Review: Griot's G9 - 9mm Orbit Stroke Random Orbital Polisher by Mike Phillips

[Mike Phillips]

Mike,

In your opinion is this a large upgrade over the original PC? I am starting to get back into the detailing hobby and broke out my old trusty PC. It got the job done but I did have issues with pad stalling at certain angles. Will the G9 greatly reduce this?

Yes.

[Dr Oldz]

I’m one that has been wishing for a revamped short stroke polisher! Personally, I find need for DA that isn’t a long stroke. Sometimes finishing on select paints with a long stroke doesn’t give the results that a short stroke polisher will.

I often use my GG6 or PC for finishing. Maybe that doesn’t make me the cool kid on the block but I’m after results.

Now this machine............ I’m just going to say WOW!! price and features are stellar! I certainly don't need this but I’m certainly getting one!

Thanks for the detailed write up, Mike!

[The Guz]

[KBsToy]

Like I said in the past Apex Details gives out honest info

[Mike Phillips]

Thanks for the detailed write up, Mike!

Was kind of rushed as I generated a lot of new original content last week before leaving for my Ohio Roadshow Class.


Pictures: Roadshow Class with Detail Pro Shop in Powell, Ohio

[wcharon]

Thanks Mike for the review.

I have to be honest and say first that i am a newbie so beware me with my questions. I received this toy today and will like to be clear before i start to use it on my 3 cars (Nissan 350z 2004, Ford Explorer 2011 and Mustang GT 2019). To me my paints are good as i always have maintained them manually.

Now where i want to be clear is with the Backing Plates and Pads to start.

1. The Backing Plate that comes with the Polisher is 6". Can i use 6.5 and 6.0 or 5.5 with this backing plate?
2. Can i use a 5" Backing Plate to use smaller Pads or vice-versa?

What will you recommend me for better combination?

Thanks in advance...

[Mike Phillips]

Apologies - I just now found your post.

Thanks Mike for the review.

I have to be honest and say first that i am a newbie so beware me with my questions. I received this toy today and will like to be clear before i start to use it on my 3 cars (Nissan 350z 2004, Ford Explorer 2011 and Mustang GT 2019). To me my paints are good as i always have maintained them manually.

Now where i want to be clear is with the Backing Plates and Pads to start.

1. The Backing Plate that comes with the Polisher is 6". Can i use 6.5 and 6.0 or 5.5 with this backing plate?

Yes. No problems.

2. Can i use a 5" Backing Plate to use smaller Pads or vice-versa?

Yes.

Technically you can use larger pads on the smaller backing plate but there won't be any "support" behind the outer portion of the face of the pad.

What will you recommend me for better combination?

Thanks in advance...

What I recommend and what I did for my own personal G9 is to put a Griot's 5" G9 backing plate on this tool and then use 5.5" pads on it.

Here's two recent articles on this topic I wrote.


Backing Plate Swap - 5 inch backing plate for the Griot's Garage G9


Foam Pad Options for the Griots G9 Polisher

[wcharon]

Perfect. Thanks Mike. Will get a reading on the articles..

[oneheadlite]

...
1. The Backing Plate that comes with the Polisher is 6". Can i use 6.5 and 6.0 or 5.5 with this backing plate?...

...

Yes. No problems.

...

Just to clarify, I think Mike meant that you can use 6.0” and 6.5” pads on the included 6” backing plate; but if you’re looking to run 5.0” or 5.5” pads you’ll need the 5” plate.

[wcharon]

Just to clarify, I think Mike meant that you can use 6.0” and 6.5” pads on the included 6” backing plate; but if you’re looking to run 5.0” or 5.5” pads you’ll need the 5” plate.

Yeppppppppp. Thanks for the clarification.

At least i already used the 6.0 and 6.5 on my Ford Explorer and i worked great. At least for me as a newbie. Next car will be a Mustang 2019 and a Nissan 350Z and i will see how those pads 6.0 / 6.5 works with them.