Ask the Detailer

I'm not sure if we ever discussed options for bedliner. is there a product that can revitalize the black? with my last tundra, it came with something to do this, but it disappeared or something.

the steps on my sequoia are a rough bedliner product and wanted to see about something that could be brushed into them to bring back the luster, without being greasy of course. hopefully something that lasts more than just wash to wash too

 

Solution Finish is an excellent dye. It's meant for plastics/trim but could always give it a shot. Otherwise, I'd just pull em and rattle can them with Rust Reformer black.

 

Somewhat urgent because of Black Friday - what do you folks recommend as the best polisher and kit to buy? Griots, Chemical Guys (TORQX), Milwaukee, Bauer? Corded or Cordless? Thanks in advance!

 

Out of those Griots. Have you considered Rupes or Flex?

 

I am open to all suggestions. Just going to try the best Black Friday deal. I have no idea on pricing at this point but son in law wants a kit for Christmas.

 

Rupes and Flex are great, but they are like 3-4x the cost of the other brands. Imo, unless you’re going to correct and polish on the regular, use them to make money, or want to flex with your gear, the others are perfect.

also, maxshine is supposed to be good.

 

Usually don’t find great deals on polishers. I was able to get my Flex 20% off at Detailers Domain. I would try Chemical Guys or Adams Polishers since they have their own lines. Autogeek would be another place to check as well.

 

My next one will prob be a griots. I believe a few on here have had them and they work well. But their customer service and warranty were what made them great. I believe lifetime warranty on the polisher.

 

Griot's G9 for the weekend warrior. G8 if you want to get fancy with small sections. Can purchase both, with a 5" plate for the G9, for under the cost of one of the big name machines. Lifetime warranty that covers wear and tear so...that takes my vote. I've got 4 Flex polishers ranging in size and intended use...and the G9 can hang with them pretty decently for the cost difference if I'm honest. I've banged a couple up and a call and quick ship later it was replaced, no questions asked.

As for corded/less, all but my PXE flex (mini-polisher) are corded. Cordless tech just isn't where it needs to be yet to solidify my decision to make the move over to cordless. I've used multiple cordless machines, and I even tested a couple Dewalt products that are unreleased, and you're either lacking the power to correct quickly (time is money) or you're lacking battery longevity so you spend time either swapping batteries frequently or have to have a stock stored up and charged ready to go. No messing around with a cord is nice, but its a luxury not a necessity and if I can't bang a car out to my standard in the timeframe I'm used to, I'll forego the luxury to ensure quality/timeliness imo.

@French Avocado

Flex PXE, G8, G9. I've since upgraded to all Flex machines, but keep these around as backups in case I have any oopsies with the main units.

 

Once again great assistance from this Forum! Thanks all!

 

Obviously I’m late on answering this, but if you haven’t bought one yet, the Griots G9 is the best you can get without dropping close to a grand.

If you or anyone else is intent on getting a high end polisher: Shine Supply carries Rupes, and last time I checked our 10% forum discount does apply to them.

 

Okay so may parents asked what to get me for Christmas and after reading the last few posts I was like perfect I’ll ask for a Griots G9 polisher. Don’t have one and will be nice not to do stuff by hand. I sent them a link and everything.

Well I’m sure my mom showed my Dad which has a lot of tools and a lot of them being porter cable since he is into woodworking, below is what showed up at my doorstep yesterday. I’m super appreciative but does anyone have any experience with one? The reviews seem okay but would I be better off to return it and get the Griots?

https://www.portercable.com/product/7424xp/6-variable-speed-random-orbit-polisher

 

PC is random orbital. It doesn’t have forced rotation like a rotary, the pad will stop. Its correcting power is less than a Flex, Rupes, or Griots. I started with one before getting my Flex, now have it setup on for 3 inch pads for smaller areas.

@20GR8 Super i would send it back. It’s an ok machine but has the absolute worst vibration. The G9 will be a superior machine for not much cost difference.

 

I have high speed machines and I definitely do not recommend for anyone trying to take care of their own vehicles. You could go down the rabbit hole and grab a door panel fender or hood and practice but honestly I would swap for the griots g9/g8 combo.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys!

That is the way I was leaning but you guys just reconfirmed my decision. It will be going back and will be getting the Griots G9 and maybe the combo like @ToyoMafia recommended. I have to wait till Christmas though cause the wife wrapped it.

Now for the next question, pads. I'll do some research but I'm sure you guys have some recommendations on what works best.

 

I love Lake Country HDO pads. Griots does a bundle that includes some pads and they are decent as well.

 

Lake Country are tough to beat. To keep it simple with all their options, just stick to HDO blue (medium cut) and HDO orange (low cut, fine polishing) to begin with. The more you get into their product line too early, the more confusing it can get and you'll end up with 50 pads and realize you only use 20% of them.

 

Perfectly said. Blue and orange is all I really use anymore

 

I’d buy 3-4 of each that should get you through 1 vehicle. I use a dedicated pad cleaner as well to keep them in shape.

 

Thanks again guys! I'm excited to get further into this detailing rabbit hole!

 

It definitely is a rabbit hole! I don't even want to admit or care to know how much I have dropped on products and equipment.....definitely won't mention that to the wife.

As the others mentioned blue and orange pads work great. I have been using Shine Supply polishes and pads lately (pretty sure the pads are lake country) with great results. Read great reviews about Griots too. Just remember to take your time to perfect your technique. Adam's polishes had some great how-to videos on Youtube about polishes.

 

Yeah I’ll be in the same boat about not spilling how much a spend on supplies. I have too many damn hobbies!

Sounds good! I’ve got some experience with the products, by no means even close to an expert, but has all been by hand so the risk of messing something up has been a lot lower. Slow and steady is always my approach with this stuff but is always a good reminder. I’m thinking the boat might be the first thing that gets done since gel coat seems to be a bit more forgiving and will let me get used to the polisher before moving over to the vehicles.

 

Now boats are a different animal. They can actually take high speed a lot better IMO.

you won’t mess anything up with low speed as long as you keep the pad on the paint and not the backing plate.

 

I also find it funny that u are in the same boat and going to start with a boat.


Teamwork makes the dream work.

 

Choice of words might have been on purpose.

It’s also cold outside and the boat is in the garage for the time being. Might also have something to do with it.

 

-

lol

 

It’s so hard keeping a vehicle clean up here in the winter time anyways. I’ll put the polisher to good use on the vehicles when the snow starts melting.

 

I chuckled when I saw the neighbors using their vanilla RO on their highly oxidized boat gel coat. I think they gave up after days when the RO died on them.

 

Poor RO