[GorillaFoot]

Uwon- Try some rubbing alcohol and a q-tip to get rid of the excess wax/polish

In making the following statements, I'll assume you used their random orbital polisher kit for your Griot's detail. I started with the Griot products when I did my first machine polish and I was unsatisfied as well.

- I don't like their pads. I have tried many pads and they all work differently with different paints, polishes and waxes. The wrong combo and you'll have cloudiness and an uneven finish
-I don't like their polish or compound, everything came out a bit dull
-The Griots random polisher is fine, really no different from the Porter Cable

So here are a list of what I have found to be best overall products for a safe machine detail and fantastic results. If you read Autopia's forum, you will find the top detailers use the same stuff (I dare you to find one Griot's product used by a true pro) and some of it can actually be found at your local stores:

Found at the auto parts store:

-Meguiars Gold Class car shampoo
-3M GREEN autobody tape.
-Meguiars clay bar kit
-Meguiars Ultra Cut Compound M105
-Meguiars Ultra Fine Polish M205 (M105 & 205 are found in the autobody section, not the detailing section of the store)
-Not sure the name, but it's a green washing sponge with like, a shag rug on one side.

Stuff found at TARGET. Yes, Target:

-Yellow microfiber drying towels!!!! $10 a piece! I have tried 4 different professional quality drying towels and, believe it or not, found these to be the best for drying.

Stuff found at Autopia-

-P21S Total Auto Wash. The best stuff for safely cleaning wheels, engines, interior and stripping sealant/waxes off paint prior to a good detail
-Lake Country FLAT or HYDROTECH pads. Stay away from the waffle faced pads. You will need/want the Orange, White and Gray pads in different sizes and a few of each. These work the best with the Meg M105 and M205.
-Blackfire Wet Diamond
-P21S wax (blue top)
-Microfiber polishing cloths

And this is just for the PAINT.

I know this is a long list and I probably seem very anal right now. But I have spent years and thousands of dollars on crap products, doing jobs I was never really satisfied with and it's flippin' frustrating. You wash and wax, but there are those swirl marks still, or you stand back and think it still doesn't look the way I want. Well, I had enough. I read and asked a lot of questions to REAL pros that have taken car detailing to a level that most people never knew existed. I then bought a bunch of products suggested. With a little practice, my cars always look like new. Actually, better than new. Even my 2009 Subaru that never sees a garage looks better than my Dad's ALWAYS garaged 2011 Lexus LS460 and with all my washing and drying, I have not created a swirl mark on my cars in years.

Buy these products, read what the pros do, experiment and you will always be happy. And no, I am not a shill for Autopia. They just have the best selection of the best products. I can't tell you what a great resource their forum is. The best detailers in the world converse here and love fielding questions for newbies. Take a look at some of Todd Helme's work- unbelievable.