Need advice on which pads and how many for Griot's Garage 6 DA

[fordf150]

Have decided to take the plunge and get my first DA. After much research I have decided on the Griot's Garage 6 and had a few questions.



1. Is the HD version with the 25 ft power cord worth the extra $35 or will just using a standard extension cord work just as well?



2. The unit comes with a 6" backing plate. Is this the best overall size for average use? Light correction work, but mainly wax and sealant application.



Note: I am a weekend warrior and be using it for mostly personal use. I don't see a whole lot of correction use and more predominantly sealant/wax apps or possibly glass cleaning.



3. Are the Griot's pads as good as any or are there better options (Quality/cost wise) for my money. I have read alot of good things about Lake country pads, which ones for polishing and finishing and how many to start?



Finally, I have seen it mentioned that smaller backing plates 5", may do a better job at removing swirls and scratches than 6" plates. Would it be worth it to get a extra plate of this size and does the lake country backing plates fit on the Griot's Garage 6?



thanks in advance

 

[BigAl3]

you can use the supplied 6" backing plate (that comes with it) with 6.5" pads and you may also want to get a 3.5" backing plate (in addition to the 5") as well so you can use 4" & 5.5" pads. i would just opt for the regular version, and make sure to use a quality extension cord like you would with any power tool...

Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital - Griot's Garage



Lake Country Porter Cable 7424 Backing Plate for 4 Inch Pads - 85 mm | Detailed Image

Lake Country 5" Backing Plate for Porter Cable 7424 - 125 mm | Detailed Image

Lake Country 5.5" Lake Country Pad Kit - 7x Pads | Detailed Image

Lake Country Orange Light Cutting Pad - 4 inch | Detailed Image

Lake Country White Polishing Pad - 4 inch | Detailed Image

to start... (5.5" pads - three orange and white, one black) (4" pads - two orange and white)

 

[BigAl3]

you can use the supplied 6" backing plate (that comes with it) with 6.5" pads and you may also want to get a 3.5" backing plate (in addition to the 5") as well so you can use 4" & 5.5" pads. i would just opt for the regular version, and make sure to use a quality extension cord like you would with any power tool...

Griot's Garage 6" Random Orbital - Griot's Garage



Lake Country Porter Cable 7424 Backing Plate for 4 Inch Pads - 85 mm | Detailed Image

Lake Country 5" Backing Plate for Porter Cable 7424 - 125 mm | Detailed Image

Lake Country 5.5" Lake Country Pad Kit - 7x Pads | Detailed Image

Lake Country Orange Light Cutting Pad - 4 inch | Detailed Image

Lake Country White Polishing Pad - 4 inch | Detailed Image

to start... (5.5" pads - three orange and white, one black) (4" pads - two orange and white)

 

[fordf150]

Thanks.



So I take it by your links that the lake country plates work fine with the Griot's?



Looking at the pad descriptions on your link, is the black pad preferred over the blue for applying liquid sealants/waxes. I guess you could use either, just wondering as the blue pad description shows it's ideal for such?

 

[BigAl3]

Thanks.



So I take it by your links that the lake country plates work fine with the Griot's? absolutely...



Looking at the pad descriptions on your link, is the black pad preferred over the blue for applying liquid sealants/waxes. I guess you could use either, just wondering as the blue pad description shows it's ideal for such?

The Lake Country Black Finishing Pad can be used when applying light cutting polishes, chemical polishes, paint cleansers, All In One (AIO), glazes, sealants and waxes to any painted surface. The Finishing Pad is often used with chemical polishes, sealants, waxes and most commonly with glazes. This pad is very soft and can evenly distribute the exact right amount of product needed for an amazing gloss and shine. The Black Finishing Pad is extremely gentle and easy to use so you get great results in less time. These pads are 6.5" in diameter and 1.25" thick so they are durable and will last for years to come.

 

[bmw5541]

I agree with BigAl3. I have the GG6" RO and love it. I did not get the HD version. A good quality extension will do just fine. I do believe a 5" backing plate is a must. You will have a much easier time getting rid of swirls with a smaller pad. I would go with either the LC Classic Flat pads (3 - Orange, 3 - White, 2 - Black, 2 - Red), or the LC H2O pads (3 - Cayan, 3 - Tangerine, 3 - Crimson).



The Black is for a finishing polish and the red is for a Glaze, Sealant or Wax.

 

[Accumulator]

Have decided to take the plunge and get my first DA. After much research I have decided on the Griot's Garage 6 and had a few questions.



1. Is the HD version with the 25 ft power cord worth the extra $35 or will just using a standard extension cord work just as well?

Even though I have *scads* of extension cords, and outlets all over the shop, I got the HD and I like having the extra bit of cord. Sounds goofy, and I even scratch my head a bit about why I like it, but, well...I'm glad I have it.

2. The unit comes with a 6" backing plate. Is this the best overall size for average use? Light correction work, but mainly wax and sealant application.

I'd go with the 5.5", or even 4", for serious correction.

Note: I am a weekend warrior and be using it for mostly personal use. I don't see a whole lot of correction use and more predominantly sealant/wax apps or possibly glass cleaning.

When you *do* need to do the correction (and that might include the work on glass), then you'll appreciate the right plate/pad size more than you might expect! But for less aggressive work it shouldn't matter. Just don't underestimate how quickly/frequently jobs turn into more serious work than you might expect.

3. Are the Griot's pads as good as any or are there better options (Quality/cost wise) for my money. I have read alot of good things about Lake country pads, which ones for polishing and finishing and how many to start?

I can' speak to the cost factor, but IMO Griot's pads are very good, the orange one is just too big.



How many pads you need will depend greatly on what products you're using- M105 calls for a *LOT* of pads. Generally, get more than you think you need; they don't go bad and, well...[stuff] happens, and usually at the worst possible time.

 

[fordf150]

How many pads you need will depend greatly on what products you're using- M105 calls for a *LOT* of pads. Generally, get more than you think you need; they don't go bad and, well...[stuff] happens, and usually at the worst possible time.

I for the most part am just using the Meguiars consumer line (SwirlX, Scratch X 2.0 and Ultimate Compound). Although I may buy the sample size of M205 as I have heard so many positive things about it's abilities for light correction and polish.

 

[Accumulator]

I for the most part am just using the Meguiars consumer line (SwirlX, Scratch X 2.0 and Ultimate Compound). Although I may buy the sample size of M205 as I have heard so many positive things about it's abilities for light correction and polish.

I would expect the UC to be similar to M105 with regard to how many pads you'll need. I'm just a big proponent of having more pads than you think you need.

 

[9935annivgt]

I have the HD Griots DA and I use the 5inch backing with the 5.5 Uber pads. I thought I had enough but I was wrong, you can never have enough and in my experience they do wear out esp. the orange ones rather quickly (about 10 cars or so) so buy extras

 

[Accumulator]

Heh heh, I was just thinking of an analogy:



Machine pads are like magazines for semi-auto firearms; you can have more than you need for a given situation, but you can never have too many. You can, OTOH, easily have too few.

 

[Alexshimshimhae]

Heh heh, I was just thinking of an analogy:



Machine pads are like magazines for semi-auto firearms; you can have more than you need for a given situation, but you can never have too many. You can, OTOH, easily have too few.

lol time to go pad shopping