Looking at buying a starter kit-are they compete?

cabrego

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Hey guys I am looking at buying a starter kit-I haven't decided exactly which kit but it will likely be the Porter cable, meguier's, or Griots.

My question for those that are more experienced:

Are the kits complete with the correct backing plate/pad combination?

I seem to remember that one of the threads I read said some thing about one of the kits not having the correct backing plate or something to that effect. I would like to place an order right now but want to make sure I get everything right the first time!

Thanks in advance!
 
Actually...there are quite a few poorly put together kits. I can't speak much on all of them. But I know mine came with the PC and 7" pads. Found out really quick that those pads are pretty much useless for the PC.

I would take the direction of the guys here who have more experience with the line of DAs and pad combinations. I myself only have experience with the PC. I use the Makita most the time...but grew a love the PC for certain things.
 
While kits are a great starting point, I like picking and choosing my own.

Give us some ideas of what you are looking to do, and how much you are wanting to spend and I am sure we can help you pick about 1,000,000,000 options! LOL.
 
Ok well that is what I am trying to avoid I don't want to buy kit that is useless, what should i look for?

one of the PC kits is a 5 inch backplate with a 6.5" pad..is that what you are talking about?
 
Well, I am basically a hobbyist with a couple of sweet rides that I would like to make pop a little more. Occasionally I will be removing swirls and light scratches when they occur (I have a couple in mind). Possibly some oxidation on a few older finishes but nothing major. I guess you can say 80% of the time I will be doing basic polishing and waxing. :)
 
yeah, that kit would be good if it came with 5.5 in pads. Maybe call up AG and ask them if you could switch them for the 5.5's?
 
The problem with the 6.5" pads IMO is that they are to big for the PC. They slow it down and bog it down. They work fine on something like the Griots Garage polisher, but that has more TQ then the PC. 5.5" pads rotate well on the PC though.
 
well that's new, must have been all the threads where people were complaining about the 6.5 inch pads with 5 inch bp

not really feeling those bundles though

cabrego, have you seen any show and shines on the specific rides you own? That's what I did, then made note of what products were used. That got me started on the path I've taken (menzerna) and I'm pretty happy with it. I didn't get a kit though, just picked and chose from the favourites of everyone here.
 
Also when you use a 6.5in pad with a 5in BP your losing 1.5in of pad to use. I'm not a fan of the 6.5 on the PC either. Just got the 5.5 Hydro-Tech pads cant wait!
 
What are the pros/cons of running a 5.5 backing plate with 6.5 pads? It seems reasonable to me but I am a novice...

For a noob like you and me it just wouldn't correct well. Even from Pros on the board they consider them a bit of a con in that a 6.5" pads with 6" backing plates bogs the machine down.

You also have a machines like the Griot's Garage 6" DA kit (Shorten as GG6 or Griot's ROP) has more power/torque allows it to actually spin the 6.5" pads with no issue. However you can just use a 5.5" pad and it'll be fine also. BTW no matter what speed setting you choose it spins at the same RPM as the PC. It just wont/shouldn't bog down like the PC with a larger pad

You also have the Meguiar's G110v2 (know just as a G110v2) that has a device whiten it to keep it spinning after it bogs down. Has less power/torque then the GG6 but apparently works better then the PC (?).

Either ways the kits I posted is great for a noob and anyone of them would be worth your money :buffing:
 
well that's new, must have been all the threads where people were complaining about the 6.5 inch pads with 5 inch bp

not really feeling those bundles though

cabrego, have you seen any show and shines on the specific rides you own? That's what I did, then made note of what products were used. That got me started on the path I've taken (menzerna) and I'm pretty happy with it. I didn't get a kit though, just picked and chose from the favourites of everyone here.

No I haven't seen any show and shines on my cars, that is good advice though I will have to check that out. Right now I am only looking at buying the tools as I have quite a bit of products that I recently purchased.

Also when you use a 6.5in pad with a 5in BP your losing 1.5in of pad to use. I'm not a fan of the 6.5 on the PC either. Just got the 5.5 Hydro-Tech pads cant wait!

It seems that I may go with the PC with the 5.5 inch pads-to tell you the truth it seems like I can't go wrong with eaither of the DAs. PC seems like the highest quality of the DAs I am considering...
 
For a noob like you and me it just wouldn't correct well. Even from Pros on the board they consider them a bit of a con in that a 6.5" pads with 6" backing plates bogs the machine down.

You also have a machines like the Griot's Garage 6" DA kit (Shorten as GG6 or Griot's ROP) has more power/torque allows it to actually spin the 6.5" pads with no issue. However you can just use a 5.5" pad and it'll be fine also. BTW no matter what speed setting you choose it spins at the same RPM as the PC. It just wont/shouldn't bog down like the PC with a larger pad

You also have the Meguiar's G110v2 (know just as a G110v2) that has a device whiten it to keep it spinning after it bogs down. Has less power/torque then the GG6 but apparently works better then the PC (?).

Either ways the kits I posted is great for a noob and anyone of them would be worth your money :buffing:

Thanks for the info-it is a tough choice! So is the griot's suppose to be the better of the three?
 
I am starting to lean toward the griots-extra surface area, more power, seems like a no brainer, opinions?
 
I was in the same boat as you a couple of months ago and after a lot of research I went with the griots. I got the 5" megs MF system and I'm not disappointed. I haven't used any other DA so I can't compare. Whichever u choose it's better than doing it by hand ;)
 
Thanks for the info-it is a tough choice! So is the griot's suppose to be the better of the three?

I own an older PC 7424 (non new model XP) and decided I wanted a new Polisher so I went with the Griot's.

From actually getting hands on with a 7424XP at a local hardware store near me I find the 7424XP has a better build quality to it. Now that doesn't mean I think its more reliable as I feel all three machines are about the same in that category; however on the forums some members have broken the spindle on the XP and needed to replace them as it was out of warranty for them. I just like the ergonomics of the PCXP much more but the one year warranty was kind of a meh when for pretty much (or +30 more dollars) could net you a GG6.

If you don't like the kits that AG sells you can just put on together yourself and still come out with a good deal.
 
Guys thanks for all the great advice!

Do I have to use the griot's pads or can I use the Lake Country Flat Pads?
 
I think this will get me going what do you guys think?

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher FREE BONUS
[remove]
Choose a model : Standard
$129.99 Yes $129.99
Dual Action 6.5" CCS Foam Pad Kit
[remove]
$59.99 Yes $59.99
6.5 Inch Orange Light Cutting Flat Pad
[remove]
$9.99 Yes $9.99
 
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