Thoughts on old 6" griots

[Lornek8]

Those familiar with the older generation griots (10925 - non standard backing plate). how does this older griots compare to the newer griots or pc? Now I realize its an older generation so not up to snuff, bt just how far off is it?

I got a "good deal" on a griots until I found out there was more than one generation. Now I'm trying to determine if I should just dump it or would it be acceptable for light correction and wax/sealant work? I have access to a Makita for heavy correction so it'd only be used for fairly light polishing of newer DD. Would the older generation 6" griots be underpowered & frustrating for light work?

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

The first generation Griot's Garage polishers won't rotate a pad under pressure. This means they won't do any correction work.

You can use it to spread out wax because when you're spreading out wax it doesn't matter if the pad rotates or not.

I've written on this topic numerous time, next time I find one of my posts I'll have to bookmark it.

Do yourself a huge favor if you really want to do any amount of paint polishing, get either a current version of ANY of the popular PC type DA polishers Autogeek carries or a Flex 3401


And welcome to our discussion forum, not only the most popular detailing discussion forum on the Internet but the most helpful and friendliest.

[Mike.Phillips@Autogeek]

Here you go, read through the below thread, maybe click on some of the links in the thread and see my comments on page 2 of the thread.


First Generation Griot's Polisher
(Won't rotate a pad under pressure - Useless for removing swirls - New version is the way to go)

[carlo7]

As an option, you can email Griots ,explain to them your are not sattisfied with your tool performance. They will email you a return form which you have to send it in the box with the old one. 7 days later you will receive a new one, trust me

[Lornek8]

Thanks for all the input.
Mike - that's exactly what I was looking for, feedback from someone who has used it in the past and is familiar with what's out there.
Carlo -Wel'll have to see what I can do. Thanks.

[Shakabruddah808]

Originally Posted by Lornek8

Thanks for all the input.
Mike - that's exactly what I was looking for, feedback from someone who has used it in the past and is familiar with what's out there.
Carlo -Wel'll have to see what I can do. Thanks.

Or you can hold on to your current GG DA and use it as an emergency back-up, or for expressly applying/removing waxes/sealants. Just a thought.

[Shortspark]

During the past month I bought two things at about the same time - a Mercedes ML350 (with a "Diamond White" paint option costing $1600) and a Griot polisher to keep it in tip top shape. I never tried a polisher before so I studied the tutorials, emailed respected detailers here for tips and watched numerous youtube demonstrations. I figured it would be a piece of cake. I even bought all the various pad in 6" and 5.5", including two backing plates. It looks easy but that thing is way too strong and powerful even on low setting.

I tried the polisher on my shower stall and a few other things to get the hang of it. I have come to a conclusion: no way does that beast get put on the Mercedes paint - I'll do it by hand as I always have for the last fifty years of taking care of cars. I have clayed, polished and sealed the Benz already and the paint looks perfect. It glistens so much I've named it "Diamond Jim"! This paint will never need a machine because it will never need correction of any kind.

The Griot did a great job on my shower stall, glass and even polished my hot tub so I guess I can find uses for it. I have a seven year old truck I might experiment further with but that thing is not getting near a Benz, at least not this one!

[VISITOR]

Originally Posted by Shortspark

I tried the polisher on my shower stall and a few other things to get the hang of it. I have come to a conclusion: no way does that beast get put on the Mercedes paint - I'll do it by hand as I always have for the last fifty years of taking care of cars. I have clayed, polished and sealed the Benz already and the paint looks perfect. This paint will never need a machine because it will never need correction of any kind.

don't take this the wrong way, but the DA is safe as long as you don't mishandle it. your hands will never be able to evenly polish/clean the paint like a machine will and it will never get tired...

[Shortspark]

Originally Posted by BigAl3

don't take this the wrong way, but the DA is safe as long as you don't mishandle it. your hands will never be able to evenly polish/clean the paint like a machine will and it will never get tired...

Yes, I am sure the machine will do a better job and I won't get as tired but despite all the video instructions I've seen I am just not comfortable with it around that particular car. It is not just the Griot, I think I would feel this way with any DA. I will practice on the truck, however, and if I get the hang of it I might try it on the Mercedes. The problem is that I think by the time I learn how to use the polisher correctly it might be time to trade in the car!!

[ForceField]

Originally Posted by Shortspark

I have clayed, polished and sealed the Benz already and the paint looks perfect. It glistens so much I've named it "Diamond Jim"! This paint will never need a machine because it will never need correction of any kind.

I have a seven year old truck I might experiment further with but that thing is not getting near a Benz, at least not this one!

Ok so your Benz needs no correction because it's brand new and well taken care of. Great! But you can still use the DA polisher to spread sealants or waxes as it will make easy work of doing so and it will not damage your paint. Also consider a coating such as Opticoat 2.0 to protect your perfect paint. You do not use a DA to spread Opticoat though.