Smallest/Best Quality Polisher?

[The Driver]

We all need to eat but when you have to fork over $135 which is half the price of a brand new polisher, it takes food out of our mouths!
We're just detailers some who do it for ourselves with no pay off except the fantastic end results.
Neither one of us knows what it takes to mass produce them and the guy in that link built his for $43.32 but for me its still just a little more than a fancy plastic pail Wal-Mart sells equal to for $2.58.

I've disassembled all of them, the grit guard has a nice custom base for the washer springs and the system 3000 is built solid an even has a filtration system. To say they are equal to a walmart homemade is wrong. In the detailing business you get what you pay for weather that be the product or the end result.

I don't know about you but I do this to make a profit, I always go a little extra but in the end this is a job. I value my skill, effort and dedication to providing the best an my prices do reflect that. A single pass detail should get you a pad washer no problem, even in the less fortunate areas.

As far as I'm concerned those tools help me put food in my mouth. Do it once do it right, that doesn't always mean the most expensive but I understand manufacturing and the lengths companies go to, to bring us great products.

 

[The Driver]

I found that thread sometime last week and plan on making mine in the next few days . Still not sure how that guy made his lid later on in the thread?

I actually skipped the lid, I always use a rotor with the pad washer an always at low speed. I find it shreds the pad a ton less if at all. The da makes to much of a splash imo.

Rotary, Low speed, warm water and pad cleaner... Your good to go.

 

[Dispatch]

I've disassembled all of them, the grit guard has a nice custom base for the washer springs and the system 3000 is built solid an even has a filtration system. To say they are equal to a walmart homemade is wrong. In the detailing business you get what you pay for weather that be the product or the end result.

I don't know about you but I do this to make a profit, I always go a little extra but in the end this is a job. I value my skill, effort and dedication to providing the best an my prices do reflect that. A single pass detail should get you a pad washer no problem, even in the less fortunate areas.

As far as I'm concerned those tools help me put food in my mouth. Do it once do it right, that doesn't always mean the most expensive but I understand manufacturing and the lengths companies go to, to bring us great products.

You do know about me I just told you.
If one can be made by hand for $43.32 that operates just as good as one you buy proves its not worth the money.

For those of us that don't do it for profit, costs must be cut when ever and where ever you can and we still get the same results as those who don't.
From my experience sometimes companies over charge you just because they can.

With all due respect, being you don't know the business and what they cost to mass produce, you don't know what you're talking about.

"Do things someone else's way and you..... take your life in your own hands" -Harry Callahan

 

[The Driver]

You do know about me I just told you.
If one can be made by hand for $43.32 that operates just as good as one you buy proves its not worth the money.

For those of us that don't do it for profit, costs must be cut when ever and where ever you can and we still get the same results as those who don't.
From my experience sometimes companies over charge you just because they can.

With all due respect, being you don't know the business and what they cost to mass produce, you don't know what you're talking about.

"Do things someone else's way and you..... take your life in your own hands" -Harry Callahan

I understand your trying to save costs. I don't know what it costs them but I do know what I'm talking about. If you want to get real technical... Those overpriced products, are paying for this board. Companies are there to make a profit, not be someone's best friend. At the end of the day it's a business an selling to a niche market definitely means a higher mark up thats for sure.

 

[Dispatch]

I understand your trying to save costs. I don't know what it costs them but I do know what I'm talking about. If you want to get real technical... Those overpriced products, are paying for this board. Companies are there to make a profit, not be someone's best friend. At the end of the day it's a business an selling to a niche market definitely means a higher mark up thats for sure.

Just because they may or may not be contributing to the forum like you claim doesn't justify the end.
I know for a fact in some cases products made in China that are imported to the US cost 'pennies' to produce but cost bucks to buy that's why so much crap we buy today is made in China.
How much do you want to bet these pad washer pails are made in China?

There is a huge difference between an honest company making an honest markup and a dishonest one gouging the customer because they can.
Of course its a business but businesses have to follow rules, overcharging in some cases is a criminal offense.

Take Prescription drug companies or AT&T who just got sued by the US government for doing exactly that.
They claimed the same things you're claiming to justify ripping of their customers too.

 

[The Driver]

Just because they may or may not be contributing to the forum like you claim doesn't justify the end.
I know for a fact in some cases products made in China that are imported to the US cost 'pennies' to produce but cost bucks to buy that's why so much crap we buy today is made in China.
How much do you want to bet these pad washer pails are made in China?

There is a huge difference between an honest company making an honest markup and a dishonest one gouging the customer because they can.
Of course its a business but businesses have to follow rules, overcharging in some cases is a criminal offense.

Take Prescription drug companies or AT&T who just got sued by the US government for doing exactly that.
They claimed the same things you're claiming to justify ripping of their customers too.

I agree 100%

However, wireless companies an big pharma are hardly equivalent to pbmg. They might be more expensive than most but if you have a problem they take care of it immediately. Your not just buying a product, your buying service too. I have spent thousands with pbmg, they ship fast, very courteous and stand behind their products. Did I mention they price match an beat it? If your mad about pricing don't blame one guy... Blame the market.

As far as the made in China debate. Yes they are cheaper, but what about overhead for a company like pbmg? All it's employees, healthcare, shipping, inventory, promotions, marketing, storage... Etc. there's a lot more then just the cost of a bucket. Let's not forget if you were to call a manufacturer direct an ask them to build you one bucket they would look at you crazy.

Btw - I have atnt, they aren't the cheapest but I get reception unlike t-mobile which is a good 1/3 less. Every time I've had a problem they have bent over backwards for me.

If you pay with peanuts you will get monkeys..

 

[Dispatch]

I agree 100%

However, wireless companies an big pharma are hardly equivalent to pbmg. They might be more expensive than most but if you have a problem they take care of it immediately. Your not just buying a product, your buying service too. I have spent thousands with pbmg, they ship fast, very courteous and stand behind their products. Did I mention they price match an beat it? If your mad about pricing don't blame one guy... Blame the market.

As far as the made in China debate. Yes they are cheaper, but what about overhead for a company like pbmg? All it's employees, healthcare, shipping, inventory, promotions, marketing, storage... Etc. there's a lot more then just the cost of a bucket. Let's not forget if you were to call a manufacturer direct an ask them to build you one bucket they would look at you crazy.

Btw - I have atnt, they aren't the cheapest but I get reception unlike t-mobile which is a good 1/3 less. Every time I've had a problem they have bent over backwards for me.

If you pay with peanuts you will get monkeys..

Yea, well don't get me started on AT&T.
I have AT&T for my TV, home phone and internet.
I've had them now for about 6 months from a brand new install and can testify to it being the worst service than I've ever had with any other carrier before.

When I need a tech to come out (I've had 7 since I opened the account due to a piss poor install job), to fix yet another service issue, I have to kill my entire day waiting on them to show up (4 to 6 hour window), that is 'if' he shows up at all.

If he does not after waiting all day, at the very last minute of my scheduled time frame I get an automated phone call saying my appointment has been automatically rescheduled for tomorrow at the same time frame because he was unable to make it due to running late and that if I want a different time frame or day I have to call during business hours to reschedule it.

Then when you do call you get someone in the Philippines.
All this and I pay them almost $200 a month.

Like I said some companies know they are the only game in town and set what ever prices they want knowing you have to use them for one thing or another.
Hence ripping you off because they can.

This is why the news today reported Obama is forcing cable companies to open more internet and web access and how these companies "set prices" and go about delivering sub-standard service to their customers.

The bottom line is you should be able to get a decent quality product without breaking the bank.
We're not talking about a Tiffany lamp here.
Regardless, $135.00 'median price' for one of these is outrageous.

Nuff said........

 

[JustJesus]

Soooooo. On the topic of small polishers...

My first "polisher" was the Meguiar's DA Power System. It's an attachment you add to a CORDED drill. I bought this before i knew ANYTHING about detailing. I was just wasting time and money online on amazon looking for wash products, etc.. .but i'm getting off topic.

Like I said, I bought this before knowing about detailing. Very quickly after buying this, I bought a PC (for various reasons).

This DA Power System works for me. My first polish job was to the trunk of a Camry. I like it just fine. BUT, I wouldn't use it for an entire car. I know better now.

When I first used it, I used the complete kit it was in. Ultimate line of compound, polish, and wax. Each has it's own pad. Now, I still use it, but for smaller areas on a car. I use small Lake Country pads or the small Hex Logic, along with Megs m205 and m105.

You guys having WAY more experience than me (I just started two months ago) will likely have different opinions, and that's fine. I can't afford a Rupes Mini, a Griot's, etc. The option of a small backing plate is a great idea, and if I knew I was going to get bit by the detailing bug, I probably would have made some different choices.

At any rate, here's the result of me using this system.


Some Before/During and After shots...

 

[glfahlc1]

Depends, do you detail? or is this a hobby? As a detailer I believe in giving my clients the best. All it takes is one dirty pad to screw up a panel, repaint = way more then a standard 1 pass.

That said, I've had every pad washer on the market from the grit guard to the system 3000. The grit guard works the best an yet I built my own after all of them. It cost me 50$ an works better then any of them.

lets hear some details on the homemade pad washer...

 

[Dispatch]

Soooooo. On the topic of small polishers...

My first "polisher" was the Meguiar's DA Power System. It's an attachment you add to a CORDED drill. I bought this before i knew ANYTHING about detailing. I was just wasting time and money online on amazon looking for wash products, etc.. .but i'm getting off topic.

Like I said, I bought this before knowing about detailing. Very quickly after buying this, I bought a PC (for various reasons).

This DA Power System works for me. My first polish job was to the trunk of a Camry. I like it just fine. BUT, I wouldn't use it for an entire car. I know better now.

When I first used it, I used the complete kit it was in. Ultimate line of compound, polish, and wax. Each has it's own pad. Now, I still use it, but for smaller areas on a car. I use small Lake Country pads or the small Hex Logic, along with Megs m205 and m105.

You guys having WAY more experience than me (I just started two months ago) will likely have different opinions, and that's fine. I can't afford a Rupes Mini, a Griot's, etc. The option of a small backing plate is a great idea, and if I knew I was going to get bit by the detailing bug, I probably would have made some different choices.

At any rate, here's the result of me using this system.


Some Before/During and After shots...

Good idea, let's stay on topic.

The Flex 3401 performs best with 5.5" pads but for much smaller spots, Flex doesn't seem to make a machine for that purpose.

I'm wondering who does?

Is the Rupes mini LHR 75E, any good for this need and is this the smallest machine available? :dunno:

 

[Bunky]

Good idea, let's stay on topic.

The Flex 3401 performs best with 5.5" pads but for much smaller spots, Flex doesn't seem to make a machine for that purpose.

I'm wondering who does?

Is the Rupes mini LHR 75E, any good for this need and is this the smallest machine available? :dunno:

Are you considering the Lake Country backing plate option to use smaller pads? It still is not a small machine (3-in type class) but can use 4-in pads.

 

[Ronkh]

if you already have the 3401 and like it, maybe get another with smaller backing plate, or maybe get the changeable backing plate

 

[Ronkh]

Good idea, let's stay on topic.

The Flex 3401 performs best with 5.5" pads but for much smaller spots, Flex doesn't seem to make a machine for that purpose.

I'm wondering who does?

Is the Rupes mini LHR 75E, any good for this need and is this the smallest machine available? :dunno:

sorry, just saw this

either rupes mini or gg mini

I have the rupes, and got to use tropic steves gg

both good

 

[XxBoostinxX]

I originally bought a GG 3" and wasn't really satisfied with it. It would take FOREVER for it to correct anything. So I bought a Rupes Mini and never looked back. I broke out the GG 3" the other day just to apply some wax and I couldn't use it. It's a night and day difference compared to the Rupes.

 

[Dispatch]

Are you considering the Lake Country backing plate option to use smaller pads? It still is not a small machine (3-in type class) but can use 4-in pads.

Yes, I had considered that but was told the Flex 3401 works best with the 5.5" pads.