Griot's Garage Products

[SSFOS]

I searched the forum for Griot's Garage products and only came up with two hits. I just wanted to know "GOOD", "BAD", or "IN BETWEEN?" Thanks for the input.

 

[brockstar]

I buy and use their paint clay, Speed shine and Best of show wax. I have been pleased with them and will buy them again.

I have never used the wheel cleaner, window wipers etc. so others will have to chime in. All of the other tools, etc you can find cheaper.

 

[Flathead Red]

My dad has used numerous brands of car cleaning/waxes on his 40 Ford and he said that Mother's is by far the best for the money. Griot's works but have a higher price. I saw their booth at the Goodguys show in Columbus and they had a great set up but expensive stuff.

Flathead Red

 

[vette-kid]

It depends. Most of their stuff is pretty pricey. I find the cleaning supplies to be fair and work really well. Im happy with them.

 

[river1]

i've had their floor paint down for 15 years and i'm VERY happy with it. check in the flooring section for a post i did a few years ago for pics. it looks the same today.

later jim

 

[35mastr]

Not bad if you got full deep pockets. There are way better products out there for better money.

 

[bbshriver]

I pretty much only use Griots for car cleaning stuff.. Used to use Meguiars and there is no comparison. Have used Mother's some. Griot's also has top-class customer service. same-day reply to e-mail and no hassle returns if you don't like something...

 

[-B-]

Honest review;
wax both paste and liquid are not good it is terrible to put on and does not last very long at all

wheel cleaner is great on painted AL rims it works easily to remove the grime

quick detail one of the best I have used expensive but if you are clever you can make it last

clay bar real good big amount in two packages bit tip here you do not need to use quick detail with if you rewash your car and clay at the same time this will save you time, towels, and quick detail

glass polish though this is a great product storage longevity is an issue it dries out to a useless mass in as little as 6 months , you do not need much to do a windshield so storage needs to be better on this product

hand tools be wary expect to not see the tool in a years time in the catalog so a lifetime warranty is quite useless if they can not replace the tool with the same.

oil filter magnet great product I do not like the new design the older design is better as it is encased in a rubber/ plastic

car duster works well and is a decent price basically all the good ones are the same

 

[Sacono]

Griots Garage Products

wouldnt Good House Keeping be one of those places to report some of this stuff

They buy and test the products over and over and over. They test everything.

when a business has their seal you know it is a good product.

 

[Pat]

Sacono,

Years ago Good House Keeping used to be a trusted independant testing organization, but I recall reading an article stating that Good House Keepings new profit oriented directors figured out it was more profitable accepting money from businesses and spending more time cashing the check than actually testing the products. Don't know if there is any truth to this, but I have seen some pretty worthless products with the Good Housekeeping approval seal on them.

 

[SSFOS]

I would agree with you Pat. Thanks all for the honest feedback.

 

[grego]

I use their leather care products and after 7 years on one car and going on 5 years on the other with many cars in between of relatives that get a detail here at my house, they all get the comment that the inside smells and looks new again. My cars have no cracks on the seats and do look very little used.
Quick detailer and clay bar is another good product.
I tried there interior cleaner wipes and they worked good cleaning up the kids messes.

 

[35mastr]

I prefer Adam's products over Griot's. I have just had better luck with them. I can also buy local when they are a vendor at shows for a really good deal.

 

[Vinko]

I use their leather care products and after 7 years on one car and going on 5 years on the other with many cars in between of relatives that get a detail here at my house, they all get the comment that the inside smells and looks new again. My cars have no cracks on the seats and do look very little used.
Quick detailer and clay bar is another good product.
I tried there interior cleaner wipes and they worked good cleaning up the kids messes.

I've used the leather care and the clay bar and quick detailer and agree that they're good. At least good enough for me. I'm no expert in detailing though.

I read that they don't hire employees who smoke nicotine -- not sure if they give you a test (in case you don't smoke at work, rather at home), but this sort of thing bothers me.

 

[Verde]

I use many of Griot's car care products - polishes (like 'em), waxes (don't like 'em), clays (like 'em). Bought their expensive low-profile/deep floor jacks (a pair) to work on my two sports cars. Totally like 'em. Lot of other things as well.
In general, if you look hard and are happy to spend the time to mix and match from a variety of sources, you can find products that are slightly better and occasionally slightly lower in price. But for the ordering convenience, the consistent quality and amazing customer service (they shipped me two new floor jack after mine developed leaks - and had the other ones picked up from at my doorstep. No questions asked.) you cannot beat 'em. They've earned my business and I will stay with them.

 

[48548]

I use their products and would say they aren't cheap, but they do stand behind everything sell and I can't find another company that stands behind everything!!! I like the interior cleaning/leather products the best and they have really nice microfiber products, I also have their random orbit polisher and like it, maybe not as nice a portercable, but they will stand behind it for the life of the product, portercable won't have a warranty like that. I will recommend any of the stuff they sell as it might not be the best, but I would like to think most of the stuff is better than what you can get at most places or at least as good.

 

[stricht8]

Overall, I'm pleased with them. I had one bad experience years ago. I ordered a set of FACOM deep offset box wrenches (back when they carried quality hand tools) and they took a very long time to come. After a few weeks I called them and asked where my wrenches were and they apologized and told me that they were back ordered. They voluntarily offered to give me a discount or credit (can't remember exactly). I then waited a few more weeks and no wrenches. I called them up and this time I was a little annoyed. They told me that they were still back ordered and that they knew nothing of and had no record of any credit. Eventually the wrenches arrived. Can't remember what happened with the credit and frankly don't care. It was the flat out denial that pissed me off.

 

[Griot's Garage]

Good to see that so many of you guys like our products! I'd be interested to hear more feedback about the products you don’t like (maybe in a new thread or via PM to avoid going off-topic here). We’re always looking to improve!

Stricht8, sorry to hear about your poor experience. I can’t speak to your specific situation without more details, but I am truly sorry if there was an unfulfilled discount/credit. As far as the delay on the order, I know we had difficulty getting FACOM tools in stock toward the tail end of us carrying them. This was one of the reasons we stopped carrying them.

~derek

 

[djjsr]

Speed Shine and glass polish

 

[stricht8]

Well, this is the responsive customer service that others are talking about. You even respond to posts which are not directly sent to you! Again, this was one isolated incident. My other experiences with Griot's prior and post have all been very pleasant.

Good to see that so many of you guys like our products! I'd be interested to hear more feedback about the products you don’t like (maybe in a new thread or via PM to avoid going off-topic here). We’re always looking to improve!

Stricht8, sorry to hear about your poor experience. I can’t speak to your specific situation without more details, but I am truly sorry if there was an unfulfilled discount/credit. As far as the delay on the order, I know we had difficulty getting FACOM tools in stock toward the tail end of us carrying them. This was one of the reasons we stopped carrying them.

~derek

 

[mjn]

I have used Griot's car care products for the past 7 yrs or so and have had good luck with all car care products except the think called engine dressing. Left behind a terrible and very hard to remove coating. Last year I went to one of there detaling seminars and now like using Best of Show wax on my truck.

 

[mustangmccance]

I use a lot of griots products. I like there machine polisher. and speed shine. I also really like there wheel cleaning brushes they get in to clean aluminum wheels nicely. I have bought a lot of stuff from them over the years. the one thing I will say about there best of show wax is it is a great product, the only down side is it takes a lot of elbow grease to get it rubbed out perfectly. I only use it when I have a lot of time. but it looks amazing when it is done.

 

[Griot's Garage]

Mustangmccance, a couple tips for you on the Best of Show Wax. This product is commonly over applied making it difficult to buff off. A little bit goes a long way, so you only need a very thin coat. Work it in until you can't see any of the brownish color. You'll use less wax, get a better finish, it will be much easier to buff off the excess, and it will last longer (bonds to the surface better). Also, if you mist a little Spray-On Wax across the area right before you buff off the excess wax it will soften it up and make it almost effortless to remove. It also gives the finish a little extra 'pop'.

~derek

 

[eborcim]

This unmanned fire extinguisher looks like a good idea...wonder if your building insurance would go down with these installed? I'm guessing you would have to be careful when cutting/welding metal with a torch not to set one off.

Unmanned Fire Extinguishers

 

[mustangmccance]

Mustangmccance, a couple tips for you on the Best of Show Wax. This product is commonly over applied making it difficult to buff off. A little bit goes a long way, so you only need a very thin coat. Work it in until you can't see any of the brownish color. You'll use less wax, get a better finish, it will be much easier to buff off the excess, and it will last longer (bonds to the surface better). Also, if you mist a little Spray-On Wax across the area right before you buff off the excess wax it will soften it up and make it almost effortless to remove. It also gives the finish a little extra 'pop'.

~derek

thanks for the tip. I will try that. I haven't used the spray on wax before I will have to get me some.

 

[48548]

I have used Griot's car care products for the past 7 yrs or so and have had good luck with all car care products except the think called engine dressing. Left behind a terrible and very hard to remove coating. Last year I went to one of there detaling seminars and now like using Best of Show wax on my truck.

I had the samething happen with the engine dressing also, never used it again. I do like the wheel well dressing nice and makes the plastic look like new.

 

[Griot's Garage]

I have used Griot's car care products for the past 7 yrs or so and have had good luck with all car care products except the think called engine dressing. Left behind a terrible and very hard to remove coating. Last year I went to one of there detaling seminars and now like using Best of Show wax on my truck.

I had the samething happen with the engine dressing also, never used it again. I do like the wheel well dressing nice and makes the plastic look like new.

It sounds like you guys are talking about the Engine Gloss. For the reasons you are describing we discontinued that product about a year ago and replaced it with the Engine Bay Dressing. This is a much less 'goopy' and glossy dressing. It gives your engine a nice, satin finish.

My engine bay needs a good cleaning. I'll see if I can get out in the next few weeks to detail it and take a few pictures for you guys.

~derek

 

[stricht8]

Yes, the wheel well dressing is a good product. Smells good too.

 

[alberto]

I like their products. People say you can get the exact same stuff for less, but I've found this to be the case very few times (I rarely seem to find the same product elsewhere). I like their polishes and I bought the random orbiter polisher. I also use most of their cleaning products, speedshine, wheel shine, etc. I bought a bottle of the under body cleaner stuff, not sure I like it; seems to give a bright shine to everything, but it does not last. Clay bars are the best I've used. Not a big fan of the waxes, I like P21S much more. Their microfibre towels are excellent; they are the one of the few I trust to have good quality microfibre towels.

My main problem is that when I get the catalog, I go through and make a list of what I would like to get and when I add it up I can't get myself to fork over the money so I don't order.

I've only returned one thing and they took it back no questions, no problems. Service has always been excellent, as it should be for the price point.

Alberto

 

[Markgyver]

I pretty much only use Griots for car cleaning stuff.. Used to use Meguiars and there is no comparison. Have used Mother's some. Griot's also has top-class customer service. same-day reply to e-mail and no hassle returns if you don't like something...

Ditto..... I really like there glass cleaner also... And the shop towel dispenser is killer. So far I have been really happy with their products and
A+++ customer service also. And really their products are not really any more expensive than Meguiars IMHO.

 

[Vinko]

I'll second the clay bar and the speed shine (if that's the thing you use with the clay bar, before and after ) -- it's been a while.

I don't like that they don't put country of origin on most of their stuff. That should change. Take that to Griot and let him know

 

[thelews]

I've used Griot's products for years, as well as others. My favorites are Speed Shine detailer and rubber dressing. I do not like the Best of Show wax, much better and easier to use other waxes out there, I use P21S Carnauba. Also like P21S wheel cleaner. I just bought the Griot's car wash tub on wheels with the upper screen, very nice. Bought the inexpensive bag used for holding detailing supplies and whatnot that I can keep stocked and use for showing my cars. I have some of their microfibre towels, which are good. Tools and such I look for elsewhere. Another great source for detailing supplies (no affiliation) is www.carcareonline.com In general, I would say Griot's sells quality stuff, but you pay up for it.

 

[1AB JAG]

Another satisfied Griots customer here. As others have said they stand by everything they sell and that is very rare these days. I try all kinds of new products but I always stay with their clay, Speed Shine, Interior Cleaner and leather products. I also like some of their one off stuff like Under Carriage spray.

I still use a few Meguires products and some stuff from other companies too. When I find a product that works well I tend to stick with it but I get tempted to try what is new and hot on the market. I guess that's why I have a shelf full of partially used stuff that didn't work as well as Griots.

 

[wfopete]

I'm just waiting for another of thier 20% off sales before I order.

 

[smotalchaos]

Griots Garage customer service is excellent. The best I've ever seen. There may be "better" car cleaning products out there, but I've been happy with theirs, and I'll keep ordering from them just because of how they treat their customers. Not many companies like them left in the world.

 

[krehmkej]

Excellent customer service.

I have their digital adjustable heat gun which I really like and use a LOT. After a couple years use, I dropped it and found the fan damaged when I opened it up. I contacted them about a replacement part. They replied that it has a lifetime warranty and they shipped me a new one pronto.

 

[48548]

It sounds like you guys are talking about the Engine Gloss. For the reasons you are describing we discontinued that product about a year ago and replaced it with the Engine Bay Dressing. This is a much less 'goopy' and glossy dressing. It gives your engine a nice, satin finish.

My engine bay needs a good cleaning. I'll see if I can get out in the next few weeks to detail it and take a few pictures for you guys.

~derek

Nice to get a reply about that, you guys a stand up company and I appreciate that. I will continue to alway use your products because of the quality of the products and the quality of the customer service department.

 

[coravetz]

I've used Griot's products for the past 5+ years on a wide variety of cars - Camry, Tahoe, Volvo, BMW 330 and M3, and Porsche. The liquids, microfiber, etc. and other tools seem to be very well researched, the products work well together and the customer service has always been excellent. I've not damaged any car using their products and not heard of anyone else. I've only had 2 instances where I found the products to not perform at the level I expected. In both cases I called and either they sent a replacement or refunded my money.

I'd suggest they're a good company to start with and learn how to clean your car well. You can then pick and choose what works best for you.

On a side note, but worth mentioning. While I know they can't possibly manufacture all of the products they sell, I'd also heard a while ago that they OEM'ed many of the liquid products from other companies. I don't know if that's still the case, but would be interested to hear from Richard or the guys about this.

 

[Griot's Garage]

Thanks again everyone for all the positive reviews!

On a side note, but worth mentioning. While I know they can't possibly manufacture all of the products they sell, I'd also heard a while ago that they OEM'ed many of the liquid products from other companies. I don't know if that's still the case, but would be interested to hear from Richard or the guys about this.

To answer this directly, all of the liquid car care products that carry our name are developed, tested, and bottled in house. They are proprietary formulas, so you won't find our products in any other bottles with any other labels on them. There are a few instances, like the 3M Adhesive Cleaner, where there is already an excellent product on the market that fills the need in our line, so we sell that product instead of developing our own.

Just to list a few (by no means all) of the products we make in house: Speed Shine, Car Wash, Wheel Cleaner, Best of Show Wax, Carnauba Wax Stick, Spray-On Car Wash, Vinyl and Rubber Dressing, Spray-On Wax, Long Lasting Tire Dressing, Pre-Wax Cleanser, Interior Cleaner, Leather Care, Machine Polishes 1, 2, 3, and 4...

I hope this clears that up a bit for you guys.
~derek

 

[luvair]

The car wash and clay is very good. Rest of products are not the best of breed IMO.

They do an excellent job in marketing and their customer service is worth the premium for some of the products they sell.