I'm really close to buying this (http://www.griotsgarage.com/search.jsp?searchtext=11119) Porter Cable kit from Griots.

Since the absolute lowest prices on the PC's are $100 + shipping, and I can't find anyone saying anything bad about Griot's products, $199 for their kit seems fair as it includes the chemicals, pads, hook and loop adapter, a BIG hunk of clay, a detailing book, and I think they cover the PC with a lifetime guarantee. I don't think it'd cost appreciably less to buy the same amount of stuff anywhere else, and their system looks pretty much idiot proof.

I got a free DVD from them yesterday demonstrating their PC & products and I like what I see. They also included a 10% off coupon in with the DVD.
Here's (http://www.griotsgarage.com/twoguys.jsp?topnav=AD2&campaign=5N) a link to the free DVD offer.

I read a bunch of good stuff about Griots on various forums, like this one from epinions (http://www.epinions.com/auto-review-2C18-4513C0FA-3A4AE3FA-prod3).

C

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.com/Porter%20Cable%20Specials.htm

Package #2 is what you need.

Either of those options looks fine to me - The Griot kit doesn't seem to include more than the orange pad; you'll have to get the softer pads for polishing and wax work, the orange is good for cutting the crap off your paint.

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.com/Porter%20Cable%20Specials.htm

Package #2 is what you need.
Thanks... I'll compare it to the Griot's.

Either of those options looks fine to me - The Griot kit doesn't seem to include more than the orange pad; you'll have to get the softer pads for polishing and wax work, the orange is good for cutting the crap off your paint.
It's got a red wax pad also.

C

I've been looking at Griot's stuff for awhile, but have not had the funds to try any yet, but from what I have seen on some friends cars and from everything I have read it is a very impressive product line.

I use Meguiar's products right now, but once I land a full-time job I'm going to give the Griot's a shot, keep us updated.

Thanks for the link for the free DVD...Mine is on the way!

I just don't see it being much better than Zaino. my car when its clean and the light hits it right (silver) looks almost Chrome.

I've got a lot of friends who swear by Griots ... personally, I haven't used it, but I've seen the results it produces and I'm impressed with the product.

Chris please keep us in the loop with how this turns out.

My car has yet to be waxed since I had it painted two years ago. It looks nice as it sleeps in a garage all the time but, I feel that it is time.

I've yet to graduate to the expensive stuff - To this point I've used Meguiar's pro stuff - altho I haven't used one of the hitech finishes yet and Melissa says wax lasts about a half an hour in the Georgia sun (okay, maybe I'm exaggerating a bit). Chris, if you didn't see it, there's a thread that went on I think it was last fall sometime; Melissa and some of the other detail experts chimed in and argued quite a bit over their favorite stuffs. If you're going to get REAL serious about it, I'd suggest dialing up one or two of the detailing forums (just do a few obvious keywords in google, they'll pop right up). I know you guys have seen it, but this is mine with Meguiars, the 7424 and the Lake Country pads. Lake Country uses three pads; an orange, a creme (I think) and an almost black - orange for cleaning, the creme for polishing (finer cut), and the black for the wax. orange=hard, creme=medium, black=quite soft.
http://photo.angrylabs.com/main.php?g2_itemId=130

I did read that thread back when it was active and glanced at it again yesterday. In all honesty I'm FAR from getting serious about it. I have never once enjoyed waxing a car, or been pleased with the results, so I gave up even trying a long time ago. I just want an easy to use system that gives good results, and it looks like Griot's is good for that.

I spent time reading the LS1 detailing forum (http://www.ls1.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=51) but those guys are out of control, and the rocket science it takes to use Zaino (with their umpteen billion different products and methods) makes my head spin.

I think a 2 pad system will at least get me going in the right direction, and again, from what I can see, the Griot's package really isn't overpriced, which is funny because so much of the stuff that they sell is through the roof. $90 Boars hair wash brush & bucket (http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=66075) anyone? :eek2:

C

Ayup, they do seem to get right excited about it, all right. I also think the two pads will do you fine - and the 7424 actually makes this DOable, as I couldn't agree more I just couldn't make myself do it before by hand. I think you'll like the results if you do four steps, *** (I'm NO expert, btw) - 1. clay the thing, 2. some sort of cleaner with the orange pad, 3. a polish (to get rid of the scratch marks the cleaner makes, the difference will amaze you) and 4. wax or acrylic or whatever the heck. It's still a lot of work but the PC makes it possible enough so you can appreciate the results.

The problem that I would have with the Griot's machine, is the backing plates are specific to that machine and Griot's only. The Porter Cable backing plate is made by many companies and widely available by car detailing stores/distributors. This also makes it easier for buying backing plates for changing pad sizes. The PC is also easier to get parts/repair, and if you want the Lifetime warranty, get the Meguiars G100 from autodetailingsolutions.com (like mentioned above) it's a Porter Cable, but Meguiar's warrantys it for life.

If I were buying a Dual Action Polisher, it would be the Porter Cable, namely for the Edge 2000 kit. It is a backing plate-less pad system.

Hope you find what you are looking for.

Jerry - The Griot's kit has clay, polish and wax. I need a cleaner to???? After claying and polishing to remove swirls etc, wouldn't the paint be clean?

Jon - I'm 99% sure the Griot's machine is a rebranded Porter Cable. And a 6" velcro backing plate looks pretty generic to me. Look, and tell me what you think.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1004&SKU=10925

C

The Griot's buffer looks different than the PC and G100. The area around the backing plate is thicker and might not fit in some areas. I'm just not sure of the quality of the Griot's stuff. The Meguires is used by professionals in their businesses. Chris here is an awesome section to read up on, before jumping in: http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=33

I think you have my number and I'll be glad to answer any questions you have. I used the Zaino stuff before, and it was great, but the cost and way you have to apply it, was too much.

I personally love the porter cable + the Mezierna products. I found them at www.properautocare.com, snag the Mezierna kit. I got the clay pad as well, so I used the porter cable to do the work of claying the car as well... I think I sourced that from Griot's though.

http://www.properautocare.com/mecarcakit.html - start with the clay, then final polish 2, then final polish, then FMJ, using the appropriate pads. You will only need to go to that full extent maybe once a year or every couple years, the other times a simple FMJ application will do it. Truly awesome stuff.



After using the porter for awhile I must say the Griots model with the bale handle looks like it might at least have a better handle, but you can always just palm the head of the unit instead of using a handle.

THIS ONE http://www.properautocare.com/matwomopo.html looks very promising too - DA and (mostly) circular all in a single unit. However, the circular porter cable is on sale for $150 right now (with free backing plate), so you could pretty much buy the two separate units for close to the same price.

I'm not so sure about using the clay with the 7424. I'd much prefer to do that step by hand. Any product can make a car shine. Having the car shine and be swirl free, is the trick.

i use a random orbital buffer, scratch-X, mothers step 1 polish, then griots best of show wax. does a damn good job. but before i do all that i wash the car with dawn dish soap to remove all the old wax.

Jon - I'm 99% sure the Griot's machine is a rebranded Porter Cable. And a 6" velcro backing plate looks pretty generic to me. Look, and tell me what you think.
http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?L1=L1_1000&L2=L2_1004&SKU=10925

C

The Griots machine is actually a Mosay 8812 (with a bail handle, like the 8811B) as seen here (http://www.mosay.com/proinfo.asp?pl_id=173)

The backing plates are different, the Griots has 4 screw holes that hold it vs a PC that has a center bolt.

I am not trying to steer you away from Griots, their customer service is top-notch.. and I am sure you will have no issues with the polisher, just pointing out a few differences/details.

There is a few threads on Meguiar's Online forum, with reviews and head-to-head comparisons on the Griots vs G100 (porter cable) but you would be hard pressed to find any comparo thread on there where the Meguiars DOESN'T come out on top. They all seem heavily biased. I have used plenty of Megs products, and most are good, some are decent, and some flat out suck.

I personally, would get a Porter Cable DA... Way more backing plate/pad combos out there.

while i have never used a buffer, i only use griots on my car. not my ser, there is no paint on that POS. I just wash, clay and wax. car always looks like glass to me.. and, knowing you chris, wash, clay and wax is all you are going to want to do! :rofl:

Damn. Chris, left you a long one but looks like my login barfed and it didn't get posted. I agree with above, I did LOTS of my usual compulsive research; I'd be patient and find a 7424. A number of reasons - pads, parts, etc. I just did three cars today - not my favorite thing, but I could have NEVER done it without the tool. At least it's done - one was just clay and wax (the toy), one was up from gawdawful, and the other was clay, polish and wax. There are at least 10 to the seventh opinions on each of the way high end (read: $$) polish systems/waxes/acrylics/etc. I went to Meguiar's pro stuff as much for economics as anything. I've shown everybody the toy after that stuff; it'll do. Four steps when you first start out - clay, clean, polish, wax. After the car is prepped and you maintain it, clay, polish, wax every now and then. The interesting thing is virtually everybody wishes they had a car that looked that good, but nobody wants to do it - THAT's what the tool's for - it makes a wish into a do-able task.
Jer