mc2hill

Just finished my first detail of my new 2015 Black Z06! 
 
 1) Clay
 
 2) Brilliant Glaze
 
 3) Patriot Wax
 
 
 
 

You could also try applying HGG with a damp MF pad instead of a damp MF towel.  They are great little tools that often get overlooked for many detailing chores.

Two Adams-ized cars going to a cruise.

I keep a 36oz bottle of diluted Rinseless Wash (could also use Waterless Wash), and a bottle of distilled water in the truck. Then, if I get bombed, I spray the heck out of it with the Rinseless Wash, and then rinse with the distilled water.
 
Usually, the strong stream from the spray bottle is enough to get it off, without any wiping. You can also keep a plush MF towel in the car, and gently dab at it if the sprayer doesn't get it off.

What do you mean you took my truck through the car wash?

It depends on your budget, how much time you have, and how often you plan to use it.  
 
Porter Cable
Most budget friendly slower, but can do the same correction best for infrequent use use 5.5" or 4" backing plate/pads  
Cyclo
more $  very smooth, good correction good for all uses uses 4" BP/pads, but has large work area   
Rupes 15
more $ very smooth very large throw (work area) uses 5.5" BP/pads good for most uses, not for tight areas  
Rupes 21
more $$ very smooth even larger throw uses 7" BP/pads best for large panels  
Flex 3401
more $ very fast correction uses 7" BP pads forced rotation adds to learning curve best for frequent use  
So it is up to you and how you plan to use the polisher.
 
 
I started with a PC and the 7" pads.  They were slow, but they worked.  I changed to 5.5" BP/pads, and that allowed for a little more speed.  I also added the MF pads, and it can correct almost any defect.  
 
 
 
 

First off Welcome Adam!
 
If you are upgrading the pads for your PC I would recommend changing the 5.5/6" backing plate & pads.  They work better on the PC than the 7" pads.  

all done for the day. will do interior tomorrow
 

 

 

 

 

 

Managed to place first in my class this weekend at the trans am nationals. Lost count of the a out of times I was asked if it was a custom color because it didn't look like the other navy blue metallic birds. Adams really makes this color pop. Thanks Adam

can't wait to use the newly built detail cart on the goat tomorrow.
 
 

Those are pretty cool, Mike.  Wish I had the opportunity to see stuff like that.  Hopefully I will have my turn one day.

Michael, great shot of the launch!

Taken on 8/07 at Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.  I have never seen one of these sun halos before, so it was very cool.  I apologize for not having the entire 'circle' in the shot, but I was looking into the sun, and this was the best one I got.
 

 
 
My neighbor works the very early shift at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and got this shot from the satellite launch this morning. 

It depends on your budget, how much time you have, and how often you plan to use it.  
 
Porter Cable
Most budget friendly slower, but can do the same correction best for infrequent use use 5.5" or 4" backing plate/pads  
Cyclo
more $  very smooth, good correction good for all uses uses 4" BP/pads, but has large work area   
Rupes 15
more $ very smooth very large throw (work area) uses 5.5" BP/pads good for most uses, not for tight areas  
Rupes 21
more $$ very smooth even larger throw uses 7" BP/pads best for large panels  
Flex 3401
more $ very fast correction uses 7" BP pads forced rotation adds to learning curve best for frequent use  
So it is up to you and how you plan to use the polisher.
 
 
I started with a PC and the 7" pads.  They were slow, but they worked.  I changed to 5.5" BP/pads, and that allowed for a little more speed.  I also added the MF pads, and it can correct almost any defect.  
 
 
 
 

Taken on 8/07 at Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.  I have never seen one of these sun halos before, so it was very cool.  I apologize for not having the entire 'circle' in the shot, but I was looking into the sun, and this was the best one I got.
 

 
 
My neighbor works the very early shift at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and got this shot from the satellite launch this morning. 

Taken on 8/07 at Point Pleasant Beach, NJ.  I have never seen one of these sun halos before, so it was very cool.  I apologize for not having the entire 'circle' in the shot, but I was looking into the sun, and this was the best one I got.
 

 
 
My neighbor works the very early shift at Orlando International Airport (MCO) and got this shot from the satellite launch this morning. 

Well, after having viewed a lot of these posts, I feel like a slacker for having not taken pictures before I started my efforts, and not including interior pics.  I really didn't think about it until I was done and was so pleased with the results.
Both cars got a full treatment, inside and out. The products I used were:
Leather & Interior Cleaner Leather Conditioner Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner Glass Cleaner Glass Sealant Edgeless Utility Towels Microfiber Glass Cleaning Towels Cockpit Brush Premium Interior Dressing Applicators 2-Bucket Wash with Car Wash Shampoo and 10" Car Wash Pads Big Blue Clay Bar Detail Spray Super VRT Liquid Paint Sealant (on the Challenger, daily driver) Buttery Wax (on the GTO, garage queen) various hex grip applicators, microfiber applicators, Great White Microfiber Drying Towels, Double Soft Microfiber Towels Adam's Wheel Brush Kit (yes, all 4 items) A lot of elbow grease and TLC  
The payoff was that after I finished, I drove the GTO to a local tavern to get lunch and a cold beverage.  There was a red 2015 Corvette Z06, and also a red 1965 Mustang convertible that appeared to have been a full frame off restoration on the lot.  I parked my freshly Adamized GTO with it's 47 year old lacquer paint and the 47 years worth of minor door dings etc, and it outshone them both.  As I sat inside, enjoying my lunch, I heard numerous people commenting on how good the Goat looked, and nothing about either of the other cars.
 

My wife drove her car down a road that was being resurfaced but still allowed vehicles to pass through.  In doing so, the vehicle became covered in this fine silty/sandy dirt that was a beast to wash off.  After an hour of power washing the vehicle top to bottom (and underneath), the below picture is what the wheels still looked like.
 

 
I figured this would be a good test of the Adam's Ultimate Wheel and Tire kit that I just bought.  I cleaned the tire and undercarriage with APC and the wheel with DWC.  I followed up with Tire Shine on the tires and Quick Sealant on the wheels.  You can see the transformation below:
 

 
All in all, a fun project and a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.  Here were my thoughts on the project and Adam's products:
This was my first time to do a major wheel cleaning and treatment.  People were not exaggerating when they said how grimy this work is.  I felt like I needed two showers after I was finished. I wasn't sure whether I'd like or really use the Fender Brush but it's great.  I can't imagine how I would clean the wheel well without it. For the edges of the tire with deep grooves, I couldn't get enough direct pressure on the Fender Brush to get in all the nooks and crannies.  I ended up using a brush I previously bought that fits in my palm and allows me to push directly into the tire.  I will definitely pick up the Adam's Deep Clean Tire Scrub Brush before I do the wheels again. First time I've used the Tire Shine--love it!  I've previously used the VRT but TS just takes it to a new level.  I used the method Adam talks about in the video that provides medium shine and I'm really happy with it.  And the smell made me hungry for 'nana puddin'. After all the cleaning and finishing, I parked the car on the street in front of my house and hit the wheel wells with the Undercarriage Spray (also first time to use).  I loved how it made the car look afterwards.  And my garage smelled like grape soda this morning, which is a bonus.  

Detailing his car.
 

Put up another shelf, primarily for oil. Put a piece of plastic on the wall to protect from the seat wheels. It will be painted to match the wall.
 
Also...purchased all new matching 5-gallon buckets and delegated the lowes and HD buckets to 'other'. Got pretty much everything labeled as well.
 

Washed, clayed, glazed, sealed, and waxed my WRX over 2 days along with detail on wheels, IPA wipe down, glass inside/out, tires dressed, engine bay wiped down, exhaust tips cleaned and interior wiped down. Loved my new Adams products!

Good question Joel!  I cannot view the videos at work, but neither of the 2 Wheel videos have QS linked to them.
 
To apply QS to the wheels after they have been cleaned:
Spray 2 short shots QS on a foam or MF applicator that you will NOT be using on the paint every again.   Rub applicator over the face of the wheel.  Be sure to get the lip and the sides of any spokes.   If it is a very large wheel or one with lots of surface area (many spokes, etc.) you may want to treat half the wheel, respray the appilcator, and do the other half.      Reload the applicator with QS and apply to each of the other 3 wheels Wipe the wheels with a MF towel that you will NOT be using on the paint every again. Enjoy several months of easier to clean wheels! Once QS has been applied you should be able to get them clean with just diluted Car Wash Shampoo.

Best way to get her converted too is to clean her ride first, and use some of your Adam's supplies for house cleaning - Glass Cleaner, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner, Detail Spray (stainless steel), etc.

Fixed......
 

 
For more before and after pics, check out the Facebook post:
 
https://www.facebook.com/oddsandendsdetailing/posts/1004781222890113

You can use APC on paint, just DON'T let it dry, or use it in the direct sunlight.
 
I would suggest trying a 50/50 dilution first, to see it that works before using full strength.  Work in a small area and pre-rinse, then spray APC dilution on the wet surface, wipe, and immediately rinse.  Then move onto another area, so that it does not dry.