mc2hill

Good Afternoon Adam's Family & Enthusiasts...
 
I completed a quick (1.5hr) 2 bucket wash, clay and seal using the new Car Wash Wedge and H2O Guard & Gloss.
 
Below is a quick review of both products, as they fit into this particular car washing routine.
 
First off, I want to document the state of my vehicle prior to washing and sealing and my initial thoughts on the 2 products.
 

 

 

 
There is a decent amount of build up of dirt, bird droppings (x4+), brake dust, etc.
 
When I received the box with all my products, I was stoked (as usual).  I opened the box and found my car wash wedges and H2O Guard & Gloss.  At first glance, I was kinda turned off by the foam fingers themselves (within the wash wedge pad) and thought that they would be terrible (compared to the car wash mitts/pads).  It took a few calls to Ben (Adam's AWESOME CS and Sales Agent) and having my fears and questions answered (while the soap was building in the bucket, literally) for me to press forward with the wash wedge.  The H2O Guard & Gloss was a little bit trickier to understand.  By this I mean, I was wondering (and asked Ben) how do you pay attention to one panel at a time (using this product) while the rest of the car is in the sun and water is drying (hard water) on the rest of the panels, you just washed and clayed?  After a few minutes of discussion with it, I found most of the answers I needed to move forward.  Always keep the car wet (without getting the parts you just dried wet) and move somewhat quickly (as you are not putting all that much product on the car to begin with).
 
The products I used for this project are below.  (including a small kwazar full of Detail Spray)
 

 
Starting off I worked on the wheels.  I knocked down the brake dust and grime with DWC and the newer red bristle wheel brush.  BTW, the Red wheel brush is AMAZING.  It has ACTUALLY saved me money in the amount of DWC I have to use on each wheel, just to get the brake dust off.  I went from using almost an entire 16oz bottle of DWC PER WASH to now using 4-6 oz.  THAT IS AWESOME.
 
Ok, getting back to the real review.  After cleaning the wheels themselves and hitting the tires with some APC (and blue tire brush) and Tire Shine (after the wash was complete), I moved on to the actual washing of the vehicle.
 
Since I had been using Rinseless Wash regularly with this vehicle, I figured that I needed to strip off whatever wax was on the paint to begin with, that way the rest of the review could take place correctly.  To do this, I used my foam gun and the 2 Bucket Wash method.  I added about 3-4 oz of full strength APC to the foam gun (just to be sure) and another 5-7 oz into the wash bucket (being thorough).
 
I then began my routine 2 bucket wash (with the wedge standing in for my wash pads).  I used Adam's "Old" Car Shampoo, in the small travel bottle.  I have to say, after knocking out a few panels, I LOVE this wedge.  I can do multiple panels (lightly dirty) with one trip to the buckets.  Once I got to the belt-line, I did have to go back much more frequently.  However, going back to the buckets was much easier and I didn't have to waste as much time rubbing a (two-sided) mitt or pad against each grit-guard, just the wedge itself.  The bug guts and dirt came off effortlessly and the wedge was ready to go again, without any issues.  After completing my wash, I did notice one small point that stood out for the wedge.  That is, the small foam "fingers" were small enough for the wedge to fit in between and clean each of the fins within my BMW kidney grills, up front.  That made me so happy.  I could clean 4 or 5 ribs in a single swipe (a little pressure to fit the fingers in between).  It was awesome.
 
As a point to note, I did see that after completing the wash, the car wash wedge fingers were a little tangled up and it was a little tricky to get them separated again.  (If anyone has a suggestion on this point, I would love to hear it)
 
So, on to claying.  I was initially going to also include the new blue clay bar as a part of this review, but I still have a few standard clay bar boxes laying around so I decided to use up my old stock first and review it later.  
 
I decided, for the purpose of this review, to keep the claying technique constant and focused towards the Adam's Purists.  I used nothing but Detail Spray as a lubricant, that way there would be no issues with the claying process or this part of the review (even though I prefer waterless/rinseless wash for my claying lubricant).
 
I clayed the entire car, from top to bottom (except wheels... wish I had time to take them off and seal them... need to get on that... after a year of promises to myself  ).
 
After the clay, I rinsed the entire car off and prepped for the H2O Guard & Gloss sealant treatment.  I started on the hot side of the car (as I wanted to get that water off QUICKLY).  I used my go-to towels for this job, my boarder-less blues and a Great White.  I started out spraying 4 or 5 sprays on each panel and found that most of it was soaking into the (prepped) damp boarder-less blue and wasn't being as effective as less.  (a tip shared by Ben prior to starting)  So less is more and even less than I thought was "less".  After the first few panels, I started using 2 or 3 sprays on each panel (depending on size).  It worked like a charm.  I love this new product.  It saves me from drying the car and then putting quick sealant or pain sealant (with my Flex) on top, as an additional, time consuming step.  I have yet to see how long the sealant will last, but I will be using my Rinseless Wash here soon, in order to build up a layer of wax on top, to further strengthen and postpone degradation of the sealant from the Guard & Gloss.
 
Overall, I couldn't be happier with this product.  I will state, though, that if you are doing this outside, do it in the morning or early evening as you will avoid water spots (with harder water regions).  I regret that in my haste, I didn't remove all of the water quick enough on the roof and have a few spots sealed underneath the Guard & Gloss and will need to be removed with another clay session and paint correction (already planned and needed, regardless).
 
So, on to the results... Here is my car with the 2 bucket wash, clay, and sealant applied.  I do say it does shine up nicely.  This doesn't have any additional detail spray, wax or glaze on it.  I wish I had time to perform a Full Face-Melter.  Next time, I guess.
 

 

 

 
In conclusion, these two products, the New Car Wash Wedge and H2O Guard & Gloss are worth their weight in the toolbox of the Adam's Car Cleaning Garage (or other space ).  I highly recommend each of them and praise their engineering and creative teams for the R&D put into them.
 
If you have any questions regarding either of these, Adam's Reps will be more than happy to help (as will I, via these threads).
 
Thanks for reading and enjoy the polishing!

Plasti-dipped the saddles for the floor jacks so they don't scratch the truck frame.
 

 

 
Dipped them four times, allowing half a day to cure between coats, since it went on really thick.  Also hung them upside down so it would be thicker on the edges that touch the truck.

When I am finished with a pad I spray it with APC and put it in a bucket of water.  When I am finished with the detail, I place the Grit Guard over them, spin on the Gamma Seal lid and let them sit for a few hours or even a day or so,  Rinse them, spray more APC, and rub them over the GG to help remove the polish/LSP.  Rinse thoroughly, and let them dry.

Just wanted to post that I was skeptical about the 10" size of the wash pad until yesterday, until I used it for a traditional wash.
 
I had an older Jumbo 11" pad in the bucket as well for the upper sections (I haven't had a 9" pad for a while now), and a 10".
 
I didn't realize how cumbersome the 11" pad was, I mean you almost have to be guiding it with 2 arms or your forearm so it doesn't slip off the panels lol!
 
The 10" is much more manageable for one hand washing use.  Good call moving forward, consolidating 2 different wash pads into 1.

Heck, I get distracted when I
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SQUIRREL !!!
 
 
 
 
 

Car looks good.  Thanks for sharing your experience.  You probably have the cleanest car over at the Bingo Hall.   

Wednesday evening I traded in the G8 on a 2015 Dodge Dart SXT.

It is a step down in horsepower from the G8 but it is every bit of fun to drive. My wife and I had discussed an SS but the direction we're going is practicality. We have twin daughters that are in private school and the tuition is rather steep. So now you know which is our priority. The hot rod can wait for the future.
 
Any way when I negotiated the purchase I insisted no dealer prep be done. They agreed thankfully so before I got home Wednesday evening gave it a wash at the DIY place. I figured the caustic soap they use would get rid a lot of the surface grit and it did.

Thursday I left it in the garage because we had severe weather in the forecast.  After work I removed all plastic film from the interior, gave it a quick wipe down, cleaned, clayed and sealed the glass. The trunk got cleaned out as well then the interior got Scotchgarded. While doing this the weather radio was going ape s*** because of this an hour to the north.

 
Fortunately all we got was thunder, lightning and rain. Friday was dry so the Dart went with me to the office. No work on the car due to oldest twin being in Variety Show after school.
 
Saturday I gave it an Adam's Rinseless Wash. I saw absolutely no rail dust and just to be sure I sprayed Deep Wheel Clean on the trunk lid and got nada. Baggie test showed enough bumpiness to warrant clay barring the vehicle. I used Adam's grey Clay bar and Adam's Detail Spray for lube. Paint got sealed as did the wheels. I coated the tires with an OTC product that I love but won't name. Under the hood and inside the trunk got wiped down with SVRT as did what little plastic trim there is on the vehicle.
 
My  neighbor photo-bombed me while standing next to his Tornado Magnet!

 
The wood in the old green recycle bin got burned last night as did some wienies and marshmallows. Leinenkugel Berry Weiss was the beverage of choice for the adults.

 
Yes, debadging to follow.

 

 
BTW: I did literally kiss the G8 goodbye, but with my MPG at 25.6 right now on regular gas vs. G8 16.7 lifetime average on premium gas I'm happy with the purchase.

Nice write up Rich (and I love that Caddy!).  The HGG is soooo simple to use, just spray, spread, wipe and you are done!  

Moving somewhere where it doesn't snow?  My goal when I retire is to go somewhere where I can wear shorts in December, January.  I will take the hot humid, or dry heat over the snow anytime.  And yes I have been to Florida and the East Coast in July, August.

This method worked fine for me while I was testing.  And the advantage of using the same damp towel to apply HGG, is that it you need a little less product as you do more panels.  

This method works great for a Rinseless wash.  And the dry fluffy towel is hardly needed.  Wash, gloss, seal, and dry the whole car in 20 minutes!  

I need 70 degree weather NOW....

[GREAT time out in Jersey visiting Detailers Domain! It was a pleasure meeting Adam and the crew, what a wonderful bunch of people! Picked up some BRAND NEW H20 guard and gloss and the new washing sponge along with some blue clay bar and some other stuff (saved a good amount of money). 

Here are a few photos from yesterday, a beautiful red Ferrari happened to park behind me and I could not help but take a few photos

Two Stallions, One Color.

Big crowd of folks

Thanks for the S/O Adam! 

Adam shows us the Flex polisher 

GT3RS

Mclaren

Aventador

Dylan talking about the two bucket process/ washing

Myself with my two car detailing idols. Thanks for the sandwich offer Adam, I will take a rain check!

Nothing better than two clean, red, shiny cars

I would not recommend that, as the panel is not clean until you wipe it.  I would say clean it, then apply G&G with a damp towel, and wipe with a dry towel.

Yea after you wipe the waterless wash off.  Then do the dry method 1 wet towel, 1 dry

But nothing that is not easily removed with the next rain shower or wash. 

This product is best applied under existing paint protection films.
 
 
Soap Soap is only available to customers that have reached the Preferred Elite status.  If you have not received your Soap Soap yet, then you have not reached this level.  Keep trying and keep buying.
 
 
From Justice, at the mall.
 

 
 
He was talking to me, we were discussing how you are behind on your Forum membership dues.
 
 
I am THE answer man, man!
 
 
 
 
    :jester:          

Just for fun...

Yes, get some lights!  I think the halogen lights work better than LED, but they do get very hot.  This is a 50/50 of a white Toyota,  I know, it looks yellow, but it IS white!
 

Nice Chris!  I am sooo glad we do not have front plates, but I see FL plates on the front of car in the movies & TV all the time!

Thanks for all the advice!
The truck is regularly clayed, waxed, and sealed as needed so thankfully claying it again for the PC should take me too long. 
I do plan on breaking up the project though since its going to be a slow process as I learn what I'm doing. Hoping to take maybe two days doing it.
 
thanks for the tip on the lights. My garage has fluorescent overhead lighting, and then Im planning on using some extra LED spot lighting to help me out. Hopefully Ill be able to see everything pretty well? 
Im curious to see how hard it is going to be to spot the flash point though. 
 
MC2HILL that photo is getting me all excited! I can't wait for everything to come in the mail!
 
I love photography, so don't worry, Ill be posting more pictures than you guys ever wanted to see of the truck haha

It is fine to let Rinseless dry on the car.  I would suggest this:
Wet a fluffy towel in the Rinseless wash bucket Do the Rinseless wash on the entire car (vs. panel by panel) Spray a couple of shots of H20 Gloss & Guard on the damp towel Wipe 1/2 a panel (maybe the windows on a 4 door car) a couple more sprays G&G on the towel and complete the panel (like DvK shows in the video) wipe again with a dry fluffy towel (there will hardly be anything to remove) move on to the next panel This is a quick, efficient method to wash, gloss, seal, and dry the car!

Before:   
 

  Adamized:
  There are still clearly micro scratches in this image, but this piece is only about an inch across, and they are all but invisible in person... I'l still keep working at it, and if I can get a more mirror-like finish, I'll post it. But nothing has come close to creating a shine like this. 

 
And from another set of pipes... The nickel has worn off in places, but that didn't stop the shine from coming through...
 
Before:

  After:

 
I think Adam's might start selling an awful lot of this polish to pipers once I get the word out.

It is fine to let Rinseless dry on the car.  I would suggest this:
Wet a fluffy towel in the Rinseless wash bucket Do the Rinseless wash on the entire car (vs. panel by panel) Spray a couple of shots of H20 Gloss & Guard on the damp towel Wipe 1/2 a panel (maybe the windows on a 4 door car) a couple more sprays G&G on the towel and complete the panel (like DvK shows in the video) wipe again with a dry fluffy towel (there will hardly be anything to remove) move on to the next panel This is a quick, efficient method to wash, gloss, seal, and dry the car!

Yes, get some lights!  I think the halogen lights work better than LED, but they do get very hot.  This is a 50/50 of a white Toyota,  I know, it looks yellow, but it IS white!