What do y'all think of Griot's?

[marlinspike]

I've already found stuff I like (basically P21S everything, except or outdoor car wax, tire dressing, and glass cleaner, for that I like one grand), but I'm tempted to try something new and Griot's seems to be the only other products I haven't yet ruled out. The products of his I'm interested in are the carnuba wax, the shampoo, wheel cleaner, rubber and vinyl dressing (to be used on tires) and his glass cleaner. Any thoughts?
Richard

[Ferdman]

Richard, I've been satisfied with all the Griot's products (car wash, waxes, polish, cloths, speed shine, interior cleaner, cleaning clay, rubber & vinyl dressing, boar's hair brushes, wash bucket, detail sponges, etc.) that I've purchased over the last 7 years. Griot's sells high quality products. I've switched to 303 Protectant for tire dressing, Meguiar's Gold Class Car Wash in place of Griot's Car Wash, and Meguiar's Quik Detailer in place of Griot's Speed Shine.

[vince]

I like Griot's tire dressing for it's natural appearance on my cars that I show. I also use it as "assembly lube" for rubber parts like grommets. It doesn't last particularly long in daily service. I have used their Boar's Hair wash brush for years. However, I find some of their products so-so and I use other suppliers.

For wax, I am a traditionalist - I use Harly Carnuba wax. I get it through Car Care Specialties, a Star advertiser (www.carcareonline.com). I get all my polishes (Meguiars Professional line) from them also.

[marlinspike]

Carcareonline is where I get all of my stuff too. I like Blitz Wax for outdoor cars and P21S for indoor. I thought about Harly, but Larry told me it doesn't last as long nor gives a deep a shine as One Grand Blitz Wax. Have you tried the Griot's wax Vince? I like Carcareonline because if he recommends it you can be sure it's pure and gentle, and I wonder if Griot's is also free of cleaners and abrasives. I guess I should just try some Griot's stuff, though I don't know what I'm expecting. The P21S and One Grand stuff I currently use leaves nothing to be desired, but after using the same exact products for 5 years now, I feel like mixing things up.
Richard

[dolebludger]

Well, I've bought several things from Griot's These inclue a big boar's hair brush on a water pipe withe a valve that will prevent water from getting to the bristles for washing, and let it frow for rinsing. Best car wash system I've ever had. Gets her clean with no soap scum or spots. Cost $93 delivered, but it works, so what the heck. Their long-handled boar's hair wheel brush really cleans off the brake dust better than anything ($22plus shipping.) I have some misc. small products from Griots that all work well also. I still have some stuff that I like beter than what Griot's sells, including 303 for the tires, etc. and Eagle wax Wet Look for a detailing spray. But botom oine, I think Griot's is pricey but good.

Thanks,
Richard

[mbzjag8090]

I've tried the wax from Griot's. Finishing up the bottle this weekend.

It is a high quality wax, but I can tell no real difference between it and Meguiar's. Also, it is very difficult to remove once applied. If you do not use a buffer, you will get a real workout. ;)

I would stay away from the paint cleaning clay and the machine polishes as they have done nothing that they were advertised to do.

My favorite tire dressing is Turtle Wax. It is pricey and comes in a box with an applicator. None of the auto places have it in my area. I actually get it at the grocery store. It lasts about a week, which I have find to be a lot better than many of the competitors. Two weeks after application, the tires are brown and ugly. I try to wash the cars every week so that isn't usually a problem.

[marlinspike]

Yeah, I've actually heard that about the liquid wax, but that's just how liquid waxes are, so I was hoping the paste wax is better. I stay away from clay and abrasive polishes (even the finest of his polishes are still abrasive) anyways...hmmm, he endorses products that are against my car care philosophies, carcareonline doesn't...maybe that tells me who I should buy from.
Richard

[Ferdman]

Justin, I'm extremely pleased with the results of Griot's paint cleaning clay and machine polishes. In fact, I just bought some more paint cleaning clay. It surprises me that you and Richard shy away from the cleaning clay. I find that it's gentle on the paint and removes surface contaminants when Meguiar's Quik Detailer or Griot's Speed Shine is used as a lubricant. The cleaning clay does tend to stick to your fingers as it warms up so I wear latex gloves. With a ROB the machine polishes have worked well for me. Perhaps the paint on our cars was in better shape initially. Expecting any product to resurrect severely neglected or weathered paint is unrealistic.

[dolebludger]

If I'm the Richard you mean, I use clay all the time! I just think it may become imbedded with particles after a time and needs to be replaced. Other than that, couldn't live without it!

Never used Griot's Tire Dressing. But here's a "trick" with 303. The next three times you wash your car, put 303 on the tires generously with a sponge. Don't worry about the fact that it may be white in some areas. Let it dry overnight. You will then have a nice matte black finish for several months and several washings. No "browning out." Then, if the tires get to looking a bit too grey, just repeat this process once, and you are set to go for another few months.

Thanks,
Richard

[marvberk]

I've used Griot's wash, machine polish, carnuba wax, interior & rubber claeners for 3 years. Entered cars in 3 concours. Products are good & fairly priced. They however, charge unreal delivery costs that jack up price about 20-30%.

[vince]

Richard (marlinspike). I have never used Griot's wax. I've been a Harly user for years. I heard about it from folks who showed their cars at all the big custom shows like the Oakland Roadster Show. I don't think Larry says it is lower in shine than Blitz - he certainly doesn't like the fact that it can be hard to remove, especially if you put too much on. I use it on our daily driver and it lasts as good as anything else. To quote Larry's 2005 catalog, he states "Truly the purist's wax for a long lasting deep shine." Anyway, Larry is a good source for a great deal of knowledge and quality products. He does't seem to like Jim Griot, though. Professional jealousy?

I recently waxed my daughter's ML500 with Meguiars Gold Class and it seems to be holding up well. The truck is black and it looked almost liquid after the waxing. Nice shine.

[Ferdman]

dolebludger, I was referring to marlinspike. Sorry for any confusion. I know that you're an advocate of paint cleaning clay ... and, rightfully so.

[mbzjag8090]

I am sure the clay works for cars that have paint overspray (from other activities) or other minute problems. I thought it might take things out of my paint that I didn't even realize were there. It didn't. Maybe I got suckered into the advertising which suggests that every car will benefit or perhaps my paint just didn't have any contaminants. I think this may be because I wash it every week, and wax it every month. So, for this reason, I guess it may work if somebody knows they have issues with their paint and contaminents, but if nothing is visible, I think it is a real waste of money. I didn't think it was too abrasive when used with the Speed Shine, I just thought it didn't do anything for my car. ;)

[Ferdman]

Justin, I wash our cars every week too and wax them every 3 months or so; however, some of our cars sit outside during the day and one overnight so they get contaminants (tree sap, grime, etc.) on them that normal washing doesn't remove. Paint cleaning clay removes such contaminants and makes the paint surface silky smooth before polishing and waxing. On the other hand, if your cars spend most of their time in a garage then they aren't exposed to the natural elements.