DA Polisher

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Hi everyone. I have to say thank you all. AG is awesome. Some people facebook....I Autogeek.

Quick bio:

Father of 4 boys. 2 recently started driving. We have 4 cars now....2 beaters, my rig is an 06 and then my wife has a 16. Her car is the reason I found you all. I wanted to know how to care for it. Apparently I've been doing it wrong (really wrong!!) my whole life.

Personal detailing is going to be my new hobby. Im going to teach all my boys too. We are going to start on their cars and move to mine then my wife's.

Sorry for my tired question but I have to ask personally even though I've done hours and hours of reading. Youtube videos too. I even listen to them with headphones when I can't actually watch the videos. I'm an Autogeek.

I've never touched a polisher in my life.

What would be a smart buy for a polisher?

First, I want a polisher that will be safe for my paint.

Second, I dont want one that I will want to replace after I get more experience.

Thanks everyone!!
 
You can't go wrong in my opinion with a Griot's Garage 6 in. orbital. It has a lifetime warranty, and a decent price. You can spend more and get a Cadillac polisher Rupes.

Either one should work well.

Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
 
Welcome aboard! Yes it sounds like you're definitely interested and it's a fun and rewarding hobby for sure.

As far as a polisher, they'll probably recommend the Griots Garage 6" polisher [with a 5" backing plate & pads] as the safest all around polisher that can get the job done for someone in your situation.
 
The Griots Garage is the way to go for the hobbyist. Safe, plenty of power and a lifetime warranty. Equip it with a 5" backing plate for 5.5" pads and Griots 3" HD backing plate for 3 " pads (for tight spaces) and you're good to go. Make sure you get plenty of pads. Here's and article by Mike Phillips regarding the number of pads you need-- http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-how-many-pads-do-i-need-buff-out-my-car.html
 
Wow thanks for that link...dont think I would have used that many pads but I will now.

Any more thoughts about the Rupe and being safe?

I do want the nicest/best one I can get that will be safe. I will be working on 2 cars that won't matter if I make some mistakes before I move on to cars I actually care about
 
I started out with a Griots Garage and did 3 cars with it. sheez would it leave my hands numb. upgraded to a Rupes 21 and its so much smoother. they go for around 300 to 320 and get the job done faster and better.
Go for the Rupes and detail a couple of friends, family or neighbors cars. youll make your money back plus a great machine.

Sent from my SM-G920T using Tapatalk
 
the Griot's like mentioned above is the most solid, best priced, amazingly warrantied polisher u can get....and from what I hear Griot's customer service is above and beyond when it comes to actually having to use ur warranty....plus u can switch backing plates on the gg6 and tackle pretty much anything that comes ur way.

as for the rupes, I went down that road too and I got a 15 mk2 to go with my gg6....I found myself reaching for the gg6 waay more and as a result ended up just selling the rupes.
 
Griot Garage 6" with 5" Backing Plates is the way to go....IMO GET Mike Phillips book on how to do a show car finish....that will be your bible. An honorable mention for a DA would be the PC7424XP, however, I am on the minority on that. You can't go wrong with the GG6.

PS: Welcome to AGO
 
So many good choices it makes my head spin when it comes to polishers and products

One thing I do know is I'm all in. I will be supporting Autogeek all the way. I already bought $500 gift card. I should have bought 2. Not sure how far that will get me when I'm buying everything from bucket to a mitt and on up.
 
You mentioned safe, so I think it's important for you to know that free-spinning dual-action polishers (like the Porter Cable 7424XP, Griot's Garage 6" and RUPES models) are the absolute safest machine polishers. Rotary polishers are certainly more risky to use in the hands of a beginner as they can easily burn through the vehicle's paint. Not sure where a forced rotation dual-action (FLEX 3401) fits into that spectrum, perhaps someone can speak to that.

I have a Porter Cable 7424XP. It's extremely popular, reliable and proven over the last 20 years. However, it is less powerful than the Griot's Garage 6" (GG6) being recommended above. I was closely considering the GG6, but ended up getting a fantastic deal on the 7424XP so I bought that instead.

But if you can budget one of the RUPES machines, I would suggest that. They are quite nice. They operate very smoothly, I like the ergonomics of their longer body, and their larger orbit means that you can cover more vehicle area in a shorter amount of time. I suppose their downsides are the cost, and the larger orbits do not lend itself well to smaller areas as the 7424XP or GG6 would.

It sounds like you're on the right track reading articles and watching videos. I did the same thing when I was starting, and continue to do so. People have spent there entire lives perfecting the art of auto detailing, so it's unreasonable to expect to learn everything and become a pro in any short amount of time. The best thing for us beginners to do, is build a solid foundation, practice and continue learning.

I highly recommend anything from Mike Phillips, he's been doing this for decades, so if there's anyone who I would recommend as a mentor, it's him. I think we all owe Mike a great deal of thanks for the effort he puts into his articles and videos, and even for the fact that he's willing to share a lifetime's worth of experience with us.

Here's a library of his articles, and you'll find even more throughout the forum:
https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...722-car-detailing-articles-mike-phillips.html

I also recommend this series of 3 videos on DA Polishing by Mike:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUHRnHsSXZU

And here's an updated version of the videos above:
https://youtu.be/ulWXODgg8V4
 
Its a fool proof decision because you can't go wrong with any of the above mentioned machines.
 
Porter Cable 7424xp all day long.

I can usually find them on Craigslist locally for $50-60.

When paired with the Meguiar's DA Microfiber Correction System, there isn't much it's can't do. One of the parameters of the system is 4800 max opm, and even the 1st gen tool can do that not problem, all day long.

I know the gg6 is really popular, but with the reputation, durability, and functionality of the PC, there is no way I'd spend money on a gg6 or an MT300.

Another thing is that I like to use 3" pads on my PC. The spindle housing on the PC is much smaller, and allows for better viewing of the 3" pad in action, where the gg6 and mt300 have much larger housings.

Get what you want, and best of luck to you!
 
derass said:
You mentioned safe, so I think it's important for you to know that free-spinning dual-action polishers (like the Porter Cable 7424XP, Griot's Garage 6" and RUPES models) are the absolute safest machine polishers. Rotary polishers are certainly more risky to use in the hands of a beginner as they can easily burn through the vehicle's paint. Not sure where a forced rotation dual-action (FLEX 3401) fits into that spectrum, perhaps someone can speak to that.

I have a Porter Cable 7424XP. It's extremely popular, reliable and proven over the last 20 years. However, it is less powerful than the Griot's Garage 6" (GG6) being recommended above. I was closely considering the GG6, but ended up getting a fantastic deal on the 7424XP so I bought that instead.

But if you can budget one of the RUPES machines, I would suggest that. They are quite nice. They operate very smoothly, I like the ergonomics of their longer body, and their larger orbit means that you can cover more vehicle area in a shorter amount of time. I suppose their downsides are the cost, and the larger orbits do not lend itself well to smaller areas as the 7424XP or GG6 would.

It sounds like you're on the right track reading articles and watching videos. I did the same thing when I was starting, and continue to do so. People have spent there entire lives perfecting the art of auto detailing, so it's unreasonable to expect to learn everything and become a pro in any short amount of time. The best thing for us beginners to do, is build a solid foundation, practice and continue learning.

I highly recommend anything from Mike Phillips, he's been doing this for decades, so if there's anyone who I would recommend as a mentor, it's him. I think we all owe Mike a great deal of thanks for the effort he puts into his articles and videos, and even for the fact that he's willing to share a lifetime's worth of experience with us.

Here's a library of his articles, and you'll find even more throughout the forum:
https://www.autogeekonline.net/foru...722-car-detailing-articles-mike-phillips.html

I also recommend this series of 3 videos on DA Polishing by Mike:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUHRnHsSXZU

And here's an updated version of the videos above:
https://youtu.be/ulWXODgg8V4
Click to expand...


I've put a fair chunk of change in my pocket, paid bills, and put food on the table with the PC 7424xp over the years. It's the one tool I'd keep of I could have only one.
 
To this day, my PC mated with a MF finishing pad, and Megs D301...is the fastest, easiest AIO combo I've ever used including HD speed. Two fast passes at slow speed 4 and your onto the next section. Wipe off with D156 and you have a killer looking, easy way to polish and protect the car. It's darn near as easy as machine waxing a car.
 
silverfox said:
To this day, my PC mated with a MF finishing pad, and Megs D301...is the fastest, easiest AIO combo I've ever used including HD speed. Two fast passes at slow speed 4 and your onto the next section. Wipe off with D156 and you have a killer looking, easy way to polish and protect the car. It's darn near as easy as machine waxing a car.
Click to expand...

I've done the same with Ultimate Quik Wax!
 
the PC/XP would be the last polisher i would buy out of the choices out today and i'm being honest. the GG6 and HF DA (if money is an issue for some) would be my choices if i were to buy a traditional PC-style DA. once you use the GG6 (it's been a proven machine for many years) you'll put the PC/XP away. mine collects dust. yes, they will all essentially do the same thing, it just comes down to what you may or may not like about each polisher and like anything else it's personal preference. junkman had used the GG6 (along with the BOSS pads and BOSS Correcting Cream) for the first time in this video and seemed to be pretty impressed...
 
My set up with green, blue, and red Buff and Shine pads, and Megs Ultimate line, has proven itself to me since I got set up with the PC in 2011.

The first time I used it, I struck through the car I was working on. In using a rotary since 1998, I never burned, or struck through paint - the PC did. That told me, it was effective in the task of leveling paint. After that, I never left the house without one. Add microfiber pads to the mix, it expands the range even further.

These days I reach of the even "weaker" 1st gen tool. I can only attribute it to the approach, and product I use with it. The one I just picked up is so old that it doesn't have a date on it! It was gross and crusty when I got it too. I cleaned it up, and started putting it to work.

I prefer a tool that can last a lifetime to one repairable for a lifetime. Those 7424s are pretty easy to take apart for maintenance, and repair - if ever necessary.

I had the Harbor Freight tool, and never took it past speed 4, so it did have some decent power, (but I rarely if ever go over speed 5 on the PC). It was also uncomfortable to hold, and had a fit and finish that matched it's price. It was almost new, and the guy sold it to me for $25.00. Even at that price I didn't want it.

I can't take anything away from the Griot's tool. I have friends who use them. I'm just saying as someone who does this to make money, there isn't anything wrong with the PC. To me the advantages of reliability, proven performance in industries outside of detailing, easy maintenance, and direct contact with manufacturer support out weigh lifetime warranty, and power. If I need the kind of heavy lifting pads the PC, or the Rupes, I'll break out the Makita 9237, and level some paint!
 
the GG6 has been around for quite sometime and has an excellent/proven track record. i remember when the PCXP first came out and quite a few broke the hollow shaft on them (imagine a piece of metal/aluminum flying in the air and hit/damage the paint!). IMO, they need to go back to the drawing board and improve some features on it and get feedback from detailers (just like pads/polishes/compounds). megs back in the day use to get loads of the G100 (re-badged pc7424) that were defective/sent back so no one machine is perfect. no right or wrong choice, everyone's hard earned money can be spent on whatever they want...
 
I'll throw in another vote for the Griot's unit (and I have an old PC7336). The few times I have used one I preferred it much better than my Porter Cable. I used one with both 6" and 3" pads and simply liked it over my time tested old PC. Like someone else said, you can't go wrong with either one.
 
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