Polisher/polishes/Pad combinations

Edi25

Edi25

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Hello everyone this my first thread here at AG
I'm working on becoming professional detailer and would love any advice any veteran detailer may have for me

I'm going to order couple polishers which are the following
Flex3401
GG21
LHR15
GG6 with 3 inch backing plate

If anyone could give me suggestion on
Any AIO,Compunds,polishes, sealants/waxes
There is so many to choose from and i want make sure I get my money worth.
Also any pads that work best with the machines from experiences everyone had would really help me out .

Thank you everyone and I look forward to being part of this forum

-Edi




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You don't need a G21 and an LHR 15, you can put a 5" bp on the G21

The GG6 with a 3" backing plate is rough, it's a rattle trap. It's not balanced for that set up.

Get a dedicated small polisher like the Rupes Mini, I love mine. I've done a side by side comparison between those two set ups.

Order this book:

How to Start a Home-based Car Detailing Business, car detailing book, best auto detailing books

And if you want to make this your primary profession invest in Mike's Class. Think of it as an investment in your future and the profession.

car detailing class, how to detail a car instructional class, mike phillips detailing class, best detailing classes for detailing
 
custmsprty said:
You don't need a G21 and an LHR 15, you can put a 5" bp on the G21

The GG6 with a 3" backing plate is rough, it's a rattle trap. It's not balanced for that set up.

Get a dedicated small polisher like the Rupes Mini, I love mine. I've done a side by side comparison between those two set ups.

Order this book:

How to Start a Home-based Car Detailing Business, car detailing book, best auto detailing books

And if you want to make this your primary profession invest in Mike's Class. Think of it as an investment in your future and the profession.

car detailing class, how to detail a car instructional class, mike phillips detailing class, best detailing classes for detailing
Click to expand...

I'm going check that book out
And the reason why I wanted get GG21
Was for its orbit 21mm
And I really just want get hands on experience with different machines
The mini was my first choice but it's double the price of the GG6


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Flex with LC Force hybrid pads works well with Megs M101 and M205. Get 4 3/8" backing plate for Flex to run 5.5 and 6.5" Force pads.

Megs D300 w their microfiber cutting discs work well with 5" backing plate on Rupes. Rupees yellow pad us an all around winner. Menzerna Fg400 and 3500 are pretty versatile as well.

Menz 2400 can be a nice 9ne-step ad well. Have one stepped a few times with Sonax Perfect Finish on both Flex with LC Force white/orange and Rupes w rupes yellow pad.

As mentioned, GG6 w 3" plate ain't fun. Rupes Mini is way to go for 3/4" pad needs.
 
Welcome to AGO. IMO your budget determines what you want to get. If I had to do it all over again and save lots of money...I would look into th GG 6" for budget starts and the Flex 3401 for a budget with more $$. As for the products. Jescar has a great combo, Menzerna, McGuiar's, Wolfgang, and a few others. What you will gain is knowledge! I would get one of Mike Phillips how to books as it will guide you on the products you MIGHT use. How to Detail type books...

Good luck on your adventures with AGO and WELCOME too!
 
BudgetPlan1 said:
Flex with LC Force hybrid pads works well with Megs M101 and M205. Get 4 3/8" backing plate for Flex to run 5.5 and 6.5" Force pads.

Megs D300 w their microfiber cutting discs work well with 5" backing plate on Rupes. Rupees yellow pad us an all around winner. Menzerna Fg400 and 3500 are pretty versatile as well.

Menz 2400 can be a nice 9ne-step ad well. Have one stepped a few times with Sonax Perfect Finish on both Flex with LC Force white/orange and Rupes w rupes yellow pad.

As mentioned, GG6 w 3" plate ain't fun. Rupes Mini is way to go for 3/4" pad needs.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
Hmm ? Have you had any experience with GG3? The reason I was going GG6 was for its power but I wasn't really sure how smoothed it runs


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Edi25 said:
I'm going check that book out
And the reason why I wanted get GG21
Was for its orbit 21mm
And I really just want get hands on experience with different machines
The mini was my first choice but it's double the price of the GG6


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
Click to expand...

And the Mini is three times the machine of the GG6, it's a dedciated tool for small areas. The GG6 after 5 minutes with a 3" bp will have your entire arm numb, not too mention possible carpal tunnel syndrome issues over time. My dad always tought me to use the right tool for the job. :props:

If you are really serious about making this your full time profession the best advice I can give you is attend Mike's class coming up in September. That would be money well invested. Buying a bunch of tools, products, pads etc is an investment you can make later on. You have to learn how to use them first.

That's where his class comes in.

Any way, welcome to the forum. They're tons of threads here with pad combos, machines, products etc. with many of the answers to the questions you are asking. Mike has hundreds of informative posts with videos here. Google autogeek and the subject.

Enjoy the journey.

PS

I have every tool you mentioned except for the Flex, so my input is based upon first hand experience with them. I also have the Rupes Mini and the Rupes Duetto.

The GG3 is basically a wax spreader, not much correction power.
 
Are the comments for the GG6 with a standard 3" backing plate, or Griot's 3" HD backing plate which was made for the GG6?

Just curious.
 
Edi25 said:
Thanks!
Hmm ? Have you had any experience with GG3? The reason I was going GG6 was for its power but I wasn't really sure how smoothed it runs


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
Click to expand...

I had the GG3 I GAVE it away to an AGO member. So I hope that gives you an idea of how great (NOT) that DA was. It is underpowered LOUD and was a great paperweight!
 
I highly recommend....

GG6- paired with the 5 inch griot's backing plate (for applying sealants and for polishing small cars where a larger stroke isn't preferred)

Harbor Freight DA- I use the newly released 3 inch griot's heavy duty backing plate (3 inch boss microfiber pads). This new backing plate makes all of the difference when it comes to reducing vibration.

Rupes 15 MK2 with Washer Modification- This is my workhorse. I never have to go above speed 4.5 and due to the nature of the uro-tec pads even though the polisher has a 5 inch backing plate, the large stroke of the machine and the tapered design of the pads makes it nearly equivalent` to working with a 6.5" pad. There are never situations where I wish I had the boss 21 or Rupes 21 and a larger throw or larger pad. The Rupes 15 MKII is the best of all worlds.
 
Kamakaz1961 said:
I had the GG3 I GAVE it away to an AGO member. So I hope that gives you an idea of how great (NOT) that DA was. It is underpowered LOUD and was a great paperweight!
Click to expand...

I almost did the same thing with my GG3.

Then I tried the ThinPro 3" pads and they transformed the ugly duckling into a swan.

It is my go to polisher for plastic (bumper covers, B-Pillars etc.)

It also is my polisher of choice for applying wax with ThinPro red pad (nice light polisher and so much easier and quicker than by hand).

Still runs a bit hot at higher speeds, but I am usually useing at 3-4 setting, so not so bad.

I can't believe the difference in pad rotation and lack of heat on the pads.

Truly amazing.
 
If you're going into business, with any kind of production needs, I'd get:

Porter-Cable 7424xp
Meguiar's D/A Microfiber Correction System

Extra Microfiber cutting and finishing pads.

This would be to start.

The last thing you want to do when the clock is ticking, is to change out tools, pads and products. It eats up a lot of time. The Megs system is proven, and designed to work with a simple tool like the PC. I chose the PC due to it's reputation for durability, reliability, and effectiveness. They're really easy to use, easy to understand conceptually, and produce great results. The gg6 has a lifetime warranty, but it doesn't do me any good to be without a tool, so I chose the one less likely to break down - based on industry reputation.

The system consists of:
2 Microfiber cutting pads
2 Microfiber finishing pads
16oz Microfiber Correction Compound
16oz Microfiber Finishing Wax.

For some clients who want boosted gloss, a dedicated step of M205 Polish with yellow Meguiar's foam discs, followed by M21 Synthetic Sealant 2.0 on black foam finishing discs would be an effective logical step. You absolutely have to charge for this service though.

The Microfiber finishing pads, and finishing wax may be used alone as an "all in one" solution, for customers just wanting "some wax" on the finish. It's not going to have the correction of the dedicated compounding step, but it will clean up the paint, and lay down some good protection.

Then I'd let the business pay for new tools, pads, and products. I'd spend the saved money on training, and/or business classes.
 
I'm going to spend your money for you. Lol . Buy all Rupes tools. Get the Rupes 21 Legacy for horizontal surfaces (the Legacy version won't stall on horizontal surfaces), Rupes 15 MKII for vertical surfaces, Rupes LHR75 (Mini) for areas the 21 or 15 can't reach. Buy Rupes pads and polishes, Tada! Finished! Save up for a Rupes Nano. I'm not knocking any of the other tools you mentioned, but Rupes has a method to its madness (genius). And if you decide that you must have forced rotation, the Rupes version will be out soon.
 
rlmccarty2000 said:
I'm going to spend your money for you. Lol . Buy all Rupes tools. Get the Rupes 21 Legacy for horizontal surfaces (the Legacy version won't stall on horizontal surfaces), Rupes 15 MKII for vertical surfaces, Rupes LHR75 (Mini) for areas the 21 or 15 can't reach. Buy Rupes pads and polishes, Tada! Finished! Save up for a Rupes Nano. I'm not knocking any of the other tools you mentioned, but Rupes has a method to its madness (genius). And if you decide that you must have forced rotation, the Rupes version will be out soon.
Click to expand...

It's true.

The bulk of my Rupes gels/pads are:
Zephir/blue microfiber for heavy cutting
UHS/UHS grey pad for one step
Keramik/Yellow microfiber heavy polishing/one step
Keramik/Yellow foam for final Polish.
Seal with 808 Protective Sealant.

Another excellent system.
 
dlc95 said:
It's true.

The bulk of my Rupes gels/pads are:
Zephir/blue microfiber for heavy cutting
UHS/UHS grey pad for one step
Keramik/Yellow microfiber heavy polishing/one step
Keramik/Yellow foam for final Polish.
Seal with 808 Protective Sealant.

Another excellent system.
Click to expand...

How do you like there one steps ?
I was really looking into there pads but how long lasting are they ?
I heard LC last longer and give good quality work


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Edi25 said:
How do you like there one steps ?
I was really looking into there pads but how long lasting are they ?
I heard LC last longer and give good quality work


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
Click to expand...

They're great! They hold up well, and get the job done. I only use them with the Rupes polishes though.

I will be ordering the LC to use with my Meguiar's products.
 
Edi25 said:
That's what I was looking at
Which made me go toward the GG6 with the HD. Backing plate
Thanks everyone for there input so far!
!


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Click to expand...

i've said this many times... every detailer/enthusiast should own at least one traditional pc-style DA. the GG6 is very versatile and can be outfitted with different backing plates and pads to tackle a variety of tasks. it has plenty of torque/power (as well as the BOSS G15/21) and a lifetime warranty as does all their polishers, and they have quick/responsive no nonsense/BS customer service to boot...

if you're looking for another choice for a long throw 15mm DA, the flex would be another good choice...
 
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