Griots 3" ..Not satisfied

Dougw4355

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I recently bought the new Griots 3 Inch Orbital to use.
My first attempt was to do some head light correction on a customers car.
I was using a 3 Inch foam pad with some megs correction compound and the Griots would stop rotating at the slightest amount of pressure and I could not get much correction using this small buffer. It seemed more like a toy than anything meant to polish.
If I had know this i would of saved the $100 and bought other things
 
Thats why many of us here just use a spare PC/GG/Megs DA with a small backing plate and pad for correction in tight areas. The 3" Griots just isn't going to have the power the three machines I mentioned above have.

List it in the samples thread and I'm sure you'll be able to get rid of it quickly.
 
put it on speed 6.
I got mine for free and I'm glad I didn't pay for it.
But you can use it, you just have to find it's spot in your arsenal.
I use mine for the final polish on headlights. and for tight spots for wax that don't need alot of pressure.
 
Thats why many of us here just use a spare PC/GG/Megs DA with a small backing plate and pad for correction in tight areas. The 3" Griots just isn't going to have the power the three machines I mentioned above have.

List it in the samples thread and I'm sure you'll be able to get rid of it quickly.

I agree with Timmy. I use the LC 3.5 BP an the Meg's 4" polishing pads with my G110 and I like it.
 
Well if you don't want it.. ill buy it off yah :P
Would love to give it a try with a couple different pad setups to see if it'll hold its own
 
I will give it another shot on speed 6....I really want it too work since it gets into tighter spots and perfect size for headlights

UPDATE: I take back all the nasties i said about this Griots 3 Inch
I took the forum advice about speed 6 and worked great on headlights..
Pretty much speed 1-5 is good for a personal vibrator,,Speed 6 actually buffs :)
 
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keep it,headlights & get a carpet brush and use it on interior carpets and such
 
keep it,headlights & get a carpet brush and use it on interior carpets and such


I have the chem guys 6 inch carpet brushes for DA's but where have you seen a 3 inch brush hook and loop?
 
just take the backing plate of and get a brush that already has the treads on them-ag sells them,use them all the time
 
Re: Griot's 3" ..Not satisfied

I can pull sanding marks out with a 3" Griot's as shown in the link already posted, this one...

Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher - Extreme Demo - Warning!

It's all about using expert technique...


One section of the test hood was thoroughly wet-sanded using Nikken #2000 Finishing Papers
pushingtheEnvelope003.jpg




I mostly use the 3" Griot's for machine wetsanding paint, headlights and machine applying waxes as show in these two recent projects...

1987 Monte Carlo Extreme Makeover with Rupes and Blackfire BlackICE

1987_Monte_Carlo_092.jpg



North Miami Beach Police Mobil Command Unit - Show Car Makeover

Police_Command_Van_059.jpg



Trying to use one to do a lot of swirl removal on a neglected car won't work for most people but it can be done.

Thin pads work best, take a look at the LC 3.5" MF pads or the Meguiar's 3" pads...

1954 Ford F-100 - Extreme Makeover - Process and products used


54Ford86.jpg


54Ford87.jpg




:)
 
+1 Mike.

I am very satisfied with mine. I'm surprised at all the upset users with theirs. I think the machine has plenty of power for its size.
 
I believe Griot's will take it back and refund your money if you aren't satisfied.
 
+1 Mike.

I am very satisfied with mine. I'm surprised at all the upset users with theirs. I think the machine has plenty of power for its size.

+2 I've been telling people that all the time and so has Mike.
 
It's not as powerful of a swirl remover as a full size dual action polisher but it can work. You do need to use perfect technique and all I mean when I say/type "perfect technique" is

Hold the pad flat to the surface, not at an angle.
Mark your backing plate so you can tell if the pad is rotating or not, if it's not, then see point #1
Press down with firm pressure but not so much that the pad stops rotating


I LOVE this tool for a sander. I show it in all my classes on wetsanding and use it personally when I sand down a car. It's compact size and small footprint makes it very easy to guide and control so you can sand close to an edge or raised body line. You can also sand thin panels. You can't machine sand thin panels with 5" and 6" discs.

As a matter of fact, everyone attending my next Detailing Boot Camp Class will have the chance to use the 3" Griot's Garage Mini Polisher as a machine sander on a very special project. I'll be sure to share pictures of this tool in action after the class. I think there are one or two more seats available for this class, you can find out by call customer care.

1-800-869-3011

For those attending the May 4th and 5th Detailing Boot Camp Class, here's the car you're going to get to learn how to wetsand on...

Jim's 1971 Plymouth Fury New Your Police Department Police Car

1971_Plymouth_Fury_Patrol_Car_001.jpg


1971_Plymouth_Fury_Patrol_Car_002.jpg


1971_Plymouth_Fury_Patrol_Car_003.jpg


1971_Plymouth_Fury_Patrol_Car_004.jpg


1971_Plymouth_Fury_Patrol_Car_005.jpg


1971_Plymouth_Fury_Patrol_Car_006.jpg





:)
 
I have one too. It works okay for very light correction in tight spots. It also applies wax and sealants very well with the GG 3" red pad. It seems to work a lot better with my 4" Cyclo pads? Go figure......
 
I was a lot happier with mine once I started using MF pads with it, as Mike Phillips suggested.
 
The Griot's 3" polisher isn't designed to keep up with the more powerful full sized models....in my opinion of course. Thinner pads seem to work best as they transfer more of the machines power to the finish than thicker pads.

I remember buying some 6" pads years ago for use with my Porter Cable 7424 polisher. These pads had to be a solid 2" thick and this machine struggled with them.

Over the years foam polishing pads have gotten thinner. To day I use 5 1/2" diameter low profile pads on my Porter Cable 7424 and the difference is like night and day. I have no issue what so ever keeping them spinning under pressure.

Technique is another variable. Keeping the pad flat combined with the correct speed and pressure and this little polisher seems to perform as designed..
 
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