New to Machine Polishing; insights please

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e46tknv

New member
I am starting off as a beginner detailer about to take on my jet back car as a project. It has everything you can think of. Swirls, scratches etc.



Now, what machine to purchase?

The only machine I have heard most about is the PC 7424xp.



I was told by detailers domain to go with the Griot's Garage 6 inch Random Orbital Polisher instead. It supposedly has the same features as the PC, but is more powerful and more effective.



Is this true? If you were to pick a machine out of these 2, which would it be?



P.s. I am not ready for the professional polishers just yet.
 
e46tknv said:
I am starting off as a beginner detailer about to take on my jet back car as a project.
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You're certainly not taking it easy on yourself to get started!



BMW Jet Black can be one of the absolute most difficult paints to do "right" even for seasoned pros.



IMHO, I'd either pick up the PCXP or the Meguiar's G110v2; the GG6 may have more power but they also seem to have more build quality issues than the others. I hear the most complaints about the Griot's in that regard, anyway.
 
I picked up a Griot's DA at the beginning of this month from Detailers Domain. The lifetime warranty and extra power made it an easy decision for me. I only have about 8 hours on the machine but it is very powerful and the vibration really isn't bad. While a few people have had issues, others have had great success with this machine and have logged heavy hours.



Jeff
 
GG6 is a great machine, most power, best price and longest warranty. Also, make sure you use a test spot before doing anything, forget about trying to do the whole car in one afternoon.
 
I have only heard great reviews about the Griot polisher. Most reviews said, "After using the GG, i will not be going back to my PC 7424xp". The pc 7424xp was my 1st choice as it is the only famous machine I have heard of. But then Phil at detaildomain told me for the same price, you can get something better then the 7424xp and recommended the GG.



I am no professional in detailing. I will be taking on my car as a project and I hope I do good on it. Just the little price I pay for owning a black car :cry1:



I would like some more feedback on the GG.
 
all the DA's (GG6, G110v2, PCXP) have had their fair share of problems and any man-made product is subject to fail at any given time. the GG6 has the most power out of the three, is cheapest in price and has a lifetime warranty (remember though that a warranty is only good as long as the company is around). i've used the PCXP when it first came out and didn't feel it was that much of an improvement over the old one, and i would pick up the GG6 or G110v2 over the PCXP if it were my choice. with the new pads/products out these days and the never ending uprade in technology, you can do quite a bit with the DA and IMO everyone should have at least one DA in their detailing arsenal...
 
e45tknv- Welcome to Autopia!



After my pal Barry's experiences with the PCXP (that's Barry Theal, who's done an awful lot of polishing ;) ) I would *never* want one of those. And FWIW, my (older model) PCs haven't exactly been trouble free by a long shot.



The GG on the other hand, is a truly incredible machine, really surprised me. I got mine as a gift, wasn't gonna spend my own $ on it because I figured it couldn't be all that great. Wow was I wrong, it's simply great. If you're only buying one polisher, IMO the GG is the one to get.



Good luck with that Jet Black, it'll be a bit of a challenge to keep nice. Note that 99% of the whole thing will be developing a marring-free (well, "marring-minimizing" at least) wash regimen.
 
I tried it out on 1 panel of my car.From the tail light to the passenger door. Didnt look half bad. i can say theres a difference between the driver side and passenger side though in terms of color, scratches and swirls. I even tried it on my trunk. The trunk was easier to do because it doesnt have curves. My trunk does have deep scratches that a DA WONT get off though because its not meant to. I will be taking on my whole car as a project soon, right before the big eurofest show.

IMG_0143.jpg
 
e46tknv- Glad to hear you're off to a good start!



Heh heh, the biggest challenge might be *keeping* it marring-free once you get it all polished up!
 
Looking good. I personally wouldn't upgrade to a GG from a PC. It is definitely an upgrade, but not that much of one. If you're actually going to spend more money and buy a nice upgrade get yourself a flex. BMW hard clearcoat needs some heavy duty polishing to get to perfect condition. With any machine you will likely need to start with wool cutting pads, and some heavy compound like Power Gloss or HD UNO, and work your way down to a finishing polish like Menz. 85rd. Likely a 3 stage polish, but it looks like you're on the right track. The paintwork is looking nice. :)
 
JohnKleven said:
Looking good. I personally wouldn't upgrade to a GG from a PC. It is definitely an upgrade, but not that much of one. If you're actually going to spend more money and buy a nice upgrade get yourself a flex. ..
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I dunno, there's a night-and-day diff between my GG and my PCs, and the GG actually corrects *almost* as fast as my Flex :think:



With the PCs, I *have* to use 4" pads (and many hours) to correct hard clear, no such problems with the GG.



Not intended as an :argue Heh heh, gee, you and I haven't had differing experiences/opinions on polishers for a while now, about time something like this came up!
 
Accumulator said:
e46tknv- Glad to hear you're off to a good start!



Heh heh, the biggest challenge might be *keeping* it marring-free once you get it all polished up!
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this is not the first time I heard this "marring-free". What is meant by this?



Orange peel really blows. I know wet sanding would fix this but I dont think I am ready for that. Will be polishing and compouding the whole car over spring break. I hope scratches and swirls wont come back 2 weeks later. But I do see that practice makes perfect. the GG does make a difference.
 
e46tknv said:
this is not the first time I heard this "marring-free". What is meant by this?
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Noting that different people use words differently....I use "marring" as an overall umbrella term for "below-surface defects", stuff like swirls/scratches/"gouges in the paint caused by abrasion". Like the "spiderweb" scratches that result from most car washing/drying techniques.



"Micromarring" is another term in this vein, meaning "tiny/shallow scratches that are so fine/minor as to be very difficult to see with the naked eye".



So "marring-free" is just an absence of such damage. And it's oh-so-difficult to keep vehicles marring-free, but that's one of the primary keys to keeping a vehicle looking good.
 
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