Griot's Garage 6" Polisher: Current state of affairs

[RZJZA80]

Actually, I had an older "pro" GG6 that the backing plate would not come off, i sent it back simply asking them to remove the plate, but they sent me a brand new one, without the "pro" on there. I'm sure they could have removed the backing plate, even if the spindle was damaged, it had to have been cheaper than an entire unit. Now I'm thinking if one goes in for warranty, they may keep the "pro" ones and just send the newer ones to cover themselves a bit better. That's just the conspiracy theorist in me talking though.

[Paul Sparks]

I exchanged one about 5-6 months ago and got another marked PRO on it. Did that at their warehouse here in Plainfield In.

[D&D Auto Detail]

Given the same car, same paint, same backing plate, same pad, speed, technique, etc. How could one DA machine leave pigtails and another DA machine not? Assuming specifications are the same.

[brownbob06]

I can't use my GG6 on speed 6 for more than one pass without it getting extremely hot. To the point that I feel it will ruin my backing plate or pad. ( I've had it ruin my backing plate on speed 5 and pads at 4.5 and 5.)

The machine works great as long as you pull it off the car very often to check for heat, but it's a PITA that I can't keep working longer than 10-15 seconds without it getting super hot.

[LeMarque]

I recently experienced a similar situation as RZJZA80. I was using the GG on speed five with Optimum MF pads and the pad came apart. Truth be said, I started to prime another pad and it separated from the foam. My supplier is replacing all the Optimum MF pads for me ( purchased about a dozen) with Optimums latest iteration.

I also experienced an LC H2O Tangerine beginning to fail, the backing plate seemed to cut a circle in the foam; again speed 5.

This is the replacement GG I just received and it's acting a bit funny. At first it would sound as if speed would change on it's own, then it seemed like it wasn't spinning the pad!?

I'm going to be using it today to see if whether it's user error or not.

Bought it as a backup to my Megs DA and I'm beginning to feel like I wish I knew HD was going to be shipping before I purchased it.

[DJ Mayo]

Honestly, you don't even need speed 6 on the GG DA EVER! For compounding stages with say MF pads, I stay at 4.5 all the time with roughly 25-30lbs of pressure. I use to use speed 6 from time to time 18months ago, but since then with 4.5, I have not ruined a single pad from heat. The correct pressure is where you get the cut from. If speed 4.5 doesn't cut for you, try a little more pressure and make another pass.

[RZJZA80]

I'm glad this thread has found others having a similar problem, and it wasn't just me lol. Keep the suggestions coming, as it will obviously help many people here to achieve better results.

[Dan]

Honestly, you don't even need speed 6 on the GG DA EVER! For compounding stages with say MF pads, I stay at 4.5 all the time with roughly 25-30lbs of pressure. I use to use speed 6 from time to time 18months ago, but since then with 4.5, I have not ruined a single pad from heat. The correct pressure is where you get the cut from. If speed 4.5 doesn't cut for you, try a little more pressure and make another pass.

Whoa, DJ is back! What difference have you found with a lower speed and more pressure vs speed 6 and less pressure? I really don't apply any pressure to the tool, other than its own weight. I find it slows the rotation of the tool and I don't seem to get any better results with more weight, at least not the same way as a rotary. I could certainly see the 30lbs and speed 6 creating some serious heat.

[RaskyR1]

Honestly, you don't even need speed 6 on the GG DA EVER! For compounding stages with say MF pads, I stay at 4.5 all the time with roughly 25-30lbs of pressure. I use to use speed 6 from time to time 18months ago, but since then with 4.5, I have not ruined a single pad from heat. The correct pressure is where you get the cut from. If speed 4.5 doesn't cut for you, try a little more pressure and make another pass.

Holly cow! Who's this guy?

I have to agree with DJ. I'm on speed 4-4.5 for pretty much every car I do and I never go over speed 5.

[DJ Mayo]

Speed 6 is just a waste, even though the added pressure slows down the rotation, your not loosing the cut. The movement of the DA provides the cut, while you want the pad spinning some, it does not need to spin at full speed in order to get what you want. This past week we did a test with 15lbs of pressure on speed 4.5 and 30lbs of pressure on speed 4.5 / not only did the 30lbs of pressure cut more, it provided a slightly better finish too since the pad wasn't spinning freely.

[Dan]

Speed 6 is just a waste, even though the added pressure slows down the rotation, your not loosing the cut. The movement of the DA provides the cut, while you want the pad spinning some, it does not need to spin at full speed in order to get what you want. This past week we did a test with 15lbs of pressure on speed 4.5 and 30lbs of pressure on speed 4.5 / not only did the 30lbs of pressure cut more, it provided a slightly better finish too since the pad wasn't spinning freely.

Thanks DJ. I'll give it a go at a lower speed and more pressure and see what sort of results I get.

[DJ Mayo]

Sounds good, let me know.