Full Order/Details of My Arsenal of Adam's Products

[edlosee]

Hello!

 

I done a lot of research and dropped a hefty chunk of change on products for cleaning my new car.

Just wanted to check with more experienced folks if they would change something in this arsenal/sequence.

 

For reference, it's a metallic black paint car with a gloss black powder coat on the wheels that the dealership did for me as part of the deal (not sure if that would count as aftermarket or factory powder coat)

All products are in bold.

 

Between Washes

Spot clean any bug guts/bird droppings/crud/anything that could damage the paint if left on with Waterless Wash.

 

Exterior

1. Rinse wheel/tires/wheel well with pressure washer. Spray 1:1 dilution of All Purpose Cleaner on wheel and tire. Use bucket of Mega Foam and water along with wash mitt/wheel woolie/fender brush to clean area. Scrub tire with tire brush. Rinse wheel/tires/wheel well with pressure washer. Repeat for all wheels.

2. Use Waterless Wash to spray down any major bits of bug guts/bird droppings/crud on vehicle.

3. Rinse whole car with pressure washer.

4. Use Mega Foam in foam cannon to coat entire vehicle.

5. Rinse with pressure washer.

6. Apply second coat of Mega Foam.

7. Use two-bucket method and wash mitt to wipe down entire vehicle.

8. Rinse with pressure washer.

9a (bi-weekly wash). Spray panel with Detail Spray on all exterior surfaces and dry with microfiber towel. Repeat for all panels until whole vehicle is dry.

9b (replaces 9a every 2 or so months). Spray panel with H2O Guard & Gloss on all exterior surfaces, use damp microfiber towel to wipe, and then dry with separate microfiber towel. Repeat for all panels until whole vehicle is dry.

10. Apply Brilliant Glaze to paint, headlights, and glass with foam applicator. Let sit until hazy and buff off with microfiber towel.

11. Apply Buttery Wax to only painted areas with foam applicator. Let sit until hazy and buff off with microfiber towel.

12. Apply Tire Shine to tires.

 

Interior

1. Wipe down all interior minus glass (leather, dashboards, steering wheel, etc.) with Interior Detailer on microfiber towel.

2. Spot clean stains with All Purpose Interior Cleaning Gel when needed.

3. Apply Leather & Interior Dressing on all interior minus glass (leather, dashboards, steering wheel, etc.) with 1:1 dilution of .

4. Clean all interior glass with Glass Cleaner and microfiber towel.

 

Post-Wash

Soak particularly dirty microfiber towels in bucket with water and a few ounces of All Purpose Cleaner.

Spray down/douse all used microfiber towels with Towel & Pad Revitalizer.

Wash all pre-soaked/sprayed microfiber towels/cloths in washing machine with warm water and a little more of Towel & Pad Revitalizer poured in.

Spray used applicator pads with All Purpose Cleaner and hand wash in water.

 

**I actually bought Wheel Cleaner, but it looks like it might be too strong for non-factory powder coated wheels.

Would a 1:1 dilution of it be a safe alternative, or should I just stick with the 1:1 dilution of APC?

 

If there is something out of order or something that you think would be of concern, please let me know!

I know this isn't a full detailing solution, but this is as much as I'm comfortable with doing (both in terms of skill and time invested).

I will most likely be getting a full professional detail once a year so this is just to maintain the best possible shine and condition of the car in between those full professional details.

 

If you made it all the way down here on this long post, really appreciate it!

Edited June 25, 2020 by edlosee

[Emorr33]

I think the APC would cause spotting.  I'm only assuming, since I never had powder coated wheels.  And I think I read on here somewhere not to use APC.

2) As long as you can.  Or use bug and tar remover.  That may "cut" quicker than the Waterless.

6) Completely understand, but the shampoo will do the same thing, since you already got alot off with the first foam rinse.

10) outside, it won't last at all.  Doubt it would last a day.  Inside, it actually helps keep your window from fogging and keeps it clean.  You can clean the inside with just a microfiber after you have applied the Brilliant Glaze. Here's a video about it:

 

There's another one that Adam Pitale did specifically on putting Brilliant Glaze on the inside, but I can't find it.

12) Yea, it'll sling even if you rub it in.  There's even a caution on the Tire Shine spray bottle.  You could drive the car home and put it on then.  The Tire Armor takes like 15 minutes I think, to "cure".  The VRT would be fine, but it's not as shiny as the Tire Shine.

[Emorr33]

Wow.  That's some thoughtful thinking.  My input would be:

1) I don't know if I'd use APC on powder coated wheels, even diluted.  I think the eco wheel cleaner is safe though, but I'd check on that

2) Let the Waterless wash soak in for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing that off.

6) I don't think a second coat is necessary if your going to a 2 bucket wash.  Put some Adam's car shampoo in one bucket and the other plain water. Or you can use the Mega Foam in the Wash bucket.

10) Don't apply Brilliant Glaze on the outside of your windows.  Put it on the inside of your window.

12) Make sure the tire/wheel are completely dry before applying the Tire Shine.  And wait 2 hours before driving the vehicle or you'll get sling.

Everything else seems great to me!  Have fun  

[edlosee]

27 minutes ago, Emorr33 said:

Wow.  That's some thoughtful thinking.  My input would be:

1) I don't know if I'd use APC on powder coated wheels, even diluted.  I think the eco wheel cleaner is safe though, but I'd check on that

2) Let the Waterless wash soak in for 3 to 5 minutes before rinsing that off.

6) I don't think a second coat is necessary if your going to a 2 bucket wash.  Put some Adam's car shampoo in one bucket and the other plain water. Or you can use the Mega Foam in the Wash bucket.

10) Don't apply Brilliant Glaze on the outside of your windows.  Put it on the inside of your window.

12) Make sure the tire/wheel are completely dry before applying the Tire Shine.  And wait 2 hours before driving the vehicle or you'll get sling.

Everything else seems great to me!  Have fun  

 

1)  I got that idea from this post: 

I was assuming my wheels would fall under the painted wheels (maybe not?)

2) Yes, definitely was planning on letting it stand for a bit. Not sure if I can do 3-5 minutes though since I'm Texas and that would dry up instantly in the summer

6)  Yeah I know some people are going to think it's overkill but I don't mind the extra step to minimize the chance of dragging anything around on the paint that didn't fall off from the rinse

10) Could you explain why that is? I just never thought that it's something you apply to the inside

12) Does it sling even if you work it in and wipe off any excess? Would VRT or Tire Armor be a better option against slinging? I live in an apartment and I'll be cleaning on a gracious friend's driveway (with compensation, of course) so I don't want to take up the driveway for 2 hours after the time needed to wash and all that. 

[Emorr33]

I found the video that Adam did.  Incidentally, I saw a video where they do apply it to the outside.  So maybe I'm wrong.

 

[edlosee]

9 minutes ago, Emorr33 said:

I think the APC would cause spotting.  I'm only assuming, since I never had powder coated wheels.  And I think I read on here somewhere not to use APC.

2) As long as you can.  Or use bug and tar remover.  That may "cut" quicker than the Waterless.

6) Completely understand, but the shampoo will do the same thing, since you already got alot off with the first foam rinse.

10) outside, it won't last at all.  Doubt it would last a day.  Inside, it actually helps keep your window from fogging and keeps it clean.  You can clean the inside with just a microfiber after you have applied the Brilliant Glaze. Here's a video about it:

 

There's another one that Adam Pitale did specifically on putting Brilliant Glaze on the inside, but I can't find it.

12) Yea, it'll sling even if you rub it in.  There's even a caution on the Tire Shine spray bottle.  You could drive the car home and put it on then.  The Tire Armor takes like 15 minutes I think, to "cure".  The VRT would be fine, but it's not as shiny as the Tire Shine.

 

Sigh.. maybe I should just get Eco Wheel Cleaner and Tire & Rubber Cleaner. I just didn't want to pay the $8 shipping for two bottles when I just spent over $500 on a bunch of other product...

I bought a gallon of APC because I thought I would use it on wheels, tires, and cleaning my applicators, but maybe it was a mistake.

 

Thanks for the clarification on the Brilliant Glaze! I remember hearing that it barely lasts if it's the last thing you put on the car, but didn't think of it much since I would be putting Buttery Wax on. Makes sense for the windows since it's the last thing I would be putting on the glass.

 

Oh, duh! Don't know why I didn't think of just applying it as soon as I get home haha

This is just my OCD, but the amount of dust that sticks to the tire on the short drive home shouldn't affect the Tire Shine at all, right?

 

 

[Emorr33]

I would call or email Adam's and ask them what they would use for your wheels.  If you have an Amazon Prime account, you could order the 2 products you want.  Honestly, I typically order from Adam's directly because one, I think I get the freshest product that way. 2, they almost always have a sale, which covers the cost of shipping 3, they have the best customer service.  Keep your gallon of APC.  Plenty of uses for it on a car or even the household.  Works wonders on cleaning my stove.

Yes, the brilliant glaze isn't a last step product.  Now if you were at a show, you could use it for that topper of gloss.  Adam's Glass Sealant works well.  Doesn't keep your window clean, but makes it way easier to clean, and at higher speeds, the water really does fly off well.

I did not like the Tire Armor.  Your tire has to be super, super clean.  When it starts to wear off, it flakes.  You can't get it off by normal means.  They actually have a tire armor cleaner, if you call and request it, to get the damn stuff off your tire.  VRT is popular, works well, is more of satin/matte finish and is water based.  Tire Shine will last longer, and gives lots of shine.

Wipe down the tire with Waterless Wash on a microfiber to get the dust off.  I completely understand about OCD, or CDO (OCD spelled alphabetically)

[edlosee]

Yeah I was hoping one of the Adam's moderators would eventually provide input on my post, but I guess I'll just e-mail them separately.

 

I guess a little bit of Waterless Wash sprayed onto a cloth should be plenty for such a small amount of dust.

 

Really appreciate the input!

 

 

[falcaineer]

2 hours ago, edlosee said:

Yeah I was hoping one of the Adam's moderators would eventually provide input on my post, but I guess I'll just e-mail them separately.

 

I guess a little bit of Waterless Wash sprayed onto a cloth should be plenty for such a small amount of dust.

 

Really appreciate the input!

 

 

 

A lot here! I will, if not another mod, will add inputs later today...please standby!

[RayS]

There is a lot of good info in this thread, but there is one thing missing that might help and that is a few good pictures of the vehicle and wheels.  The amount of knowledge on this board is tremendous and a few pictures may very well allow a member who has dealt with the same thing provide some additional insight.