Oh No Power Cord Issue Once Again for Meguiars MT300

[The Guz]

Well I had posted a couple months ago about the Meguiar`s MT300 that I own exhibited a power cord issue. I will link the thread over on Autogeek for now. In short it was repaired under warranty with a quick turnaround.

Meguiar`s MT300 Power Cord Issue - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

All was going fine until I was polishing my personal vehicle and the same thing happened once again. The dreaded power cord issue for a second time. The previous time it failed after 4 cars. Well this time it failed once again after 4 cars. Ah the constant headaches with this tool. It works very well when it is working. But the reliability is not assuring.

Warranty is only a year on this tool and I have had it for 1 year and 1 month. I will double check with Meguiar`s on it but if it is out of warranty I will take it apart myself.

A Rupes Mark II here I come.

[donbeezy]

you gotta hold your tongue to the left when you use that polisher

[ShaneB]

Wow... Even if they will fix or replace it again, I don`t know if I would rely on it at all. Cant have something like that happen and potentially put the brakes on a paid detail

[pwaug]

Why not consider a Boss 21 so you won`t have to worry about it going out of warranty?

[Stokdgs]

Mike,
Wow, I have had a little G110V2 since they first came out - what about 10+ years ago - and it has never had a problem like that.
Now I dont use it heavily and certainly for for correcting a whole vehicle on speed 6 for 10 hours, etc., but it does get to work out on all the glass, moon roofs, tail lights, smaller stuff, etc., and it has never done this..

My workhorse Makita 9227C started failing after a few years and I just took it apart and found one of the 3 wires right above the spot where it goes into the handle, that had the covering worn off and it started shorting out the machine.

So I just carefully removed that worn out electrical plug in cord and replaced it with another heavier duty one and it has been fine..

All machines that get stressed at that point have a chance of failing there - especially if you pull the cord tightly to wrap it up after using it, twist it around and around a lot, or pull on it a lot...

Mind you, I dont do any of those things, but eventually these weak points can fail no matter how good the maker tries to keep that from happening.. We just have to be gentle with that cord and try not to place it under too much strain all the time..

In all the years of using these machines, I have never heard of any problems with them - Except - with the electrical cord at the point where it goes into the handle, or just past that spot..

If you choose to fix the bad cord, I would suggest you get some heat shrink, cut the wire carefully, take off just enough insulation on both ends, slide on the heat shrink, twist the two wires together - long way - you spread the individual wires out straight on both ends, then carefully merge them together so they slide into each other, then twist, and solder them.
then slide the heat shrink over and heat it to shrink it..

Anything else will not last or cause problems later..

Use a good soldering iron, and a damp sponge to clean the tip carefully after its heated up, then heat the wires from underneath with the tip, and touch them with the solder and it will melt and flow over all of them as you move it back and forth..

Not too much, just enough to cover them all in silver completely..
Let them cool before you slide over the heatshrink..

Looked at the video, - its just failing because its losing the electrical connection most likely there just inside where the wire goes into the hole in the handle halves..

Another justification to have a Back Up machine, eh ?

Good luck -
Dan F

[The Guz]

Mike,
Wow, I have had a little G110V2 since they first came out - what about 10+ years ago - and it has never had a problem like that.
Now I dont use it heavily and certainly for for correcting a whole vehicle on speed 6 for 10 hours, etc., but it does get to work out on all the glass, moon roofs, tail lights, smaller stuff, etc., and it has never done this..

My workhorse Makita 9227C started failing after a few years and I just took it apart and found one of the 3 wires right above the spot where it goes into the handle, that had the covering worn off and it started shorting out the machine.

So I just carefully removed that worn out electrical plug in cord and replaced it with another heavier duty one and it has been fine..

All machines that get stressed at that point have a chance of failing there - especially if you pull the cord tightly to wrap it up after using it, twist it around and around a lot, or pull on it a lot...

Mind you, I dont do any of those things, but eventually these weak points can fail no matter how good the maker tries to keep that from happening.. We just have to be gentle with that cord and try not to place it under too much strain all the time..

In all the years of using these machines, I have never heard of any problems with them - Except - with the electrical cord at the point where it goes into the handle, or just past that spot..

If you choose to fix the bad cord, I would suggest you get some heat shrink, cut the wire carefully, take off just enough insulation on both ends, slide on the heat shrink, twist the two wires together - long way - you spread the individual wires out straight on both ends, then carefully merge them together so they slide into each other, then twist, and solder them.
then slide the heat shrink over and heat it to shrink it..

Anything else will not last or cause problems later..

Use a good soldering iron, and a damp sponge to clean the tip carefully after its heated up, then heat the wires from underneath with the tip, and touch them with the solder and it will melt and flow over all of them as you move it back and forth..

Not too much, just enough to cover them all in silver completely..
Let them cool before you slide over the heatshrink..

Looked at the video, - its just failing because its losing the electrical connection most likely there just inside where the wire goes into the hole in the handle halves..

Another justification to have a Back Up machine, eh ?

Good luck -
Dan F

Yeah it`s in the inside. I will more than likely take it apart to see what is causing the issue. More than likely a broken solder joint that needs to be reflowed. I had to go back to the PC but I`m going to get a long throw DA. It`s just a mater of which one. I have plenty of gift cards to cover the cost for one at AGO. I was intrigued with the LHR15 as I used one at a detailing clinic. So the Mark II caught my eye.

[KBsToy]

Why not consider a Boss 21 so you won`t have to worry about it going out of warranty?

I believe the 21 and 15 have a 2 year warranty now.

[pwaug]

I believe the 21 and 15 have a 2 year warranty now.

Here`s an explanation of the warranty by Bill from Griots that was posted right around announcement time
"We wanted to shed some light on the recent change to our warranty policy.

Traditionally, Griot’s Garage primary focus has been the “pro-sumer”/weekend-warrior/DIY guy looking for the best and safest orbital for their needs. Our old warranty reflected that focus. When purchasing from Griots Garage direct, our 6-month money back guarantee was and still is no-questions asked, if you don’t like it or want it, send it back. Money back. Done. After that, the tool (or any other Griot’s Garage product) is covered for life against defect excluding normal wear and tear which has always been handled at the company’s discretion.

With BOSS, the focus has changed. THE BOSS is a more professional-grade tool and it needed a professional-grade warranty. We designed THE BOSS tools with the biggest motor around, premium NSK bearings, exceptional ergonomics and more because you guys and gals run your tools 8 hours-per-day, 7 days-a-week. Normal wear and tear has a much different meaning to you! The 6-month Money Back Guarantee stays the same, the lifetime warranty against defect stays the same. What’s been added is an industry-best, “bumper-to-bumper” warranty covering defect AND normal wear and tear for 2-years. As long as you don’t throw it off the roof of your shop or garage or drag it down the road, we’ve got you covered!

We are and always have been committed to serving our customers. The additional 2-year warranty has been added specifically for those of you who depend on your on machines every day. Hopefully this clears up any confusion."

A few months ago there was a post on AG by someone regarding a 3 or 4 year old GG6. His parrot had chewed through the cord, he called Griots to order a new cord, they told him to send the unit back and they sent him a new GG6. So I have no fear that they will stand behind the BOSS units with the same great customer service.

[Angus]

Oh jeeze, sorry to hear this Guz. And of course this had to happen 1 month out of warranty. Hopefully Meg`s will still fix it and you can hold on it as a backup or sell it on ebay etc... Good luck.

Picking a Rupes MkII is a good idea.

[EXPDetailing]

So, according to pwaug`s post, the Griots 21 & 15 have a limited 2 year warranty against defects and normal wear and tear, which is very different from their warranty that covers their polisher that has an 8mm throw.
Notice how deceiving the wording in the post is: The new warranty is presented as superior, when in reality, all GG did was shorten the lifetime warranty against defects to two years, and threw in the coverage against wear and tear for two years. At least, that`s how I perceived the writing. Maybe I`m wrong ( shoulder shrug ).

[KBsToy]

I have a G15 and being a hobbyist I hope to pass it on when I leave this earth and it still works works like the day I bought it.

In an early post I had trouble with their rechargeable battery polisher they emailed me a return postage label I mailed it back, 10 days later I had a new one with a new battery included

Below is off AG

Griot`s Garage Lifetime Guarantee - Griot`s Garage will repair or replace any defective tool, without charge, due to faulty materials or workmanship for the working life of the tool, subject to exclusions.

Two Year Comprehensive Warranty - With online warranty registration, Griot`s Garage will facilitate replacement of worn parts caused by normal use, without charge, anytime during the two year from date of purchase.

Off Griots

THE BOSS G15 and G21 are covered under a Two Year Comprehensive Warranty that covers everything including normal wear items such as carbon brushes and backing plates. Outside of the Two Year Comprehensive Warranty the G15 and G21 are backed by our Lifetime Guarantee against manufacturer defects, faulty materials or workmanship.

[Lonnie]

A legal caveat of "lifetime warranties":
Lifetime does NOT mean you; it really means the business entity manufacturing/selling/distributing the product. Once that business goes out of business or bankrupt, it may no longer cover the product`s warranty. And if changes legal ownership, depending on the wording of the contract covering the exchange of ownership, the new owner may not be liable for covering past warranties.
Many products are bought by consumers under this guise of warranty liability as covering themselves for the life of the product. While some shady businesses (and even some reputable business entities) do so to entice the consumer into thinking that the company will ALWAYS be in business and that its product is so good it will ALWAYS be covered, they do not need to have a contingency fund or escroll account set aside to cover ANY of the products should they need to be fixed or replaced down the road of time for whatever reason.

I only need to point out the Optimum Polymer Technology`s past debacle of the warranty "change" and associated price hikes in their professional coatings to remind consumers that "the buyer beware". It was an unfortunate situation for many professional detailers who used and sold this product. It is also a reminder that businesses can and do change their business models and policies to reflect the changing economy and the impact it has on their profit, including going out of business to avoid liability. I do not wish to imply that OPT is a "bad" company by any means. I still use OPT`s care-care products because they are reasonably priced and give excellent results. However, I am just using them as an example of how a very reputable and economically viable company that I respect can change its warranty coverage.

[EXPDetailing]

Thanks for clearing that up. I was incorrect in thinking there was no coverage against defects outside of the two year warranty for the 21 & 15.

[Mp0wer]

I`m curious would this cord issue be a wear and tear or manufacture defect?

[Loach]

Wow that`s a major bummer Guz, this tool looked very promising when they released it but it looks like more than a few have had early troubles with the cord. I was considering picking one up to complement my Dewalt as I`m a big fan of the design and full hand grip/trigger on the MT300, but your thread put the halt on that idea and I ended up getting a great price match deal from Ray here for a GG6 which has been great so far. Thanks for keeping us updated, maybe Meguiar`s can redeem themselves by coming out with a Duetto competitor 12mm throw version of this polisher with zero cord issues!