1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Polishing Machine Recommendations?

Discussion in 'Detailing' started by jbronnier, Jan 10, 2020.

  1. Jan 10, 2020 at 9:16 AM
    #1
    jbronnier

    jbronnier [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2020
    Member:
    #315550
    Messages:
    44
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    Vehicle:
    2019 White Tacoma TRD Sport
  2. Jan 10, 2020 at 1:21 PM
    #2
    gorram

    gorram Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2017
    Member:
    #211352
    Messages:
    739
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2016 Limited
    That is more or less a wax spreader not a polisher. A Griot's G9 is a good all around recommendation and will come with a lifetime warranty. For an inexpensive but seemingly reliable polisher would be something by Maxshine. There are a handful of variations of polishers which all overlap in their abilities. Check out Apex Detail on youtube for some good info on many. He also covers the rotarty a lot too which is a little less user friendly until you get the hang of it.

    Also it's not just machine that you'll need to look into, there is also a near infinite range and combination of pads and liquid abrasives to use. Again Apex covers that too. Not that you need all those pads, just be aware of what is available and what it's for.

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqZOhpSAihtUBnebhY_ro_Q
     
  3. Jan 10, 2020 at 1:27 PM
    #3
    crashdb

    crashdb I break chainsaws

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2017
    Member:
    #226954
    Messages:
    9,359
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dave
    Manassas, VA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Toyota Matrix
    Rollin' hydrocarbons!
    RushT likes this.
  4. Jan 10, 2020 at 2:44 PM
    #4
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,704
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    I started out (many years ago) with a P-C 7424. (This was before the XP model which has more power.) It was a great machine and still lives on at my nephew's house. The early 7424XPs were also great machines. I've heard some grumbling about cost cutting on the later XP's though. When my XP got stolen, I replaced it with a Griot's and it's every bit as good as the best 7424's.

    My current go to machine is still a Flex 3401. I briefly tried a Rupes, but it literally burned up during the warranty period and I didn't like the way if felt in my hands. (Personal opinion only.) I also have a DeWalt rotary and if you know what you're doing, you can do some amazing stuff with it. (If you don't know what you're doing, you can do some amazing damage in very short order with any rotary.)

    That said, for a beginner who may not be doing much regular detailing and doesn't want / need to do a lot of correction, the Griot's is definitely a great choice.
     
    ace96 likes this.
  5. Jan 10, 2020 at 2:53 PM
    #5
    AllenOne1

    AllenOne1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2019
    Member:
    #304429
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Allen
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2013 TRD Sport / 2018 TRD Off Road
    Gen2: Access cab platform, Gen3: MESO Puddle Lights, KTJO Power Folding Mirrors,
    Griot's G9
     
  6. Jan 10, 2020 at 4:42 PM
    #6
    jbronnier

    jbronnier [OP] Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 9, 2020
    Member:
    #315550
    Messages:
    44
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    Vehicle:
    2019 White Tacoma TRD Sport
    Sounds like Griot it is. Just looking for something to lay down a solid wax with every few months. Hand buffing until then.
     
  7. Jan 10, 2020 at 4:47 PM
    #7
    Too Stroked

    Too Stroked Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2017
    Member:
    #208501
    Messages:
    3,704
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Tom
    South shore of Lake Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2021 4Runner SR5 Premium
    The Griot's (and similar random Orbital machines) are really overkill for simply "applying wax." They're more designed for light to medium correction work before applying a wax (or sealant or coating.)
     
    shakerhood likes this.
  8. Jan 10, 2020 at 4:49 PM
    #8
    Sig45

    Sig45 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jun 21, 2012
    Member:
    #81045
    Messages:
    21,822
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mark
    Maine
    Vehicle:
    2011 Tacoma TRD OR 4x4 & 2021 Tundra SR5 DC 4x4
    AVS in-channel window visors Husky Mud Guards Husky Liners X-act Contour Floor Liners Cooper Discoverer AT3 LT- 265/75/16 C Toyota 16" Black TRD Trail Team Edition Wheels Truxedo Lo Pro Tonneau Cover OEM Bed mat OEM Running Boards Marathon custom fit seat covers Front window tint Rear Leaf Spring 4 Pack - TSB Front - 5100's with stock springs set at .85" Rear - 4600's
    My Armstrong has never failed me. :D

    [​IMG]
     
    SR-71A likes this.
  9. Jan 10, 2020 at 4:55 PM
    #9
    toyotaman29

    toyotaman29 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2012
    Member:
    #85919
    Messages:
    1,604
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Darrell
    North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2021 SR Prerunner Silver
    LED upgrades, Husky weatherbeaters, Black 16’’ wheels
    I like the TORQ22D it does a great job...
     
  10. Jan 10, 2020 at 5:03 PM
    #10
    ace96

    ace96 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2010
    Member:
    #42591
    Messages:
    3,786
    Gender:
    Male
    Western KY
    Vehicle:
    '11 SWB DC TRD SPORT
    AVS bug deflector, Weathertech digital fit floor mats, TRD skid plate w/ Sockmonkey decal, SOS Cocept sliders w/ Line-x, Pioneer 3500, Hybrid Audio Technology Mirus 6X9s & 6.5s, back up cam mod, Wet Okoles-front & rear, TRD exhaust, 17X9 XD Spy w/ Falken Wildpeaks, Avid light bar
    If not going to use for paint correction/defects then don’t waste your money. There are too many easy on/easy off products out there to invest in a polisher for just wax.
     
  11. Jan 11, 2020 at 6:52 AM
    #11
    AllenOne1

    AllenOne1 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 5, 2019
    Member:
    #304429
    Messages:
    82
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Allen
    Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2013 TRD Sport / 2018 TRD Off Road
    Gen2: Access cab platform, Gen3: MESO Puddle Lights, KTJO Power Folding Mirrors,
    True but a random orbital and Meguair's Ultimate Wax makes it so easy it is kind of fun. Then you move on to the clay bar and the Ultimate compound and the quick wax...................
     
  12. Jan 11, 2020 at 6:58 AM
    #12
    pyrite4t3

    pyrite4t3 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2018
    Member:
    #266768
    Messages:
    84
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    12 TRD OR AC
    ^^
    This

    It's understandable if you don't feel like hand waxing any longer, hell I stopped doing that years ago! The majority of the machines out there have been advanced to the point of being powerful enough for paint correction. If that isn't your motive then literally any machine should put down thin even (speedy:thumbsup:) coats of your favorite wax.

    If you are just looking for shine and protective factors there are plenty of worthwhile spray on product's that will suit your situation.
     
  13. Feb 6, 2020 at 7:05 AM
    #13
    Stripedbass

    Stripedbass Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2015
    Member:
    #147169
    Messages:
    110
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2015 double cab
    I have the rupes es 21 . It's all I use at work and at home.
     
    SXChris likes this.
  14. Feb 7, 2020 at 5:30 PM
    #14
    soilsample

    soilsample Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2009
    Member:
    #26958
    Messages:
    181
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Donald
    Southwest Louisiana
    Vehicle:
    '19 TRD Off Road
    I use a Flex3401. great machine but costly....

    I saw a knock off at Harbor Freight that looks pretty darn nice. I have Not tried it but it caught my attention.
     
  15. Feb 7, 2020 at 6:25 PM
    #15
    Bman562

    Bman562 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2019
    Member:
    #311119
    Messages:
    237
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Radiant Red Tacoma Sport DCSB
    '12+ Facelift, TRD Baja Bilsteins, SCS Ray10's, K02's...
    I have a Rupes 15mm. No complaints here. But i've seen on the detailing forums and youtube that the Maxshine line isn't too bad.
     
  16. Feb 8, 2020 at 7:27 AM
    #16
    Rocketball

    Rocketball If The World Didn't Suck, We'd All Fall Off

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2009
    Member:
    #14869
    Messages:
    2,082
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Scott
    Westminster, MD
    Vehicle:
    08 Speedway Blue DC Sport 4x4
    Pioneer head unit, PAC steering wheel control modual, Hard wired Sirius radio, Hard wired radar detector, Hella Supertone horns, Blacked out badges, Smoked Tails, BHLM (color matched Speedway Blue), T-Rex Eyelids, Black Powder Coated Billet Grill, Color Matched Engine Cover, Lund in channel vent visors, FJ Cruiser wheels, Leer 100XQ shell, OEM bed mat, Piezo beeper for locking doors, Tinted front side windows, Black Westin bull bar, Aires tube steps, Mini Maglite Mod, D-Cell Maglite Mod, Weathertech Digifit Floor Mats
    Smalltaco44 and soilsample like this.
  17. Feb 27, 2020 at 3:08 PM
    #17
    Kabanstva

    Kabanstva Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Dec 7, 2018
    Member:
    #275141
    Messages:
    63
    Gender:
    Male
    If you want a machine that can do it all, get a Flex 3401. Been detailing professionally for 10+ years at a reputable shop and that's all we ever use. If you want to get crazy, you can get the Rupes ibrid for really tight areas that a big machine can't fit. Not a fan of traditional free floating spindle DAs such as all the Rupes machines, PC, Griots, etc.
     
    Too Stroked, gorram and ace96 like this.
  18. Mar 3, 2020 at 8:06 AM
    #18
    CAG Gonzo

    CAG Gonzo Ascendant Spaghetti

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2018
    Member:
    #270558
    Messages:
    1,683
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 OR DCLB BarRed
    How is the Torq line that Chemical Guys sells? Was looking at the $200 kit.
     
  19. Mar 4, 2020 at 8:20 AM
    #19
    Dilly

    Dilly Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2019
    Member:
    #307657
    Messages:
    140
    Gender:
    Male
    LOUISIANA
    Vehicle:
    2019 MGM SR
    From what i hear its low end for cutting. It just doesn't have the juice to cut efficiently. If your looking to get into that world, look into the griot g9. I hear good things about it, and for the price it seems to be good balance performance/price wise
     
  20. Mar 4, 2020 at 11:11 AM
    #20
    CAG Gonzo

    CAG Gonzo Ascendant Spaghetti

    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2018
    Member:
    #270558
    Messages:
    1,683
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 OR DCLB BarRed
    What do you mean by cutting? I'm looking for a good polisher to remove swirls and am inexperienced in this arena.
     
To Top