3" DA Polisher - Worth it?

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dmw16

New member
I was thinking about picking up the Griots 3" DA Polisher for mirrors, pillars, and other little spots. I am just a hobby detailer, not a pro or anything like that. Amazon actually carries it and I have $50 worth of gift cards so it would only be $55 with some pads out of pocket.



So is it worth the price?



Thanks.
 
Which one?



I initially liked the 3" *electric* RO, but it died pretty quickly and it greated a *LOT* of misty sling, presumably a matter of the speed/orbit combo. Yuck. They've since come out with a newer version, but I haven't tried that as I expect it'll behave pretty much like the older one. Hey, maybe I'm wrong and the new one is OK :nixweiss



I *REALLY* do like their 3" *pneumatic* RO though, works great for me despite the rather clunky trigger. Gotta have a compressor to run it, though. It's my go-to polisher for spot-repairs, and I used it to do a whole fender the other day and never felt inclined to get out one of my other (bigger) polishers.



If you don't have a compressor for the pneumatic one, I'd just get a spare 3" backing plate for your full-size polisher.
 
I picked up the Harbor Frieght 2 inch air obital for $25.00.

I use the 3 inch foam/wool pads on it, setting my air pressure down to where it runs at a reasonable speed.

Don't use it that much for polishing, except on aluminum and mag wheels, use it more for sanding of some items I am restoring.

Grumpy
 
Deep Gloss Auto Salon said:
I love my 3" GG electric DA. In fact, when using it yesterday I thought to myself "Why did I wait so long to buy this machine"
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No power, sold mine. BTW it was the newest version, 2 I think. I now just use 4" pads on my GG 6" DA.
 
I've heard that it isn't very powerful, but for spot jobs and pillars, I THINK it'll do the job, and I see many pro's have one in their arsenal.
 
I wish I had one when I do lower parts of the front bumper. Those grills and small areas always make me nervous with the huge 6" DA
 
Definitely nice to have if you do a fair amount of polishing or headlight restores. I picked one up a couple months ago mainly for headlights (sanding) and it's been a huge time saver. Plus I don't have to switch out backing plates on my PC anymore which has saved some time. Since switching the backing plate on the PC can be a PITA.



If your just a weekender then you don't "need" it but definitely nice to have for tight areas.
 
I have been seriously considering a dedicated 3 inch DA, it would be wonderfully convenient to have for front and read bumpers.
 
You got a shop, you got an air compressor, you need 4 CFM, get the Harbor Freight 2", (easy to put a 3" backing on it, a small in-line air regulator-in line, so you set and change the speed.

Both pieces, under $25 and they don't wear out in a year. Wouldn't wish to use a full rotary with air, get's a bit bulky, but seldom use electric smaller polishers when I can use air units.

Love mine.

I do have to admit to owning a couple or three compressors, the "BIG" one, and a Coleman oil-less, 17 gal tank, which will run it and easy to load in the Beast if I need to use it away from the shop.

Have even run it in short bursts with a "framing nailer" compressor.(not really recommended, but works)
 
I bought my 3"GG over a year ago and love it. I understood when I bought it that it didn't have the power of the 6" GG but with that in mind I found it great for spot wet sanding and minor correction even with a mf pad. I have looked at the new Rupes 3" air machine but not sure I want to go that route yet. If and when this unit dies I will buy another.
 
hotrod66paul said:
I bought my 3"GG over a year ago and love it. I understood when I bought it that it didn't have the power of the 6" GG but with that in mind I found it great for spot wet sanding and minor correction even with a mf pad. I have looked at the new Rupes 3" air machine but not sure I want to go that route yet. If and when this unit dies I will buy another.
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I sold mine before it died.
 
I bought one a few years back, didn't have much power, hardly any till you put it on the highest number and it tried - sounded like it did anyway, I ended up returning it. Great for polishing shoes I guess. I too, like the idea of a small machine and Grumpy has a very good suggestion. But, I can get buy with the 2 PC's, 1 Cyclo and a DeWalt for now!
 
The HF mini orbital is $24.99, part # 92629, the small inline brass regulator is $4.99, part #68220, shipping is a flat $6.99 for regular ground.

The unit is 4 inches long, comes with a couple of sanding discs, weighs just 1.65 lb.

Reguires 4 CFM at 90 PSI, however as you cut down the air pressure, will work on less.

I use mine for not only around small delicate areas of paint correction, but headlights, and a ton for stainless steel finishing/polishing, aluminum, etc.

Gets down in wheels, intake manifolds, etc.

For the small investment, it has made me some real money, let alone the time savings.

Grumpy
 
I've got one and love it for many reasons.



-Pillars and bumper areas that are too small for my 5.5" pads on PC

-Headlight restoration polishing

-Convertible rear window polishing

-I bought a "cyclo" brush that I plan on usingon carpet and upholtery stains (brush has same post thread as GG3")

-I have 3 different pads for it as well, both Griots pads (orange and red) plus some 3" cyan pads which are more aggressive than the orange
 
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