new griots 6"

[tommy44]

I recently ordered a griots da and one of each of the red, black and orange pads they sell to get started. What would be some other things I may need? Advice on some other pads would be helpful, thanks!
Tom

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

Hi Tom, welcome to AGO!

I always preferred to use the smaller 5.5" pads. Personally I love the Hydro tech pads because of the closed cell construction. Another benefit is only having 3 pads in the lineup and its easy to remember. Cyan for cutting, Tangerine for polishing, and Crimson for finishing.

Also pick up the LC 5" backing plate.

[tommy44]

Thanks for the tips. I'll have to pick up a 5" backing plate and some more pads.

[KBsToy]

I used my Griots last weekend for the 1st time. I used the 5.5 Micro-Fiber cutting / polishing pads on my Camaro they worked out nice.

I also have the 3" for hard to get places...

[hogie]

Get more pads.....after I bought my package I quickly learned 1 of each will get them burned up quick.

[Toxix]

Definitely more pads.
For a vehicle that requires quite a bit of cutting, I use anywhere from 3-6 pads.

[tommy44]

Thanks for the help guys. I definitely need to get more pads

[cardaddy]

I recently ordered a griots da and one of each of the red, black and orange pads they sell to get started. What would be some other things I may need? Advice on some other pads would be helpful, thanks!
Tom

Welcome to AGO Tom! :welcome:


Definitely more pads.
For a vehicle that requires quite a bit of cutting, I use anywhere from 3-6 pads.

THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously, first compounding you'll need AT LEAST 4 of the same color pad (if not 6).
Polishing you can get away with 3 or 4 IF YOU TAKE BREAKS and rotate out your pads, clean them, and let them cool.

We've used as many as 8 foam pads doing an suv. (compounding)

Microfiber pads you can get away with 2~3 for cutting, 2~3 for polishing. However polishing I still feel is better left to foam pads. BUT... you need AIR to keep those pads clean, and you REALLY need to change them out often, very very often. They'll heat up, not on the face, but on the back where the friction from the Velcro builds up internal heat.

In fact, Meguiar's went back and re-engineered their microfiber system with a *dedicated* backing (plate way back when). Because heat was destroying the pads!

HEAT IS YOUR ENEMY!

I really REALLY wish they'd stop selling new buffer/pad kits with only 3 pads. Or only 6 for that matter! That's just not enough pads, period. Sorry.

Now that does NOT mean you need to load up on yellow pads. Probably use them once and never again. (If all you're doing is your own vehicles).

But seriously.... pads are your friend. They are the extension to your tool.