Why didn't anyone tell me about this?!
#1
Why didn't anyone tell me about this?!
I started "detailing" cars in the late 70s as a teenager (it didn't have a name then). I had been washing and waxing my parents' cars since I was about 12, and learned how to use red rubbing compound and white polishing compound to shine up old faded paint. I had a side business cleaning up cars for the old ladies at my dad's office-more than once I had customers think I had repainted the car! (if you've never used red rubbing compound, don't! It'll ruin clearcoat! But it was a great arm and hand workout, and especially on a 78 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon!)
OK, I digressed-my point was, I've been doing this car detailing thing for a long time. I learned about clay bar about 10 years ago, and thought I was pretty well up to date. I also don't let my cars get in too bad of shape, although I also don't have the time to put in that I used to.
So my new-to-me 06 MCS was a solid car, but the paint had been neglected. I knew I needed a new product for clearcoat, so I started researching. I'd heard about Griot's Garage products before, and found out that they are located right here in my new town of Tacoma, WA! (I know there's great suppliers/sponsors here on the forum, and normally I support sponsors whenever I can, but I also try to buy local, and it's really nice to walk into the store, talk to people, and demo the products on your own car in their shop before you buy).
There I went again - - back to the story: I stopped a few weeks ago, and against my better judgment let them talk me into buying a starter kit with a random orbital polisher. I felt kinda wasteful - - it's only a Mini for crying out loud.
This afternoon I decided to tackle the car. WOW! In 5 hours, I washed, clay barred, polished, and waxed the car AND polished the glass! This machine is amazing!!! The Mets ni looks awesome (pics would be good, but it was dark when I finished). All of the water spots are gone from the paint and the glass, and this, thing SHINES! There's no way I would have accomplished this much without the machine.
I wish I'd have bought one 20 years sooner!
OK, I digressed-my point was, I've been doing this car detailing thing for a long time. I learned about clay bar about 10 years ago, and thought I was pretty well up to date. I also don't let my cars get in too bad of shape, although I also don't have the time to put in that I used to.
So my new-to-me 06 MCS was a solid car, but the paint had been neglected. I knew I needed a new product for clearcoat, so I started researching. I'd heard about Griot's Garage products before, and found out that they are located right here in my new town of Tacoma, WA! (I know there's great suppliers/sponsors here on the forum, and normally I support sponsors whenever I can, but I also try to buy local, and it's really nice to walk into the store, talk to people, and demo the products on your own car in their shop before you buy).
There I went again - - back to the story: I stopped a few weeks ago, and against my better judgment let them talk me into buying a starter kit with a random orbital polisher. I felt kinda wasteful - - it's only a Mini for crying out loud.
This afternoon I decided to tackle the car. WOW! In 5 hours, I washed, clay barred, polished, and waxed the car AND polished the glass! This machine is amazing!!! The Mets ni looks awesome (pics would be good, but it was dark when I finished). All of the water spots are gone from the paint and the glass, and this, thing SHINES! There's no way I would have accomplished this much without the machine.
I wish I'd have bought one 20 years sooner!
The following 4 users liked this post by Husky44:
#2
The following 2 users liked this post by cooper48:
bratling (08-09-2019),
Mini-Minion (08-31-2019)
#3
I've been a Griot's guy for several years and can confirm every thing you say. Our "Pacific Coast Highway" tour 3 years ago took us up as far as Port Angeles then a mandatory stop in Tacoma for that visit to the shop. Those damned fools had the opportunity to allow this overly qualified test driver to test drive the Lamborghini they had parked in their shop but no, they couldn't recognize the opportunity before them. Oh well. One unrelated positive came out of that visit and I'd highly recommend searching it out. They sent us to Dirty Oscar's Annex for lunch, fantastic. It was featured on Diners, Dives and etc. season 17 episode 1, well worth the effort.
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Joshua P (05-28-2019)
#4
I also just used a DA polisher for the first time on Saturday......bought it (harbor freight) last summer after I bought my current MINI. This car had not been maintained well (cosmetically) over the last 13 yrs, so anything would be an improvement. I am shocked at how well it came out. A couple hours work with Maguires Ultimate Compound and it gleams. Such an improvement.
I think a lot of folks shy away from DA polishers either because of the cost or because they are afraid they’ll screw up and damage something. Decent machines can be bought pretty cheap (mine was $50 with a coupon I believe) and DA machines are pretty foolproof with much less risk involved than a rotary style machine.
I think a lot of folks shy away from DA polishers either because of the cost or because they are afraid they’ll screw up and damage something. Decent machines can be bought pretty cheap (mine was $50 with a coupon I believe) and DA machines are pretty foolproof with much less risk involved than a rotary style machine.
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Mini-Minion (08-31-2019)
#5
I have the Cable Porter DA and it works nice, but I recently got turned on to the Milwaukee Cordless Polisher:
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Produc...ishers/2738-20
this thing kick *** and takes names, you literally can do a whole MINI with it and one full size battery.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Produc...ishers/2738-20
this thing kick *** and takes names, you literally can do a whole MINI with it and one full size battery.
#6
I live about 1/2 mile from Dirty Oscar's. Tacoma is a great town for good eating. I lived in Alaska when I started reading about Griot's. Had no idea they were in Tacoma until I had moved here and drove by one day. Injured my neck doing a double take. 😂
#7
I think a lot of folks shy away from DA polishers either because of the cost or because they are afraid they’ll screw up and damage something. Decent machines can be bought pretty cheap (mine was $50 with a coupon I believe) and DA machines are pretty foolproof with much less risk involved than a rotary style machine.
I'm never not using it again!
Saw my work in daylight today. Car looks like a lighter color, and shines like it's brand new. The glass may be the most impressive part. Driving around today on a cloudless day, and it was like all of the windows were invisible.
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Mini-Minion (08-31-2019)
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#9
https://www.griotsgarage.com/categor...ow+to+glass.do
#12
#13
#14
I really didn't plan on buying one either... But I bet I spent less than I would have if I would have paid to have it done AND I have unlimited future details for not much more than a few bucks worth of expendables. This is SO MUCH FASTER!!! I'm not getting a cut from anyone, but this is worth it, in my book.
#15
I really didn't plan on buying one either... But I bet I spent less than I would have if I would have paid to have it done AND I have unlimited future details for not much more than a few bucks worth of expendables. This is SO MUCH FASTER!!! I'm not getting a cut from anyone, but this is worth it, in my book.
#16
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Mini-Minion (08-31-2019)
#17
This is the kit: https://www.griotsgarage.com/product...rPicks&from=fn I added some stuff for glass, and a few other things I needed, and still think I was out the door for under $300. Not sure you could get a quality detail for that price. You can probably get a cheaper one, but this one does come with a lifetime warranty, which means more to me since I can walk back into their store. DA=Random Orbital... Same idea.
#18
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Mini-Minion (08-31-2019)
#19
My DA polisher is from Harbor Freight and I used inexpensive Turtle Wax rubbing and polishing compound on my 15-year old MC40. I found it worked better than Mother's. The paint turned out amazing for it's age. The process is not hard - you simply have to ensure you use plenty of polish (don't let the pad get dry) and keep it moving. Start with the rubbing compound, then the polishing compound, then wax. Check Harbor Freight for pads also. Different colored pads have different textures - some are coarser than others. Really couldn't be easier and near impossible to screw up.
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Mini-Minion (08-31-2019)
#20
Griot's website has a lot of how-to information and videos
The following users liked this post:
Mini-Minion (08-31-2019)
#21
I got a 7 inch ($50) polisher/sander from Harbor Freight, and a #6 and #8 six inch buffing pads and a $25 bottle of Maguire's light paint polisher. Watched a couple videos. Washed, then paint buffed, spray waxed, and polished. Came out pretty good for a beginner. And I did the windshield too, that worked GREAT.
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Mini-Minion (08-31-2019)
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