Just tried 6.5" pads with the Griot's Garage DA...

[WRAPT C5Z06]

It's always been pushed to use 5.5" pads with a traditional DA, which I do agree with, BUT, the power of the Griot's DA spins 6.5" x 1 1/4" pads with zero problems. I used speed 6 and even with heavy pressure, the pad did not stop rotating. I'm not sure the PCXP or G110v2 could handle 6.5" pads as well as the Griot's. :dblthumb2:

 

[05xrunner]

i am guessing you also used the 6" backing plate that came with the GG

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

i am guessing you also used the 6" backing plate that came with the GG

Yep.

 

[Marc08EX]

How about speed 5? Meguiar's have cautioned users about speed 6 in their G100, G110 and G110v2. I'd also feel the same way with the GG6 especially with the higher power of this tool. I don't want my BPs to overheat causing the velcro backing of my foam pads to melt.

 

[SRTSean]

I just actually stepped down from a 6.5" pad to a 5.5" pad. On my G110v2 the 6.5" pads rotate under pressure VERY well and it handles them just fine. That fact made me a little leery of the smaller 5.5" pad because I figure why go smaller if the larger size does fine?

I gave the 5.5" low-profile flat pads a try last weekend and my G110v2 had the famous power cord issue after about 20 minutes, so no direct comparison there. I did think that the 5.5" pads wanted to jump all over the place though and felt like the 6.5" pads were MUCH easier to control. After the G110v2 went bad I pulled out my old-school PC to finish the job and it was able to rotate the 5.5" pads under heavy pressure just fine, but only if the speed was cranked all the way up to 6. Anything less than that and the old unit was just too underpowered to apply pressure and still get pad rotation. 6.5" pads on the old PC don't work at all.

I'll need to try the 5.5" pads a little more when I get my replaced G110v2 to verify my initial impression, but if it holds up from my brief experience with them I probably will go back to the 6.5" pad size. The 5.5" size just felt too "manic" for me to be comfortable using them.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

How about speed 5? Meguiar's have cautioned users about speed 6 in their G100, G110 and G110v2. I'd also feel the same way with the GG6 especially with the higher power of this tool. I don't want my BPs to overheat causing the velcro backing of my foam pads to melt.

Just tried speed 5, and even with heavy pressure, the pad still rotated. Not quite as quickly as speed 6, but still very effective. Remember, this was with a 6.5" x 1 1/4"(thick) compounding pad, that's pretty impressive. A 5.5" pad on speed 5 will knock it out of the park with the GG, but a 6.5" pad still works very well. :dblthumb2:

 

[Marc08EX]

Just tried speed 5, and even with heavy pressure, the pad still rotated. Not quite as quickly as speed 6, but still very effective. Remember, this was with a 6.5" x 1 1/4"(thick) compounding pad, that's pretty impressive. A 5.5" pad on speed 5 will knock it out of the park with the GG, but a 6.5" pad still works very well. :dblthumb2:

Thanks Mark!!!

Have you tried using speed 6 throughout your detail session? Doesn't this heat up the backing plate like crazy? How are your foam pad's velcro?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

About a month ago I tested all 3 of the DA Polishers we currently carry using 6.5" pads on a flat hood and as long as you use good technique, that is hold the pad flat to the surface, they will all rotate a 6.5" pad.​

Heck Meguiar's did their testing with 7" pads and launched a new pad line for use with their DA Polisher and my experience with the company is that Meguiar's doesn't launch a product till they have all their ducks in a row. Sometime mistakes are made but they are very good at doing their field testing before launching any product. The 7" Softbuff pad is a dual purpose pad as it was also designed to be used with rotary buffers, so a compromise was made on size and thickness to try to provide a pad that caters to different markets.

Pad Saturation
That said, as a foam pad becomes wet or saturated with product, the combination of foam and liquid will act to absorb and dissipate the power coming out of any of the 3 DA Polishers but the Griot's will do better at maintaining pad rotation if all factors are kept the same.

Thin is in and smaller diameter pads
5.5" pads, and specifically thin 5.5" pads work better to take advantage of the tools unique drive mechanism but thousands if not hundreds of thousands of cars have been buffed since the PC was introduced from the wood sanding world to the paint polishing world since sometime in the early 1990's.


About a year and a half ago I posted that the Griot's DA Polisher kind of works like a safe version of a rotary buffer in that if it's able to maintain the rotating action to a pad under pressure... well that's basically what a rotary buffer is doing. To a lesser degree that could be said of any DA Polisher but there is a power difference between the 3 popular DA Polishers.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Thanks Mark!!!

Have you tried using speed 6 throughout your detail session? Doesn't this heat up the backing plate like crazy? How are your foam pad's velcro?

I only tried it at speed 6 for a short time. I can't comment on a full detailing session. :dblthumb2:

About a month ago I tested all 3 of the DA Polishers we currently carry using 6.5" pads on a flat hood and as long as you use good technique, that is hold the pad flat to the surface, they will all rotate a 6.5" pad.​

Heck Meguiar's did their testing with 7" pads and launched a new pad line for use with their DA Polisher and my experience with the company is that Meguiar's doesn't launch a product till they have all their ducks in a row. Sometime mistakes are made but they are very good at doing their field testing before launching any product. The 7" Softbuff pad is a dual purpose pad as it was also designed to be used with rotary buffers, so a compromise was made on size and thickness to try to provide a pad that caters to different markets.

Pad Saturation
That said, as a foam pad becomes wet or saturated with product, the combination of foam and liquid will act to absorb and dissipate the power coming out of any of the 3 DA Polishers but the Griot's will do better at maintaining pad rotation if all factors are kept the same.

Thin is in and smaller diameter pads
5.5" pads, and specifically thin 5.5" pads work better to take advantage of the tools unique drive mechanism but thousands if not hundreds of thousands of cars have been buffed since the PC was introduced from the wood sanding world to the paint polishing world since sometime in the early 1990's.


About a year and a half ago I posted that the Griot's DA Polisher kind of works like a safe version of a rotary buffer in that if it's able to maintain the rotating action to a pad under pressure... well that's basically what a rotary buffer is doing. To a lesser degree that could be said of any DA Polisher but there is a power difference between the 3 popular DA Polishers.

Thanks for the good information, Mike. rops:

Notice, I said I don't think the other two could handle 6.5"+ pads *as well* as the GG DA, not that they couldn't handle them at all.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Thanks for the good information, Mike. rops:

I actually sanded the hood down and then used the 6.5" pads to remove sanding marks and took iPhone videos of each pad at work but some other high priority projects took precedence.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Notice, I said I don't think the other two could handle 6.5"+ pads *as well* as the GG DA, not that they couldn't handle them at all.

Mark, do you have a way to create and post a video? If so, I'd like to see you replicate this test I did with my G110v2 using your GG6:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QArfjNvSN2E]‪Meguiar's G110v2 Rotation Test‬‏ - YouTube[/video]

I'm sure you probably weigh a fair bit more than I do, but it would still be interesting to see how the polisher reacts under as much weight as you can put on it.

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

Mark, do you have a way to create and post a video? If so, I'd like to see you replicate this test I did with my G110v2 using your GG6:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QArfjNvSN2E]‪Meguiar's G110v2 Rotation Test‬‏ - YouTube[/video]

I'm sure you probably weigh a fair bit more than I do, but it would still be interesting to see how the polisher reacts under as much weight as you can put on it.

Charlie, I can try to post a similar video. What speed were you using and how much do you weigh?

 

[Rsurfer]

About a year and a half ago I posted that the Griot's DA Polisher kind of works like a safe version of a rotary buffer in that if it's able to maintain the rotating action to a pad under pressure... well that's basically what a rotary buffer is doing. To a lesser degree that could be said of any DA Polisher but there is a power difference between the 3 popular DA Polishers.

If all 3 DA's are on a free spindle, unlike the Flex Da which is forced rotation..what makes the GG more powerful than the PC?Feed back please Is it strickly amps?

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Charlie, I can try to post a similar video. What speed were you using and how much do you weigh?

I was at somewhere between speed 4-4.5 in that clip. I weigh 145# (no joke -- like I said I'm sure you weigh more than I do!) but I'm guessing I probably had ~100# of downward force on the buffer.

Thanks!

 

[Hoytman]

Mark, do you have a way to create and post a video? If so, I'd like to see you replicate this test I did with my G110v2 using your GG6:


I'm sure you probably weigh a fair bit more than I do, but it would still be interesting to see how the polisher reacts under as much weight as you can put on it.

This is the comparison I've been looking for. A comparison between 6-7 inch pads would be nice. Of course, it would be nice to see someone who has both of the DA's as they could better gauge the use of equal pressure on both.

I would think that if the Meguire's could keep up with the GG6, being less amps, and less wattage, it would tell us something about the cruise control feature on the Meguire's. It would also use less energy to run the machine.

I like the lifetime warranty on the GG6. I also like the wider "D" grip on the Meguire's, being able to easily change the brushes, and I also like the looks of the Meguire's better. Gosh I love choice's.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

If all 3 DA's are on a free spindle, unlike the Flex Da which is forced rotation..what makes the GG more powerful than the PC? Is it strickly amps?

That's a great question, maybe one of our forum members with expertise in watts, amps, volts, etc. might have some insight?

Besides the electrical power variables, there's also the design of the Free Floating Spindle Bearing Assembly, plus the design and even size of any other moving parts that contribute to the drive action of these types of tools.

One thing for sure, companies pay attention to trends and popular topics on discussion forums, so one question I've asked previously I'll ask again...

Will Porter Cable or Meguiar's make any changes to their tools moving into the future?

 

[WRAPT C5Z06]

This is the comparison I've been looking for. A comparison between 6-7 inch pads would be nice. Of course, it would be nice to see someone who has both of the DA's as they could better gauge the use of equal pressure on both.

I would think that if the Meguire's could keep up with the GG6, being less amps, and less wattage, it would tell us something about the cruise control feature on the Meguire's.

I think that's a very good point. I'm impressed by the G110v2 video that Charlie posted. The amount of pressure he put, and only on speed 4, that speaks volumes for the cruise control feature, IMO.

 

[Hoytman]

One thing for sure, companies pay attention to trends and popular topics on discussion forums, so one question I've asked previously I'll ask again...

Will Porter Cable or Meguiar's make any changes to their tools moving into the future?

This is a great question. I've only frequented this forum for a few months now. Mostly as a lurker, having joined in the last few weeks. This is also the only forum I visit.

I've noticed a trend here in the little time I've been here. Obviously, there are many PCxp fans, since it's touted as the industry standard. There's also a big following of the GG6 because of (at least from what I've observed lately) more power.

I've read numerous reports of the PCxp lacking power. I would tend to believe Porter Cable is paying attentio, as Mike has suggested. I've also read reports of switches going out with Porter Cable. Keep in mind, I've only been here a short time. Meaning, I may have simply read a few posts to get this mind set of PC having problems. That's as fair as I can be. The swith issue is a concern. Why? Working in a machine shop where Bosch, and Makita hand grinders are used, I've seen numerous issues with failing switches. Still, both Bosch and Makita make quality tools.

The only bad thing I've heard about the new G110v2 is a bad power cord, and it's reportedly been addressed with production of newer polishers. This cruise control, or doing more with less, really draws my attention...even from the GG6 which I've read zero negative comments in my short time here. There again, lifetime warranty means alot to folks. One thing I'll say about lifetime warranty. If the tool brakes constantly, it's really no good because I'll eventually look for another brand tool. If it never breaks, I really don't need it then either.

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

I think that's a very good point. I'm impressed by the G110v2 video that Charlie posted. The amount of pressure he put, and only on speed 4, that speaks volumes for the cruise control feature, IMO.

And to be honest, the cruise control feature was the main selling point that attracted me to the G110v2 over the others, in spite of the lack of lifetime warranty and lower electrical ratings.

Under normal usage (nowhere near that much pressure) I have yet to completely stall it out.

The only bad thing I've heard about the new G110v2 is a bad power cord, and it's reportedly been addressed with production of newer polishers. This cruise control, or doing more with less, really draws my attention...even from the GG6 which I've read zero negative comments in my short time here. There again, lifetime warranty means alot to folks. One thing I'll say about lifetime warranty. If the tool brakes constantly, it's really no good because I'll eventually look for another brand tool. If it never breaks, I really don't need it then either.

There have been a few random reports of spotty build quality with the GG6, but I'm not aware that it is a widespread issue.

 

[embolism]

Hoytman, another thing to consider is how much use the buffer will get. A one or two year warranty to someone who doesn't use their buffer that often (like hobbyists who only do their own cars) doesn't mean all that much.

The extra power and lifetime warranty are what sold me on the GG6. I've read a few posts of production shops that have gone through a few of them, but that's not really my situation so it didn't sway my decision at all.