tophat595

2 days later and some good advice from people here..THANKS !!!
 

Friends, thanks for your loyalty.  Without it, you wouldn't be concerned about the changes to our team.   Thanks for taking notice, and sharing concern!
 
Please, give me a chance to expand....
 
First and foremost we have GREAT people, and I'm humbled to have such incredible team members.  We are a growing company, and as with most growing businesses, ours is evolving.  When I read the Wall St. Journal, and see how many top exec changes are made in these huge companies, it makes my head spin!  We make a few shifts, and our customers take notice!  That's cool, and shows loyalty.
 
We are not alone in experiencing a changing business.
 
As for key team members moving on, there are always several sides to a story.   Here's mine:  I like to see our team members doing exactly what they enjoy doing for us.  That means job descriptions and responsibilities  are fluid, ever evolving.  That lack of structure certainly resulted in us losing some people, and I take complete responsibility for it.  In the future, positions at Adam's will have more structure. 
 
Explaining Dylan is relevant, and current.  He did nearly everything for us, from forum moderation to website maintenance, product development, operations manager to social media, video editing to photography.   The guy literally wore every hat in our job roster, and is an excellent and qualified human.
 
He came to a point in his career where, 'what's next,' wasn't clear.  When he mentioned that he was unhappy several months ago, and that his resume was about to get some refreshing, I supported him.  We don't want unhappy people on our team!  Certainly, Dylan wasn't fired.  He wore every hat in our company but mine, and we parted ways on good terms.
 
In fact, I introduced him to several key players in our industry, and am excited to hear where he lands.   With such a vast experience throughout many of the segments of this industry, I wouldn't be surprised to see him become a consultant to the segment.  Whatever he does, I'm sure he will add value.  I support Dylan 100%, and hope his next position brings him satisfaction.
 
As for the other people, I'll run down the who went where:  After working as a shipper, then product demonstrator at events, Mook one day confessed that he just wanted to detail cars!  That was his passion. Traveling to shows was not good for his home-life, nor pets, and I understand that completely. 
We tried putting a detail shop in the Colorado warehouse. It was not a wildly successful side business, and we supported Mook moving into his own detailing business. We are simply not a service business!  We love and support Mook! 
 
Chase has his own detailing business, and God Bless Him, it's successful!  Spending time on our forum was not happening, and with additions to his family, he needed to focus on his core business.   Everyone loves Chase, what a great guy!  I have a very high respect for Chase, his people skills, product skills, etc. Chase, let's have a beer soon!
 
Lynn came to help us with a variety of things, and her job changed rapidly over the two years on our team.  We tried to find the right slot for her but eventually, we realized our events were killing us.   Wiping people out, not breaking even, and killing our already thin profit margins.  We cut our show expenditures to bring them into line with a company our size.  Lynn was our "show girl," and was released to explore new opportunities.  She was very organized, and left our small business better than she found it.  Thanks Lynn!
 
A few other additions, while we are updating: 
We added a star-spangled Customer Service/ Office Assistant, Bianca, last year.  We moved from a part-time Controller to a full-time CFO, Christian, a needed upgrade for a company our size.  We added a Supply Chain Manager, Scott, another standard move for an operation our size.  You will soon see a new Customer Service team member joining the team.  Look out for two new shipping locations, close to the coasts.  That will help get products into our customer's hands quicker, and with cheaper shipping. Those locations will come with new shipping team members as well. As for putting faces to the people, I'm going to do that next week.  Stay tuned for fresh photos...that's a great idea!
 
Our product line is getting better, more lean.  The Adam's Detailing System will be simpler and require fewer tools an chemicals.   Removing duplicate products will further reduce confusion, and create a more effective detailing process. Removing SKU's that are difficult to manufacture will mean less backorders....that's key!
 
As for our Forum needs, we have many, and need help!  How can we involve you, our friends and detailing experts, to spend more time here?  What's missing that you speak of, and can you help articulate what it might take to bring that back?
 
If you would rather contact me via email, than in this thread, please do.  Honest, hard feedback is welcome.  I can take it, trust me.
 
Thank You Friends.   I hope to continue to earn your business, friendship, and support.
 
Sincerely,
 
Adam Pitale
Chief Detailer, Adam's Polishes
Adam@AdamsPolishes.com
 
P.S:  Here is a recent photo of me with our three children....you asked!
 

Best of luck Dylan, while I may be new to Adams products you did a great job answering questions and helping new people understand each product. Will be some big shoes to fill and I hope whomever takes over your job will be as active on the forums as you have been.

In the nearly 14 years since this small business was started, some cool things have happened.  I crossed the block with an Oldsmobile at Barrett-Jackson back in 2005, which sold for $4M.....accidentally! 
 
After becoming the official car care products of Corvette and Camaro, I was able to meet the Kirk Bennion, the designer, Dave Tatman , the plant manager, and Tom Hill, the quality engineering manager.  Had lunch and spent time with each of them!  There are other great people at the Corvette plant as well, but heck, how coll is that!?
 
Tom Hill recently, as in VERY recently retired from GM.   He only put in 35 years, but apparently, that was a good number for him.   He was hired by an incredibly well-heeled businessman, who has one of the most remarkable car collections I've ever seen.  Tom is now in charge of managing and overseeing the maintenance of the cars, most of which are Ferrari's.
 
Tom asked me to come out and help explain how working with old original paint goes, which products, processes, etc.   Certainly, it was an honor, and I had Chris Toth, one of our fine Moderators and friends, come on down to lend a hand.
 
We helped detail a 1939 Mercedes Benz 540K, and a 1959 Mercedes 300 S, both amazing cars.  The 540K was purchased for just under $7M in Monterey..wow!
 
While we had flights out this morning early, last night, Tom found himself in a pickle.  The new car garage, maybe a 12,000 square foot Garage Mahal, (it really is....google it) was about to be completed, and the cars needed to be moved back in, from a storage building that housed a collection of another well-to-to collector.
 
Tom asked if we could possibly stay an extra day to help drive cars.....and we said, "Heck Yes!"
 
It was a 5-mile drive through beautiful Windermere, Florida, and what a drive it was.
Well, here are a few photos, and I'll add more... 
 
It suffices to say, this NEVER happens to me, and today, I had to pinch myself to be sure I wasn't dreaming.....not once.....not twice, but three times!
 
Thank you Tom, and thank you Chris, for making Orlando Car Dream come true!
 
Vehicle list that I drove....we'll wait and let Chris talk about his list!
 
Bugatti Veyron "Pebble Beach Centenaire" Edition
Ferrari Enzo
Ferrari 288 GTO
 

You should kick it old school, and find a 3 Wheeler to restore!
 

 
I love mine!

"What is the difference between wax and sealant?"
"Should I use a wax or a sealant on my car?"
"Can I use a wax and a sealant if I want to?"
"Does Adam's have a synthetic or polymer wax?"
 
And here it is, the next in my series of FAQ threads that answer the questions we get asked most on the forums, emails, and over the phone. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WAX AND A SEALANT?
 
Its a question you've no doubt seen posted here or on any other number of forums when a newcomer to detailing is feeling out their first purchase or trying to make the best choice for their car. Given that there are so many products and product types on the market its certainly easy for someone to get confused.
 
Lets start with the basics -
 
THE DIFFERENCES - Both "wax" and "sealant" are designed to do essentially the same thing, that is to serve as a sacrificial barrier between your paint and the elements. Both products provide a microscopic coating on the surface to prevent, or at least slow, the effects of the elements. Secondary to this is their ability to enhance or impart some aesthetic change/enhancement to the paint.
 
How they go about accomplishing this task and what they're comprised of (ingredients) is where they begin to be different. Its that composition that allows them to have different strengths and weaknesses.
 
WAX begins its life as part of a particular type of palm tree. Carnauba wax comes in a variety of grades and purities. Its blended with oils, other wax types (like bees wax), and in some cases even some polymers to create car wax. Carnauba in and of itself is a hard crumbly substance - so don't believe the hype of any product claiming to be "100% Carnauba" it would be virtually impossible to apply to your car if it were. Without blending carnauba is not car wax.
 
While blending all these components together can give you virtually an infinite number of varieties and types of car wax there are some limitations. "Wax" in general will be highly susceptible to heat and detergents (relatively speaking) meaning harsh cleaners and hot weather will shorten the amount of time the wax remains intact on your car. Even the very best waxes will begin to evaporate at extreme temperatures making the summer months in climates like AZ or NV ideal for killing your wax job prematurely.
 
On the positive side waxes (on average) will offer aesthetic enhancement including added depth, gloss, and even filling properties that help hide some imperfections. The 'rich' or 'deep' look on a black paint job will most often be enhanced the most by a high quality carnauba wax.
 
These properties make wax the ideal solution for a car that is garaged, doesn't see an excessive amount of mileage, or is a show car.
 
*****
 
SEALANTS on the other hand are synthetic. A man made concoction of chemical engineering designed to do any number of things. Because these products are essentially 'born in a test tube' they can be modified, customized, and blended to meet any number of criteria and perform in different ways.
 
Sealants (on average) are going to offer you more durability than a comparable wax product. They offer much higher heat resistance, detergent resistance, and longer lasting protection. This makes them ideal for use on your daily driver, a vehicle kept outside full time, or a vehicle you are more concerned with protecting with minimal maintenance.
 
The trade off is that sealants tend to offer far less aesthetic benefit. Thats not to say that they will make your car 'shine less' but you won't see that deep-wet look you more commonly associate with a high quality wax product. Sealants are more often going to provide a very bright, reflective type of shine. This makes them great for colors like white and silver.
 
 
THE RIGHT PRODUCT FOR YOUR CAR - While there is no easy answer for this question its easy to use some basic criteria to weight pros vs. cons and pick a product that best suits your needs.
 
A vehicle that's daily driven, not garaged, or exposed to harsh weather will be the perfect candidate for sealant. The longer lasting protection at minimal sacrifice to "looks" makes it the way to go.
 
A vehicle that's more pampered, garaged, shown regularly, or lives in a mild climate would benefit most from a wax product. The protection will be sufficient with even the most basic of waxes, but the added depth if thats the goal is still there.
 
 
LAYERING PRODUCTS - Maybe you want the best of both worlds or you just enjoy rubbing on your car. A layered approach might be for you. Many customers and enthusiasts will chose to use BOTH a wax and a sealant to care for their paint and its certainly a great option.
 
Like building a house you always want to start with a strong foundation, thus Adam's recommends our products be applied SEALANT FIRST / WAX SECOND. The less durable layer (wax) on top can then provide a layer of protection and in the event its removed by the elements your sealant is still there to play backup.
 
OPINIONS ARE LIKE.... WELL, YA KNOW - You'll no doubt read a crazy amount of reviews and feedback from various sources if you start to research products for your car. While it can be helpful understand that every situation is different and what works for one guy might not work for you. Every car sees a slightly different 'life'... how its washed, how often its washed, where its kept, what kind of mileage it sees, the climate, other products used to wipe it down, etc - these are all components that can determine how long a wax or a sealant will last. Never take anyones feedback or a products claims as a hard/fast rule that will apply to you. Longevity can be better or worse depending on what your particular situation is.
 
There are certainly those out there who will try to claim that there is no difference, or that 100% of a cars finished appearance comes from polishing alone. Consider the source when making decisions, and while the aesthetic differences from one wax to another or wax versus sealant might be subtle they are there. Choose a product that strikes a balance for your needs for enhancement and protection.
 
 

CURRENT OFFERINGS FROM ADAM'S (updated January 2014)
Buttery Wax - Blend product that features both wax and synthetic components. Extremely easy to use, limited durability. Excellent for people who wax frequently and want a product that's cost effective, yet performs very well. Quick Sealant - Aerosol product that is super fast and easy to apply. Offers excellent durability, but very little if any enhancement to the look of paint. Great for someone looking for protection for all surfaces as it is very easy to appy to wheels as well. Americana Paste Wax - Premium wax blend that offers excellent durability (for a wax) as well as great enhancement to the look of paint. A great compromise that offers high marks for longevity and beauty. Liquid Paint Sealant - Our latest synthetic formulation, offers the longest lasting protection of any of our products and excellent aesthetic enhancement (for a sealant). Very easy to apply. Patriot Wax (Limited Edition) - Maximizes enhancement and provides fair protection, this product is designed for 'show' more than anything else. Produces the richest, deepest shine. Patriot Wax is an experience just as much as it is a wax product.

Am I the only one who enjoys washing their car alone? No interruptions, no visitors dropping by to talk while you wash ect. It seems no matter when I start a car project it will happen why is that? Today I washed my car and thought it is 35 degrees outside, no one will bother me today............... WRONG WTHeck ... How about you? Anyone else have neighbors or others that feel it necessary to yak while your car is spotting because they won't leave you alone? OK I feel better now   

Yup just keep them inside and let them thaw, should be ok, remember to give a good shake…Any issues give CS a call on monday…We just dropped to the negatives here in MN but my shipment was ok yesterday.

Let then thaw NATURALLY then shake. Ought to be ok but there is a topic on the forums about winter shipping

Mommy and baby are doing fine. Teagan decided to show up early and was delivered at 10:45 this morning. 7 lbs, 4oz... and 4 days ahead of schedule. 
 

I don't want to know.
 
If I tallied it all up, posted here, and my wife happened to see it....that would be the last time you all would hear from me.
 

I want to see more pics of your bad *** vette.....................

Heh! Funny that when I read this, the words in my mind came out as "Your opportunity to spend money may be coming sooner than you think. Better be ready!" Exciting!

I don't do squat...I'm on Adams forums too dang much!!!

I hear yeah, Im just alittle addicted and the wife is getting alittle pissy... But she does like riding in a shiny car

Just wanted to give a quick shout out the the Adams crew. Im a new guy to Adams product, ordered my first stuff a few months back by just getting the sampler kit. The order arrived quick but the bottle of glass cleaner was half full. I called that day just to give them a heads up since it didnt look like anything was broke and it may have been alittle error, they offered to send a new bottle but I was fine with what I had and really looking forward to trying it out...... Needless to say I was hooked and since then I have spent a lot more getting full bottles and completing my detailing collection (not to my wifes excitement...haha).  Every order I get has been shipped quickly, arrived quickly with all the correct product. I just wanted to say THANKS to all the Adams crew for the great product and great attention to customer service, not a lot of companies these days are into their customer service and I know I will be a big supporter of Adams products from now on just for that fact......On a side note, my wife now sees how clean our cts-v is and doesnt bug me as much about keeping it that way, she still laughs at me for spending money on car car product but at least she can see the final result

Tim from Va. Started using Adams products after rave reviews on the Silverado SS forum.

i have had to contact customer service a few times for various reasons. i have always had my call returned in a timely fashion. this is a rarity in today's world. how many times have i left messages with voicemails that said "we will get right back to you" and never do? this doesnt happen with this company. made in america and doing the right thing: thats everything a customer needs!
in a short month and a half i have become a huge adams fan. keep up the good work. 
 
 

Just wanted to give a quick shout out the the Adams crew. Im a new guy to Adams product, ordered my first stuff a few months back by just getting the sampler kit. The order arrived quick but the bottle of glass cleaner was half full. I called that day just to give them a heads up since it didnt look like anything was broke and it may have been alittle error, they offered to send a new bottle but I was fine with what I had and really looking forward to trying it out...... Needless to say I was hooked and since then I have spent a lot more getting full bottles and completing my detailing collection (not to my wifes excitement...haha).  Every order I get has been shipped quickly, arrived quickly with all the correct product. I just wanted to say THANKS to all the Adams crew for the great product and great attention to customer service, not a lot of companies these days are into their customer service and I know I will be a big supporter of Adams products from now on just for that fact......On a side note, my wife now sees how clean our cts-v is and doesnt bug me as much about keeping it that way, she still laughs at me for spending money on car car product but at least she can see the final result

Just wanted to give a quick shout out the the Adams crew. Im a new guy to Adams product, ordered my first stuff a few months back by just getting the sampler kit. The order arrived quick but the bottle of glass cleaner was half full. I called that day just to give them a heads up since it didnt look like anything was broke and it may have been alittle error, they offered to send a new bottle but I was fine with what I had and really looking forward to trying it out...... Needless to say I was hooked and since then I have spent a lot more getting full bottles and completing my detailing collection (not to my wifes excitement...haha).  Every order I get has been shipped quickly, arrived quickly with all the correct product. I just wanted to say THANKS to all the Adams crew for the great product and great attention to customer service, not a lot of companies these days are into their customer service and I know I will be a big supporter of Adams products from now on just for that fact......On a side note, my wife now sees how clean our cts-v is and doesnt bug me as much about keeping it that way, she still laughs at me for spending money on car car product but at least she can see the final result

Just wanted to give a quick shout out the the Adams crew. Im a new guy to Adams product, ordered my first stuff a few months back by just getting the sampler kit. The order arrived quick but the bottle of glass cleaner was half full. I called that day just to give them a heads up since it didnt look like anything was broke and it may have been alittle error, they offered to send a new bottle but I was fine with what I had and really looking forward to trying it out...... Needless to say I was hooked and since then I have spent a lot more getting full bottles and completing my detailing collection (not to my wifes excitement...haha).  Every order I get has been shipped quickly, arrived quickly with all the correct product. I just wanted to say THANKS to all the Adams crew for the great product and great attention to customer service, not a lot of companies these days are into their customer service and I know I will be a big supporter of Adams products from now on just for that fact......On a side note, my wife now sees how clean our cts-v is and doesnt bug me as much about keeping it that way, she still laughs at me for spending money on car car product but at least she can see the final result

Today, Independence Day, 2013, I'd like to scream from the top of the mountains, "I LOVE AMERICA!!!"
 
What an incredible country, founded by men of integrity, honor, and honesty.  How lucky are we? 
 
I'm here to say.....pretty darn lucky, probably as good as it gets on this planet!
 
I took our 5yr old daughter, Luca, and nearly 3year old son, Cristiano, to the first firework display of their lives tonight.   As I sat Indian Style, on kiddo sitting on each of my knees, screaming with joy with each passing firework display, This IS GOOD!
 
I'm so proud to be American.  God Bless our fabulous nation.
 
Have a great long weekend.
 
Adam