Ready to buy first DA - help!

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CC268

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Depending on how much graduation money I get, I may buy a DA. I am doing as much research as possible in the meantime (including reading Mike Phillip's book).

I think at this point it is quite clear that the Griot's is the way to go. I don't think someone like me is ready for a Flex, nor do I need the capabilities of the Flex.

What do you guys think?

If I go with the Griot's, is there a good kit you recommend or should I buy the backing plates and pads separate?
If so...what backing plates and pads would you recommend (for a 2014 F-150 with paint in excellent condition)?

I do already have (3) red and (3) white CCS 4" pads.

Thanks guys!
 
If I had to do it again starting from where you are:

Griot's GG

5" AND 3" backing plate from Lake Country or Meguiar's

5" and 3.5" Lake Country Flat Pads: 3 x Orange, 3 x white, 1 x Red in each size.

Menzerna FG400 (imo one of the best novice compounds you can find)
Optimum Hyper Polish or Menz SF4000

Make your own kit and don't buy the premade ones. They usually give you stuff you don't need, although they can be a good starting point.

If I had to do it again, I would've made my own kit.
 
Thanks a lot for the info. I actually have all my waxes already. I would just need pads and backing plates.

Here are the waxes I have:
Pinnacle Cleansing Lotion
Collinite 845
Pinnacle Liquid Souveran

I think the Griots wit 3" & 5" Lake Country would probably be a great route.

Would I be able to use my 4" pads at all with a 3" or 5" backing plate?
 
Would you go with the LC flats or the hydro techs?

I think I would go with the 5" and 3.5" backing plates.
 
You could use your 4" pads with a 3" BP.

So you'll only be waxing? No paint correction?
 
davey g-force said:
You could use your 4" pads with a 3" BP.

So you'll only be waxing? No paint correction?
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Hmm...alright I guess I would have to choose between 3" and 3.5" backing plates. The paint is brand new. I would mostly be applying a cleansing wax and then following that up with Collinite.

I probably want pads that aren't very aggressive like the white and black pads?

Not sure how many pads I would need for truck either...I am guessing at least 4 of each color at a minimum...
 
I would give Optimums polishes a try , specifically Hyper Polish all most guaranteed to get excellent results , truly an amazing polish IMHO .
 
Hey CC,

I purchase the griots not long ago. A very versatile machine with
plenty of power, haven't stopped it yet on the paint. I have added to the orinigal set up, a LC 6" backing plate, 5" plate and 3" respectively to accommodate 6.5", 5.5",& 4" LC flat pads. These are my favorite. A brush has been added too. I do plan on getting a Flex in the near future as I ramp my business up. But for starters the GG6 is the ticket. Good luck & take care.:xyxthumbs::buffing:

Peace,

Darrin
 
I would actually recommend stepping up to the new Meguiars MT300. Its a lot smoother than the Griots / PC and plenty powerful. Its also quite light. AG has a kit with the polisher and Meguiars discs in a kit thats a great value. Their foam discs are supposed to be outstanding.
 
The Meguiars looks like it isn't nearly as powerful though? Those pads are about double the cost as well. I have a big truck and will probably need at least 6 of whatever color I am using (at least I think).

I also already have 4 white and 4 red CCS pads that I could use with the LC backing plate and a Griots.
 
I think the added power of the Griot's would be nice. The price point is nicer too. I have been reading a few Griots vs. Meguiars MT300 threads here and on other sites and the majority of people seem to prefer the Griots.
 
I would take a GG over a Meguiars polisher any day. What I don't understand is why you want a DA if you are not gonna do any paint correction? Applying waxes and sealants can be done by hand just as well as by machine.

Having larger pads won't save you any time even if the truck is big. The sweet spot of pads on a DA is 5.5 inches. If you are only gonna use them to apply waxes, your 4 inch pads will work very well. No need to purchase larger pads for that.
 
Well...I wasn't sure if having the DA was useful for applying the cleansing lotion. It is a brand new truck so there is no reason for this thing to have horrendous swirls, scratches, etc - at least at this point in its life. I figured having the DA would be nice for down the road when the vehicle gets some wear and tear.

If you think I should be applying the cleansing lotion and the Collinite by hand then by all means I will go ahead and do that.
 
CC268 said:
The Meguiars looks like it isn't nearly as powerful though? Those pads are about double the cost as well. I have a big truck and will probably need at least 6 of whatever color I am using (at least I think).

I also already have 4 white and 4 red CCS pads that I could use with the LC backing plate and a Griots.
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You can use other pads on Mequiars backing plate. FYI If you interested PM me I am going to sell my MT 300 with 3" 5" flexible backing plates and some B/S pads. I ordered Flex on recent sale. I am going to put it up for sale on Corvette forum when my flex comes in...
 
CC268 said:
The Meguiars looks like it isn't nearly as powerful though? Those pads are about double the cost as well. I have a big truck and will probably need at least 6 of whatever color I am using (at least I think).

I also already have 4 white and 4 red CCS pads that I could use with the LC backing plate and a Griots.
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I tested the Meguiars at detail fest and I do not understand where someone would say it isnt powerful enough. If you are stopping this machine from spinning, you are doing it very wrong!! It has what they call digital torque management, which keeps it spinning. People who think they need the power of the Griots probably do not have very good technique.

I have never used a griots, but I have a PC7424XP and the Meguiars is a lot smoother, and a little lighter. And people say the PC is smoother than the Griots.

Using a machine for applying paint cleanser, or wax is better. Especially if you have a big truck! And once you have a machine, you can do so much more.
 
Jaretr1 said:
I tested the Meguiars at detail fest and I do not understand where someone would say it isnt powerful enough. If you are stopping this machine from spinning, you are doing it very wrong!! It has what they call digital torque management, which keeps it spinning. People who think they need the power of the Griots probably do not have very good technique.

I have never used a griots, but I have a PC7424XP and the Meguiars is a lot smoother, and a little lighter. And people say the PC is smoother than the Griots.

Using a machine for applying paint cleanser, or wax is better. Especially if you have a big truck! And once you have a machine, you can do so much more.
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Interesting. Well here is the deal. I "could" buy the Meguiar's on my budget, but I would be limited to buying just a few pads. If I buy the Griot's I could buy PLENTY of pads, which in my book is a big plus.

If the Meguiar's is really that much better I can certainly go that route, but I don't know if that is the case.
 
As far as pads go I am planning on getting these guys:

LC 5 1/2" Flat - What colors?
LC 3 1/2" Flat - What colors?

What colors would be best for my paint (excellent condition) - I am thinking white and blue? Specifically what would go best with the Pinnacle Cleansing Lotion and the Collinite 845.
 
My only comment is I love my Griots 6. I have 6", 5" & 3" plates for 6 1/2" , 5 1/2" & 4" pads respectively. The machine is powerful and easy to use. Orange, white and blue is all you need as far as pads for. I love the flats. :buffing:Good luck & take care.

Peace,

Darin
 
Souldetailer said:
My only comment is I love my Griots 6. I have 6", 5" & 3" plates for 6 1/2" , 5 1/2" & 4" pads respectively. The machine is powerful and easy to use. Orange, white and blue is all you need as far as pads for. I love the flats. :buffing:Good luck & take care.

Peace,

Darin
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Great! That is all I needed to know!
 
with the plethora of different pads, backing plates and polishes/compounds out today (many of which that can be found here on AG), the GG6 can accomplish quite a bit and can achieve what other polishers can do even though it may take a little more time in some cases. it has lots of torque/power, and lifetime warranty. for someone who takes great care of their cars (and family) and may only need to use it a few times a year, this is another good reason on purchasing it as well. you'll have peace of mind knowing that if a problem arises later down the road, that GG will take care of it...
 
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