Please review my newbie order:

Ech0

Ech0

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I'm hoping someone will look this over and give me their thoughts on whether I've overlooked something for a first order for a machine polish. This will only be for our personal vehicles and nothing more. The vehicles if it makes a difference would be dark blue metalic flake f150 and my wife's ride is a light silver metallic flake Tahoe. I'm going to do mine first as the test vehicle...


  • Griot's ROP
  • 5 inch LC back plate
  • CCS 5.5 inch pads (3 white / 3 green)
  • Pinnacle XMT 360
  • Duragloss 105 (by hand)
  • Aquawax (to prime pads with & spray on the vehicle later for touch up)
  • DP pad rejuvenator
  • Grit Guard
The price is climbing a bit more than I wanted, but, I don't want to overlook anything. I'll be getting the clay locally.

I really struggled between Duragloss 101 and XMT 360 for a first AIO, but, it seems to me the XMT 360 may be easier for a beginner to apply and might correct some light swirl marks I have. I'm just not comfortable going w/an orange pad even if that might be what's best. I'd rather not get all the swirls out than screw something up first time out of the gate.

I'm going to wait until tomorrow to order as it seems their may be a new BOGO offering from what I've read. Anyway, any thoughts would be appreciated.

Matt
 
Hey Matt here is my .02

1- groits a good choice love it
2- yes
3- I prefer LC Hydrotechs but even tho you are not comfortable with the orange pads you may want them (this is a addiction you know)
4-360 is a great product,Idon't have enought experiance with it
5-have not used it yet
6-'' '' '' '' '' ''
7-good product but cheaper ways to clean
8-A MUST 2 for $14 a good way to go



I hope this helps some of the other fellas should chime in and probably give better advice good luck!
 
Xmt does have a dedicated pad conditioner to use, im not sure if useing a spray wax to prime your pads prior to polishing is good to do-hopefully our forum folks could chime in
 
Thanks dad07! I'm going to drop the rejuvinator and get something locally at walmart for less $. More money to spend on something else. I did a search here in the forums a came up with Dawn Grease Dissolver. I probably should have at least one orange pad in there too just in case.

John b, I really didn't think that using the aquawax as a primer would be a problem, but, I'm green as grass when it comes to this stuff. I'll check it out before I order and thanks for taking the time to look it over.
 
Everyone has chimed in on everything already, I will just add that aqua wax is excellent stuff.

The dawn works great for me.

The griots is a great polisher. I am thinking about picking one up and putting my pc to back up duty.

You can get great results with the CCS pads.

Well, I answered more then I thought I would. Lol.
 
Mat,

I agree with Cinci... Get Meguiars Paint Reconditioning Cream D151. Using a white pad, it will give better results than XMT360. i love XMT 360 on new cars with very minor paint defects, but not swirls. D151 is just as safe and more effective cut.

You might use the XMT360 then decide you want to get more defects out. Then you will be back shopping AGO for a more effective polish, hence spending more $. You can also look into a Glaze to remove whatever defects/swirls you may have. if used with a DA its safe and sound. You just need to put a coat of wax over it. Hope this helps
 
I wouldn't use a sealant to prime pads with. a spritz of distilled water or some ONR QD is what I use. I would still get the aqua wax though but use it as a maintenance sealant and for selaing your wheels, windows etc. Too good of a product for pad priming.
 
I just want to add that I love the Griots D/A with the 5" backing plate.
This should be one item that serves you well for many years to come.
 
Thanks guys for all the responses.

Well, I'm going to check out the meguiars d151. And speaking of meguiars, I have some meguiars QD would that be okay to prime pads with? I guess I could get some distilled water cheap enough.

Also, I'll keep the aquawax in the order for upkeep between polish / waxes.
 
My favorite AIO right now is the new Meguiars DA Microfiber Finishing Wax paired with the finishing microfiber pads. Really like this combo. I used it on my dad's truck the other day (can be found in the Product Reviews section) and really liked it.

I've always had trouble with D151. It is always a bear to wipe off for me.
 
Why are you not going be comfortable with orange pad with DA? Using a DA is very safe and would suggest getting some orange if the car is really swirled up.
 
slickooz, I am going to add an orange pad to my order because you and others w/more experience than me have suggested it & I don't want to ignore that advice. W/that said, I won't use that pad until I personally have some experience working w/the Griots ROP first. FWIW, the swirls are minimal compared to some of the pics I've seen on here.
 
If the car is lightly swirled you might be able to remove them with just white pads and your pick of polish. If you need something more aggressive to remove swirls/scratches then go use the orange with compound. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the input slickooz!
 
Is there any difference in performance btw the LC 5 inch backing plate and the Meg's 5 inch plate? I ask only b/c getting the Meg's plate is recommended with the new MF pads to keep them cooler.

I'll still be using my LC bp with the MF pads but just wondering out loud in case someone wanted to consider it...
 
Order placed. :xyxthumbs:

Autogeek is great, I hung around waiting for free shipping, 10% off (bought more stuff w/it), BOGO and free sample. Thanks AG! But, why do I feel like I'm getting reeled in like a fish.... :laughing: Seriously, I'm glad I found this place.
 
It's because you are. AG is nothing but a glorified ghetto crack dealer. They give you some product, through BOGO and free samples, then you are hooked for life. It's over. I placed two orders this week. Thinking about a third.
 
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