Pads for Griots Polisher?? Help Please!

9

9935annivgt

New member
I am ordering the Griot's machine in two weeks (payday) and in the past with the PC I have used 4 inch edge pads to perform correction, my question is should I pick up the six inch edge pads? or should I go with the tried and true 5.5 LC pads? I really like the edge 4 inch pads the way they center themselves but are the six inch two big? I think the Griot's machine has the power needed to spin the sixes but has anyone used the edge six inch pads?? Any one who can chime up would be a great help. Oh and if it helps I am strictly a part time detailer, doing maybe 12 cars a year.
 
I just use the Griot's 6" pads on my Griot's 6" machine, and 3" pads on the 3" machine.



I get good results out of 'em....
 
6 or 6.5 is fine with the griot's 6, it has more than enough power to keep those pads spinning under pressure. I prefer 6 or 6.5s for larger areas, and still use 5.5s or 5.25s on tighter areas like side panels, etc.
 
Although the new Griot can spin a 6.5" pad, I still perfer the 5.5" pads. I only use 5.5" pads on my rotary.
 
I just got the new Griots 6" polisher and absolutely LOVE it so far! It has PLENTY of power, much more than my older model PC. I purchased 5.5" HydroTech pads and some 5.5" LC flat pads to use with it, along with a bunch of 4" pads for tight areas. Even at speed 5, I can't get the machine to bog down with my normal amount of pressure I use when compounding with it, which is quite a bit as I use the KBM. I am actually looking into picking up some 6.5" pads now to use on the larger areas now that I know the machine has the power for them.
 
strauss said:
I just got the new Griots 6" polisher and absolutely LOVE it so far! It has PLENTY of power, much more than my older model PC. I purchased 5.5" HydroTech pads and some 5.5" LC flat pads to use with it, along with a bunch of 4" pads for tight areas. Even at speed 5, I can't get the machine to bog down with my normal amount of pressure I use when compounding with it, which is quite a bit as I use the KBM. I am actually looking into picking up some 6.5" pads now to use on the larger areas now that I know the machine has the power for them.
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nice feedback, i was thinking of purchasing one of these in the near future...
 
what all are you guys using the griots polisher for? I just bought mine yesterday and am wondering if I should buy those carpet brush attachments for it? Anyone using it for headlight restoration with a smaller backing plate or would you recommend getting the smaller 3in polisher griots sells?
 
I use mine for polishing paint and tail/headlights. I picked up 4" pads and backing plate for doing tighter areas which was a nice addition. I also have a makita rotory that I use for headlight restoration when wetsanding needs to be done. I actually use the makita any time I need HEAVY correction in a timely manner, and I always finish with the DA after. I really like having both machines.
 
Bumping an old thread here. Have been using a GG polisher for about a month, and am starting to see the limitations of the 6" (only have the orange and red that came with the GG). Need some 4" pads, but I'm a little confused about backing plates--are they universal fit? If not, can someone recommend what kind of backing plates you'd use with the Griots? All I ever hear about are LC pads, so I might be looking at some of those (i know they don't make 4" pads, but I would like to try their blue, or whatever the wax/sealant one is). But if you have other recommendations for pads, I'd really appreciate that too. Thanks!
 
snoboarder8232 said:
3.5" Dual Action Flexible Backing Plate- porter cable 7424XP hook and loop backing plate 3.5 inch. - 3.5" backing plate that will work with your GG DA and 4" pads.



lake country 5 inch backing plate, 5 inch backin plate, 5 inch hook and loop backing plate - 5" backing plate that will work with your GG DA and 5.5" pads.



Lake country pads will work, and yes they do make 4" pads. Many people recommend uber pads that you can find on detailersdomain as well.
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snoboarder hit the nail on the head! If you are going to be getting any 4" pads I would pick them up from autodetailingsolutions b/c right now he has a deal going for 4.95 for 2 pack of pads and they are the same pads as DD.
 
mrclrider said:
snoboarder hit the nail on the head! If you are going to be getting any 4" pads I would pick them up from autodetailingsolutions b/c right now he has a deal going for 4.95 for 2 pack of pads and they are the same pads as DD.
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Honestly, I'm not entirely sure which size pads I need. All I know is that the 6" pads that came from Griots that work great for large surface areas, are not going to work on smaller ones. So I was thinking about getting some 4" pads for smaller surface areas. What do most people have when it comes to pads? I noticed there are 6", 5.5", 5", 4"... I mean, what does a 5.5" pad do that a 5" doesn't? Or even a 6" for that matter? I'm completely new to machine polishing so treat me like as much of a newb as you need to. Also, having never seen -much-less touched- a Lake Country pad, how would you compare these to the Griots pads? They look quite different, and for the most part I've been happy with the Griot's pads. I would like something a little more aggressive than their orange, but I have no complaints for their red when it comes to waxing. Well, my only complaint is that the Griot's pads seem to soak up a lot of product, which is kind of a waste. What are the staple LCC pads? I'd like to buy 3 different lake country pads (with their 6 pack deal), but I want two of each. So can you recommend 1 cutting pad, 1 polishing pad, and 1 LSP pad?
 
ThrillHo said:
Honestly, I'm not entirely sure which size pads I need. All I know is that the 6" pads that came from Griots that work great for large surface areas, are not going to work on smaller ones. So I was thinking about getting some 4" pads for smaller surface areas. What do most people have when it comes to pads? I noticed there are 6", 5.5", 5", 4"... I mean, what does a 5.5" pad do that a 5" doesn't? Or even a 6" for that matter? I'm completely new to machine polishing so treat me like as much of a newb as you need to. Also, having never seen -much-less touched- a Lake Country pad, how would you compare these to the Griots pads? They look quite different, and for the most part I've been happy with the Griot's pads. I would like something a little more aggressive than their orange, but I have no complaints for their red when it comes to waxing. Well, my only complaint is that the Griot's pads seem to soak up a lot of product, which is kind of a waste. What are the staple LCC pads? I'd like to buy 3 different lake country pads (with their 6 pack deal), but I want two of each. So can you recommend 1 cutting pad, 1 polishing pad, and 1 LSP pad?
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Maybe Orange, white, and blue. At least that's what I would use. Pad size from 5" - * is pretty much personal preference. The GG can spin 6.5" pads without a problem, so it's up to you if you want 5.5" pads or 6.5" pads. If you want 5.5" pads you will need a 5" backing plate, however. Even though you already have a 6" backing plate, you'll probably save money in the long run with a 5" backing plate, because 5.5" pads are a decent amount cheaper than 5.5" pads. 4" pads are used for areas that a 5" - * pad would be too large for. I just bought some 4" LC CCS pads for use with my 3.5" backing plate, but haven't gotten a change to try them out yet.



I'll let someone else chime in on the comparison of the Griot's pads to the CCS pads because I have not used either enough to make a fair comparison.
 
The GG polisher can carry any 5/16 diameter thread like the PC/Meg's 2.0. A staple LC pad would be their flat pads, whether the thicker or flat kind. Smaller size 5.5 pads allow your throw action of the GG to be stronger and create more corrective power. This is simply due to less coverage area needed to be buffed and your polisher can focus its power in a smaller area. I dont think they make a 5inch pad.



If product absorption is a problem (and it should be only a minor one since polishers reduce your usage vs hand application), go with the Hydro Tech pads since they are Euro-Foam and keep the product at the top of the surface more.
 
SilvaBimma said:
The GG polisher can carry any 5/16 diameter thread like the PC/Meg's 2.0. A staple LC pad would be their flat pads, whether the thicker or flat kind. Smaller size 5.5 pads allow your throw action of the GG to be stronger and create more corrective power. This is simply due to less coverage area needed to be buffed and your polisher can focus its power in a smaller area. I dont think they make a 5inch pad.



If product absorption is a problem (and it should be only a minor one since polishers reduce your usage vs hand application), go with the Hydro Tech pads since they are Euro-Foam and keep the product at the top of the surface more.
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How are those pads? It's interesting that they only offer 2 different pads (Cyan and Tangerine) and claim that's all you'll need to correct, and the least cutting pad does "light to moderate defect removal and polishing" but "leaves a finish like you'd achieve with a gray finishing pad".
 
snoboarder8232 said:
How are those pads? It's interesting that they only offer 2 different pads (Cyan and Tangerine) and claim that's all you'll need to correct, and the least cutting pad does "light to moderate defect removal and polishing" but "leaves a finish like you'd achieve with a gray finishing pad".
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Like any Eurofoam pad, they are stiffer than any open celled pad. That being said, you can adjust with the right polish. There is a Red Crimsom pad for finishing as well, so the margins are well covered like previous pads.
 
Seems people still find the GG polisher to be very powerful :think: I've only used mine to apply/buff off a coat of 845, but I sure had to watch that I didn't overdo the applied pressure (which I figure wasn't much when merely applying wax) to the point where I messed up the rotation. Gotta use it to actually polish something one of these days...



ThrillHo said:
I noticed there are 6", 5.5", 5", 4"... I mean, what does a 5.5" pad do that a 5" doesn't? Or even a 6" for that matter?
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The smaller the pad, the less easily the machine will bog/merely "jiggle" under pressure. And sometimes even just a 1/2" can make a big difference.

having never seen -much-less touched- a Lake Country pad, how would you compare these to the Griots pads? They look quite different, and for the most part I've been happy with the Griot's pads. I would like something a little more aggressive than their orange, but I have no complaints for their red when it comes to waxing.
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GG doesn't offer a true cutting pad, so that's one reason to shop LC. The LC Hydrotech line is supposedly similar to the GG pads, and the cyan Hydrotech should make a nice addition to a GG-centric setup.



And I hear that the crimson Hydrotech *is* different from the GG red waxing pad (which I do like).



Well, my only complaint is that the Griot's pads seem to soak up a lot of product, which is kind of a waste.
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I never really noticed that, but I've had that problem using other pads with LSPs. I hear the gold color LC pads are great in this regard, but I've yet to try one.



What are the staple LCC pads? I'd like to buy 3 different lake country pads (with their 6 pack deal), but I want two of each. So can you recommend 1 cutting pad, 1 polishing pad, and 1 LSP pad?
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Since you already have GG polishing pads, I'd lean towards the cyan cutting pads and maybe the crimson finishing pads, or the gold LSP pads. But that's just me and I can find it hard to recommend the right pad combos for other people :nixweiss
 
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