Griot's Garage Products - Use Them?

[jbat]

Let's get this out of the way first thing, yes, they're expensive. No, I don't solely use their stuff, but I do use the following items on my vehicles:

• Buffing Cloths - they have an all cotton, tagless buffing cloth, 10 to a pack for about $15, I love these things. Maybe buy 2 packs per year. Some manufacturers claim their cloths to be 100% cotton, but they are not, and may contain things that will swirl or scratch your paint.
• Speed Shine - Just spray on/wipe-buff off after the truck is dry, it shines up nice, and does not leave residue like wax does, so you can do the whole thing in maybe 1/2 hour. (Does not replace waxing) I use maybe one 35 oz. container per year for about $10.
• Microfiber Drying Towel - I used to only own one of these, but just ordered a new one. My double cab takes a lot to dry, and I find that one is not enough. These towels are AWESOME. My neighbor gave me my first one, I use it every time I clean. It has stitched places for your hands to go, and makes it a cinch to dry your vehicle. The towel runs $26, but if you take care of it should last for a few years I would think.

Curious what others think of this, let's not make it a flame war, if you think their stuff is overpriced or overrated, just say so. I'm by no means opposed to other products, I've just found that I like these three a lot, and I find them worth the cost of using Griot's.

[Flask28]

I love Griot's - it is expensive, but much of it is very nice stuff. Did you know that Griot's is just up in, appropriately enough, Tacoma WA? Their opened a retail outlet at the office. I swung by on my way back from a trip to St. Helens and picked up an armfull of stuff. And no shipping is nice.

Since you are nearby, I really recommend you take a trip up there to check it out. I think they have seminars from time to time, and the guys working there really knew their stuff. They came out to check out the bird-crap stain on my other car and ended up polishing it out while showing me the best way to do it. Right on!

[jbat]

Originally Posted by Flask28

I love Griot's - it is expensive, but much of it is very nice stuff. Did you know that Griot's is just up in, appropriately enough, Tacoma WA? Their opened a retail outlet at the office. I swung by on my way back from a trip to St. Helens and picked up an armfull of stuff. And no shipping is nice.

Since you are nearby, I really recommend you take a trip up there to check it out. I think they have seminars from time to time, and the guys working there really knew their stuff. They came out to check out the bird-crap stain on my other car and ended up polishing it out while showing me the best way to do it. Right on!

The info is on their web site I take it?

Yeah I'll definetly do that. While I agree some of their stuff borders ridiculous (see the $100 hose nozzle, crazy, my $20 from Home Depot has to be as good) I think their care products seem to be really good.

Thanks for the pointer.

[Toytruckmike]

I love the alloy wheel cleaner and Speed Shine. I also like their clay bar product.
Their leather conditioner smells wonderful. And I got the random orbital polisher last Christmas, which I have used once, but I like it.
Most of their stuff is way too expensive, but the towels and such are nice and not to expensive.


The wheel cleaner is my favorite product, really makes cleaning wheels easy.
The speed shine also removes tar/oil spots on the paint pretty well.
Michael S.

[xedge]

I use speed shine, the clay bar, and their pads to go on my PC orbiter. At one time, I bought one of their all incompassing kits. Griots is good but as stated, a tad expensive. Probably because they send out so many damn catalogs. Mine keep coming even though I moved & haven't made a purchase in ages.

[Sinjin]

I've been a fan of Griotts for about 7 years. Use it on all my vehicles (including the Honda F4i). I mainly use the clay, polish, speed shine, and their Best-of-show wax. It does take a while, but the results are worth it IMO. I've also bought their cotton cloths, wash mitt, chamois drying cloths... My father-in-law turned me on to Griotts, and as a result I usually get a year's supply of polish, wax, and soap for Christmas.

If you haven't tried the clay, TRY IT! It takes off oxidization from plastic fenders and bumpers, is magic on petrified bug guts, same with oil and tar...

Here's my process: 1) Wash 2) Clay 3) Polish 4) Wax. Yeah, it takes an afternoon, uses up a wad of cottom cloths, but I only have to do it twice a year. Kept my 11 yr old T-100 looking great (which helped when I sold it), and it was the first thing I did to the '08 Taco after we picked it up from the dealer. They left some adhesive and weird rub marks when they did the dealer prep. But no worries, Griott's clay and Speed Shine got it looking good.

I suppose there are other car-care products out there, but for now I'm sticking with Griotts!

[akira751]

I love their speed shine

[Pb]

Griotts is good, but there are other brands I prefer better. They have some nice odds and ends, but the basic stuff like towels, wax, soap, etc. I use other brands.