well
i dont think much about that as i use two wash bucket technique and I give a swipe on the soap's grit guard after I swipe the rinse water grit guard. also, I do the octaneguy thing and apply the soap after the water so no suds obscuring how clean it is or isnt.

It really though would depend on how dirty the car is. I would go max soap/water volume on a icky car. I hope i wont get it ever that dirtythough!

 

i agree the grit guard does do a lot of good. but only the heavy
grit will fall immediately and the others will continue to swirl around in
the water.

but i suppose since you use a 2 bucket technique, that might be ok...
but 2 gallon soap bucket is kinda wimpy.. use 5 gallons like
a man. j/k i only use a one bucket system, so.

 

I just bought the whole #11119 Machine Polish & Wax Kit $199.00. After a lot of reading and talking with the Griots people and watching the DVD video. Their orbital machine guarantees no swirl marks and looks like the best way to keep my New mini looking perfect. My stuff arrived today so I can hardly wait to put a coat of Best in Show wax on this weekend. The guys at Griots really seam to know there stuff also. When you talk to them and they are not just some phone call center. I will post some pics after the wax.

 

looking forward to them!

yes, griot's is the ONLY place that has great personalities behind the telephones. They talk to you about cars, or about whatever. Engaging folks. They also answer questions about how to use THEIR products. most just talk about how to use this or that, but I found out all sorts of odd and important tidbits asking about each product I bought.

like the paint cleaning clay. It must be used with Speedshine first off, doesnt really do its thing properly without. The tidbit: it does not remove wax from paint. You can clay out areas of bird poop and with clay and speedshine without removing wax (or much of it at least). the paint prep is best done after you washed the car and it is wet. massage it over the paint and let sit on while wet, then rinse off and dry. Odd info, but useful.

yeah, i cant believe kenchan doesnt use 2 buckets!!! thats freaky that I do and he doesnt.

Must meditate to the octaneguy's wash video 4x a day to reach zen.

 

oh, but i do when i wash my weekend cars... actually i use 2 wash mitts and 2 buckets.

 

i tried my free small mist bottle of SpeedShine today to see how
the mist sprayer itself works... NG. thing puts too much product on
the panel drenching the towel.

the hair spray mist bottles you can get at ContainerStore is still
a finer sprayer and eaiser to use to detail. oh well. I poured the
Speedshine into my other spray bottle I usually use.

 

looks good man! I always suggest Meguiars Color X be applied before waxing. It really cleans and preps the paint to an ethereal look which is HOT on white cars

 

I've been a long time fan of Griot's products - you do pay a bit more but the end result is worth the money. One item I've held off on buying is their random buffer, see http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....2060&SKU=10925 I had mixed results years ago with a much cheaper version I bought from Sears.

I'd appreciate feedback from anyone who has used this or a similar product. Thanks

 

i use the exact one with no issues.

 

Griot's LeatherCare.... i used it to clean my wife's black leather coat
she had thought about tossing. It wasn't in a real bad condition,
but looked like it was coming close to its retirement.

i first cleaned the coat using a cloth towel dampened with mildsoap and
warm water..just gently rubbed it. then let it air dry a little bit.
took out my LeatherCare and the blue application foam pad and
gently rubbed the areas that needed some care. I only used a
very small amount.

outstanding! said the wife. she's going to wear it this winter.

now she brought me her coach bags...

 

EMMBP will net you a free synthetic chamois from Griots on any order!

http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.j...5&topnav=EMMBP



im getting my wife for her b-day a self-heating 12v thermos also on sale!
woohoo~!

 

so being the brand oriented/organized (?) dork that i am, i was getting
tired of my old variety-branded pliers and screw drivers from years of
use and ordered the Griot's screw driver set and small pliers set.
(they are both very affordable... nothing like Beta or Facom tools).

for fun, i also threw in that pivoting 1/4 drive ratchet which should
come in very handy. depending on how much swivel it needs
to click, i may order the gearless ratchet next.

im going to use the old tools in our basement tool box.

 

I have been looking at there tools too, look like a good deal. Unfortunatly between new brakes, new wheels and tires and sway bar for the MINI and a new clutch(started going out this morning) I will not be adding anything fun to the garage for a while.

 

^^ dang, sounds like an expensive project.

btw, what do you guys think about the Griot's brake fluid extractor pump?
i might get that too later on. My G35C's going to be due for a brake fluid
change next summer.

 

I use the Sears's Orbital - brings out the super deep gloss. But I use a different brands pads.... the ones that came with the unit sucked!

 

It is, but not by choice. The brakes went from being a simple fluid change to fluid, pads, rear caliper. Oh yeah, the rear caliper is dealer only, no remanufatured stuff. Plus, a friend helped me, so I bought him some detail supplies to say thanks for teaching me.

The wheels were recommended by this friend, and i am glad he did. They will look great! The sway bar was also his fault...he shouldnt have let me drive his MCS.

The clutch wasnt my choice, but the jeep has 90000 miles, so I knew it was coming. That and...its a peice of crap

 

oh, i thought this was all on your MCS! but yah, 90k miles sounds
about time to change the clutch on some cars.

 

all but the clutch is on the MCS...The MCS got a new clutch and flywheel under warrenty becacuse the dealer couldnt figure out where the noise was coming from...even thought I told them it was the starter Oh well, free clutch

Yeah, and its a lifted jeep...I am not nice to it.

 

i got my tools from Griots just now (plier set, screw driver set, and
1/4" swivel type ratchet). all very nice! much better quality than i
expected.

if anyone's looking for your daily tools, before checking out craftsman
stuff, check out Griot's.

 

What kind of warranty? Can I use their screwdriver as a pry bar, break it and get a free replacement?

 

life time, they say in their catalog.

not sure about abuse though, minimaybeenot!

 

kind of OT, but since we're talking tools...

i just got back from Sears. they have a open wrench with ratchet
action 8pc 8mm to 18mm Gearwrench brand on sale $39.99
got me a set. it actually ratches smoother than the Craftsman one.

still waiting for the stubby version to go on sale.

 

But it is not covered by the Craftsman lifetime warranty. Just a FYI.

 

I know. They said there's a one year warranty with the manufacturer. But at $40, who cares?

 

Yeah, but Beta has a lifetime guarantee, regardless of how you use them, and most importantly, you'll never have to call them on it! I don't know about the Griot's tools but with Craftsmen's guarantee it's a pain in the neck because you have to go through the hassle of getting them replaced when they break. Beta tools just don't break. Of course, we all know that Griot's is awesome about returns if they do fail. Plus, I'm not dissing Griot's... I'm dissing Craftsmen and pointing out that Beta is not that expensive if you consider the quality.

The Beta screwdrivers are the best, IMO! (I know, I know... I'm biased again but we honestly would not be selling them if I didn't think that!)

We have a demo set you can play with in the retail store... you really do need to take a trip to Colorado!

-Heather