Mariner

I love the Tire and Rubber Cleaner. I wish it had been around when I had my Raptor and I could have used it to clean the rubber hoses in my engine compartment. Those dang things were permanently mud stained. But with my new SUV, it was really nice to get rid of that ugly brown from blooming.

Welcome! You'll definitely find lots of great information around here.

I was finally able to use mine today for my weekend detailing session. Dang that little thing puts out some air. I used it mainly for the mirror, door, and grille crevices. Seems the 4Runner has a lot of hidden corners. I also used it for the roof so I didn't have to soak my towel when drying it. As I used the sidekick, my fiancee followed around and cleaned up the bigger areas. The Sidekick is a must have IMO.

I used the new Strip Wash today to help with my overspray situation. The Strip Wash definitely did it's part. It took all the bug guts off easily, leaving me with just the stubborn overspray which I clayed for hours. I found that it pours far easier than the Car Wash Shampoo, and creates just as durable lubricity that lasts the length of the wash. Adam's definitely scored with this product.

I found time to do my 2nd strip wash round using the new Adam's Strip Wash. First of all, I love the ginger ale smell! Second of all, it's an excellent product. I found it pours easy, mixes well, creates lots of suds and maintains it's durability through out the entire wash. After that, I was able to clay again with a fresh bar. I performed the baggie test and the paint felt terrible, even though I'd clayed last week. But using Detail Spray as my lube, I methodically worked through it. The roof was definitely the worst, but when I was done, the paint finally felt smooth again. I followed this up with Revive Hand Polish, then LPS. Overall, I'm very happy with Adam's products getting me through this spray paint disaster.

I was surprised at the amount of stuff I clayed off my new SUV when I first got it.

When I was back in college, I got sideswiped by a tractor trailer and it peeled my door back quite similar to that. I was in a Jeep Patriot and while it's a small SUV, I've never felt so helpless. Scary ****

Welcome to the forum!

I very recently detailed my fiancee's step dad's very neglected SUV with 70k miles on it. Pretty sure the tires had NEVER been cleaned besides standard washes. Unfortunately I was too caught up in the work to take pictures, but it took FIVE layers of Tire and Rubber Cleaner before the soap was white after the scrub. First scrub was the darkest brown I'd ever seen, basically black. Five scrubs later, it washed out clean. This is arguably one of the best products in Adam's collection IMO.

Welcome! I own a 4Runner too, what color is yours?

Yes I'm sure, but I felt much better using a clay bar, and it was just as effective.

First round of claying went well today.. then again it's hard to see on white but the baggie test felt pretty good. Only applied HGG over the bare paint for now. Next weekend I'll strip wash again, clay, and apply paint sealant

I have two older ones without the label and I like that bare look.

I choose not to have to clean up hair, so I lay down a seat cover that I bought at Petco. But if I have to clean it up, duct tape works well for me.

I take back my prior comment. Detailed my fiancee's step dad's car today.... pretty sure he's never cleaned the tires or wheels in the last 70,000 miles he's driven it. I was a speckled mess when I was done with my 5 layers of Tire and Rubber Cleaner and 2 rounds of Wheel Cleaner.

Personally I'd substitute the glaze with H20 Guard and Gloss, but it's all preference

When was the last time you did a strong strip wash?

Probably one of your most important steps here is the strip wash. You can either mix in 3-4 ounces of All Purpose Cleaner in your soap bucket, or order the new Strip Wash they just came out with.

Would it be beneficial at all to do two different strip washes and clayings, perhaps to grab any flecks I miss the first time around? Like strip with All Purpose Cleaner, clay, seal or maybe just H2O Guard & Gloss for now, then once I get the strip wash, use that and clay again, then use LPS?

Thanks for the idea, I'll use that method for the stubborn flecks. I'm more worried about the paint now. I'll know the outcome when I can do my strip wash tomorrow

Yeah that's what I figured. Thank goodness for sealants. My paint has sealant and HGG on it as well, so with a little effort, I should be able to clay it all off.

So I park my SUV at a company warehouse for 3 weeks while I'm away at sea, and today when I went to wash my windows, I noticed the micro flecks of spray paint all over them. My car is white, so it's not noticeable on the paint right now, at least until I wash it. But here's a small testiment to Adams. After explaining my fury to Dan, TheWolf, he recommended the clay bar. I had the idea, but it's always good to check with the experts. I had sealed all my windows with Glass Sealant and always maintained with Glass Cleaner. Anyways. Here's a before and after from the same window, after some serious elbow grease, a clay bar, and pumpkin detail spray. I'm happy with the results, but was not happy with my company. Hopefully this won't happen again. I'm also in for a helluva weekend with claying the entire car.

We should get a free shirt per every $1000 we spend on the site... And I'm due for my free shirt

I did 10 up front and 10 over the rear factory tint and it's basically limo tint. But I like it.

I misunderstood your original post.