Griot’s Garage Fans. Show it off!

[16again]

I’m very new to the whole “real” detailing thing. After seeing a few posts here, I dove into Griot’s Garage products.

I know NOTHING about detailing. Sure as heck going to learn as I’m currently in for just shy of $500.00

Let’s see and hear what you all have.

 

[Retroman]

Be careful your heading down a rabbits hole my Rupes and Griots polishers are hanging on the wall and not pictured.

 

[Jeepster04]

I have the majority of the products that meguiars makes.

I recently got an electric pressure washer setup that Im pretty tickled with. AR630TSS Hot, SGS28 gun, mosmatic lance, cox reel, and a kobrajet OG spec hose.

 

[Paycheck]

Expand your search. Look at Adams Polishes, The Rag Company, Junkman2000 on YouTube. Plenty of good videos for learning.
And it is addictive ��

 

[hefnerconstructionlc]

Griots is good stuff, nice collection.

 

[tdkkart]

I went head first into Adam's stuff a few years ago, been pretty happy with the products.

 

[Qualitytools]

Being in a car club one gets exposure to detailing a lot. Indeed Griots is well known, lots of good detainers to learn from on the web, one of my favorites is AMMO NYC.

 

[16again]

Retroman, love the way you used the HF cart for detailing. I have a cart that just arrived from Ikea.
I’ll assemble it shortly and post pictures.

 

[ambenz]

Not to burst anyone bubble as I used some of the products for about 2 years and Griots is good but crazy expensive so I found better... Croftgate.
A better system IMHO.
Sorry...back to the Griots Garage fans ....

 

[cweidert03]

Used a few products from griots.. but I also dove into the Adam’s polishes a few years ago. Have since had 2 kids and a different vehicle that doesn’t fit into the garage so detailing doesn’t happen often or thorough


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[nc.detail]

Very nice.

I use mostly detailedimage.com and autoality.com for all my stuff. No reason to pay retail for detailing stuff.

 

[16again]

Not to burst anyone bubble as I used some of the products for about 2 years and Griots is good but crazy expensive so I found better... Croftgate.
A better system IMHO.
Sorry...back to the Griots Garage fans ....

I should have titled it Detailing in general. All are welcome !

 

[16again]

Got a cart from IKEA today. Putting all my detailing stuff in there. Small but will work for the time being.



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[16again]

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[Ralf11]

Real Detailing involves buying chemicals in drums.

For the DIYer like me, it involves testing different products on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. I thought I had it figured out until the new ceramic based products came out...

I also use a good foam pad on my random orbit sander. This works fine for the car owner, but a pro will want a better handle.

 

[16again]

Real Detailing involves buying chemicals in drums.

For the DIYer like me, it involves testing different products on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. I thought I had it figured out until the new ceramic based products came out...

I also use a good foam pad on my random orbit sander. This works fine for the car owner, but a pro will want a better handle.

I’m a beginner, no intention of going pro. Just want my cars to look decent. I enjoy tinkering in my garage, this is just another way for me to play.

 

[Ralf11]

Sure - lots of labor and do it product by product.

Meguiars used to have a bunch of details and exactly what product to use on their web site.

You also may have a trade-off between ultimate gloss/sheen and longevity.

In FL, the UV is going to attack the wax or top product; not to mention the salt spray.

 

[mikester]

I detailed cars on the side many years ago. Before dual action polishers came out. I still have my old Makita rotary in my roll away. I bought a Griots DA polisher about 8 years ago. Works well but I see they discontinued the model I have.
A friend of mine does it full time at a local car wash. Im amazed at all the new products out there now. Ive got a cabinet full of polishes and waxes. Meguiars, Griots, Mothers, Gliptone. Back when I was doing it a lot most of what I used was 3M. Prep Team polish, Polish N Glaze. Great stuff back in the day. Now just looking at stuff online makes me crazy.
One of my friends just bought a long throw polisher and he really likes it He even offered to polish my Malibu when I get ready to put it on the road. Im probably going to let him do it so I can see how a long throw works compared to the DA.

 

[Ilikeike]

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That's pretty cool, I may have to invest in that.

I have some Griot's, Bought my new polisher from them and most all my polish pads.
I use 3M Maguire's, Chemical Guys, Adams, Griot's..
Pic of some of my detail stuff.

 

[motoretro]

Sorry, not a fan. That said, I typically use and like "Eco Touch" products.

 

[M6erfan]

Real Detailing involves buying chemicals in drums.

For the DIYer like me, it involves testing different products on both horizontal and vertical surfaces. I thought I had it figured out until the new ceramic based products came out...

I also use a good foam pad on my random orbit sander. This works fine for the car owner, but a pro will want a better handle.

Dude, ceramic is soooo 2019. . . Graphene is where its at now. Sheesh, don't you know???

Seriously though, Griots makes some good stuff. Overpriced is relative. 3M, Mothers, Mequires, Adams, Eagle 1, Collonite, Chemical Guys, Sonax, P21s, Gyeon, yada yada yada. . . Pick whatever you like and have fun!

Nice cart OP

 

[Mark_17]

You guys are ballsy to have your microfibers out in the open. I have a big plastic tote for all my clean towels. I do too much metal grinding to leave them in the open

 

[M6erfan]

You guys are ballsy to have your microfibers out in the open. I have a big plastic tote for all my clean towels. I do too much metal grinding to leave them in the open

I store mine in old dry cleaning bags and in a sealed tote.

And I do most of my grinding/sanding outside the garage.

 

[Qualitytools]

Be careful your heading down a rabbits hole my Rupes and Griots polishers are hanging on the wall and not pictured.

I see some hand pump sprayers. Is there one brand that is reliable you could recommend? Thanks

 

[Qualitytools]

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Looks Good, I have that Dog Bone Creeper.

 

[frank001]

Being GJ, I can't believe no one has recommended Swissvax, specially formulated for your climate zone!



TRILOGY, Carnauba Wax For USA Climate Zones (78% Vol.)
Sale price $799.00 for 200ml (6.7oz.)
Tax included

https://swissvax.us/collections/autowachs-zum-versiegeln

 

[Retroman]

Got a cart from IKEA today. Putting all my detailing stuff in there. Small but will work for the time being.



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Exact same cart I started with.

 

[Retroman]

I see some hand pump sprayers. Is there one brand that is reliable you could recommend? Thanks

The two big ones on the bottom are Marolex one is a foaming sprayer the other is just regular I think they are the best built made in Poland with rebuild kits available. The other sprayers are GG I think but the ones at Home Depot are good as well.

 

[Qualitytools]

The two big ones on the bottom are Marolex one is a foaming sprayer the other is just regular I think they are the best built made in Poland with rebuild kits available. The other sprayers are GG I think but the ones at Home Depot are good as well.

Thanks for sharing

 

[nc.detail]

Being GJ, I can't believe no one has recommended Swissvax, specially formulated for your climate zone!



TRILOGY, Carnauba Wax For USA Climate Zones (78% Vol.)
Sale price $799.00 for 200ml (6.7oz.)
Tax included

https://swissvax.us/collections/autowachs-zum-versiegeln

It just doesn't do it for me. I have mystery and shield jars gathering dust.

It's good stuff, but at $800 a jar of mystery it's comical

 

[eaglefan1]

Ive detailed cars as a side gig for 15yrs. Started out with wax, then sealant/wax. For the last 5yrs+ 95% of my jobs are coatings.
I haven't fallen for the Adams stuff at all. Some guys like it, but its like a cult.

Tough to beat Menzerna, Scholls Concepts, CarPro and 3D for compounds and polishes. If I cant get defects out with any of them, then it will need to be wet sanded.

Griots correcting cream line up is real good. Id use that before some of the others mentioned. Big thing is you have to find out what you like to use. That might work on your vehicle, but when you do a different vehicle things might change. Quality products, great technique = great results.

 

[16again]

I’ve got a 2016 Camry that’s white. Trying to learn on it. Once I grasp the basics, my fiancé has a 2019 Camry that’s silver. I’ll move on to hers. Don’t want to mess up her silver paint.

 

[eaglefan1]

Some of the white Toyota trucks are single stage paint. Dont know about their cars.

Japanese cars are notoriously soft and thin paint. It usually doesn't take anything aggressive to correct them

 

[Ralf11]

I'll make it simple.

1. wash the car with a car wash detergent, NOT dishwashing liquid or soap - be gentle and do it all in the shade

2. spray some touchup detailer spray (like Meguiars) in various spots and run your had over the paint - if it is as smooth as glass got to step 3; otherwise use clay on it

3. use a chemical cleaner (some manfs. call it a polish)

4. on a dark finish, you might want a "feeder" chemical

5. use a wax - or a "wax"

use a random orbit for a better finish than your hand, and faster too

get to bird droppings right away - they will etch the paint; some insect hits can be bad too

park in a garage to keep sun & rain off

 

[16again]

I'll make it simple.

1. wash the car with a car wash detergent, NOT dishwashing liquid or soap - be gentle and do it all in the shade

2. spray some touchup detailer spray (like Meguiars) in various spots and run your had over the paint - if it is as smooth as glass got to step 3; otherwise use clay on it

3. use a chemical cleaner (some manfs. call it a polish)

4. on a dark finish, you might want a "feeder" chemical

5. use a wax - or a "wax"

use a random orbit for a better finish than your hand, and faster too

get to bird droppings right away - they will etch the paint; some insect hits can be bad too

park in a garage to keep sun & rain off

Thank you!
On my white I used the synthetic clay bar as the paint was/is not smooth as glass.
Only did the hood so far. Clay bar, liquid compound with orange pad, best of show wax with red pad. Came out very nice. Still have rest of the car to do.
Work in progress.

My cars are garaged.

 

[eaglefan1]

I'll make it simple.

1. wash the car with a car wash detergent, NOT dishwashing liquid or soap - be gentle and do it all in the shade

2. spray some touchup detailer spray (like Meguiars) in various spots and run your had over the paint - if it is as smooth as glass got to step 3; otherwise use clay on it

3. use a chemical cleaner (some manfs. call it a polish)

4. on a dark finish, you might want a "feeder" chemical

5. use a wax - or a "wax"

use a random orbit for a better finish than your hand, and faster too

get to bird droppings right away - they will etch the paint; some insect hits can be bad too

park in a garage to keep sun & rain off

Dark finish or white makes no difference. You are touching the clear not the color.
White paint needs to be finished out properly just like black paint.

Ive been doing this for a while and try and stay up on the latest products, but I have never heard of a "Feeder" chemical. Maybe a translation mix up?

 

[Ralf11]

I follow the Meguair's terminology, but added "feeder" to try and give an idea what it does.

The effect on a dark color with clear will be optical & not very large, but some like it.

16again - just try different waxes or "waxes" on different surfaces - e.g. half the hood for each; and half the sides for each

then compare... I did that with several spendy chemicals and got no difference

BTW Cons. Reports does comparisons sometimes.

you'll find that a 'ceramic wax' will give lots of longevity - just the stuff in a can or bottle not the full on cosmetic car surgeon stuff...

 

[eaglefan1]

Well here is my take. You could put the most expensive LSP on a swirled up mess and you still have a swirled up mess. Lipstick on a pig.
Spend the time polishing properly. That is were 90% of the "Look" comes from. The "Best" LSP I have used, that really adds to the look of the paint is Polish Angel Cosmic V2 topped with their High Gloss. It is a killer combo if you are looking for the absolute deepest glossiest look. Not 3ft deep but 6ft deep look.
Since we are talking about white paint, here is the low down on white. You have to get it as clean as possible. Iron X, or similar is a must. Clay or clay substitute is a must. Polish the paint and apply your LSP. Only I put wax on is Garage Queens. Wax is a dust magnet and sealant does much better in longevity and it doesn't attract dust like wax. I had a white avalanche for 9yrs and besides a coating, Ultima Paint Guard Plus I liked the best.

Get the white paint as clean as you can and start polishing properly and then apply what you want on top

 

[Theruse]

I have use Griot products for more than 20 years and appreciate the quality of their tools and products. Now with GJ's discount and Griot sales, you can do very well Their shop stool is the best under my lift with my 10' ceilings. Nice quality, comfortable cushion, light and lots of storage. I also like their detail cart, magnetic fender skirt. I also buy a lot of their products by the gallon to save. The Heavy duty wheel cleaner is great for anyone who owns BMW's with their brake dust issues. SpeedShine and detailer are used almost every day. The first product I bought over 22 years ago was their epoxy garage floor paint. Still holding up well. Plus their videos and technical articles have taught me a lot about detailing.

 

[ezriderga]

I recently got this from GG and this G8 polisher is great. It has an easy to use detachable cord, easy speed adjust dial, locking trigger and more. It has plenty of power with minimal vibration. Below is a panel on my ‘08 Tacoma I used it on.