new guy with a D/A question

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30below

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Think i have decided on a Griott D/A,and was thinking af the 199.00 kit with the pads and pad cleaners.Is this a good kit for a starter or is there better options for pads and things.Did a fair amount of research on this site and was very helpful.Thanks.want to take advantage of the 10% and free shipping deal today
 
I like the Griots pads myself

No need to purchase an additional backing plate this way either. That is unless your wanting a 3 or 4 inch

Go for it!

PS :welcome:
 
Thats a great DA and the pricing right now definitely helps to sweeten the deal. What are you looking to do with the DA? Business or personal also how much correction are you looking for? Reason I ask is because of the pads that it comes with. It looks like it comes with a couple white pads that have very mild correction ability and then a couple grey and a blue pad which I believe do not have much cut at all (grey) and I believe the blue has none. Therefore you will be able to remove minimal swirls, but if you want to do a good amount of correction you might need some more pads with a little more aggressive cut to them.

You cannot go wrong when these kits are on sale as it seems they do not get discounted very often. The griot DA is a very powerful machine and has a lifetime warranty, cannot go wrong with that.

Regardless if this initially fits your needs as is or if you need to add a couple things to your cart, I think you can be confident about this decision.

Also just a little fyi they have a bogo on dp opti-coat paint sealant right now. I would take advantage of that as that is a very good sealant. My truck sits outside as it cannot fit into my garage and water is still beading up on it (as it was from day 1) after over a month of application with out the slightest sign of wearing off. With the price its at right now, this is another no-brainer.

Oh and welcome to AG! =)
 
30below said:
Think i have decided on a Griott D/A,and was thinking af the 199.00 kit with the pads and pad cleaners.Is this a good kit for a starter or is there better options for pads and things.Did a fair amount of research on this site and was very helpful.Thanks.want to take advantage of the 10% and free shipping deal today
Click to expand...

Welcome to AGO :welcome:
File this under "if I knew then what I know now".

After using the v1 PC, PCxP, Flex DA & the GG 6" the GG would be my first choice. Buying an all-inclusive kit would not.

At first glance it appears having a 6" backing plate included with the GG is a good deal. Considering the fact that almost everyone that polishes a LOT has moved to 5.5" pads because they're easier to handle and cut better, perhaps not. I used my 6" BP and 6.5" pads once to spread sealant. Nice covering more ground with a larger pad but I've since moved to 5.5" pads and never looked back.

Personally, I'd buy ala carte vs a kit. Do you need pad cleaner and conditioner? Nope. Pads wash up fine with almost any soap & water or throw 'em in the washer. Most prime pads with whatever polish or compound they're about to use... there, the pad is "conditioned". Saving money buying a kit and later finding out your needs are different and you need to buy more/different stuff is false savings.

Depending on what you're embarking on makes for the pad or system choice. Personally, for correction on almost anything the first thing I reach for (with the exception of correcting super-soft paint) is the Meg's DA MF System and D300 Compound. It corrects almost as well as many aggressive compounds and finishes well enough to avoid a 2nd step on lighter colors. I've even been able to finish with it in 1 step on black with excellent results. Purchasing the MF DA 5.5" kit also nets you a 5" backing plate for use with other pads. You're also going to need compound/polish/wax or sealant.... the MF kit is a nice Jack-of all-Trades purchase, especially for a beginner, IMO.

As for those foam pads, many will agree the orange, white and black are the most frequently used LC pads. I don't think you'll see many touting their fondness for the 6.5" CCS pads included in the kit. Once again personal preference.... I prefer the Constant Pressure flat pads with the blue strip next to the velcro. For a very versatile pad the Hydro Techs are a good choice and they come in the thinner 7/8". I prefer the thinner pads. Most LC pads are available in 3 or 6 packs to mix n match to get exactly what you want and need.

Autopia CarCare is also a PBMG company, they're running a 20% off promo with free shipping on $150 purchases on many of the same products. Take a look and compare, you may be able to mix n match selections appropriate to your project and experience level for the same money you'll spend on a "kit". Or not.

Autopia Car Care Products - Car Detailing Supplies, Car Wax, Car Polishers, Auto Detailing

TL
 
What TL said.

I'd buy just the GG polisher, a backing plate for 5.5" pads and get some flat orange, white and black (gray) LC 5.5" pads, at least 2 or 3 of each. The HT pads are also nice but just starting out you'll get tons of how to info here with most of the descriptions given with the orange, white and black pads being used. With any other pads you'll be trying to figure out which GG pad or HT pad to use that corresponds to the pad being used in the how to info.
 
The Griots 6" DA has more then enough power to spin 6.5" pads. I see no advantage in switching to a 5.5" system
 
if you call in your order you can switch the pads to 5.5" for no extra charge just need a different backing plate unless you have a lathe, i dunno and 5.5" pads keep rotation going better meaning better/easier correction ability so keep that in mind, sure it can spin 6.5" pads but you will find it easier to keep the 5.5's rotating.there is an advantage, and theres also a disadvantage to them but thats with anything
 
Thanks for the great feedback.I ended up ordering the kit before i saw the excellent response from TL.Guess i will find out.
 
Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:


30below said:
Think i have decided on a Griott D/A,

Did a fair amount of research on this site and was very helpful.

Thanks.want to take advantage of the 10% and free shipping deal today
Click to expand...

Lots of knowledgeable and helpful members on the forum...

After you get your polisher, pads and products before you start polishing, give the below a read through...

DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing


Also, lots of helpful how-to information here...

DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing




:buffing:
 
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