so if I purchase this package, the only thing I will need to fully detail my car with this is a polish and a sealant?

 

Shipping cost to CanaDUH isn't what kills us its the UPS customs clearance charges and the duty they add on ..

Fortunatly I live 11 miles from the US and have a shipping address there so I just ship it there, run down and gas up and get it and clear it myself. Usually its PST & GST because its assembled in the US.

 

Whats the shipping to 99114

 

EEEEEEEEks! About $40.00 USD !

 

4 day, $15.00

 

Additional pads would be highly recommended.....as well as polishes and sealant, clay, towels.....

 

I won't be able to commit at this time, maybe later in the summer.

 

hmm... i won't be able to get one for another 3 weeks... is that about right to commit? also what other pads do you guys reccomend? the 3"?

 

AHHHH!!!


I gave up on the UDM and purchased one from Griot's. Oh well we needed a guinie pig to test out the "new" model. From what I read last night the Groit's detail machine (GDM) is a 750 watt motor with variable speed upto 7000 opm. Those are all very similar to the UDM specs. I suppose I could send it back and order the UDM through Pat. Ill wait to see what the construction is like when it is received.

 

I'd be very interested to see the rated amps on the tag when you get it..

 

I didnt see my name on the list. I am very interested as my car cannot be undetailed much longer. When will they be available?

 

I do apologize.....Here ya go....

 

I just placed my order so I am looking forward to trying it out.

 

Thank you Sweet! Good turn out for the machine...!

 

Double AAAHHHHH!!!!

LOL I received my Griot's DA "Professional Random Orbital" buffer/polisher.

First impression- sturdy unit with fair construction - a bit on the heavy side (rated at 6.6 lbs) for what I was expecting. Upon further inspection I cannot find a UL rating/listing. Specs are as follows - Motor is 6 amps, 750 watts - power supply 120 volts, 60 Hz - Orbits/minute, variable 4000-7000 - Pad size, 6" - Orbit Diameter, 1/8" - Weight, 6.6lbs.

Aside from this the unit fit and finish is less than first rate. Finished edges are rough and untrue, several blemishes, I plugged the unit in and ran it on the lowest setting and then dialed up to the high setting - the motor smells hot (not the new motor smell) almost like an electrical short. Now I am concerned about the absence of the UL listing - LOL

The location of the on/off switch is awkward - on the left hand side near the large handle. Would be better located on the top, then the unit would be "ambidextrous". As it is for a right handed person I would get my arms cross up trying to start the unit while holding it on the car or not have a firm grasp on the large handle while trying to operate the switch with my left thumb. Alternatively I could start the unit holding the large handle with my right hand and using the left to operate the switch and then transition once the unit was powered up. The switch itself is not to my favor. It is as if the switched is weighted or biased to the off position. Perhaps this is a safety feature but the switch almost rocks into the on position and is noticeably difficult to operate and then easily snaps back to the off position. Almost like a hair trigger on a rifle if you are a gun guru. As I write this review this seems incredibly trivial but these are items I have noticed and can imagine being troublesome to operate.

The backing plate seems adequate - pads secure via a Velcro backing. I am new to this hobby so I am not sure what to look for in the plate.

All in all I am questioning whether I received either a display model or a refurbished unit by mistake. In any case I am not a 100% satisfied and will execute the satisfaction guarantee to request a refund. I called the Groit's 24-hour line with a few questions - while very friendly the lady that took my call was not well versed on this product and suggested I call customer service during business hours. I will update on the customer service I receive during this process. I will wait until the weekend (Friday) to make the return so if anyone has specific questions I will do my best to put this unit to the test.

PAT - If all goes well I will be ordering the UDM - I hope you still have them in stock when the refund is processed.

 

Trebor, as long as their available to me, I will have them, inventory is not an issue for me...Good luck with your return should you decide to return it!

 

I just received the UDM. Now I just need to find some time to use it.

Busy month!!!!

 

damn not sure how i missed this thread. I want one of these! How much for shipping to 23950??

 

Treb, there was a thread regarding either the PC or swirl removal. Someone mentioned watching the Griot's video and noticed the machine bog down or stall as pressure was being applied. Here's the link. I haven't seen the video so can't confirm it.

 

$159.99 shipped anywhere in lower 48. (add sales tax in Ca)

 

Just a quick opinion poll - how important is the UL listing on the polisher/buffer?

I can not find any information on the griots - is the UDM listed?

 

Just an FYI, the PC 7336/7424 has the UL logo on the body.

 

update on Griots Detail Machine (GDM) - Although I was not happy with the fit and finish with the machine - I was willing to give the tool a fair shake. To Griots credit the encouraged me to give it a shot and informed me I had 180 days to return the machine under the 100% satisfaction guarantee. A test drive so to speak.

I used the GDM with the 4 star products after a good was - the pre wax cleaner with a blue support pad under a terry cloth bonnet, followed by the BS Light Cutting Compound on a orange polishing pad and finished up with the UPP on a red wax pad and UPPS.

The subject vehicle was volvo with light swirl marks. The finished product, although much improved from the start, was not upto my expectation. Swirl marks were still visible. I do have the 4star SMR but according to Pat the BS line is more aggressive so I am guessing I used the most aggressive polish I have.

The GDM itself was easy to use and the switch I had complained about was actually a nice feature. The ergo design was easy to use and control. My one question is that the GDM always orbited without bogging down but under any pressure whatsoever, failed to revolve. Is that normal operation for an DA orbital polisher?

Treb

 

The revolutions are hard to detect.. Im curious as to why you opted for a terry bonntt under a pad though? I could see if there was a lot of oxidaton that needed to be removed prior to polishing, as polishing with excessive oxidation will clog a pad up in no time. I recommend giving the BS LCC another shot with the Orange pad. 3 total passes, 1st pass to lay product down, second pass bump up the speed, with slow movement. 3rd pass bump it up another notch and slow down the arm movement even more, and add a little additional pressure. Dont compress the pad more then 25-30%.

 

As with Patrick, I'm also curious about the terry cloth bonnett. And as Patrick mentioned, try the LCC/orange pad combo again using the 3 pass method. That should be enough to remove light swirls. You can also try the SMR with a white polishing pad and if still not satisfied, move up a pad. Pad/product combo can be a bitch and it's more trial and error than anything.
I try not use any more than 5-7 pounds of pressure on troublesome areas and I've never had the PC bog on me. I usually let the weight of the PC do the work, but in some cases you'll need to exert a little pressure. Put your machine on a scale and apply downward pressure till you get to the 5 pound range to get an idea of how much pressure needs to be applied. It's not all that much.

 

I used the terry cloth bonnet because it was advertised as a good polish remover. This vehicle is one that is well serviced but not the TLC we on the forum demonstrate so I wanted to take it down and start from scratch. I made several passes with each seperate application - A total of 4 applications. I used significant pressure with the orange pad and the LCC. I am guessing the SMR would produce similar if not inferrior results to the LCC. With the terry cloth bonnet it was actually easy to see the pad was not revolving - simply orbiting and that was with very little pressure. The motor did not bog down at all - in fact I could hardly hear the motor was even under load. The other possibility is that the bonnet was slipping and the blue support pad was actually revolving but could not be detected as the bonnet completely covers the support pad.

Just trying to give a fair assesment of the GDM - I do have the option to send it back and bump up to the UDM.

 

Has anyone had time to use the UDM and review/compare it against the PC yet?

 

I can vouch for its ability to cut to the chase. It really is a nice machine, and has no load stresses whatsoever. I would say it has cut down the polishing time by about a third and/or the need for something more abrasive has been reduced. I still have two PC's that I need to get refurbished, but I will keep them and use different pads and BP's for different conditions, as well as using one for sealant application. ( I really need to get that done too, its been two years since I burnt the 1st one up, and the 2nd just recently)

 

You can also check this thread.

 

Just ordered my UDM tonight. This is my first real buffer, I had a cheapo turtle wax buffer that murdered the finish on my old car. Cant wait to get it and give it a try. I deff need adivce on technique if anyone cares to chime in

 

I got mine two weeks ago. I've never used a machine buffer before. Its not that hard to use at all. I made two passes on my old civic with some optimum compound and an erasure orange pad. Check out the results. there is still some light webbing left but it looks great IMO I might do another pass but I'm not going to put alot of effort into it because I'm selling the car.

Before:


After:

 

Considerably better! Nice job! And thats just the Optimum Polish! Imagine the Compound or Body Shop line!

 

Ehh? I used the compound .. hadn't tried the polish or poli-seal. although, if there is no marring or anything i can go straight from compound to poli-seal correct?

 

Just purchased one of these machines from ExcelDetail and also bought the Zaino Kit online. I just purchased an 03 NBP CLS6 and it's really made me want to detail a car again.

I can't wait.. I am looking forward to having everything together and the time to do it. Thanks for all of the information there is to be had on this forum.