Why 5.5

[Major2257]

Just bough but haven't used yet the Griot's g9 and g8 polishers. I want to start ordering the pads I need (it came with 6.5 inch back plate and a few pads) but I see a lot of folks recommend changing to 5.5. If I switch backing plates I need to be buying the 5.5's. Is there a definite benefit to the 5.5? I''m in no hurry to start and want everything I need before starting. I'm 65 yrs old with a BLACK F150 and know I'm in for a workout!

One more thought... I see that I need a pad brush and can't believe how pricey some are. Any recommendations for that and reasons? Thank all of you in advance. I've only posted one other thread and was overwhelmed with all the help I received!

[Eldorado2k]

Is there a definite benefit to the 5.5? BLACK F150

There’s not a real mindblowing difference between using 6.5” or 5.5” pads on a polisher like that. Griots has been selling polishers for well over a decade, and I’m pretty sure they wouldn’t be dumb enough to equip it with a backing plate & pad setup that was inadequate.

The only real benefit in downsizing the pads on a machine like that is if you happen to have a small vehicle such as a Prius or a Geo Metro or similar vehicle where you’re dealing with small panels and tight corners where a bigger pad might not be as easy to work with, but on a Ford F150 the bigger pads are actually ideal because you can cover a larger area in a shorter amount of time. In your case I’d go as far as saying the smaller pads would only make your work harder. Stick with the 6.5” pads.

I have a Griots Boss 21mm polisher and I love using it with 6.5”-7” pads which are as big as you can equip it with. There’s nothing it can’t do based on using the full sized pads it was intended to use.

As far as the pad brush… I felt the same way for a while as I didn’t feel like paying $12.99 or whatever they cost was justified and I cheaped out and used a brush similar to the Tuff Shine Tire brush as a “pad brush” for a while. Except I bought the brush with the Black bristles which are actually much stiffer than the Tuff Shine brush and I don’t know how I managed to not ruin my pads using it as a pad brush. Lol.

Did it work? Yea I guess. Was it worth the $6 bucks I saved? Heck no. The real pad brush is 1 of the essential tools of detailing. It’s simple, basic, and just plain good for what it does.

The Tuff Shine brush should actually work, as I’m pretty sure it’s the same kind of bristles as the pad brush, but the pad brush is more ergonomic.

[luckydawg]

More correcting power driving a smaller pad
Cost of pads is about 20% less

Not to get anyones feathers ruffled , but I have a F-150 and I polish it with the 5.5's. If I were doing something like a motorhome i would say go big

[Eldorado2k]

More correcting power driving a smaller pad
Cost of pads is about 20% less

Not to get anyones feathers ruffled , but I have a F-150 and I polish it with the 5.5's. If I were doing something like a motorhome i would say go big

Gelcoat is usually much harder than clearcoat. If you went big you’d give up all that correcting power and never be able to get the job done. Lol.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220702/9e99d7a44a6872c6c6edb6079a73857b.jpg

[dlc95]

Back when the original Porter Cable 7424 was being widely used, the polishes and compounds available weren't as effective as the modern ones. This caused operators to need a TON of pressure and speed to get the results they were after.

One of the remedies was to switch h from the 6" plate 6.5" pad system to the 5" plate 5.5" pad system to get more concentrated power when polishing.

Instead of a pad brush, you can use an old medium stiffness tooth brush.

[luckydawg]

Gelcoat is usually much harder than clearcoat. If you went big you’d give up all that correcting power and never be able to get the job done. Lol.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20220702/9e99d7a44a6872c6c6edb6079a73857b.jpg
Point was you dont need a bigger pad especially on something like a F-150-- you must be use to only polishing smart cars or chevy sparks
:laughing:

[Eldorado2k]

Point was you dont need a bigger pad especially on something like a F-150-- you must be use to only polishing smart cars or chevy sparks
:laughing:

He made the smart decision of also picking up a new G8, so he’s equipped to handle any tight areas he’ll encounter. He asked if there’s a real benefit or need to switch to 5.5” and that tells me he’d rather not accumulate any unnecessary parts/costs, and based on his situation I’d stick with the current setup.

Otherwise he’d have to buy another backing plate and be left with a brand new 6” backing plate and brand new pads that’ll probably never get used. Given the fact that he brought up the somewhat high price of the pad brush, I’m guessing he enjoys keeping his startup costs at a minimum if possible.

[luckydawg]

He made the smart decision of also picking up a new G8, so he’s equipped to handle any tight areas he’ll encounter. He asked if there’s a real benefit or need to switch to 5.5” and that tells me he’d rather not accumulate any unnecessary parts/costs, and based on his situation I’d stick with the current setup.

Otherwise he’d have to buy another backing plate and be left with a brand new 6” backing plate and brand new pads that’ll probably never get used. Given the fact that he brought up the somewhat high price of the pad brush, I’m guessing he enjoys keeping his startup costs at a minimum if possible.
He mentioned nothing about costs except for the cost of some of the pad brushes. He purchased two machines so money can't be that tight for him. The cost of the larger pads is significantly higher and since any experienced detailer knows how many pads you need on a full size truck and the different grades , that is a good chunk of change. The benefits of cost savings and added correction power is worth the change, and its backed up by the majority of folks that make the said change.

[Eldorado2k]

He mentioned nothing about costs except for the cost of some of the pad brushes. He purchased two machines so money can't be that tight for him. The cost of the larger pads is significantly higher and since any experienced detailer knows how many pads you need on a full size truck and the different grades , that is a good chunk of change. The benefits of cost savings and added correction power is worth the change, and its backed up by the majority of folks that make the said change.

6.5” Griots Boss pads are $2 extra compared to 5.5” pads. The microfiber pad is only $1 extra. So if you were to buy 5 it’s only $10 more.

Have you seen how much it costs to “upgrade” to a 5” backing plate for the G9? $75 dollars. This is the only option I could find on AG.

5 inch Griot?s Garage BOSS Pad Conversion Kit (https://www.autogeek.net/griots-5inch-conversion-kit.html)

Then there’s a 5” backing plate that fits the G21 priced at $40 dollars by itself but won’t fit the G9.

So much for saving money and not using the new pads it came with.

[Eldorado2k]

I found the 5” backing plate by itself. Dang they make it hard to find this.

Griot's Garage 5 Inch Vented Backing Plate (https://www.autogeek.net/griots-5-inch-vented-backing-plate.html)

[luckydawg]

6.5” Griots Boss pads are $2 extra compared to 5.5” pads. The microfiber pad is only $1 extra. So if you were to buy 5 it’s only $10 more.

Have you seen how much it costs to “upgrade” to a 5” backing plate for the G9? $75 dollars. This is the only option I could find on AG.

5 inch Griot?s Garage BOSS Pad Conversion Kit (https://www.autogeek.net/griots-5inch-conversion-kit.html)

Then there’s a 5” backing plate that fits the G21 priced at $40 dollars by itself but won’t fit the G9.

So much for saving money and not using the new pads it came with.
Yes- I guess your right if he is only going to use it a time or two then get rid of it.

How about this for a novel Idea-- most of us use them for YEARS---add that up--- so much for saving money and using the pads it came with:laughing:

[Major2257]

Yes- I guess your right if he is only going to use it a time or two then get rid of it.

How about this for a novel Idea-- most of us use them for YEARS---add that up--- so much for saving money and using the pads it came with:laughing:

I know it didn't come with near enough pads to do the whole truck. That is what got me on this subject. I hate to buy more 6.5 pads if I'm going to change to 5.5. My thought was that with advice from you good folks I could determine if the 5.5 would make a quality job any easier or more efficient.

I haven't even plugged the buffers in yet. I want to make sure I have everything I need before starting. In a previous thread you'all really helped with the items I need to get but searching them out for the best price is a challenge since I have never tried this. It appears to me that pads are going to be the hardest to choose. There are simply too many brands to choose from. What manufacturer produces the best quality? I have the Griot's buffers but I read a lot of good things about Lake Country.

[Major2257]

He mentioned nothing about costs except for the cost of some of the pad brushes. He purchased two machines so money can't be that tight for him. The cost of the larger pads is significantly higher and since any experienced detailer knows how many pads you need on a full size truck and the different grades , that is a good chunk of change. The benefits of cost savings and added correction power is worth the change, and its backed up by the majority of folks that make the said change.

I'm retired but fortunate to not have to watch every penny. I usually want the best bang for my buck but as I get older, I obsess over it. Having said that, I will choose quality over the price but with some things I don't need the best. With this project, I know there will be a lot of work so I want the tools to do the best job possible. I tend to take good care of my "things" so I want good quality so that it lasts. You folks have something I don't, EXPERIENCE! You know what is good quality at a reasonable cost, I don't. If a pad brush makes the pads last longer, In the end I'm sure I'll come out ahead. Sometimes the "little" extras really help make the job easier and you do a better job. (For instance, I'm an ammunition re-loader. To reload, the basics will get you by but the little extras speed up the process and makes for a better product produced.)

Thanks again for you folks taking the time to help the (old) newbie out.

[Eldorado2k]

What manufacturer produces the best quality? I have the Griot's buffers but I read a lot of good things about Lake Country.

I love Lake Country pads. I have pads from Meguiars, Griots Garage, Rupes, Carpro, but the majority of my pads are and will continue to be from Lake Country. You can’t really go wrong with their flat foam pads, especially the Orange & Whites. You may want to pick up 1 or 2 yellows and maybe a black pad if you like to apply your lsp with the polisher.

Btw I use a Griots Boss G21 polisher and have both a 5” & 6” backing plate for it with dozens of pads in both sizes. For me it’s not a make or break situation what size pads I use and usually just go with whatever backing plate happens to be on the polisher at the time.

In the past 8yrs. I’ve had maybe 2 situations where I specifically made it a case to use 5” pads and the washer mod because I needed the extra cut. Every other time the 6.5” pads can handle anything the 5.5” pads can without even thinking out it.

As far as pads for the G8, the Lake Country Thinpros are good, but the lack of hole in the center tends to make them run hot on a small polisher and I’ve blown up several of those pads that way. The Griots Boss 3” pads have a hole in the center and they tend to hold up much better.

[oneheadlite]

I'm retired but fortunate to not have to watch every penny. I usually want the best bang for my buck but as I get older, I obsess over it. Having said that, I will choose quality over the price but with some things I don't need the best. With this project, I know there will be a lot of work so I want the tools to do the best job possible. I tend to take good care of my "things" so I want good quality so that it lasts. You folks have something I don't, EXPERIENCE! You know what is good quality at a reasonable cost, I don't. If a pad brush makes the pads last longer, In the end I'm sure I'll come out ahead. Sometimes the "little" extras really help make the job easier and you do a better job. (For instance, I'm an ammunition re-loader. To reload, the basics will get you by but the little extras speed up the process and makes for a better product produced.)

Thanks again for you folks taking the time to help the (old) newbie out.

My 2 cents on the topic, with the full disclaimer I'm but a mere enthusiast, not a professional.

As was mentioned earlier, I think the whole 5.5" conversion dates back to the Porter Cable days where the machine just didn't have the guts to work through the energy loss that took place with thick, larger diameter (6/6.5") pads. The work around was the thin 5.5" pads. I've had both the first gen Griot's Garage 6" machine (prior to the G9, the shorter throw 6" machines were referred to as GG6's) as well as a 3rd gen GG6. For these machines, I can confirm that they were easier to stall with the larger pad.

I sold my 3rd Gen GG6 to get the G9. I purchased the 5" vented plate (make sure to get the Griot's vented plate as it was designed for the machine) right away. Working on my wife's Q5, I started off with the thin BOSS 5.5" pads. Getting into more intricate areas, I was running into the pad slowing down a little, but not so much you couldn't work around it. As I went through the job and cycled through my pad inventory, I later switched to the 6.5" pad. I went back to that front fender, and was shocked to find that with the thick (Standard orange Griot's) 6.5" pad the G9 just kept it rotating right along.

Subsequent details confirmed that for tighter/smaller areas, ironically the larger thicker pad works better for me.

So, given your description of your situation, I feel like you'd be well served to invest a little up front and have both the 5.5" and 6.5" pads to play with. The one thing I can't speak towards is if on a flat surface the 5.5" thin pad is more efficient than a 6.5" pad (thick or thin, I have both options for both sizes). That goes back to just being a hobbyist and not putting that much mental energy into keeping tabs of exactly how many section passes which setup takes to get the same results.

Side note: The G8 is a great little machine as well. I really dig the quick connect electrical cords and the ability to switch between machines so easily without tripping over multiple cords.