Flex vs Griot's dual action polisher

Buggy Bath

Buggy Bath

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Feb 19, 2012
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Hello everyone, I am new here. I am gonna buy a dual action polisher and am wondering if anyone knows the weight of the GG da polisher? I don't see it on the spec sheet.

I heard the Flex polishers are really good but are they worth the price, especially if I don't do much buffing?

Thank you,

Mitchell
 
Jacob Perry said:
if you dont do much then the answer is no. get the griots.
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I don't necessarily agree with this. The question is how much do you want to spend, and what do you consider "value" when it comes to buying tools? Are you looking for the bargain, or are you looking for an exceptional piece of equipment?

I like to think that the majority of people on this site are "enthusiasts" and as such can appreciate the value in a premium tool such as the Flex. If you can't afford it that's one thing, but don't discount it because it's more money. Personally, I bought a Porter Cable. Then a month later I bought a Flex. If I could do it over again I would have bought the Flex and skipped the PC all together. I'll make the best of the situation thought and use the PC for the harder to reach spots with a small backing plate and pad.

Oh, and I'm an enthusiast. I maintain my cars only, and occasionally will clean a friends vehicle for them.

p.s. Is that Jeff Sudds in your avatar?
 
First, :welcome: To Autogeek Online Mitchell!! :props:

Both polishers have their following like most things in life.

The Flex 3401 is powerful, very well balanced, and incorporates forced or geared rotation so the user is not always playing with downward pressure to ensure pad rotation.

The Flex 3401 is a bit pricy but the design, engineering, and build quality is superb and I have no regrets buying mine...
 
I was really contemplating between the two, but pulled the trigger on the gg6. I can say I'm really happy with it, BUT I really should have just gone with the flex.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
 
AKmikeSSter04 said:
You guys keep making me go back and forth between these too haha.
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I should clarify that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the GG6" in my eyes. They all have their place in the market. I say "premium" towards the Flex, but in no way mean other products are Subpar. There are two Fords in my driveway. If I wanted I could have one Porsche for the same price. Pick your battles for what you consider "value", and enjoy it.
 
Good analogy..You could have gotten two Griot's.
Shawnw said:
I should clarify that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the GG6" in my eyes. They all have their place in the market. I say "premium" towards the Flex, but in no way mean other products are Subpar. There are two Fords in my driveway. If I wanted I could have one Porsche for the same price. Pick your battles for what you consider "value", and enjoy it.
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Again...it is not how much something COST but how much is it WORTH to you? I am a firm believer in "buy what you can..but if you can...buy the best.." They all do the job...but the better equipment will get the job done faster, and you end up with a more reliable machine with the FLEX. I have a Porter Cable, Griots, and the Flex DA and Rotary. Flex is the way to go bar none.
 
bimmer325! said:
Again...it is not how much something COST but how much is it WORTH to you? I am a firm believer in "buy what you can..but if you can...buy the best.." They all do the job...but the better equipment will get the job done faster, and you end up with a more reliable machine with the FLEX. I have a Porter Cable, Griots, and the Flex DA and Rotary. Flex is the way to go bar none.
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Well said!


-Rick
 
Thanks for the responses. I think I will just get the Flex. That way I am not kicking myself if I am not happy with GG.

I have a detail business but do not to a lot of polishing. I mainly just clean and wax the outside.

I will wait till there is a sale and get the Flex and some pads.

Any pad recommendations? I only do a few "show car" details so I mainly need pads for light swirl and minor correcting and then for applying wax, sealants, etc.

I think I will go with the bundle below.

Dual Action Flex Polisher Kit, Lake Country Pads, Flex XC 3401 VRG Buffer

Thanks for the help.
 
Buggy Bath said:
Hello everyone, I am new here. I am gonna buy a dual action polisher and am wondering if anyone knows the weight of the GG da polisher? I don't see it on the spec sheet.

I heard the Flex polishers are really good but are they worth the price, especially if I don't do much buffing?

Thank you,

Mitchell
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Hello and welcome to the site.

The Flex polisher will get the work done faster in areas where the traditional DAs tend to have trouble with pad rotation such as on curves or when you need to tip the pad a little onto it's edge to get into tight spots. This saves a great deal of time when trying to get the job done and move onto other pressing affairs. This is a fast paced world we live in and everybody seems to have so much "stuff" to do, or places to be.

I guess it really depends on the value you place on your time. If you don't mind taking the extra time to work with a DA then I guess the Flex wouldn't be the best purchase. For me (and this is just me) whether I'm just doing my own car or detailing for a living, I want to get it over with and enjoy the fruits of my labor while enjoying time with friends, family or just get on with the yard work etc. so the extra $150 is peanuts in relation to the value I place on my time.

My 2 cents.
 
tuscarora dave said:
so the extra $150 is peanuts in relation to the value I place on my time.

My 2 cents.
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The difference is actually $200.

The Flex does not work as well with microfiber pads (I dont like it anyway.) This may be real important to consider. The new MF pads are revolutionary. I am using them more and more. I prefer them over foam in most circumstances. They correct faster and clean on the fly with just compressed air. I machine wash and dry them when done.

The Griots is easier to learn with and more forgiving. I think this makes it a better choice for people new to machine polishing. It might stop rotating on some curves, but, that is what makes it safer to use.

For an experienced user, where paint safety is not as much of an issue, the Flex is faster to use. I dont like it as much as it tends to walk and grab more.

So, my recommendation is to buy the GG now. Learn on it with foam and MF pads. When you get more proficient and comfortable, buy a Flex. You will have 2 great tools. Each have their strengths/weaknesses. Plus you will have a spare should one go down.
 
5.4 Shelby said:
The difference is actually $200.

The Flex does not work as well with microfiber pads (I dont like it anyway.) This may be real important to consider. The new MF pads are revolutionary. I am using them more and more. I prefer them over foam in most circumstances. They correct faster and clean on the fly with just compressed air. I machine wash and dry them when done.

The Griots is easier to learn with and more forgiving. I think this makes it a better choice for people new to machine polishing. It might stop rotating on some curves, but, that is what makes it safer to use.

For an experienced user, where paint safety is not as much of an issue, the Flex is faster to use. I dont like it as much as it tends to walk and grab more.

So, my recommendation is to buy the GG now. Learn on it with foam and MF pads. When you get more proficient and comfortable, buy a Flex. You will have 2 great tools. Each have their strengths/weaknesses. Plus you will have a spare should one go down.
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Hi, I do have a rotary polisher now that I have used for a couple years but my only training, if you can call it that, is from watching polishing videos on Youtube. I don't like some of the effects I see on some of the vehicles, especially black ones. I think they call it "holograms" but I heard a DA will be less prone to those.

I will just keep thinking about it and make a decision if they have a sale soon.

Thanks for the help.
 
5.4 Shelby said:
The difference is actually $200.

The Flex does not work as well with microfiber pads (I dont like it anyway.) This may be real important to consider. The new MF pads are revolutionary. I am using them more and more. I prefer them over foam in most circumstances. They correct faster and clean on the fly with just compressed air. I machine wash and dry them when done.

The Griots is easier to learn with and more forgiving. I think this makes it a better choice for people new to machine polishing. It might stop rotating on some curves, but, that is what makes it safer to use.

For an experienced user, where paint safety is not as much of an issue, the Flex is faster to use. I dont like it as much as it tends to walk and grab more.

So, my recommendation is to buy the GG now. Learn on it with foam and MF pads. When you get more proficient and comfortable, buy a Flex. You will have 2 great tools. Each have their strengths/weaknesses. Plus you will have a spare should one go down.
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:iagree:

Sometimes I forget that I have several years of experience. I had the walk and grab issues with the flex at first but once I found the sweet spot it is as smooth as butter. Funny thing is that I don't even think about that sweet spot, I just automatically go to it now after using the Flex for a few years. Either way you can definitely achieve stunning results with practice and patience.
 
tuscarora dave said:
:iagree:

Sometimes I forget that I have several years of experience. I had the walk and grab issues with the flex at first but once I found the sweet spot it is as smooth as butter. Funny thing is that I don't even think about that sweet spot, I just automatically go to it now after using the Flex for a few years. Either way you can definitely achieve stunning results with practice and patience.
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Honestly, that is probably my problem. I just havent given it enough of a chance. Build quality and ergonomics are fabulous on the Flex. I just need to get more time on it. Problem is I just bought a rotary and will want to learn it too. Guess I will have to start lining up my friend's and family's cars.
 
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