FINALLY got myself a Dual Action

[08Sunburst]

So, for a LONG time now, ive been wanting a Dual Action polisher, and just never really had the extra money to spend to get one. Well, i went on a bit of a spending spree this weekend, and among other things, picked up a Griots 6 inch with a few pads, microfibers, and pad cleaner/conditioner.

$189 on amazon.com, and it comes with:



-Griot's Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher



-2 CCS White 6.5 inch Polishing Foam Pads



-2 CCS Gray 6.5 Inch Finishing Foam Pads



-1 CCS Blue 6.5 Inch Finessing Foam Pad



-2 Cobra White Microfiber Polishing Cloth (16 x 16 inches)



-12 oz. Pinnacle XMT Polishing Foam Pad Cleaner



-12 oz. Pinnacle XMT Polishing Foam Pad Conditioner





Im most likely going to pick up a couple orange cutting pads, a couple red ultrasoft pads, and a couple gold supersoft jewling pads.



Id say its a pretty good deal though for 189 bucks, considering everything it comes with would total out to close to 250 bucks, not to mention the shipping costs for everything as well.



Now, i just have to wait until the snow goes away and it gets warmer outside. Its going to suck staring at this thing for 2-3 months, but i know once it warms up, my car and a bunch of friends cars will be getting detailed.

 

[Accumulator]

08Sunburst- Good buy, I bet you'll like it a lot.



One thing though, IMO you're pretty well set for mild pads with the gray and the blue. Instead of getting more finishing/finessing/etc. pads, I'd think about different cutting pads for more aggressive work; orange light-cut, MF cutting...stuff like that. I hardly *EVER* even make a big distinction between my various "finishing"/waxing/etc. pads because on the paints I work there's no real *functional* diff between them.



But yeah, that Gold LC LSPing pad is supposed to be really nice. I keep thinking about buying one, but it's another case where I don't really *need* it at all.

 

[Dan]

Congrats, that's one of the nicer combo kits I've seen. You'll love the GG6.

 

[08Sunburst]

08Sunburst- Good buy, I bet you'll like it a lot.



One thing though, IMO you're pretty well set for mild pads with the gray and the blue. Instead of getting more finishing/finessing/etc. pads, I'd think about different cutting pads for more aggressive work; orange light-cut, MF cutting...stuff like that. I hardly *EVER* even make a big distinction between my various "finishing"/waxing/etc. pads because on the paints I work there's no real *functional* diff between them.



But yeah, that Gold LC LSPing pad is supposed to be really nice. I keep thinking about buying one, but it's another case where I don't really *need* it at all.

I DEFINITELY am going to pick up 2-3 orange cutting pads, and i'll probably just hold off on the lighter finishing pads then, if im set with the grey and blue. Ive heard good things about the gold pad, so im definitely going to consider it.

Congrats, that's one of the nicer combo kits I've seen. You'll love the GG6.

Exactly why i jumped on it. I added everything up together, and to buy everything separately, it would have been about $250+





I just cant wait to get it, and then for the snow to go away lol

 

[BrianBrook]

Do you guys like the 6 1/2" pads or would you go with 5 1/2" pads?

 

[08Sunburst]

Im planning on sticking with the 6.5 for now and see how it goes. I honestly wouldnt mind either getting the 3 inch DA that griots has, or a smaller plate and smaller pads(4 inch or smaller) for some of the more hard to reach spots. My car has some weird cracks and crevices that are going to be fun to get at with a 6.5 inch pad

 

[TLMitchell]

Do you guys like the 6 1/2" pads or would you go with 5 1/2" pads?

When I started out with a v1 PC I found the 6.5s results anemic as it was tough to keep the pads spinning when applying pressure. I changed to 5.5s and prefer them for cut and ease of handling. I still use 6.5s occasionall on wide open spaces on larger cars with a GG6, it spins them much better than the PC did. If I had to choose only one size I'd go with the 5.5s.



The old PC is now relegated to 4" pads. Kinda nice not to have to swap backing plates when I want to change pad sizes.



TL

 

[Accumulator]

Do you guys like the 6 1/2" pads or would you go with 5 1/2" pads?

I've always been a diehard advocate of smaller pads on machines like this, but after trying different things with the Griot's I can say that even *I* think the 6.5" is fine *on that particular machine*.



For tight spots, try using the edge/etc. of a larger pad. No, it's not perfect, and yeah, it has some risks, but I do that a lot more than I reach for a 3-4" pad.



If you get the 3" Griot's might want to get the pneumatic one (assuming you have a compressor). Opinions are mixed regarding the 3" electric (can't comment myself as I have their older v1.0 model, which has some...uhm, shortcomings). I will say that he 3-4" pads work great on the larger machine, though the housing of the polisher can limit access to some areas.

 

[BrianBrook]

Thanks for the insight guys, I was planning on sticking with the 5.5" for now. I might try and pick up a 3" GG in the future. A friend of mine has a Caliber, can be tricky, especially around the trim on the roof.

 

[08Sunburst]

Now i just need to order some orange cutting pads.. The shipping on pads is a bit insane.. Like, 11 bucks per pad, and somewhere around 7-8 bucks to ship.. Yikes lol.

 

[pwaug]

Now i just need to order some orange cutting pads.. The shipping on pads is a bit insane.. Like, 11 bucks per pad, and somewhere around 7-8 bucks to ship.. Yikes lol.

You must be talking about Griots pads--that's why I decided to get a 5" backing plate and use non Groits 5.5" pads. You can get 6 pads for $35 plus shipping. (Lake Country or Buff and Shine)

 

[Nopstnz8]

4" pads on the griots do WONDERS on hard paint! Before upgrading from my G110 V2, I was convinced I needed a rotary or flex, but once I tried this out as I wasn't ready to spend that kind of money yet, I was sold on this. It does the same correction or better than a G110 V2, in half the time, has a life time warranty, and is slightly cheaper. Not to mention such better quality. To the OP, you made a DAMN GOOD decision. Props to you!

 

[08Sunburst]

You must be talking about Griots pads--that's why I decided to get a 5" backing plate and use non Groits 5.5" pads. You can get 6 pads for $35 plus shipping. (Lake Country or Buff and Shine)

Nope, for a 6.5 lake country the cheapest ive found is about 11 per pad, and 7-8 to ship. Link to the 6 pads for 35?

 

[08Sunburst]

Well, just ordered a couple of the LC orange 6.5 pads. I actually had to replace both my grit guards, so found a seller on amazon who sold the guards as well as pads, and was able to combine the shipping so it actually wound up being like 8 bucks to ship the pads and guards.

 

[pwaug]

Nope, for a 6.5 lake country the cheapest ive found is about 11 per pad, and 7-8 to ship. Link to the 6 pads for 35?

6- 5.5" pads are $35 ( [url=http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html]Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads[/URL] ) 6- 6.5" are $50--For the money you save with the 5.5" you could buy a 5" backing plate. I believe if you are a forum member at AG there is free shipping using the code AGO, but I've never tried it.



You can find the same deals on Buff and Shine pads and 3D has reduced prices if you buy 3 or more pads--you just have to shop around. 5.5" pads are what is most recommended with a DA so you might as well bite the bullet now and save money everytime you buy pads.

 

[08Sunburst]

6- 5.5" pads are $35 ( [url=http://www.autogeek.net/lake-country-beveled-pad-kit.html]Lake Country 5 1/2 x 7/8 inch Beveled Edge Pads 6 Pack, foam pad kit, build a kit, buffing pads, curved edge pads[/URL] ) 6- 6.5" are $50--For the money you save with the 5.5" you could buy a 5" backing plate. I believe if you are a forum member at AG there is free shipping using the code AGO, but I've never tried it.



You can find the same deals on Buff and Shine pads and 3D has reduced prices if you buy 3 or more pads--you just have to shop around. 5.5" pads are what is most recommended with a DA so you might as well bite the bullet now and save money everytime you buy pads.

Ill keep that in mind. When i ordered the DA it came with 5, 6.5 pads, along with the cleaner, conditioner, mf towels, etc. Ill give the 6.5 a shot for the time being, and later down the road ill look into getting the smaller pads.