Dual action polisher or not to dual action polisher?

[SmoothAsGlass]

I have used a dual action polisher in the past, but never really got it done to work well. Seemed I was always using too much product or something, but have always found working my hand to be more my style.



However, I am curious for those using polish and Meg #16 or Collinite 845IW, do you apply by hand or with a dual action polisher? If you are using a dual action polisher, trying to figure out which one to go with and what type of pads.

[gmblack3]

For LSP`s I usually apply by hand, but for any paint correction or even just working in an AIO I always use a machine. Right now I`m using the Meguairs G110v2 and the griots 6" polisher.

[SmoothAsGlass]

Was looking at the Meguiars you mentioned and the Porter-Cable 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher.



Which pads did you end up going with for polishing or using an AIO?

For LSP`s I usually apply by hand, but for any paint correction or even just working in an AIO I always use a machine. Right now I`m using the Meguairs G110v2 and the griots 6" polisher.

[Accumulator]

.. I am curious for those using polish and Meg #16 or Collinite 845IW, do you apply by hand or with a dual action polisher? If you are using a dual action polisher, trying to figure out which one to go with and what type of pads.

I do those two LSPs both ways, but IMO both really lend themselves to machine application. Especially the #16, it really does its "the paste wax that turns liquid" thing when applied by machine.



I do #16 via Cyclo and 845 via Griot`s/PC. For PC type machines, I like the read Griot`s waxing pads, but most any zero-cut/finishing/LSPing pad will work fine with both products.

[Accumulator]

Was looking at the Meguiars you mentioned and the Porter-Cable 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher.



Which pads did you end up going with for polishing or using an AIO?

I`d use smaller pads than 6" with any PC type machine (possible exception is the Griot`s). Which polishing pad depends on what kind of polishing, but the Griot`s polishing pad or the LC Hydrotech tangerine would be a good general-purpose choice.



For AIOs, I prefer a very mild polishing pad over a finishing pad, but that`s just my personal preference. I use polishing pads that are gentle enough to *NOT* have any cut of their own (on harder paints the Griot`s polishing pad works fine for me).

[SmoothAsGlass]

Considering the following:



- Porter-Cable 7424XP

- Meguiar`s G110v2 Professional Dual Action Polisher

[Dan]

Considering the following:



- Porter-Cable 7424XP

- Meguiar`s G110v2 Professional Dual Action Polisher

Don`t leave the Griots unit off your shopping list. Very powerful and a lifetime warranty.

[Accumulator]

Don`t leave the Griots unit off your shopping list. Very powerful and a lifetime warranty.

Yeah, seriously. There are scads of people who tried the other two and ended up switching to the Griot`s.

[Scottwax]

Take it from someone who polished cars by hand professionally for several years before switching to DA polishers and a rotary. Get a good polisher. You simply cannot polish as deeply and evenly by hand as you can by machine.

[SmoothAsGlass]

Which Griots model are you referring to?

Don`t leave the Griots unit off your shopping list. Very powerful and a lifetime warranty.

[SmoothAsGlass]

Can you elaborate on the differences in the Griot compared to the other two?

Yeah, seriously. There are scads of people who tried the other two and ended up switching to the Griot`s.

[Accumulator]

Which Griots model are you referring to?

Here`s one, though it`s also offered with a longer cord (which I recommend)- Griot`s Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Dual action buffer, DA polisher

Can you elaborate on the differences in the Griot compared to the other two?

The Griot`s is more powerful (and yeah, you really will appreciate the difference like you can`t imagine) and it has a better warranty.



Among the people who`ve tried others and prefer the Griot`s you`ll find Barry Theal. Just get him going on how superior the Griot`s is!

[SmoothAsGlass]

You use the orange Griot`s pad for polishing and the red pad for waxing?

For a cleaner, would you still go with an orange pad too?

Here`s one, though it`s also offered with a longer cord (which I recommend)- Griot`s Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Dual action buffer, DA polisher







The Griot`s is more powerful (and yeah, you really will appreciate the difference like you can`t imagine) and it has a better warranty.



Among the people who`ve tried others and prefer the Griot`s you`ll find Barry Theal. Just get him going on how superior the Griot`s is!

[SmoothAsGlass]

Ended up ordering the Griot`s Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher.



As for pad, is generally 2 of the orange pads sufficient?



I think a problem I have always had in the past is using too much of the product. How do you determine the appropriate amount? Add it directly to the surface of the car or to the pad and rub it around some on the finish?

Don`t leave the Griots unit off your shopping list. Very powerful and a lifetime warranty.

[Accumulator]

Ended up ordering the Griot`s Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher.



As for pad, is generally 2 of the orange pads sufficient?

It depends what you`re doing.



Some products seem to require that the pads stay very clean *and dry* (that last bit`s the kicker in many cases). To do a whole car you`d need a lot of pads or a lot of time/effort.



Generally, I`d want four of those. BUT I wouldn`t want to be doing serious correction with them either. Even on that machine IMO they`re still a bit too big and they`re not all that aggressive.