Griot's Garage products

bl3ujay07

bl3ujay07

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First off, I tried searching the threads, google(ing), and youtube(ing) and can't seem to find much info/reviews for Griot's Garage polish and wax products. I will apologize in advance if a similar thread already exist. Mods, if this is posted in the wrong section, please move it.

So I own a 1999 Silver Satin Metalic Acura TL. I know, not even close to being super nice cars like a lot of the members on here, but I DO like (even love) to keep my car in tip top shape. My car almost always gets washed once a week and gets waxed pretty often. I THOUGHT I liked the way the vehicle looked after washing and waxing, until I parked next to a silver Acura TSX. It just "popped" more and glistens in sun. Also, have been seeing a lot of pictures of crystal clear reflections off of their work. That is how i want my car to be!

I have been doing a lot of reading/reviews on DAs and am set on getting the Griot's Garage ROP. I was considering the GG ROP kit with the machine polish 3 and best of show but have not found enough, if even any "real" review on their products. They dont even have product reviews in the store section! Is it okay to assume not a lot of people use GG products beside the ROP? I'm sure it will be better than me just trying to hand polish and wax, but i dont want to waste money if it doesn't satisfy me!

I was thinking of the menzera kit with WG 3.0 sealant and topping it with pinnacle souveran wax. Considering I am not working at the moment (college student) and maybe will like to detail relatives car (AIO) for a little spending money. What would you guys suggest?

Thanks in advance for suggestions. Also, BEST auto detailing forum and store by FAR!!
 
DO not get it. Griot's has some good stuff, but their polishes and best of show wax are sub par. They were the first ones I had and they do nothing but make your life much harder. I suggest getting a different kit or buying things in pieces.
 
Thanks IOMCAMARO for the fast response.

AG has awesome detailing kits with the PCXP, but nothing besides GG products with the GG ROP. I sort of gathered a "kit" through the store which came up to be around $500. I was thinking, might as well just do a decent purchase for free shipping and free banner, plus ACURAZINE 10% discount. Im just arguing with myself trying to justify the purchase. It will be my first time with a DA.
 
The Griot's buffer seems to be the best one for the money for sure, but the Best of Show Wax is very difficult to remove, and comes out of the bottle stringy. It does offer deep rich looks, but looks brownish to me, which I don't really like. There are many LSPs that are easier to use and are better looking and offer more protection. I used Best of Show on one car back in the early 90's and have not used it since. I still have the rest of that bottle left, along with an unopened one. It will likely stay that way.

I have not used their machine polish, only their fine hand polish, and I have actually been very satisfied with that as a hand polish.
 
timaishu said:
My recommendation is to build your own kit.

Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Dual action buffer, DA polisher
lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate
Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads
XMT Pad Care Combo <font size=2><i>by Pinnacle</i></font>

That will be great to start you off. Then just choose your own polishes/waxes etc.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the recommendation. Are the 5.5" pads a better choice than the 6.5" working with a DA? The GG ROP does comes with a 6" BP.

Also, I first thought of just sticking with a bunch of XMT products first, more like the learning process, and then jump to Menzerna and WG after I REALLY get the hang of it. But then thought, how difficult is really with a DA and patience? Maybe i should just get the Menzerna and WG products now. Thoughts?

Since no school and work, I've been on AG forum doing a lot or reading! Addicting and so much GREAT info!
 
Blackthorn One said:
The Griot's buffer seems to be the best one for the money for sure, but the Best of Show Wax is very difficult to remove, and comes out of the bottle stringy. It does offer deep rich looks, but looks brownish to me, which I don't really like. There are many LSPs that are easier to use and are better looking and offer more protection. I used Best of Show on one car back in the early 90's and have not used it since. I still have the rest of that bottle left, along with an unopened one. It will likely stay that way.

I have not used their machine polish, only their fine hand polish, and I have actually been very satisfied with that as a hand polish.
Click to expand...

LOL, i guess i will stay away from the GG kit with the Best of show. Thanks!
 
5.5" pads are definitely better for the GG 6" ROP. The 6.5" pads will work, but they take longer and don't get as good results.
 
how does 3 orange, 3 white, 3 black, 1 yellow, 2 blue sound? I watched a youtube clip of WG sealant being applied with a red pad. Im assuming it would be no problem using the blue pad for both wax and sealant and it is best to just use one pad for the LSP to not waste product?

Again, thanks for all the advice and helping out a newb.
 
I want to watch this thread also because I too bought the GG DA 6" buffer for Christmas but I'm not sure which of the 5.5" LC pads to buy. Once I start I don't want to need a pad I don't have once I start. Thanks, Spiney-Dave
 
I recently got a GG polisher (My first DA) for xmas and went with 5.5 ccs constant pressure pads. I only have 2 of each color (Orange, White, Black and Red) and working on a friends car that was neglected I really wish I had more orange and white pads so I wouldn't have had to stop and clean as often.

For the polishes I used Wolfgang Finishing glaze as a final polish and it worked great so if you want to go with Menzerna/Wolfgang just go with it, I think you will be very happy with the results.

On a side note my backing plate started to eat into my pads as the velcro area shrunk a little. The pads suggested to you by timaishu look like the velcro goes all the way to the edge and would avoid that problem.

just my .02

Good luck
 
GG has furnished their specifications, their blueprint so to speak, to the couple or so manufacturers of detailing clay, on what the finished clay product they will supply to GG must be.
(size, weight, abrasiveness, color, for example)

At least one clay manufacturer vendor has responded by supplying GG with some of the best detailing clays offered for re-sell in the car care market today.

Real good bang for the buck, IMO.

Also, I have used some GG polishes/waxes; and; even though my degree of 'difficulty' for their "learning curve" may have been either: perceived, or factual...the end results were, and are, actually quite nice.

After all, many car care products require a "learning curve"...As often witnessed by the inquiries on various 'detailing forums', including AGO's.

:)

Bob
 
The only Griot's Garage products I use anymore are their car wash soap and undercarriage spray. The soap, although expensive, is gentle on wax finishes. I used to use Griot's Garage purple past wax but gave it up when they switched from a jar to the stick. Several years ago I used their polishes and Best of Show wax and did not like them at all. Having said that, I must add I am only a hobbiest at detailing so by no means an expert on the topic.
 
jsgntulok said:
The only Griot's Garage products I use anymore are their car wash soap and undercarriage spray. The soap, although expensive, is gentle on wax finishes. I used to use Griot's Garage purple past wax but gave it up when they switched from a jar to the stick. Several years ago I used their polishes and Best of Show wax and did not like them at all. Having said that, I must add I am only a hobbiest at detailing so by no means an expert on the topic.
Click to expand...

I appreciate the info because i too am just a hobbiest. If you as a hobbiest did not like it, im sure i wont either.
 
Get cutting, polishing and finishing pads - so three types of pads. I'd go for either the orange, white and black pads, or the cyan, tangerine and crimson Hydrotechs - keep it simple, no need to have all the various pad colors. Also go for the thinner pads in 5.5" size, and flat rather than CCS.
 
I like griots clay for detailing in colder weather. Haven't tried it during the warmer months as yet.

do not like their speedshine towels

haven't read very nice things about their BOS wax
 
I think Griots makes some of the best stuff out there. I lilke almost all of their products and recommend them. However...

AS most have said above, there are better options. I learned on Griots polishes and BOS wax. They are difficult to master. You will get a good result with them. The biggest problem is trying to figure out working time. They can be very difficult to remove if you put on too heavily or work too long.

There are as many suggestions as there are products. If you paint is factory clear coat and not repainted, the megs dual action microfiber system is hard to beat to ease of use and end result.

Meguiars M105/205 is a popular combination. 105 can be diffuclut to work with also. It is wonderful once you figure it out. As an alternative, MEguiars ultimate compound is easier to work with and almost as good.

Lake country pads in 5.5in size are your best bet for foam. Some like CCS, some like HT and some like flat. It is personal preference. Buy some of each and try them out.

Waxes are pretty much icing on the cake. Good surface prep (compounding and polishing) are the key. Once you have the surface smooth and shiny, then the wax will give it a little boost and most importantly, protection.

Most people end up buying whatever they think is best and learn to use it. Then, over time, buy different pads and/or polishes to try. Eventually you will find what are your favorites.

Also, what works for 1 car may not for another.
 
Can't speak to the GG DA or polishes, but I've used the Best of Show and agree with the above it's very difficult to remove. However, I do like the results.

I've got to check with a buddy on the durability as we used different wax\sealant combos on his car as a test.
 
I have the GG6, griots orange/red pads, but also bought machine polish 1-4 that i havent used yet. But ive used their glass polish and happy with it, it effectively removed acid rain stains on all of my glass but i've used their 6" griots glass pads and wasnt able to tackle/polish the corners and sides. Ive used those griots orange pads on KAIO and red pad on KHGSG, though it didnt give me the correction im looking for (removing swirls and minor scratches) but it did filled up some of them and protect my car so far :)

Now, i bought LC 5.5" 7/8 pads (orange, white, black 2x each). Bought a 4" pads and backing plates 5" & 3.5" respectively. Bought the Chemical guys v36/v38 polishes too. I would probably try to correct my paint with those griots/cg polishes as soon as the weather gets warmer. :)

As for griots interior cleaner, cleans very good, gives a nice shine without any oily residue. Their microfiber green/blue towels are just okay, for additional $3, you can get a better and fluffier cobra supreme or junior 600 towels.

Griots garage waterless wash is okay but for the price and efficacy (in terms of prevention of micro marring --- unless your car is garage queen....), i would stick with ONR every week.

in the future, I'd like to try the megs mf correction system, upcoming OPT MF SYSTEM, menzerna superintesive polish p83q topped with p85rd on ht pads on my soft honda accord paint..


Hope that helps...
 
I use and really like the griots spray on wax and regular (green color) wheel cleaner. I have also heard good things about their wash soap.
 
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