Adventures in polishing: 3 hours with Griot’s Random Orbital polisher

[ImagoX]

So, let me say up front that I really had no idea what I was getting into when I woke up this morning…

Another NAMer, Sean (S Curves) invited me over to his place to try out his random orbital polisher, and, naturally, I took him up on it. I wiped down the car with detailing spray before heading over – it looked pretty good, and the car’s new so…

Little did I know…

Sean convinced me that a full washing and clay barring was in order prior to breaking out the power tools, and so, needing no further encouragement, water and soap flew. Then it was on to the clay. I’ve never used it before, but it was a snap, and the material pulled some dirty grunge off the hood – so much for new paint, huh?


An hour and a half later, the car looked like this:







Oh, man, what have I got myself into? But hey, it looks pretty good after the claying. Even the formerly grunged-out area behind the rear plate is shining...






Here’s Sean doing a test spot in the middle of the hood (!), using Griot’s “Machine Polish” in the finest grade along with Griot’s random orbit device. Sean tells me that this is NOT a Porter Cable, but rather a product made custom by them. As I had almost no damage or swirling, we started with the least aggressive polish. Well, he SEEMS pretty confident, anyway…

After wiping away the polish, I was amazed! It was like a mirror! I waded in, and got to buffing. Here’s a shot of the passenger door… Check out that reflection!



After the final polish, I pulled out in the sun. As you can see, the finish, while good before, has now been transformed:























Verdict: Totally worth the effort. I just wish I could have stayed to try the Griot’s wax, but the day was getting on and I had to take off. I’ll put a coat of Gold Class on tomorrow to really seal in the shine (I know… mixing products… HERESY! But, it’s what I got).

Thanks a million, S Curves for your help and generosity!

[ChiliCooperS]

Looks good. With every metallic MINI I see it makes me want one that much more.

Mikey

[kenchan]

good job ImagoX! now you know why i turned in to a Griots junky.

when are you going to get your set?

WAT?! you drove off without waxing? arrrrrrrr!!!

[MINIclo]

Wow...your baby is just glowing! Great job!

[SwimmerMini]

I am not sure what claying is and what is the type of taping you used over the plastic. what is best to get wax off the black plastic, as I inherited a few spots...

Would like information on how to wax car.

Thanks

[T2Nav]

Hi SwimmerMini,

Clay-bar is a synthetic clay that looks like sticky play-dough. After washing, rubbing the car with this will remove many small pollution & brake dust particles that washing misses. Then (after washing again) you have the smoothest, cleanest possible surface to seal/wax. Click down through the older Detailing threads for lengthier discussions.

Wax & black plastic-- Two suggestions I've seen in the Detailing forum-- one is peanut butter on a damp rag, remember to clean up the greasiness afterward. The other is rubbing (isopropyl) alchohol and either rag or soft toothbrush. Note that this will probably erase the wax from any paint it touches. I've used both methods and they both work well. Read further down for extended threads on wax/plastic.

The blue tape is painter's masking tape which is sold at most hardware stores like Home Depot in the painting section. It can be bent to follow the curve of your fenders, and has a very light tack so it's easy to reposition and remove. My approach is to use a synthetic acrylic sealant-glaze on the stripped car, without worrying about the plastic since the glaze doesn't leave a mess behind. Then tape the plastic before topping off the glaze with a coat(s) of wax.

[gokartride]

Okay, you should post a warning....I was temporarily blinded by the shine of that MINI. Great job!!!

[dickdavid]

That looks awesome! You've inspired me to do my MINI.

[ImagoX]

Originally Posted by SwimmerMini

I am not sure what claying is and what is the type of taping you used over the plastic. what is best to get wax off the black plastic, as I inherited a few spots...

Would like information on how to wax car.

Thanks

Swimmer - here's my favorite thread on claying:

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.html

I can certainly say that it works. Just claying all by itself really brought out a nice shine. In fact, I probably could have stopped there, since my car's new, but polishing really brought out that last 10%-20% of the shine. And, claying would do nothing to eliminate swirl marks or other scratches - it's all about cleaning away the contaminents on the paint.

Good luck!

[S Curvz]

Glad you had fun Matt. Car looks great!

[acitydweller]

great job imagox

[ImagoX]

Bumpage - someone asked me about this so I thought I'd send it to the top.

[El_Jefe]

that mini' looks insanely good. wow. griot's orbital thingie is neat. Good choice of the black bonnet stripes and everything. beautiful car

[ImagoX]

Thanks, man. I really thought that a RO polisher was just silly at first... a POWER TOOL for shining paint? Puh-leeze. I figured some people just had too much extra cash...

...

Then I used one, and I was hooked, just like people said I'd be. It's a combination (I think) of the insane ammount of work and elbow grease it saves you dove-tailing perfectly with my basic male attraction to holding a vibrating, whirring power tool in my hands. Even if you only end up using it 2-3 times a year, I think it's a great investment, especially if you have multiple or large cars, or just want to help out your buddies in keeping their rides sparkling.

I wish I had the money to buy my RO kit like, TODAY. having to decide between a polisher and a USS MOD for my Cabrio as my next large purchase is really driving me nuts. I want to clean the car up again in the fall and seal it really well before the first of the rainy/slushy/snowy months, and I don;t think I'll be ablre to do both before then.

[S Curvz]

Originally Posted by ImagoX

I wish I had the money to buy my RO kit like, TODAY. having to decide between a polisher and a USS MOD for my Cabrio as my next large purchase is really driving me nuts. I want to clean the car up again in the fall and seal it really well before the first of the rainy/slushy/snowy months, and I don;t think I'll be ablre to do both before then.

I know a garage that may let you rent equipment.

[ImagoX]

I was hoping you were reading the forums today, man. Not that I'd ASK - you were very generous the last time, letting me use your stuff. You should seriuosly ask Griot's to pay you a commission - if I end up buying their kit (I'm still pretty tempted by that Meguiar's one, sinc eI use their other stuff and it comes with a duffel bag), then it's ALL because of you letting me try it out first.

[S Curvz]

Originally Posted by ImagoX

I was hoping you were reading the forums today, man. Not that I'd ASK - you were very generous the last time, letting me use your stuff. You should seriuosly ask Griot's to pay you a commission - if I end up buying their kit (I'm still pretty tempted by that Meguiar's one, sinc eI use their other stuff and it comes with a duffel bag), then it's ALL because of you letting me try it out first.

I tired to get them to let me sell there stuff, but I was not successful. Maybe if you order you can say you were referred. I should get something...I need the detail cart keychan has.

[ImagoX]

If I do, I'll definitely name-drop for you buddy. It wouldn't be a lie, that's for sure.