New Polisher? Which one to choose?

JSFM35X said:
I own a PC, GG6 a Flex and a GG3.

Never used a rupes

I would get the GG6 for a weekend worrier. Price is good and the only advantage a flex will yield is faster correction on trashed panels. You can accomplish the same with a GG6 and a few more passes.
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Those are the polishers I have (also have Cyclos and two rotaries) and yeah, the extra correction that the Flex 3401 brings to the table can be pretty much equaled with a little more time and/or a more aggressive pad/product combo. Plus, a fair number of people seem to find the Flex 3401 to be *not* very user-friendly. I don't mind it at all, but it does have a very different feel and a somewhat unique, uhm..."recoil". I'd hate for somebody just getting into this stuff to spend that kind of money and dislike their (only) polisher.

One exception might be if somebody is going to be dealing with very hard clear all the time. My Flex 3401 sure does cut the time/effort down when doing serious correction on harder paints.
 
I'm with the majority here. GG6 for yr first polisher. Just get a 3" & 5" BP and yr set. Just to clarify, all size DA BPs will work on a GG6 - so you can use ANY pad from 3-6.5" if you have the correct BP.

I would forget Harbor Freight. Why? Well, first the GG6 comes with a lifetime warranty. Second, this is you opportunity to support 2 great companies like Griots & PBMG.

I don't know yr financial situation, but you can probably get a GG6 from PBMG for $120 bucks on a no exclusions sale. Since you will have to order pads and BP anyway - order all at once. Yeah, HF is less. But, something about dudes that buy a HF polisher and then come on here and ask how to use it makes my skin crawl.

Dunno. I buy some tools at HF sometimes. But, then again, I don't go on Snap-Ons forum and ask for advice and how to use them.
 
My first polisher was a Harbor Freight rotary, which I've used for 7 years now, my second was a gg6 which I've had for 5 years, and a Rupes 15 for 2 years now. My Griot's still gets used frequently with a 3 inch backing plate. I am with everyone else, a 3 inch and 5 inch backing plate for it would be the best way to go.
 
Swanicyouth said:
... something about dudes that buy a HF polisher and then come on here and ask how to use it makes my skin crawl..
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Heh heh, I'm just *SO* tempted to tease you about that, but then I can be quite a snob about certain things myself so I'd better just keep my mouth shut ^_^

(Note that, looking at my tool collection and recalling some of my past rants about my Craftsman stuff being such [crap], I guess that tools are maybe one of those things that I'm a snob about after all!)
 
As per majority recommendations and after reading specs and reviews I choose and ordered a GG6 and Country Lake flat Pads. There is a very good deal at Amazon ($127) with free shipping when using Amazon Prime. Thank all for sharing your knowledge and experiences. They are very helpful.
 
Accumulator said:
djmobile2- You should be off to a good start with that. What products are you leaning towards?
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I'm going to start with Blackfire Total Polish & Seal and Blackfire Crystal Seal. In a couple of months I'll repeat the process and will add Blackfire Midnight Sun Ivory Carnauba.
 
djmobile2- Those should be very user-friendly, and thus a good way to ease into the whole machine polishing thing. And IIRC, you already posted that so apologies for making you rehash it.
 
Do you guys recommend any specific lights to find swirls? Something mobil to hold in my hand such as a brinkman or something? Have a job coming up in spring and am correcting outside. Would like some opinions, thanks!
 
Also regular old incandescent lightbulbs, even just 60W ones if the illumination and/or viewing angle/distance are right. IMO it's always good to have a halogen too. Eh, I've been known to use as many as six (not a typo) different types of lighting!

What you want is "point source illumination", and turning out all the other lights is very important. The darker the room is (other than the inspection lighting) the better.

Biggest thing is to *experiment*. It might take half an hour to get things to show the first time, but stick with it. No foolin' I spend at least as much time inspecting as I do correcting.
 
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