3 inch DA

[Mr Miyagi]

Anybody have any experinece with the griot's garage 3" DA?

I already have the PC which is greate for the larger areas but would like something for smaller spots.

Any other options besides the Griot's?

[agp56]

Re: 3 inch DA

I have had one of the Griot's 3" DA's for about three months. I use a Porter Cable XP7424 for the larger areas and the Griot's for smaller areas and for polishing glass. I have used it about half a dozen times and am very satisfied with it. I detail my own family's cars and do one for pay from time to time. I am glad I have the smaller DA available in my tool arsenal.

[Kornercarver]

Re: 3 inch DA

I have both the Griot's 6" and 3" DA buffers. The smaller one I use for tight places, polishing the headlights and glass. I have the Griot's 3" glass polishing pads and use their Glass Polish and the windshield never looked better.

[cnfowler]

Re: 3 inch DA

Mike Phillips did a write-up on the 3" over on Auto Geek. He liked it for what it was and said it actually had surprising power for such a little machine (the newest model).

Colin

[TLMitchell]

Re: 3 inch DA

Anybody have any experinece with the griot's garage 3" DA?

I already have the PC which is greate for the larger areas but would like something for smaller spots.

Any other options besides the Griot's?

I have the GG 3" and have used a Metabo SXE400 3" DA. The Metabo is almost the same as the v1 GG 3" DA, pretty anemic. The new v2 GG is a real improvement.

Like others, I use a PC or rotary for larger areas and grab the 3" for tight spots. Correction is limited though. I have a 3" rotary BP and DA adapter and use 3" pads on the PC which offers a lot more correcting power. The GG 3"er is sweet for spreading waxes and sealants one-handed though!

Finding 3" pads is an excercise in frustration. The GG polishing pads are OK, AGO has a few LC & 3M pads, several vendors sell Buff n Shine 3" pads... not so good IMO. Lake Country's Web site indicates they make their full line of pads in 3 & 3.5" sizes but try to find anyone that sells them!

TL

[Mr Miyagi]

Re: 3 inch DA

So I think I am going to get one...anybody know where I can get one, with free shipping/handling? I know AutoGeek had a 'sale' for free S/H but I missed it.

[TLMitchell]

Re: 3 inch DA

So I think I am going to get one...anybody know where I can get one, with free shipping/handling? I know AutoGeek had a 'sale' for free S/H but I missed it.

AutoGeek has the polisher for $89.95 & a kit including pads for $119.95. I'm not wild about that pad selection though. The 4"ers are virtually useless for correction with that polisher and the yellows are pretty rough. They also have the GG pads, some other LC 3" pads and a few 3M 3"ers available. Free shipping for orders over $95 using Code "AGO".

TL

[Ravi_1992]

Re: 3 inch DA

I use the PC with Lake country 4inch pads, I think meguiars makes 4 inch pads too now

[TLMitchell]

Re: 3 inch DA

So I think I am going to get one...anybody know where I can get one, with free shipping/handling? I know AutoGeek had a 'sale' for free S/H but I missed it.

You must have just ordered the 3" GG because everything always goes on sale right after you order. Just got this from Griot's:

***********************************************
"Now's the perfect time to stock up for those weekend therapy sessions. You'll save an extra 15% on car washing essentials, interior detailing supplies, wheel and tire care products, 6" and 3" Random Orbitals... everything in our website's Car Care category.*

To take advantage of the incredible 15% OFF Car Care Sale, place your order by 8/26/2010 using Key Code EMVAUR."
*************************************************************************************

TL

[greg0303]

Re: 3 inch DA

Griot's 3" baby has much less power than its bigger 6" brother. It's better to stay with PC 7424 and just use 3"/4" pads with right backing plate for tight spaces.
Meguiar's makes W63 backing plate (available through ADS) which goes with 4" Soft Buff 2.0 .

[agp56]

Re: 3 inch DA

I am happy with the compromise of the 3" machine in order to have a lighter, more manuverable machine. Your mileage may vary..... Big machine for larger, flatter places & smaller machine for smaller jobs, curvier panels, etc

[InfiniteDetail]

Re: 3 inch DA

We have found the 3" to be indensible for working on motorcycles and older cars with alot of compound curves and trim pieces to work around. Couldn't live without it! The 4" pads on the G110/PC are just a little too big alot of the time.

[Junkman2008]

Re: 3 inch DA

Meguiar's sells a 3" pad kit that has an adapter that allows you to connect those pads to your PC. I picked up a set some time ago at my local Mirror Glaze distributor. That beats spending more money for a completely different unit when the one you have will work just fine.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: 3 inch DA

Mike Phillips did a write-up on the 3" over on Auto Geek. He liked it for what it was and said it actually had surprising power for such a little machine (the newest model).

Colin

I removed #2000 grit sanding marks using a medium cleaner/polish but you do have to use good technique...

[Junkman2008]

Re: 3 inch DA

I removed #2000 grit sanding marks using a medium cleaner/polish but you do have to use good technique...

I define "technique" as one person who uses a spoon to eat cereal, while another can use it to take out 40 guys in a bar fight. In the right hands, a good tool is very effective.