Help with questions for Griot's 6" polisher

[dblbogey]

I've decided to buy Griot's 6" orbital polisher ( 3rd generation). I'm completely new to this stuff. What finishing pads, microfiber bonnet over a finishing pad, just in general what specific pads should I get to apply wax, apply polish, and remove wax, etc. Specifically looking for exact sizes I need, as well as specific brands/types of pads. Also any suggestions on a good value Polish and carnuba wax to use. I'll mainly be working on my red 2012 Infiniti G37. Thanks for any help. I'm sure these questions get asked over and over, and I've found a lot of useful information here already, but still have a lot of questions.

[Coopers ST]

I have the same polisher and have had good luck with the Lake County flats in Orange, White, Blue, and Grey

[Rsurfer]

I have the same polisher and have had good luck with the Lake County flats in Orange, White, Blue, and Grey

Your Griot came with a 6" backing plate. Coopers ST on pads are a good choice. For value, I would go with Meguiar's polishes and LSP.

[dblbogey]

Would those be 6 inch pads? I read somewhere that Griot's polisher uses 6 1/2 inch pads.

[Coopers ST]

6" backing plate, 6 1/2 inch pad.

[ski2]

While the GG 6 can handle 6.5" pads it performs more effectively, more quickly and is easier to use with 5.5" pads. So before you start buying pads buy a 5" backing plate and then build your pad collection with 5.5" pads. And, 5.5" pads are less expensive--with your first order of a 6 pack of pads you'll save almost enough on 5.5" pads to pay for your 5" backing plate.

You don't really need a MF bonnet to remove sealant or wax--if it's applied corrctly (very, very thin coat) it wipes off with ease by hand.

[dblbogey]

Does it need to be any particular 5" backing plate to be compatible with the Griot's? Thanks for the help.

[EVOlved]

Does it need to be any particular 5" backing plate to be compatible with the Griot's? Thanks for the help.

There is multiple any that say they are for the porter cable work. Personally have been using B&S on my GG with great results, the green pads are fantastic, then orange would be my next choice if I had to pick 2.

[Lost Highway]

Per ski2 and EVOlved you'd do well to get a 5" backing plate and use 5.5" pads.
Like EVOlved the green B&S pad is probably my most used for correction although harder paints and serious flaws call for other measures. I use the black or red B&S pads for applying waxes. Black for a finishing pad. I've never used MF bonnets.
SONAX Perfect Finish 4/6 is my most used polish but it isn't exactly inexpensive. Menzerna PF2500/203S (in a diminishing polish) or Optimum Hyper Polish or Polish II (SMAT) are also fine choices for a polishes that will be adequate as one-steps for most situations. I haven't used the 3D/HD polishes but that might be another option.
Personally, I'd probably push you toward sealants and coatings as opposed to waxes but if you want to go the carnauba wax route Collinite 915 is excellent. Collinite 845, their "liquid" wax is also a great value but a more sealant-y look. I also really like Victoria Wax Concours (red) and Blackfire Midnight Sun.

[ski2]

Does it need to be any particular 5" backing plate to be compatible with the Griot's? Thanks for the help.

Any backing plate for any dual action polisher will work. Here's an example lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)

When it comes to pads make sure you purchase enough to get through each polishing step without having to stop to wash pads and wait for them to dry. So at a minimum I suggest 4 pads for heavier scratch removing (example 4 orange pads), 4 pads for polishing (example 4 green B&S or 4 white LC pads) a couple of finishing pads (example 2 black or 2 blue) and one pad dedicated to each LSP you plan to use (the B&S red pad is very soft with no cut, but has very dense pores so product is not soaked into the pad).

Keep your pads clean during polishing--read up on "Cleaning on the Fly" and alternate between two pairs of pads to allow for cooling as heat is the greatest pad killer.

Here's a list of articles by Mike that are very helpful http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html

[Mike Phillips]

Does it need to be any particular 5" backing plate to be compatible with the Griot's? Thanks for the help.



Read this,

5 inch Backing Plates on Meguiar's, Griot's and Porter Cable DA Polishers (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-tools-accessories/48668-5-inch-backing-plates-meguiar-s-griot-s-porter-cable-da-polishers.html)


Here's some more, all from my article list.,...

How To Do a Test Spot (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/50162-how-do-test-spot.html)
(and why it's so important)

I recommend everyone read this article first - before you need to troubleshoot :)

DA Polisher Trouble Shooting Guide (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/37769-da-polisher-trouble-shooting-guide.html)

Video: Mark your backing plate to make it easy to see pad rotation (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-car-garage-how-videos/49489-video-mark-your-backing-plate-make-easy-see-pad-rotation.html)

Factors that can cause a pad to stop rotating on a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/48955-factors-can-cause-pad-stop-rotating-da-polisher.html)

Video: How-To do a "Section Pass" when Machine Polishing with a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-videos/24074-video-how-do-section-pass-when-machine-buffing.html)

The Compression Washer (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/hot-topics-frequently-asked-questions/48913-compression-washer.html)

How to prime a foam pad when using a DA Polisher (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/how-articles/35292-how-prime-foam-pad-when-using-da-polisher.html)

How much product do I use with my DA Polisher? (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/26962-how-much-product-do-i-use-my-da-polisher.html)

Wet Buffing Technique (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/tricks-tips-techniques/36237-wet-buffing-technique.html)

DA Polisher Articles - Help for Newbies to Machine Polishing (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/38399-da-polisher-articles-help-newbies-machine-polishing.html)

Handle? Or No Handle? - Using DA Polishers Without the Handle (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/questions-about-porter-cable-7424xp-7424-7336-griot-s-meguiar-s-dual-action-polishers/30822-handle-no-handle-using-da-polishers-without-handle.html)





:xyxthumbs:

[HUMP DIESEL]

Any backing plate for any dual action polisher will work. Here's an example lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate (http://www.autogeek.net/lc43125.html)

When it comes to pads make sure you purchase enough to get through each polishing step without having to stop to wash pads and wait for them to dry. So at a minimum I suggest 4 pads for heavier scratch removing (example 4 orange pads), 4 pads for polishing (example 4 green B&S or 4 white LC pads) a couple of finishing pads (example 2 black or 2 blue) and one pad dedicated to each LSP you plan to use (the B&S red pad is very soft with no cut, but has very dense pores so product is not soaked into the pad).

Keep your pads clean during polishing--read up on "Cleaning on the Fly" and alternate between two pairs of pads to allow for cooling as heat is the greatest pad killer.

Here's a list of articles by Mike that are very helpful http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/ask-expert-featuring-mike-phillips/23722-articles-mike-phillips.html


I second these recommendations, having to stop is a pain, best to be able to pull a pad off, toss it in a bucket and keep on moving right along with the correction. The money you spend on pads will be some of the best spent.

HUMP

[dblbogey]

Thanks for all the information. One more question, I can't figure out who B&S is regarding pads.

[Rsurfer]

Thanks for all the information. One more question, I can't figure out who B&S is regarding pads.

B&S=Buff and Shine

[DaveT435]

+1 on Optimum Hyper polish. It's one of the most versatile products I have used. More aggressive pad will give you better cut, on a finishing pad it finishes beautifully!!