need help picking a DA polisher

[pointillistic_practitioner]

I just read that you decided to go for the GG....but in the event that you didnt' purchase it yet, here's the link to the flex:

FLEX XC3401 VRG Orbital Polisher Kit with Free FLEX Polisher Bag, FLEX Dual Action Polisher and storage bag, FLEX bag kit

Don't hesitate to go with the GG though, it's a great machine and is very easy to learn how to use, especially with help from Mike and all the other helpful people at autogeek!

 

[brawl]

I like my GG6 and it's been a year since I bought it. So far, it is still working. I actually made a huge gamble considering that I live in South East Asia and it will be expensive to avail of the warranty. I was aware of the issue of quality but I still chose it. I still dunno why. If you are a professional detailer who will use the DA every day for more than five hours and doesn't have any back-up polisher, there is the risk of it malfunctioning in the middle of detail. It will be bad for business. But if you are just a hobbyist like me who will use it once in every two months (at most), the chances of you availing the warranty is small. I think it will last for a while. If it bogs down in the middle of your detailing session, you can just stop and reschedule, and put some protection on the paint while waiting for the replacement.

 

[wrx495]

I had problems with 2 consecutive PC's last year, however, it may have been because I wasn't using the washer. In any case, I didn't like the way the PC felt, or the noise it made when polishing...it felt underpowerd and cheap to me. However, I respect BobbyG's opinion, and he's helped me out a great deal before on AG. Actually, he was probably the first person who really stepped up his game and helped me make some great product decisions back when I was an AG noob last year (so thanks again BobbyG - your help was remembered and much appreciated!) my uncle uses a PC 7424 with collinite products for his powerboat. I'm getting a bit off track- my point is, I know people who use the PC and love it, I'm just not one of them. On the other hand, I have a GG 6" and love it. I like the bucket handle better (easier, in my opinion to keep the polisher balanced than using the PC's handle). The GG also seems better built and more powerful to me. Don't forget the lifetime warranty you get with it also. I'd definitely buy the GG over the PC. HOWEVER...if I had to do it all over again, I'd probably go with the flex, even though it's a bit more money up front. Autogeek has them on sale now for nearly $100 (usually 445 but going for 350 now)

yeah! i really like the handle on the GG 6" and the lifetime warranty as a backup!
i would get the flex but it's forced rotary and i'm a beginner so i have no idea if i apply too much pressure there is the possibility of me burning through my paint.. right? and i think i'll step up to the flex as soon as i become pro here! hahahaha!

 

[wrx495]

I just read that you decided to go for the GG....but in the event that you didnt' purchase it yet, here's the link to the flex:

FLEX XC3401 VRG Orbital Polisher Kit with Free FLEX Polisher Bag, FLEX Dual Action Polisher and storage bag, FLEX bag kit

Don't hesitate to go with the GG though, it's a great machine and is very easy to learn how to use, especially with help from Mike and all the other helpful people at autogeek!

i decided to go with it! but i haven't made the purchase yet! i will be hopefully ordering before the sale ends tomorrow! i will consider the flex but its a lot of $ right now.

I like my GG6 and it's been a year since I bought it. So far, it is still working. I actually made a huge gamble considering that I live in South East Asia and it will be expensive to avail of the warranty. I was aware of the issue of quality but I still chose it. I still dunno why. If you are a professional detailer who will use the DA every day for more than five hours and doesn't have any back-up polisher, there is the risk of it malfunctioning in the middle of detail. It will be bad for business. But if you are just a hobbyist like me who will use it once in every two months (at most), the chances of you availing the warranty is small. I think it will last for a while. If it bogs down in the middle of your detailing session, you can just stop and reschedule, and put some protection on the paint while waiting for the replacement.

what do you mean issue of quality? can you tell me what you have heard or experienced?i am a hobbyist who will be using it on either 2-3 cars (not all on the same day though ):buffing:

 

[brawl]

what do you mean issue of quality? can you tell me what you have heard or experienced?

There were some people who claimed that they had their GG replaced several times. I haven't experienced any problem with my unit. It delivers every time I use it.

I am a hobbyist who will be using it on either 2-3 cars (not all on the same day though)

You will be fine. I bet you will not even use it weekly. When you perfected your techniques/methods in washing and applying a QD (assuming you haven't yet), you will rarely do multi-step polishing (once a year at most). Believe me, with the time and effort it saves you, you'll wish you bought it sooner.

 

[wrx495]

There were some people who claimed that they had their GG replaced several times. I haven't experienced any problem with my unit. It delivers every time I use it.


You will be fine. I bet you will not even use it weekly. When you perfected your techniques/methods in washing and applying a QD (assuming you haven't yet), you will rarely do multi-step polishing (once a year at most). Believe me, with the time and effort it saves you, you'll wish you bought it sooner.

probably could have been a bad batch out of the factory? all machines aren't perfect for ex. the pc xp not perfect but it's good along with the gg and the meg's also the flex! and
i probably wont hahaha! just when there are swirls i will!

 

[wrx495]

Can someone please tell me though ... Out of those two machines... Which one is quieter? And has less vibrations to the hands ? Mike, since you used both machines can you tell me which one of those are quieter and less vibrations ?

 

[wrx495]

I just read that you decided to go for the GG....but in the event that you didnt' purchase it yet, here's the link to the flex:

FLEX XC3401 VRG Orbital Polisher Kit with Free FLEX Polisher Bag, FLEX Dual Action Polisher and storage bag, FLEX bag kit

Don't hesitate to go with the GG though, it's a great machine and is very easy to learn how to use, especially with help from Mike and all the other helpful people at autogeek!

i read that link you gave me and i checked it out! i'm not in a big rush to get a DA at all so i think I'm going to wait for my birthday to get some money (goal at least 150) and ill pay the other 150 for the flex! :dblthumb2::buffing:

Read this next...

5 inch Backing Plates on Meguiar's, Griot's and Porter Cable DA Polishers



And then this,


DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide


IF you read the trouble shooting guide before you start using your Griot's polisher you won't need the trouble shooting guide.


:xyxthumbs:

hey mike! i changed my mind(sorry to ask) but is it possible if you can give me links for the flex, and a trouble shooting guide for the flex? I decided i'll just wait it out until i get more money. i'll do my best to maintain the cars at their peak condition right now until my birthday! (really close... october) :dblthumb2::buffing:

 

[Buckskincolt]

Here is a good video
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...401-forced-rotation-dual-action-polisher.html

 

[wrx495]

Here is a good video
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...401-forced-rotation-dual-action-polisher.html

awesome! thank you for the video! once i get the flex OR the GG6" (if i can't get the flex)
i'll update you all on my purcahse and post some pictures! ..
this thread can keep going though for the people who are in the situation i am (or was) in! :dblthumb2:

 

[SuperiorAutoLLC]

Hey guys! I am new to this forum and i have been reading around on what are some good Da's so far i found that i really am starting to like the griot's garage 6" and the porter cable xp (Wolfgang Duo & Porter Cable 7424XP FREE BONUS)


anyone that has tried both of these could recommend me any and your experiences with it or any problems of some sort that you've had.

I am a user with 0 experience being very young and going to be making some money from my parents to remove swirls of their not so old cars (2007+). :buffing:

I just bought the Porter Cable 7424XP and used it for the first time today on my personal vehicle. It worked really well and is a great buffer for the cost. I highly recommend.

 

[MTLean]

i also chose the PC7424XP after going through the same dilemma as you, can't wait for it to arrive!!

Although i followed on some advice from the forum and didnt go with a "PACKAGE" instead i grabbed a some flat pads and some pad cleaner brushes and products to go along with it.

 

[wrx495]

I just bought the Porter Cable 7424XP and used it for the first time today on my personal vehicle. It worked really well and is a great buffer for the cost. I highly recommend.

yeah im actually changing my mind on the flex now that i gave it thought.. i can use that extra 200 on a lot of products and clay..maybe a couple gas tanks.. and products! i'll eventually decide between the porter cable 7424xp and the Griot's garage 6" both are more than enough to do the job for me!rops:

i also chose the PC7424XP after going through the same dilemma as you, can't wait for it to arrive!!

Although i followed on some advice from the forum and didnt go with a "PACKAGE" instead i grabbed a some flat pads and some pad cleaner brushes and products to go along with it.

yeah i am going to follow other people's advice also and skip out on the package and just grab the things i need individually ! i get to pick what i want for the same price as the package :dblthumb2:

 

[wrx495]

alright guys, this may be kinda of random but if you had >$280 how would you build your cart to remove scratches,water marks, and swirls. and the 2 things that already took half the money is the GG6" and a 5" backing plate what else would you guys add?
thanks!

 

[cleanmycorolla]

alright guys, this may be kinda of random but if you had >$280 how would you build your cart to remove scratches,water marks, and swirls. and the 2 things that already took half the money is the GG6" and a 5" backing plate what else would you guys add?
thanks!

M205 to cut, Colli 845, and BFWD or WGDGPS to protect it

 

[umi000]

alright guys, this may be kinda of random but if you had >$280 how would you build your cart to remove scratches,water marks, and swirls. and the 2 things that already took half the money is the GG6" and a 5" backing plate what else would you guys add?
thanks!

It does depend on the paint and level of defects, but if it was me starting off:

Ultimate Compound - 9.99
8oz M205 - 8.99
Tangerine Hydro-Tech 5.5 low-profile 3 Pack - 23.99
Crimson Hydro-Tech 5.5 low-profile 3 Pack - 23.99

Should be enough to get you started, for $67. I'd use the additional money for more pads (so you can rotate them and work cleaner), perhaps a step-up to D300 or M105 (if necessary), perhaps some MF pads as well if required.

 

[Buckskincolt]

alright guys, this may be kinda of random but if you had >$280 how would you build your cart to remove scratches,water marks, and swirls. and the 2 things that already took half the money is the GG6" and a 5" backing plate what else would you guys add?
thanks!

GG6 $129.99
5" backing plate $17.99
Optimum hyper spray polish $24.99 on BOGO
3 pack 5.5" HT cyan pads $23.99
3 pack 5.5" Ht Tangerine pads $23.99
Pinnacle clay kit $23.99 on sale
Pinnacle’s Ultra Poly Clay is the single finest clay composition available today.
chemical guys Blacklight $27.99
chemical guys V7 $18.99
Total $291.92
Less labor day sale 15% off (not on GG6 or BOGO) - $20.54 = $271.38:dblthumb2:

 

[wrx495]

GG6 $129.99
5" backing plate $17.99
Optimum hyper spray polish $24.99 on BOGO
3 pack 5.5" HT cyan pads $23.99
3 pack 5.5" Ht Tangerine pads $23.99
Pinnacle clay kit $23.99 on sale
Pinnacle’s Ultra Poly Clay is the single finest clay composition available today.
chemical guys Blacklight $27.99
chemical guys V7 $18.99
Total $291.92
Less labor day sale 15% off (not on GG6 or BOGO) - $20.54 = $271.38:dblthumb2:

wow thats perfect! thanks i will definitely buying this cart i got it ready and just waiting for the discount to come! too curious are there birthday deals?

 

[craz0boy]

Recently purchased the gg6. Love it. With the correct technique you can achieve great results with any DA.

 

[DaC]

I had a griots for 9 months. Buffed 10 cars with it, they all went great. The machine was still going strong but I decided to sell it and now I'm looking for a flex 3401, anyone? the gg Is really a great machine, tons of power.... Almost impossible to stop rotating on speed 6.... But I just felt like going for a machine that would work faster, with less vabration and without the need of pushing too hard on downward pressure and I guess a flex 3401, must be this machine...