Input on DA Bundle

NoleFan

NoleFan

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Hey guys and gals. I am new to the world of detailing, and plan on getting a PCXP Bundle for Xmas, but the big question, which one? I know everyone likes the M105/205 but I am worried that with me being new, the short work time may be a bad thing. Out of all of the bundles, which has the best compound/polish for a newer person. Why or why not?

Starter Kit - Looks good, but you wouldn't be able to use it out of the box. Not compunds, and none of the pads cut. But I like the (2) backplates.

Intermediate Swirl Remover Kit - Looks good, but not enough pads. Plus how is the XMT line?

So many decisions :)

I was leaning towards the Griots DA, but with my parents offering to get me a DA for Christmas, might as well make it a Bundle :)

Any and all help appreciated.
 
I saved money buying the DA,pads,compounds,etc individually. Price it out both ways,get what you want, and don't worry AG has great stuff.:xyxthumbs:
 
The PCXP machine is a great choice as far as what pads and polishes you need to get depends on the car your working on and how bad the defects are.Personally I'm not a fan of the xmt line . The bundles are a great way to start out but you always need to add more pads.As far as polish 105/205 come in a smaller size so you can always try them out.They work great but just like anything in life there is a learning curve and it's not really that hard to learn.
 
NoleFan said:
I was leaning towards the Griots DA, but with my parents offering to get me a DA for Christmas, might as well make it a Bundle :)
Any and all help appreciated.
Click to expand...

Same boat as you, Nole.

There are Griots bundles, including one where you can get 5 pads and a couple bottles of pad conditioner/cleaner same as with the PC. You might be able to use your existing AIO / wax and might only have to pick up a couple sample bottles of polish at $5 each to be all set to start experimenting.

I do wish they did a 'pick your pads' option with the Griots, though.
 
This is a great kit for a starter. I doesn't come with a compound like M105, but it comes with WG TSR which is a middle grade polish that can handle some fairly heavy defects.

Wolfgang Porter Cable 7424 Swirl-Free Kit

If you want an actual compound, go with this:

Meguiars Porter Cable Ultra Polish Kit with 5.5 Inch Pads, Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Polishing Kit, Meguiars polishes, Porter Cable 7424 Mirror Glaze

It's to bad the Griot's polisher bundles don't come with Meguiars, Menzerna, or Wolfgang polishes because it's a much better polisher than the PCXP, IMO.
 
Wow, bunches of replies :)

I have a 2000 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab, white, but the front and rear doors have different reflections, so I will be playing around with that. Hard for me to explain without a picture, not even sure if I could get it in a picture though. My wife has a 2005 Black Xterra which will be my main culprit as it has some swirls and spiderwebs.

I read some reviews where people didn't like the XMT line, and I also read that the consumer Meguires products were pretty good and easy enought for a beginner, Ultimate Compund, ScratchX, followed by Swirl X, and those can be had locally, so maybe I do just need to focus on the DA and pads first. I will have to go look for the Griots that has the pads.

The main reason I think I want the Griots is because it has more power, D handle, and lifetime warranty. I know the PC is a proven manufacturer, but I think the Griots would fit the bill better. I have no idea though as I haven't used any of them. The PC just has all of the bundles, and anything to make it easier on my mother ordering the right stuff the better :)

Thanks again guys for all of the suggestions!
 
The Griots bundle only comes with finishing pads? That stinks!
 
NoleFan said:
The Griots bundle only comes with finishing pads? That stinks!
Click to expand...
Stay away from the Griot's bundles, but buy the Griot's polisher. I've owned the PCXP, Griot's, and G110v2, and I can confidently say, the Griot's is by far the best! Buy the polisher, 5" backing plate, 3 pack of 5.5" cyan and tangerine pads, and you'll be good to go as far as pads and a polisher. Go to your local auto parts strore and buy some Meguiars ultimate compound ans Swirl X! :dblthumb2:

You'll be around $190 for the pads and polisher. A few extra bucks for the polishes.
 
grab a PC, a 5 inch backing plate, some 5.5 inch hydro tech pads, and then grab some Menzerna polishes. (SIP and 085rd nice starting points). You could certainly grab Megs or Wolfgang polishes instead.
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Stay away from the Griot's bundles, but buy the Griot's polisher. I've owned the PCXP, Griot's, and G110v2, and I can confidently say, the Griot's is by far the best! Buy the polisher, 5" backing plate, 3 pack of 5.5" cyan and tangerine pads, and you'll be good to go as far as pads and a polisher. Go to your local auto parts strore and buy some Meguiars ultimate compound ans Swirl X! :dblthumb2:

You'll be around $190 for the pads and polisher. A few extra bucks for the polishes.
Click to expand...

Hmm, I am confused. Autogeek says the Griots comes with a backplate. Do I need a different size or something?

Ok...
I can get the following for $195 or so:
Griots DA
6 Pack 5.5" CCS Pads
XMT Pad Conditioner
DP Pad Rejuvenator

And buy the polishes locally. :buffing:

Anything I should change?
 
NoleFan said:
Hmm, I am confused. Autogeek says the Griots comes with a backplate. Do I need a different size or something?

Ok...
I can get the following for $195 or so:
Griots DA
6 Pack 5.5" CCS Pads
XMT Pad Conditioner
DP Pad Rejuvenator

And buy the polishes locally. :buffing:

Anything I should change?
Click to expand...
The Griot's comes with a 6" backing plate, you need a 5" backing plate. 5.5" pads are much more efficient than 6.5" pads with a DA. I'd definitely suggest flat pads over CCS pads with a DA. Everything else looks great. Ultimate Compound is great stuff. Doesn't have quite the cut of M105(almost), but it has a longer buffing cycle and is way easier to remove. Then follow with Swirl X or M205.

As far as pads, go with these: 3 orange, 3 white: 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

These are even better: 3 cyan, 3 tangerine Lake Country Hydro-Tech 5 1/2 x 7/8 Inch Foam Pads , hydrotech foam pads for water-based polishes, lake country foam pads, buffing pads
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
Stay away from the Griot's bundles, but buy the Griot's polisher. I've owned the PCXP, Griot's, and G110v2, and I can confidently say, the Griot's is by far the best! Buy the polisher, 5" backing plate, 3 pack of 5.5" cyan and tangerine pads, and you'll be good to go as far as pads and a polisher. Go to your local auto parts strore and buy some Meguiars ultimate compound ans Swirl X! :dblthumb2:

You'll be around $190 for the pads and polisher. A few extra bucks for the polishes.
Click to expand...

THANK YOU for the clearly stated opinion on the polishers. :wow:Yours is the first (I've found) that says "Tried both, Brand X is the best".

1,000 internets for you, Mr Z.
 
ScubaCougr said:
THANK YOU for the clearly stated opinion on the polishers. :wow:Yours is the first (I've found) that says "Tried both, Brand X is the best".

1,000 internets for you, Mr Z.
Click to expand...
You got it, bud!

The most important thing with DA's(other than the Flex 3401) is you want to be able to keep the pad rotating as much as possible under pressure. Compared to the other 2, the Griot's is easily the most powerful, therefore, it's best at keeping the pad rotating under pressure. None of these can compare to the Flex 3401 as it's forced rotation(pad wont stop rotating regardless), but the Griot's isn't too shabby. :buffing:
 
07 z-oh-6 said:
I'm not saying 6.5" pads won't work, but it's a proven fact that 5.5" pads are much more efficient. :dblthumb2:
Click to expand...

Ive read that, I havent tried 5.5" pads yet so I cant speak to that. 1 reason why I went with 6.5" pads was I figured they would be a little more forgiving to me as a noob to the DA when I bought it. Having never used one I wanted something that I had to maybe work a little more to do any damage. Now after using the DA to correct several cars, they really are fool proof.
 
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