Hello,

I spent some time last night on the Griot's site. I had previously got his Detailer's Handbook and DVD on machine polishing and waxing.

I built up a comprehensive order -nearly $500!

I have 5 cars and think I might enjoy getting into this.

Any opinions on Griot's quality / ease of use?

Thanks!

 

yes, good stuff. i have a lot of their stuff and enjoy using them.

 

I have a bunch of their stuff and enjoy it too. Been using Griots for about a year and a half ~ have got some nice comments at local car shows (and a few trophes). Their telephone technical support is good too.
As for ease of use - application is pretty straight forward (you've got the handbook & DVD).

 

Griot's stuff that I love:

Speed Shine - My QD product of choice. Just a touch of carnuba wax in there, makes it great for dark colors.

Waffle Weave Drying Towels - the best out there.

Wheel Cleaner - Strong enough to make wheel cleaning easy. Mild enough to never damage your wheels.

Microfiber Rags - good enough to use on door jambs, wheels, engine bay. Cheap and disposable after a dozen, or so, uses.

Tire Dressing - Long lasting and not too shiny if you don't apply too much.

 

+1. I have a lot of Griot's things that I love. The waffle weaves are awesome and so is the Interior Cleaner. I wouldn't be without either one. I also really love their microfiber duster. Beyond that, they have tons of fun gadgety stuff

 

As long as you don't expect them to honor their 100% satisfaction guaranty.
I bought some of the Undercarriage Spray which turned out to be more oily then Wesson and attracted dirt like a MINI attracts smiles. Called them up and wanted my money back - "sorry we can no accept return on that item" (direct quote from Evon or Yevon the phone wench who was not very personable). To which I replied "Well then I'm sorry I can no use Griot again".
So I haven't and I'm satisfied - I guess they were right.
I also must have gotten a bad batch of Speed Shine because it filmed up my glass something terrible.
Some like the Griots stuff but I doubt I will try them again.

 

Odd, Chuck... ken and I both have had good experiences with their customer service.

I had a drying blade from them and the handle kept popping out and they sent me a new one for free. Also had a spray bottle that cracked on the seam, they sent me a new seamless spray bottle... free.

As for the Speed Shine... I never used it on my glass so I wouldn't know if you had a bad batch or not. I still use Clarity on my glass (nearly over day).

 

Maybe they hate me, or they don't take back liquids, or they hate me.
I assumed Speed Shine would be like Hydro (it's not) or Slick (it's not) and it would be good to use on all exterior surface (it's not or at least that bottle wasn't). Could be the carnuaba wax in it. The film came off with Clarity.
So I have a gallon of Undercarriage Goo and a partial bottle of Speed Film for sale.

 

No thanks on the undercarriage goo. But if we ever attend the same MINI event, I'll take the Speed Shine off your hands. I'll trade you some Wizard's Almost Black Renew for it.

 

Deal. Come to MITM in August and I'll even toss in a partial jar of P21S wax. Not bad but not Epic either.

 

How about if you come to the next MOTD and I'll throw in half a stick of Clay Magic clay ?

 

How about a meet in the middle next spring at the HPMS event in Arkansas?

 

Arkansas brings back bad memories for me. Especially the tiny little town of Blytheville, Arkansas, where I believe that event is held.

Three years of my life in that hell hole.

 

This is the same group that got together for the Run for the Hills last month. One rotating event per year - this year the Black Hills, next Branson/ Eureka Springs area. HPMS is High Plains Motoring Society.
I've never been to Blytheville but I have been to Fayetteville, AK where they have a factory seconds store that offer 4 fingered gloves - I'm not kidding either.

 

In **some** parts of Arkansas, four fingered gloves probably come in handy.
Not saying there's some in-breeding going on there or anything. Well... yes, I am.

 

LOL. you're still crying about that Undercarriage Spray, huh? hahahaha.

anyway, im happy with Griot's and that's that. ive spent well over a couple grand
at their store (accessories and tools included). no regrets. i need to order another gallon
of Speedshine and that new coconut duster.

and their customer service is top notch. if they weren't you'll be hearing it
from me.

 

Speed Shine and the drying towels work well for me too. Their Window Cleaner does a good job on ..... my glass
I just have the mild polish and am still mastering the technique to get swirls and such out ~ I'm getting better at it. Their best of show wax leaves a very nice finish on my CR/W 04 S.
I like the results of their spray on wax when drying after a wash. And I had good luck with their carpet cleaner / brush on my JCW floor mats.

I did not like their Paint Squeegee - had to wipe it down / dry it after every stroke. It is probably a bit gentler on the paint, but too time consuming for me. Returned it with no problem.
Just got their Essentials Bag (on sale) - it fits in the boot great, and can store a lot of stuff, but the internal and external pouches are way too small to be usefull (probably why it was on sale). Spoke to a customer rep about the bag - she said I could return it or wait for an upcoming re-design and exchange.

fwiw - I've used armor all wipes in my fender wells with pretty good results.

my $.02

 

I have used Griot's products for years. They have always worked well for me. Speed Shine is a must.

 

I've been using Griot's stuff for eight years now, and have been extremely satisfied. It's the first brand I tried when I finally began treating myself to vehicles that I considered to be "worthy" of putting time and elbow grease into maintaining the cosmetics of.

Occasionally, I think of experimenting with other cleaners and waxes, but I've never gotten around to it; I guess the old adage "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" applies here.

 

I read several promotive comments in this string about Speed Shine, Anybody try head to head with Prima's Hydro? Opinions?

 

Promotive?

gotta love spell check

translation "positive"

 

Has anyone else tried Best of Show and can give feedback? thx.

 

I use both. After months of using both on all of my MINIs, I've settled into using Speed Shine as my Quick Detail spray on the CR and JB MINIs and Hydro on the PW MINI.

Speed Shine on the dark colors is fannnnnnntastic. Deepens the shine and makes for crazy reflection.

Hydro is a better concealer and maybe offers more protection so I use it on the PW since the paint isn't very reflective even if you use spray on aluminum foil on it.

 

thanks CR&PW&JB, I'll give Speed Shine a shot

 

I use it all the time, and I'm very happy with it. However, I haven't done a comparison with other waxes.