Real benefits of 5" backplate on 21mm throw?

[Abic]

I have a Griot's G21 and I see that many people switch their backing plate to 5" on the 21mm long throw. Is there really some technical benefits of doing so?

Note that I also have a GG6 with 5" plate and a GG8 with 3" plate.

I am covered when I get to tight spaces. I just want advices on using the G21 to it's full potential.

Thanks

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[2wookies]

I too have the G21 and was using the 6” backing plate for 2 years. Once I made the switch down i wished I’d done it right away. 5.5” pads cut quicker, the 21mm throw helps cover more area quicker so team that with a smaller pad and you’re rocking.

[Eldorado2k]

the 21mm throw helps cover more area quicker so team that with a smaller pad and you’re rocking.

This is how I like to think of things except I use a 6” backing plate.. I’ve also had the 5” backing plate since the 1st day I bought the polisher but rarely use that setup, only slap it on if I’m dealing with a smaller vehicle or some extremely hard paint.

[WillSports3]

More cutting power. On some cars that only needs a one step, I vary between 2 to 4 passes. Then when I compound, three to four instead of five or six passes. On my own cars that are kept pretty well maintained, I'll literally throw on a dot or two of polish amd do two passes and it's done.

[Abic]

More cutting power. On some cars that only needs a one step, I vary between 2 to 4 passes. Then when I compound, three to four instead of five or six passes. On my own cars that are kept pretty well maintained, I'll literally throw on a dot or two of polish amd do two passes and it's done.

Thanks for the reply.

So, it cuts more with the 5 inch plate, but does it finish as good or better than the 6 inches plate?

I sure could appreciate working faster with the 5 inch, but I imagine that one has to be careful of not damaging the paint with that extra cutting power.

[WillSports3]

I think that it finishes absolutely great. Depends on technique for long throw. I cut at around 4 to 4.5, and if I'm polishing I'll polish at the 3.5 to 4 mark.

[PaulMys]

Thanks for the reply.

So, it cuts more with the 5 inch plate, but does it finish as good or better than the 6 inches plate?

I sure could appreciate working faster with the 5 inch, but I imagine that one has to be careful of not damaging the paint with that extra cutting power.

I think that it finishes absolutely great. Depends on technique for long throw. I cut at around 4 to 4.5, and if I'm polishing I'll polish at the 3.5 to 4 mark.

And this is the key.

Just like any other tool, or anything you do really, practice develops technique.

You can only read so much before you have to take that plunge into the actual "doing".

[WillSports3]

It's very true. Right now I'm working on cutting at 3.5/3. Less heat better cut. Less heat, less paint expansion, and therefore truer actual cut.

[seanktm]

Did you notice any increase in vibration when you made the switch from 6" to 5" BP?

[Eldorado2k]

So, it cuts more with the 5 inch plate, but does it finish as good or better than the 6 inches plate?

I sure could appreciate working faster with the 5 inch

It has the ability to cut harder with the 5”, but that doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll work faster, because you’ll be able to cover more ground and work faster with the 6” backing plate.

In reality, the chances of you needing to equip your polisher with a 5” backing plate because the 6” can’t quite cut though the defects are slim.

I polished this car yesterday. The only reason I used the 5” backing plate on my G21 was because it was already on there and I was too lazy to go grab the other 1 and change it.

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