Father's Day Gift Certificate burning hole

[irvsmith]

I got a $100 gift certificate for Father's Day. I am a weekend warrior with a GG6 and 5" backing plate with pads. I have been enjoying this thus far. Now the certificate is for Griot's Garage, unfortunately not AG. I am trying to see why would be the best investment. I can obviously get pads, polishes (HD speed is my polish of choice), or towels. I am leaning towards hardware and was looking at the GG 3" since there are a lot of small trim and curved panels on my cars. It hasn't gotten the best reviews though. I hear I can put 3" pads on my GG 6", which seems like a good idea since I get the power of the GG 6" motor, but not sure which exact part numbers to get.

I do wish my wife got an AG gift certificate because that has a lot more choices but hey it's $100!

Anyway long and short of it would be, what would you get if you were in my 'shoes?'

[Finemess]

The 3 in. is a nice machine. I use It to wax and polish my glass.

[ViperGuy21]

IMO a 3" backing plate and pads is a better choice than a 3" machine and pads. Much cheaper, but you still get the versatility, and more power

[irvsmith]

IMO a 3" backing plate and pads is a better choice than a 3" machine and pads. Much cheaper, but you still get the versatility, and more power

Thanks. Which exact part numbers would I need to get? My guess is this won't be available on GG but that's ok - I am leaning towards this approach at the moment.

[irvsmith]

The 3 in. is a nice machine. I use It to wax and polish my glass.

Thanks! Have you have much success in paint correction with it?

[Marc08EX]

If I were you, I'd rather get the 3" BP for now rather than getting the GG3. Mainly because you can use the remaining money towards some nice Griot's products such as:


Griot's BOSS Polishes (such as Griot's BOSS Fast Correcting Cream (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-boss-fast-correcting-cream.html), Griot's BOSS Correcting Cream (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-boss-correcting-cream.html) and Griot's BOSS Perfecting Cream (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-boss-perfecting-cream.html))
Griot's BOSS Pads (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-boss-5-inch-pads.html)
Griot's PFM Towels (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-pfm-2pack.html)


The BOSS Creams and Pads will blow your mind away.

Here's my review on it (although I was using it on the G21):
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/98980-review-griots-garage-boss-creams-pads.html

Joe@NextLevelDetail has a good video on what the BOSS Finishing Sealant (http://www.autogeek.net/griots-boss-finishing-sealant.html) can do on the GG6:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_bu5uQ-6zc

Here's his review on it:
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/101497-review-griots-boss-finishing-sealant-all-one-one-step-polish.html

Here are the direct links to the Griot's page since you are planning to buy there:
Griot's BOSS Fast Correcting Cream (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/boss+fast+correcting+cream.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)
Griot's BOSS Correcting Cream (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/boss+correcting+cream.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)
Griot's BOSS Perfecting Cream (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/boss+perfecting+cream.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)
Griot's BOSS Fast Finishing (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/boss+finishing+sealant.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)
Griot's BOSS Microfiber Pads (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/boss+microfiber+pads.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)
Griot's BOSS Fast Correcting Pads (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/boss+fast+correcting+foam+pads.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)
Griot's BOSS Correcting Pads (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/boss+correcting+foam+pads.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)
Griot's BOSS Perfecting Pads (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/boss+perfecting+foam+pads.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)
Griot's BOSS Finishing Pads (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/boss+finishing+foam+pads.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)
Griot's PFM Towels (https://www.griotsgarage.com/product/pfm+terry+weave+towel+set+of+2.do?sortby=ourPicks&refType=&from=fn)

[ViperGuy21]

Thanks. Which exact part numbers would I need to get? My guess is this won't be available on GG but that's ok - I am leaning towards this approach at the moment.

I don't know what exact part numbers and don't have the time right now to find them for you, but just get a 3" backing plate and then some 3" or 3.5" pads. I'd start with 1 heavy cutting, 2 cutting, 2 polishing, and 1 finishing.

[ducksfan]

I haven't picked it up yet. But, I'm seeing a lot of good things said about Griot's Glass Sealant. If you don't want the time or expense of something like CarPro's Fly By 30/Forte, it might be a good pickup at only $8.99 retail.

[irvsmith]

As an update I went ahead and got the 3" orbital. It has a 180 day 100% satisfaction guarantee so I can return it is it doesn't correct on my vehicles. Since I am a weekend warrior I only need it to work on my vehicles.

I asked GG about a 3" backing plate for the GG 6" but they said they did not carry one for the 6" and I needed to use GG since the gift certificate was for GG.

Thanks to all for your valuable input.

[VISITOR]

if you don't have any pads for the GG3, give these a try since they are thin/low profile and will help rotate the pad better which will result in better correction...

Lake Country ThinPro Foam Pad System 3.5 Inch (http://www.autogeek.net/3-inch-thinpro.html)

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/new-car-care-products/103201-new-3-5-thinpro-foam-pads-thin-youre-going-love-these-new-small-foam-pads.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107235
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107236
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/watermark.php?file=107237

[oneheadlite]

I was actually recently in nearly exactly your situation. My debate was between use the money to do the 5" conversion or 3" machine. (I ended up getting both). One thing I heard that kept me away from doing a 3 or 4 inch conversion to the GG6 was that it can make the machine "tippy" depending on where you're using it. That was enough to send to the smaller machine.

Now that they have thin pads for 3" machines, seems like that would stand to address a lot of concern people have for the GG3.

--EDIT: VISITOR beat me to it. :dblthumb2: --

[irvsmith]

if you don't have any pads for the GG3, give these a try since they are low profile and will help rotate the pad better which will result in better correction...

Lake Country ThinPro Foam Pad System 3.5 Inch (http://www.autogeek.net/3-inch-thinpro.html)

I don't indeed. I was hoping/assuming the buffer will come with at least one :-) but I like these as well. Thanks for the tip.