Finally investing in my own polishing equipment.

[The Guz]

I used to help a buddy who owned a detailing business during the busy season. I worked for free, the tradeoff was getting time and experience behind his fancy Rupes polishers and experiencing what it was like polishing various paints from multiple brands. I really enjoyed it. Typically we would get away with a single step polish using Sonax Perfect Finish. I was either lucky, or unlucky, to never experience a job were we struggled to achieve the results we set out to get. Though I know there is much knowledge to be gained from such experiences....and much stress. Lol.

Long story short, I have some polishing experience. But have never bought my own machine until recently. A combination of getting new cars and not having good facilities to polish a car in prevented me from doing this sooner. I grabbed up the G9 while it was 20% off from Griot's(IG offer I happened across). I am excited to use it. I already have the smaller backing plate for 5" pads but haven't invested in pads yet. I did grab a bottle of Perfect Finish though as I am familiar with it. The only polish I am really familiar with tbh. I also grabbed a nice swirl finder pocket flashlight. Not sure if I want to commit to a larger light, yet.

Before I commit to more. I.E. pads, lighting, and more abrasives, I am looking for feedback from fellow hobbyists that polish occasionally. I am not doing this for profit and only looking to maintain a handful of vehicles. My buddy and I used to use hexlogic pads but I know there are other options and looking for suggestions on pads, mostly. Also looking to possibly explore AIOs but I have NEVER used an AIO before. So not sure what would be the best to go with due to no personal experience with any.

Thanks in advanced.

Sonax Perfect Finish is a good polish. If it is working then continue using it. It is versatile. Paint hardness is a variable but in most cases Perfect Finish finishes out just fine. If you need a compound then Sonax Cut max would be a good choice.

I am not an AIO user but there are various good ones.

[NightDrive43]

I was racking my brain on this for a couple weeks because I'm in the same situation you are. Recently watched Apex Detail's videos on polishing with body lotion, and then with water. The pads were more important than the polish/lubricant used.

I bought Turtle Wax Pro 1 and Done. It seems to finish well/cut well depending on the pad used. I just have Megs' Soft Buff pads from Amazon. 1 each of the light/wax pad, medium pad, and a cutting pad. I'll pick up some more pads in the future, but for now I'm trying to NOT overthink this.

[PouncingPanzer]

As far as fine polishes..... Carpro Essence is a must.

For All in One's....Scholl A15, BlackFire One and Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions which you can get off the shelf.

Scholls will cut better than BlackFire but is more difficult to remove.

Turtle Wax Hybrid Solutions is quite impressive and will give a sharper gloss look and will out protect the other two I mentioned by far. And like I said, it's nice to get it off the shelf.

Compounds......Carpro Ultracut, Menzerna 400, Sonax Cutmax are all amazing.

3D ACA will cut like no other and is more dedicated towards rotary but will cut better then the other compounds I mentioned by da but will not come close to finishing down as nice as the others and 99% of the time will need micro maring cleaned up with a finer polish.

To give a example of the ACA vs the others I would put it this way.....

Menzerna 400 with a microfiber or wool pad = ACA 500 with a foam pad.

With a rotary the 3D ACA finishes down very well.

For fine polishes.....Carpro Essence, Menzerna 3800, Sonax Cutmax.

I actually use Menzerna 3800 and a no cut foam pad with a rotary for jewling paint

As a huge fan of Carpro everything I was eyeballing the Essence and the Ultracut. I try not to get tunnel vision on one or two brands though. The detailer that has kept up with polishing my cars for the past 4~ years(in light of not having a good place to polish cars myself) uses Menzerna abrasives exclusively. They love them.

[mc2hill]

I am going to suggest a different route - start with the Rupes polishes and pads combinations, then see if you need to add other brands/products. Thier stuff is not cheap, but works great together.
I started out using products from one company, and I learned more I picked all different types of pads and products from different vendors - some 'flavor of the month', others on advice from my local Detail shop, forums, and detailing events.
Now I am back to mostly one brand again. I commented recently how great the Rupes yellow wool pads and the DA Finishing polishes are to work with - does not get very hot, so it has a long work time allowing me to cover a larger area with less passes for doing 'production' detailing. But the products also work great for the show-car details too.
I have not used the Griot's Garage polish/pad combo's, but expect them to be similar. I have used some AG inhouse brands, Meg's, Menzerna, Jescar, and Scholl's.

[dgage]

I am going to suggest a different route - start with the Rupes polishes and pads combinations, then see if you need to add other brands/products. Thier stuff is not cheap, but works great together.

I like the Rupes polishes and pads, I've really been using their wool pads recently and they are great. But, the same could be said about the Griot's BOSS creams/pads and there are several pros on here that use them exclusively. I like the Fast Correcting Cream and use it often for a compound that finishes nicely. I'd say the Griot's pads and creams are a little cheaper than the Rupes with similar capabilities. They both make good products and you can't go wrong with either. I'd add Carpro polishes and pads in that same discussion if we're talking systems. Of course, many mix and match pads and polishes but that is a separate discussion that would take many pages to cover all of the great combos.

[fly07sti]

I would suggest the Rupes yellow foam if you plan on doing a lot of 1 steps. It truly is my favorite all around pad. It can polish very well and it also cuts well on softer paints without marring. One of the best features is you can throw them in the washer to clean them. Extremely durable! I have yet for a single one to delaminate and I have been cleaning them this way for years. (Rupes says it’s how they clean pads during there training sessions)

[chilly]

I would suggest the Rupes yellow foam if you plan on doing a lot of 1 steps. It truly is my favorite all around pad. It can polish very well and it also cuts well on softer paints without marring. One of the best features is you can throw them in the washer to clean them. Extremely durable! I have yet for a single one to delaminate and I have been cleaning them this way for years. (Rupes says it’s how they clean pads during there training sessions)

^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^

[PouncingPanzer]

I would suggest the Rupes yellow foam if you plan on doing a lot of 1 steps. It truly is my favorite all around pad. It can polish very well and it also cuts well on softer paints without marring. One of the best features is you can throw them in the washer to clean them. Extremely durable! I have yet for a single one to delaminate and I have been cleaning them this way for years. (Rupes says it’s how they clean pads during there training sessions)

I shall order two! Funny enough I almost added those to the cart when I ordered the polisher.... Unfortunately the 20% sale is over on said website(isn't this one and not sure if frowned upon sharing other sites.) That is AWESOME they are durable enough to wash like that... I'm sold.

[chilly]

I shall order two! Funny enough I almost added those to the cart when I ordered the polisher.... Unfortunately the 20% sale is over on said website(isn't this one and not sure if frowned upon sharing other sites.) That is AWESOME they are durable enough to wash like that... I'm sold.

If you accidentally get them in a load of MFs including your Black Creature Edgeless ONR towels don’t worry

They may look like crap but they still work just fine




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[Coatingsarecrack]

I have A old BOSS g15. I’ve been meaning to try rupes yellow pads but bought 10 yellow and 10 orange pads from Griots.

They work so well i just haven’t pulled the trigger on the Rupes. Plus with weight being important for pad rotation I figure these are the better bet with there polishers.

The orange pads finish down great with there Correcting cream that alot of the times i don’t finish up with a fine polish. If i do use one it’s Essence.

The yellow with essence are amazing for lightly used cars and th orange ones work just as well if i need more cut.


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