To get a GG 3" or to just get a 3" backing plate on your normal DA??

Madness87

Madness87

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One thing I've been struggling with is whether or not to buy the Griot's Garage 3" polisher. Some people love it for tight spaces, A-pillars, while others hate it because it's such a weakling and doesn't give much correction.

I already have a GG 6" and was wondering whether or not it would be worth it to get the 3" version, or to just buy a 3" backing plate and use 3" or 4" pads?

What if the 6" version was severely discounted and under $70 bucks? Also, does frequently going for a 5" backing plate, to a 3" backing plate eventually wear down the bolt or something or no?

Any help would be great.
 
I bought the 3" GG. The smaller body size helps in tight spots.
 
Just buy a 3" backing plate. It wont feel as comfortable as a gg 3. But you get the power of the gg6. I heard everyone say the gg3 is terrible in power. Mike uses it for sanding, probably because thats all its really good for.
 
I recently purchased both GG polishers and had pretty good results removing some bad scratches with the GG3 on my wifes truck. It's good in tight spots but doesn't come close to having the power as the GG6.
 
I've used it to remove swirls and scratches and even sanding marks and here's the deal...

It does work but you have to use good technique with it.

What's good technique with ANY DA polisher modeled after the Porter Cable design, first and foremost, hold the pad flat to the surface.

Then of course all the rest of the correct techniques outlined here,


DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide



If you really want some correction power using a small pad in tight places, then read this,


Surgical Buffing


I really like having a lightweight, compact rotary buffer for doing small, intricate work but you can do it with a full size rotary buffer like the DeWALT 849X


DeWALT DWP849X vs Makita 9227C Rotary Buffers


And this...

Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher - Extreme Demo - Warning!

pushingtheEnvelope003.jpg



Note I did the above using a MEDIUM CUT POLISH, you can do more faster using a compound.

I was just show what could be done NOT use an aggressive compound so it's pretty easy to figure out you can do more faster with a compound. When using the Griot's Garage 3" Mini Polisher to remove defects it's important to use AMPLE amount of product because you need the surface lubricated.

You always read people saying to use little pea sized drops of products with fill size tools but at some point you need some "substance" on the panel if for no other reason than to lubricate the surface so the pad will spin.






:)
 
Thank you for the articles Mike. I think I might just get the 3" version. At best I need it topolish some tight areas or use it to apply wax where I think a larger polisher would have trouble with.

As I just got my 6" version and added a 5" backing plate, I don't think I want to keep switching plates back and forth. Besides your article on dampsanding with it was great and it wouldn't hurt to have the tool in my arsenal for future use.
 
I debated getting one myself but instead opted for a makita rotary and just use my old porter cable for tight spots and such.
 
Madness87 said:
Besides your article on dampsanding with it was great and it wouldn't hurt to have the tool in my arsenal for future use.
Click to expand...


I just showed a guy named John that heard we had a new way of removing swirls the 3" Griot's Garage Polisher as a sander for his 1965 Mustang GT because you can see where the body shop hand sanded close to the edge and,

  • Left their sanding marks
  • Left their tracers
  • Left their swirls

The key to a scratch-free and swirl free finish when sanding starts with the sanding and having a 3" foam backed disc for the finish sanding cannot be beat.


We'll see the Mustang here in the future. John is coming back to see our new way of removing swirls tomorrow night for the Thursday Night Live Broadcast.

Johns1965Mustang001.jpg


Johns1965Mustang002.jpg



:)
 
Mike.Phillips@Autogeek said:
I just showed a guy named John that heard we had a new way of removing swirls the 3" Griot's Garage Polisher as a sander for his 1965 Mustang GT because you can see where the body shop hand sanded close to the edge and,

  • Left their sanding marks
  • Left their tracers
  • Left their swirls
The key to a scratch-free and swirl free finish when sanding starts with the sanding and having a 3" foam backed disc for the finish sanding cannot be beat.


We'll see the Mustang here in the future. John is coming back to see our new way of removing swirls tomorrow night for the Thursday Night Live Broadcast.

:)
Click to expand...

Thanks Mike, I will be watching this one for sure.
 
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