setup with the appropriate polish for special occasions and some red foam pads for the waxes I already have.

That said, I won't really be polishing and waxing my cars very often. What else can a DA be used for, both on cars and around the house?

Since I have no experience with DA polishers and the PC, Groit's, and Meguiar's are close enough in price, which would you recommend?

Any other advice for a DA newbie would be appreciated.

Thanks!
 
Just do it! They actually make caring for your cars exterior fun and not a choir. Plus it is way more easier than by hand!
 
lee1dew said:
I feel like it's time to invest in a DA polisher, but I need a bit of a push. I'll never have the time to do a full correction, but I recently had my car professionally detailed with a two-step polish and liked the improvement. I figure a quick polish with a one-step (I have a bottle of Poliseal) should be enough to keep my daily drivers in decent shape. I would also most likely pick up a Meguiar's MF setup with the appropriate polish for special occasions and some red foam pads for the waxes I already have.

That said, I won't really be polishing and waxing my cars very often. What else can a DA be used for, both on cars and around the house?

Since I have no experience with DA polishers and the PC, Groit's, and Meguiar's are close enough in price, which would you recommend?

Any other advice for a DA newbie would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Well, let me start by saying that when you make the transition to machine polishing you will never go back to hand polishing. Machines save a ton of time and make things very much easier.

All of the d/a polishers autogeek sells are wonderful. I would personally recommend the griots. The most powerful and lifetime warranty. I think those two benefits speak for themselves. I am pretty sure the griots is also the least expensive at only $130.

There's not really much more to be said. I hope that helps.
 
I got my GG in April and my entire family wants me to do their cars now that they have seen mine.
 
Go out and do a 95% correction by hand and then you will buy a DA. I tried to correct the swirls on my hood by hand. I gave up after 10 minutes with very minimal improvement. I'm ready to buy a DA.
 
Definitely step up to a DA. It will most definitely save you time. You might even be able to do that full correction with the time savings :xyxthumbs:
 
Mike is right no one regrets that move up!
 
I bought a PCXP from AG last month and the on/off switch broke the second time I used it so I would recommend anything other than Porter Cable
 
maxniman said:
I bought a PCXP from AG last month and the on/off switch broke the second time I used it so I would recommend anything other than Porter Cable
Click to expand...

Wow, I wonder if that's a freak accident or PC's quality is going downhill? I'm still using the original PC 7424, non-xp, that's about 9 years old or so and it's never had a problem like that.
 
Do any of you use your polishers for anything other than exterior maintenance? I read someone mention the interior in another thread, but I don't see how it could be used there other than maybe wood trim.

If I bought:

* Groit's polisher
* Meguiar's MF cutting discs and compound
* A couple of red foam pads (which ones, CCS, Hydrotech, etc.?) for applying waxes and sealants (I have 845IW, Power Lock, KSG, and Poliseal)

would I need anything else? I already have an air compressor for cleaning the pads, MF towels, and the usual stuff.
 
embolism said:
I got my GG in April and my entire family wants me to do their cars now that they have seen mine.
Click to expand...

Hmmm.... that's either a good thing or a bad thing... :laughing:


maxniman said:
I bought a PCXP from AG last month and the on/off switch broke the second time I used it so I would recommend anything other than Porter Cable
Click to expand...

I've been using the PC ever since I was introduced to it in the early 1990's and never had an on/off switch break on me. I've worn them out and broken a spindle before but that's always after getting more than my fair use and abuse out of the tool.

I would have to say your experience is the exception... not the rule.

I bought a MSD Distributor once and after only a few months something in the wiring or other components broke. I've never ever had any other distributor break on me and I've had a few. I bought a replacement, the same model and so far it's never missed a beat. My guess is the one that broke on me is an exception, not the rule. I will continue to buy MSD products.


lee1dew said:
Do any of you use your polishers for anything other than exterior maintenance? I read someone mention the interior in another thread, but I don't see how it could be used there other than maybe wood trim.
Click to expand...

I've used them to polish mineral spots off glass house windows, boats, motorhomes, motorcycles, etc.



lee1dew said:
If I bought:

* Griot's polisher
* Meguiar's MF cutting discs and compound
* A couple of red foam pads (which ones, CCS, Hydrotech, etc.?) for applying waxes and sealants (I have 845IW, Power Lock, KSG, and Poliseal)

would I need anything else? I already have an air compressor for cleaning the pads, MF towels, and the usual stuff.
Click to expand...

If you only have the GG Backing Plate you'll have to stick with the larger MF discs and pads.

I would personally also want a 5" Backing Plate and some 5.5" foam pads minimum. Light orange cutting pads and white polishing pads are just so handy with these tools.


:)
 
lee1dew said:
Do any of you use your polishers for anything other than exterior maintenance? I read someone mention the interior in another thread, but I don't see how it could be used there other than maybe wood trim.

If I bought:

* Groit's polisher
* Meguiar's MF cutting discs and compound
* A couple of red foam pads (which ones, CCS, Hydrotech, etc.?) for applying waxes and sealants (I have 845IW, Power Lock, KSG, and Poliseal)

would I need anything else? I already have an air compressor for cleaning the pads, MF towels, and the usual stuff.
Click to expand...

The GG polisher is a great choice, but don't limit yourself on pads and polishes.

I personally don't like the MF cutting discs (surbuf) because I can't get the hang of working with light pressure. I much prefer the lc hydrotechs for my polishing needs.

Also, 1 compound could be good for what you want to work on, but some cars respond differently to different approaches. You may want to try an assortment Megs, Menzerna, Poorboys, Wolfgang, 4 star etc to figure out which ones best suite you.

Some will have a longer working time but less cut, some more cut less working time, some dust some don't and I could go on for 2 pages on the differences.

You really can't go wrong with experimenting until you find something you really like. Start with a GG polisher and try multiple combinations, speeds, arm speeds, working areas, passes until you figure it out.
 
As for other things you can do with the DA -
Carpet brushes are available to deep clean your carpets.
Applying waxes and sealants with the DA is a dream; perfect thin coverage. It will seriously cut down the time it takes to wax the car.
 
Do it! Had my PC for about a year and it works great. This will now be an expensive wax spreader,though, since I couldn't resist a new Flex DA for 25% off. The time and effort saved on waxing alone makes these machines worth the price of admission.
 
No doubt that a DA is the way to go..but there is alot that can be done with these machines (ie..polishing, applying a sealant, waxing..etc) and they not only save time/elbow grease but they are efficient and do a great job of applying products more evenly. My choice is a Griots for the work you will be doing..but nothing works better in the DA category than a flex 3401.
 
Five words....Meguiars Dual-action Microfiber system....nuff said.
 
lee1dew said:
I feel like it's time to invest in a DA polisher, but I need a bit of a push. I'll never have the time to do a full correction, but I recently had my car professionally detailed with a two-step polish and liked the improvement. I figure a quick polish with a one-step (I have a bottle of Poliseal) should be enough to keep my daily drivers in decent shape. I would also most likely pick up a Meguiar's MF setup with the appropriate polish for special occasions and some red foam pads for the waxes I already have.

That said, I won't really be polishing and waxing my cars very often. What else can a DA be used for, both on cars and around the house?

Since I have no experience with DA polishers and the PC, Groit's, and Meguiar's are close enough in price, which would you recommend?

Any other advice for a DA newbie would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Griots has a Customer for Life Policy and morre power. I had a painless replacement. I know Megs had quality issues but I think they have been resolved. Griots is a No Brainer for the hobbyistt IMO!
 
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