Griots Garage vs Meguire's

I'm looking at finishing systems, how does the strictly web based Griots garage compare to Meguire's and the store systems? Anyone swear by their products?

I use to always use norton or 3m products, but find some of the overlap in compounds, finishes, etc confusing. I'm looking for a easier system. I've never used either Meguire's or Griots. Just looking for insight and advice...

FWIW, a small line of Griot's is stocked @ Advance Auto Parts.

My favorite system I've used is Presta. I've been very happy with them. I like meguire to just not as much as Presta. Haven't tried griots yet.

Edit: Fixed link.

I find "weather" and "Track Filth" to be an especially simple and time-saving system.

I occasionally run my vehicles through the car wash.

digdug18 wrote: I'm looking at finishing systems, how does the strictly web based Griots garage compare to Meguire's and the store systems? Anyone swear by their products? I use to always use norton or 3m products, but find some of the overlap in compounds, finishes, etc confusing. I'm looking for a easier system. I've never used either Meguire's or Griots. Just looking for insight and advice...

From my limited experience, the Griots customers seem kinda 'high-end' and sometimes snobby so you'll probably see more people 'swearing by Griot's products'. I've used both but the paint on my vehicles is far from pristine so I'm not overly picky or obsessive. They both work well for me. I recently bought a full starter setup from Griots with their orbital and am liking it quite a bit.

The overlap confuses me also which is one reason why I finally settled on the Griots stuff. It was simple to understand what products to buy and use with other products. Their stuff also comes with a nice, simple how to guide which was awesome for an idiot like me.

My neighbor gave me some Griots stuff, just dabbled a bit with it, but I'm generally a Meguiars fan. I'll have to do a bit more to get a better comparison. M's seems pretty straight forward to me, not sure I've experienced any overlap confusion, but I'm kinda dumb to begin with....

I use Meguiar's professional line of products, such as Hyper Dressing (AMAZING for engine bay detailing diluted 4:1 in water), All Purpose Cleaner (amazing for carpets, interior, and engine bay), and their M205 and M105 polishing compounds.

The "over the counter" products are hit or miss, but are generally good. Good stuff: Quick Detailer, Interior Quick Detailer, clay bars, and particularly the NXT Tech Wax 2.0.

nicksta43 wrote: My favorite system I've used is Presta. I've been very happy with them. I like meguire to just not as much as Presta. Haven't tried griots yet.

I know that presta is used by maaco, and had a buddy that swore by it, the guy went so far as to wash and wax his wheel barrow with the stuff. As well as dress the tires...lol.

Yeah biggest problem I'm having is the overlap, the Griot's seem simple to use as far as they are all numbered. I was thinking about just getting their big starter set and going from there. But I do like that with meguire's, 3M and Norton can be picked up at any autobody supply.

I use a combination. I have a Griots pneumatic orbital buffer and their pads. I like Griots clay bar and their Speed Shine as a lube for the clay and as a quick detailer. To me it seems like there is some wax in it since I get a smoother shiny finish from it than other quick detailers.

I use Meguiars machine polishes, swirl remover, show car glaze and high-tech wax. I put them on with the buffer and remove them by hand. They seem to be easier to remove than other companies products.

What's your goal? Is this a show car or are you just trying to make a street car look great? If the latter, I think either will work fine. I tend to use Meguiars for finishing a paint job or general waxing and polishing. They have a very comprehensive line of products and they are readily available.

I have a black "show" car and I use the Zaino system on it for final cleaning, waxing, and polishing. It does an amazing job of making a mirror surface, including getting rid of light scratches. It is very labor intensive, though, and probably a bit overkill for your DD.

Last I bought was the Norton ICE system. 3 Pads, one or two compounds w/ a soft-start variable speed buffer coupled w/ initial fine wet sanding still works fine. I've used different brand/ grade compounds as well w/ water to thin. While I'm not into show grade finishes this still works well for me for most applications. I'd like to have a dedicated polisher some day but a little compensation w/ speed and pads works for now.