Griots 6" machine with 3" backing plate

[GLS0628]

I am interested in the 6" GG. I am planning on ordering the a 5" backing plate to be able to use the 5.5" pads. I am interested in knowing if instead of also buying the 3" machine wouldn`t it be a little better to get a 3" backing plate and the 3.5" pads from griots? I see no reason to buy 2 machines but instead just use the one unit and change backing plate when I wanted smaller pads.
Also I am reading mostly that users prefer the Lake Country pads over the Griots. Anyone with an opinion? Since LC does not have a 3.5" should I go up to a 3.5" backing pad to use a LC 4" pad?

This is the start up items that I was considering.

6" GG
5" LC backing plate
5.5" LC CCS pads
3" LC backing plate
3.5" Griots pads


How about recommendations on light cutting compounds, polishes, and waxes?

GLS

[Klock]

I run 3" bp on my gg6" machine and it works awesome. The big benefit you will have with the 3 inch machine is going to be overall size. You will be able to fit the smaller machine into tighter areas obviously. And if you have both machines you don`t have to switchbacking plates which for me is not a big deal but if you don`t like taking the time to do that then having both machines would be better. I haven`t used the 3 inch polisher, but I have run into some jobs where a smaller machine would have been of a great benefit to me. I hope that helps a little. LC pads are my favorite with most jobs.

[bswombaugh]

I think that you are on the right track. I owned the 3" machine and ending up selling it. I just felt it did not have enough power for me. If I put much pressure on the machine at all it would quit spinning. I dont own a Griots 6" but I own a couple of PC 7424`s. I have one set up for 3" pads and the other one set up for 4" pads. I feel that these have much more power and are more effective than the Griots 3". Thats just my opinion.

As far as pads go - I like the Lake Country Hydrotech . I also really like the Buff & Shine microfiber and flat pads.

[mrclean81]

The GG3 sucks. Unless you want to run it at speed 6, its useless. I run a 3 in backing plate and extension on the rotary. Don`t get much more powerful or precise than that.

[wdmaccord]

Get a 3.5 inch backing plate also, so you can run 4" pads too.

[Stokdgs]

No one I know uses Griot`s pads.. They might be ok for a casual user perhaps, but if you are really going to work hard at this, you might consider pads from people who make them for professional use..

Their little toy 3" machine - looks like it cant possibly have enough grunt to do much outside of casual, easy jobs, and in a shop none of those parameters ever exist.. I just put a spacer and a smaller backing plate on my Makita and I can fit that anywhere..

Lake Country has been making pads for at least 10 years that I know of, and probably longer..
They have a huge amount of choices and sizes in both foam, microfiber and foam-wool blends, and they have worked great for me..

I also like their Infamous Hydro-Shred Line because you can absolutely correct the heck out of most anything with either the Cyan or Tangerine and have stunning clarity, with my Makita 9227C Rotary..

Now, if they could only get them to stop the Shred ---- :)
Dan F

[Swanicyouth]

The 3" Griots polishing pads are very good. The red 3" waxing pads are too soft for the GG 6`s power and heft and the BP digs into the soft foam.

I agree the GG6 works well with a 3" BP. There are a lot of 3" pads now. If they have to be 3" faced - I`d get the new LC flat 3" pads. I have them - but haven`t used them. Hopefully they are a bit more durable than the HydroTechs.


Get a 3.5 inch backing plate also, so you can run 4" pads too.

I`d skip the 3.5" BP and just get Rupes pads. They are tapered so the BP area is 3" & the face is 4". Therefore, you can use a 3" or 4" faced pad with the same 3" BP. The Rupes 4" pads work well on the GG6.

In my general experience, Rupes and B n S pads are more durable than LC. I`ve never had a pad from the former two delaminate or shred... LC;... well....

Sadly, I don`t think B n S makes a 3" foam pad.

[RaysWay]

The RUPES 4 inch pads work great with a 3 inch BP too. The backing material is 3 inches so it fits perfectly on a 3 inch BP. The coarse blue RUPES pad is one of my favorite small diameter correcting pads. Something about the stiff coarse foam, allows the smaller pad to rotate more efficiently so it doesn`t bog down like spongier pads do.

[The Driver]

The GG3 sucks. Unless you want to run it at speed 6, its useless. I run a 3 in backing plate and extension on the rotary. Don`t get much more powerful or precise than that.

Lol, I agree. However it is a great gentle spot sander. I think I`d buy another down the road just for sanding purposes. The Rupes mini blows it out of the water.... I`ve had both. The second I compared them I sold the gg3 that day.

[Merlin]

I`d go with a Meguiars Unigrit 3 Inch Professional Backing Plate (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/meguiars-unigrit-backing-plate.html#.U-ecafldV8E).

http://ep.yimg.com/ay/autopia/meguiars-unigrit-3-inch-professional-backing-plate-and-adaptor-kit-12.jpg

It`s slightly smaller and is MUCH safer when using Megs 3" microfiber cutting/polishing discs.
You do NOT want the backing plate to be slightly larger than the pad when working close.

[RaysWay]

Lol, I agree. However it is a great gentle spot sander. I think I`d buy another down the road just for sanding purposes. The Rupes mini blows it out of the water.... I`ve had both. The second I compared them I sold the gg3 that day.

Great for polishing headlights too.

[mrclean81]

The only thing I use it for is the 3000 grit Trizact disks. I agree that for sanding and headlight restos, its great. Paint correction, not so much. I do occasionally use it to polish or glaze door jams since its so small.