Recommend me a POWERFUL 3" polisher

[luckydawg]

IF there is such a thing
I have the Griots and am not happy with it

[Kamakaz1961]

I donated my GG3" to an Autogeeker a couple of years back. What I did was CONVERT my PC7424XP into a 3" DA and have used it with much success since. My main DA is my Flex 3401, however, my PC is my designated wax applicator or minor correction or headlight repair. The Griot Garage 6" can be converted the same way. With the proper adapters, you can make the DA a 1" DA.

FYI

[B5visser]

The flex 3" is an animal and built stout like a 3401.

I own an Adams SK mini and very much like it.

I've also heard good things about the Rupes LHR75E

[dennis hiip]

SK mini from Adams. I got mine on sale 19% off. Nice quality and power.

[WaxMaster1]

I have the Rupes 3", the FLEX 3" and I also converted a Harbor Freight into a 3" with the heavy Griot's 3" backing plate. They all work well, just depends on how much money you'd like to spend.

[yakky]

I donated my GG3" to an Autogeeker a couple of years back. What I did was CONVERT my PC7424XP into a 3" DA and have used it with much success since. My main DA is my Flex 3401, however, my PC is my designated wax applicator or minor correction or headlight repair. The Griot Garage 6" can be converted the same way. With the proper adapters, you can make the DA a 1" DA.

FYI

I did the same with my old PC. Works great for spot correction, glass and headlight polishing.

[Mike Phillips]

FLEX PE14 with a 3" backing plate and the Lake Country rotary extensions.


I like the Griot's 3" and use it and show it all the time but I also keep everyone's expectations grounded in reality. It's small and limited in power, (because it's small), but with thin pads and great products I can make it work for me for paint correction. I also use it a lot for machine sanding paint and headlights.

Just finished packing for a private roadshow class, for this class I shipped hundreds of tool, pic are here,

TOOLS! - Car Detailing Training - Packing for a Roadshow Class! No sitting all hands-on! (https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/autogeek-roadshow-detailing-classes/122782-tools-car-detailing-training-packing-roadshow-class-no-sitting-all-hands.html)


And in this picture I count 6 Griot's 3" polishers I shipped to the offsite location plus all the thin pads to go with them.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/3827/01_19_RS_Packing_004.JPG




But I hear ya.... I wish it had more power too but I think it would get bigger in size to have a bigger motor and a larger reciprocating weight to maintain inertia. But then we're back to not being small again.


Tough nut to crack.


But the PE14 with the right attachments can do wonders.




How to buff in tight spaces using a rotary buffer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/75929-how-buff-tight-spaces-using-rotary-buffer.html)


http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2225/2014_Mobil_Tech_Expo_Detailing_Classes_by_Mike_Phi llips_0071.jpg


Surgical or Precision Buffing
I could have done this type of precision buffing using a FULL SIZE DeWALT, or Makita or 3M or Milwaukee Rotary Buffer but it's the compact size, that is no bulky body in the way of my view or in the way of body components, plus the lightweight plus the slow RPM that makes the Flex PE14 the perfect tool for this type of work.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/2225/2014_Mobil_Tech_Expo_Detailing_Classes_by_Mike_Phi llips_007c1.jpg



:)

[Mike lambert]

Griots GG6 with the 3 inch set up. Absolutely amazing results!

[conman1395]

If cost is no issue, you cannot beat the Rupes Mini (75). It's one of my favorite machines to work with. Even more than the BOSS G15.

[DMiglio]

I really like my PCXP with Griot’s 3inch BP. It’s a little “wobbly” at low speeds but 4 and up feels great! Works well for mirrors, bumper areas, edging(although not as perfect as a rotary), spot corrections(especially if one stepping and need to bump up your correction on a deeper scratch here or there), glass and headlights.

Only downside besides feeling a bit “wobbly” would be what Mike mentioned, it’s a larger frame then the GG3 so it can present a problem in very tight spots.

[conman1395]

I really like my PCXP with Griot’s 3inch BP. It’s a little “wobbly” at low speeds but 4 and up feels great! Works well for mirrors, bumper areas, edging(although not as perfect as a rotary), spot corrections(especially if one stepping and need to bump up your correction on a deeper scratch here or there), glass and headlights.

Only downside besides feeling a bit “wobbly” would be what Mike mentioned, it’s a larger frame then the GG3 so it can present a problem in very tight spots.

For a 3 or 4-inch pad you shouldn't be going much more than speed 4 to begin with. I don't even use 6 with a 5.5 inch pad. That's my issue with the larger body polishers. They work, yeah. I did it for a few years, but using a purpose built and balanced machine for 3 or 4-inch pad makes a huge difference because most of the work is being done between speeds 3-5 on all machines.

[dlc95]

I have 3.5", and 3" plates I use on Porter Cable 7424 tools, as well as Rupes Mini.

They seem to get the job done just fine.

I wish Buff and Shine made 3" plates and "Grip Pads"...

[Dr Oldz]

For a 3 or 4-inch pad you shouldn't be going much more than speed 4 to begin with. I don't even use 6 with a 5.5 inch pad. That's my issue with the larger body polishers. They work, yeah. I did it for a few years, but using a purpose built and balanced machine for 3 or 4-inch pad makes a huge difference because most of the work is being done between speeds 3-5 on all machines.

The PC isn’t even purpose built for polishing paint... it’s actually designed as a sander.

[VISITOR]

Griots GG6 with the 3 inch set up. Absolutely amazing results!

and the GG3 with the 2" DA conversion works well too...

[Dr Oldz]

To the OP.....

If you are looking for a compact polisher with some serious power, I suggest the Mini Spinny

FLEX PE8 Kompakt Rotary Polisher, motorcycle polisher (https://www.autogeek.net/flex-pe8-compact-rotary-polisher.html)


Everyone is suggestion DA but a rotary is much more precise as the edge of the pad is doing 100% work where a DA you have to deal with the ghosting footprint as it’s the nature of a DA. See below article by MP.

https://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-to-articles-by-mike-phillips/120523-ghosting-footprint-actual-footprint-long-stroke-free-spinning-orbital-polishers.html?highlight=Ghosting+footprint