Hamilton Detail

Quote from Dylan:
 
 
Coming from a background in professional detailing and now working for a company that is engaged entirely in surface restoration theres just a couple of things to consider:

The more aggressive the operation the more stress is placed on the pad - heavy correction work beats up pads, so your compounding phases will eat up pads rather quickly, so if you have some pretty serious defects to work on have lots of spare pads.
 
The more aggressive the operation the more residue management you have to contend with - as you are doing heavy correction work your pad is being loaded up not only with compound, but the byproduct of abrasive actions (clear coat and paint). To remove deep defects you need to remove more material, the more material you remove the more your pad loads up, the more your pad is loaded the less effective it is. Its considered best practices to replace those pads more frequently during the heavy cutting phases.
 
Keep those 2 things in mind as you decide how many pads to have on hand. At a MINIMUM no one should have fewer than 2 of every pad just out of common sense. If you drop a pad or a pad comes apart you need to have a backup at a minimum to keep going. If you are planning heavy correction work (i.e. - our first full paint correction) I recommend at least 4 pads for your cutting phases so you can at least divide the car into 1/4 chunks and work it that way.

For your finishing work you are doing much less aggressive work, and removing far less material, so 2 pads for your finishing is generally enough. Also consider though - you will do fine polishing work more often as a touchup exercise (at least you should) so if thats the case then having a couple of spares on hand isn't a bad idea either.

The one place I think you can generally get away with 1 or 2 pads is your LSP steps (glazes, waxes, sealants) - its not cutting any material so you have no residue management to deal with, the action is low stress on the pad so no issues there, and in the worst case you can jump to hand application if you lose a pad in the process (not an option in the cutting and finishing phases).
 
My 2 pennies worth - that and $6 will get you a latte at Starbucks. Cheers!
 
 
-DvK
 
 

You are correct, Adam’s currently does not have a product that compares to Bead Maker. I absolutely love the stuff. Fantastic drying aid. 

http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/news/articles/103104/key-chevy-accessories-partners-join-no-88-for-2020-valvoline-to-sponsor-daytona-500

A leather smelling odor eliminator can be had from a certain chemical company. Smells identical to Adam’s leather conditioner. 

My wife and I are both disappointed that they didn't do the pumpkin spice odor neutralizer this year  

I'm not one to talk bad about a company, especially Adams. But there are better options than this pressure washer. That video above is spot on. Matt at obsessed garage has done hundreds of tests on different pressure washers to come up with entry level pressure washers that are built well. Tons of youtube videos of him testing them all and he'll tell you if its junk or not.

My vote too.  After having watched that video, I'm surprised Adam's even put their name on this machine.  I really appreciated Adam (himself) providing his insight on here recently as to the current state of the company and his own honest thoughts, but this might be the product that has me rethinking things. I'm very accustomed to an Adam's that focused very much on quality, but this and other recent products just no longer fit that mold from outside view looking in.  I still love many of the chemicals, but I just don't know...
 
My intent is not hijack this thread nor to start another "feels" thread, sorry.

For me, this video answers it all:  
 

Obsessed Garage has my "vote". I am buying more and more from him. I have done a lot of price comparisons as well. He does have a slight mark up but it isn't that much. I am buying from him more now than Amazon. His videos and personal discussions as to why he chooses an item and his frankness on costs is awesome.
 
This is one small business I support 110%.

Friends, thank you.  Thank you for caring enough to post your thoughts, and taking time from your life to do so.  Thank you for making your feelings known,  and I can appreciate that you feel we have drifted from our core.  Thank you for continuing to care about our company and brand, even though it's not the company and brand that you supported initially. 
 
The reality:  I understand your point.  We have become a much larger enterprise. At the same time, our customer base has changed as well. Over 60% of our customers are under 30 today!  We have a fantastic marketing department that turns out limited edition promotional products and Adam's branded apparel. While I certainly appreciate the sales, it's not something I had in mind when we started. Nor would I ever have thought old or limited edition products would sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay. Never in a million years, and our marketing team has created tremendous brand equity, and demand.
 
I started this business to offer great detailing chemicals, matched with premium application and removal tools, and easy to understand instructions.  (Eventually, videos, to help the DIY enthusiast achieve incredible results at home, with ease.)  Above all, I want our customers to be impressed with the quality, ease of use, and results achieved with everything that comes from Adam's.  
 
The reality:  The promotional stuff sells, and the new majority of our customers are young.   I now have partners, a bank expecting us to meet goals, etc.  It's not just me and my small team, boot strapping to make payroll, and kick out a few new products each year.  Adam's Polishes has grown exponentially, and as a result, it has changed.  While the changes at Adam's are good for some, they are not appreciated by all. Especially the original customers, those who remember us small, with nearly all American made products.  Those who have supported our brand for a decade or even two. 
 
As some of you are aware, our ownership group acquired our chemical manufacturer last year, and now have access to truly amazing chemistry.  We have invested heavily in the business, updated the lab, and are now making products that are more advanced than the big players in our industry.  Crazy enough, we now have 150 employees, plus another 25 part time show champions.  While I'm humbled that we have established a much larger company, and are roughly 10X the size we were just a few years ago, I also miss the old days.  I miss the days of taking our entire staff out to lunch daily.  Miss indoor parking and a cross-fit gym at the HQ.  I even miss the days of whacking payroll on a credit card, and living in my first warehouse.  While those days were tough, doing whatever it took to survive was invigorating, exciting!  It's hard to do things like that as a large company.
 
You asked about DVK?  Dylan VonKleist is incredible at identifying and developing new products.  He knows detailing as well or possibly better than I do, and has his thumb on the pulse of the detailing community.  He was instrumental in starting this very forum!   I also miss Ashley Wilson.  She worked with us since high school, with her fantastic dad, Mike, one of our original team members.   Ashley was amazing with our resellers, and everyone she came in contact with.  When we moved the business to Colorado, she was unable to move with us, understood.  We had an outstanding controller, Patti.  She started with us in 2009, and helped us get through many, many hurdles.  Her positivity and influence on both me, and the staff was awesome!  She eventually moved on to work with a non-profit, which helps children.  Understood, and she is missed by all of our employees that knew her, and was replaced by a super capable CFO and eventually, an accounting team of five that are much needed to keep this enterprise afloat.  Great people, certainly needed, but a big company team is different feel than a small few person team.  Realize, those people who are gone have moved up, and as our business grew, we had to make changes.  We are friendly with each person that moved on, no bridges were burned in the making of Adam's Polishes!
 
I introduced Dylan to Cody, then the owner of Cyclo Tools, and he was hired there.  Then, Cyclo was acquired by Rupes, which is how Dylan landed there.  It was a good fit for him, the right move at the time.  Truth:  Dylan is one of the smartest, most OCD, focused detailers I've ever known.  His focus on detailing products made our line better, and makes Rupes a better company today.  We never replaced Dylan, and are still looking today. (If you know someone, please shoot me an email with a resume: Adam@AdamsPolishes.com.)  

Today:  Our customer service team is awesome.  Our marketing team, led by Matt Butcher, is amazing.  Our chemicals are outstanding, and our ceramic program is world class.  Our towels and accessories are very good as well.   As I always say, "VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS!"   We are one of the only companies on earth that honors a 110% Satisfaction guarantee.  Pleas, return any product you are dissatisfied with.  Whining about products online doesn't solve a problem.  Remember, you get 110% refund on products you are unimpressed with. Please, no whining, just contact us so we can make it right!
 
I gave 200% to Adam's Polishes for decades. (Gave 200% to detailing for the previous two decades as well. Been detailing for nearly 40 years now!)  Today, I've shifted priorities, to a family man, and business man.  In that order.  I used to come home after work and get on AdamsForums, and on other social media platforms.  Today, when I'm home, I'm a Dad, and husband. Today, I don't always get to the HQ, rather, I travel all over for business.  I'm on a plane at least 4X a week, and while my United Airlines status is rocking, my absence is noted at home.
 
God has been incredibly good to me, and our business.  I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to start and grow this business from zero. Blessed with an incredible and dedicated team.  Blessed to have met my wife, and blessed with our three healthy children.  Blessed to live and work in Colorado.  Blessed to have incredible customers who care enough to report your feelings on our direction!  
 
Finally, I encourage everyone to VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS!  Focus on the high quality products that keep your car shining, and your shine therapy soothing.  I'm still detailing something every week, sometimes daily.  It's my therapy.  It's always been my therapy.  Detailing is how I unwind and find clarity in this complicated world.  
 
I'm here as the Chief Detailer, and Founder of Adam's Polishes.  I'm not the CEO, not the marketing director, just the Chief Detailer.  If you don't like a product, please, contact our customer service team, and we will make it right.  (orders@adamspolishes.com, or 866-965-0400.)  When I tune in to listen to people complain about our business, it certainly hits a nerve.  If you have a product that has not impressed you, please contact us!  Vote with your dollars, and you will see more products that you love from Adam's Polishes.
 
Thank you very, very much for your loyalty, and for your business.
 
Humbly,
Adam

Thanks Mike and each of you who responded to this thread.  I absolutely care.  This business is my baby.   I lived on Top Ramen and canned tuna with ranch dressing in a 950 sq ft warehouse on the railroad track,s next to the 405 freeway for three years while starting this business.  I'm not up to see Adam's be gimmicky, or low quality. 
 
Stand by, we will continue to develop and launch new, quality products, and I certainly hope to continue to earn your trust, and your business.  Realize, I'm no longer the only person launching new products, and if I was, I'd have 5 hours of things to focus on for each hour of the day. Tough for a detailer with OCD and ADD to do!
 
I've leaned on our entire team, as has our CEO, to bring excellent, high quality detailing products and accessories to the market.  
 
Forgot to include a photo of our young family, this one from last week in McCall, Idaho, heaven on earth.  Celebrating my wife, Melissa's birthday.  Towel wrapped Luca, 11, Cristiano, 9, and Enzo, 6 with a LaCroix on his head: 

I 100% agree with you.  I'm not a fan of this gimmicky direction they have taken at all.  
 
I've been using Adam's products since 2011, and like you've mentioned, they have changed so much.  I noticed the biggest change in the company after Dylan left and Matt came in.  
 
I'm not going to bash Adam's, but I will say this:  I used to be 100% Adam's and wouldn't even dare consider another brand, but that is no longer the case for me.  I've discovered other brands that remind me of the old Adam's.  So I guess I'm voting with my dollar.  
 
Another thing that used to impress me about Adam's was the customer service.  But I've experienced 2 situations that were not handled in the way that they used to be.  Out of respect, I won't go into the details of that.  
 
But I know for fact that we are not the only ones feeling this way.  I've talked with many different people at car shows that are saying the same things.  We are not alone.  

100% nailed it.  Totally agree with this.  

I've been using Adam's stuff since 2005ish. Started with a bottle of the original Detail Spray and yellow (or were they white?) microfiber towels, then some VRT, then some car wash, Brilliant Spray Glaze, APC, swirl and haze remover, buttery wax, etc. and eventually ended up with basically every product available. I still have a cabinet full of Adam's stuff, new and old. Anybody with Adam's who pulls up my information will see a pretty long order history, so I feel somewhat qualified to address this.

What got me interested in the brand originally was the simplicity of the lineup, and Adam. I liked the face of the company and I liked being able to "special order" something better than what could be bought in stores. Seeing Adam's passion for providing simple, quality products and how-to support for those products was all I needed. I understand the expansion of the lineup to include ceramics, accessories, etc. to stay current. I'm not onboard with the "lifestyle" stuff personally. I'd like to see the focus be on a solid lineup without branching off on sub-lines. Keep the products streamlined, current, improve them as needed, and focus on providing training in the form of videos and social media posts on how to use those products. I'd also like to see Adam himself be a little more present. Being busy isn't an excuse. We're all busy. Be the face of the company, cut the cutesie crap, and get back to the products and support being the main focus. 
 
I remember placing an order many years ago. Shortly after the order went through, I got an email from the man himself simply thanking me for the repeat business. That email has generated LOTS of repeat business from me over the years. I don't know if I came across the Adam's of today that I would be as impressed or loyal to the brand as the Adam's I discovered almost 15 years ago.
 
I know it doesn't do any good to live in the past or cry over spilt milk, and I don't know the details of the divorce and I doubt we ever will. BUT, I will say the Adam's of a few years ago with Adam and DvK at the helm was the Adam's I felt good about. It was exciting, professional yet casual, and generally in good hands. I'm not saying beg DvK to come back, because comments he's made have made it clear that's not an option, but I would love to see that version of Adam's back. 
 
 

I 100% agree with you.  I'm not a fan of this gimmicky direction they have taken at all.  
 
I've been using Adam's products since 2011, and like you've mentioned, they have changed so much.  I noticed the biggest change in the company after Dylan left and Matt came in.  
 
I'm not going to bash Adam's, but I will say this:  I used to be 100% Adam's and wouldn't even dare consider another brand, but that is no longer the case for me.  I've discovered other brands that remind me of the old Adam's.  So I guess I'm voting with my dollar.  
 
Another thing that used to impress me about Adam's was the customer service.  But I've experienced 2 situations that were not handled in the way that they used to be.  Out of respect, I won't go into the details of that.  
 
But I know for fact that we are not the only ones feeling this way.  I've talked with many different people at car shows that are saying the same things.  We are not alone.  

I 100% agree with you.  I'm not a fan of this gimmicky direction they have taken at all.  
 
I've been using Adam's products since 2011, and like you've mentioned, they have changed so much.  I noticed the biggest change in the company after Dylan left and Matt came in.  
 
I'm not going to bash Adam's, but I will say this:  I used to be 100% Adam's and wouldn't even dare consider another brand, but that is no longer the case for me.  I've discovered other brands that remind me of the old Adam's.  So I guess I'm voting with my dollar.  
 
Another thing that used to impress me about Adam's was the customer service.  But I've experienced 2 situations that were not handled in the way that they used to be.  Out of respect, I won't go into the details of that.  
 
But I know for fact that we are not the only ones feeling this way.  I've talked with many different people at car shows that are saying the same things.  We are not alone.  

I 100% agree with you.  I'm not a fan of this gimmicky direction they have taken at all.  
 
I've been using Adam's products since 2011, and like you've mentioned, they have changed so much.  I noticed the biggest change in the company after Dylan left and Matt came in.  
 
I'm not going to bash Adam's, but I will say this:  I used to be 100% Adam's and wouldn't even dare consider another brand, but that is no longer the case for me.  I've discovered other brands that remind me of the old Adam's.  So I guess I'm voting with my dollar.  
 
Another thing that used to impress me about Adam's was the customer service.  But I've experienced 2 situations that were not handled in the way that they used to be.  Out of respect, I won't go into the details of that.  
 
But I know for fact that we are not the only ones feeling this way.  I've talked with many different people at car shows that are saying the same things.  We are not alone.  

Well, there you go. "Vote with your dollar" that says alot.
 
I've always loved Adams Polishes and recommend them to everyone. 90% of my products are Adams. It isn't so much the chemicals I'm upset with (they still rock) it's the gimmicky direction I feel the company has taken which cheapens it's appeal. This company is great and got my business because of what it was and what it stood for. I've seen Adam's explanation about Chinese products and such. I've read numerous posts.
 
I'm simply stating that recent rebranding of some items and the price tag associated with those items are very different than what we would have seen and expected several years ago.
 
I never fault anyone for growing a business and making a ton of money. I applaud that and I'm and advocate of Entrepreneurship and success. However, it's pretty disrespectful to build such a great customer base then tell them to vote with their dollars when they try to give feedback to you.
 
I know I'm not the only one who agrees with my opinion though I see I'm in the minority on the forums. I just figured I'd state what I know many are thinking and hopefully this post thread will enable some to also express their dislike for the direction of the company.

With the recent release of the new Adam's website and a few products (re-branded pressure washer) I've noticed some major push back on Facebook about the direction of the company. I have to agree. I've been a huge supporter and advocate of this company for several years now, but I'm starting to think they have abandoned the true detailing community for high profit sales. There was a time when Adam did not want to sell items made in China (now it seems everything they sell is), he was also involved in the forums and detailing community, as well as the strict development of quality products. Also it seems since the exit of Dylan, this company has declined quite quickly. I know I'm not alone, but I fear no one on this forum will back me. Thoughts?

Beautiful Terrain!  My wife and I used to have a 2018 model, however we had another child and needed more room and traded it in on a Tahoe. But we absolutely loved that Terrain. 
 
You can dap a little bit of leather conditioner onto a foam applicator pad and have no problems with the ventilated seats. But, I highly suggest ceramic coating the leather seats instead. 
 
I also have a side business of car detailing and recently just ceramic coated one the same color as yours: 
 

Beautiful Terrain!  My wife and I used to have a 2018 model, however we had another child and needed more room and traded it in on a Tahoe. But we absolutely loved that Terrain. 
 
You can dap a little bit of leather conditioner onto a foam applicator pad and have no problems with the ventilated seats. But, I highly suggest ceramic coating the leather seats instead. 
 
I also have a side business of car detailing and recently just ceramic coated one the same color as yours: 
 

After a couple of months of research, test drives, more test drives, the wife picked out her new vehicle and we brought it home on Thursday.  She wanted a 5 passenger SUV to replace the Malibu and there are a limited number of mid-size SUV's that have the creature comforts.  She could have had whatever she wanted and it came down to three candidates, Range Rover Velar, Buick Envision Premium II and GMC Terrain Denali.   Her primary item was ride comfort since we use her vehicle for trips the majority of the time.
 
In addition to her last three, we had tested the Cadillac XT-4 and XT-5, Chevy Blazer, Range Rover Evoque 2020 and multiple others.  There are some mighty fine vehicles between them and the one that really surprised us was the GMC Terrain Denali.  While it is built on the same chassis as the Equinox, it is not an Equinox by any means - the father-in-law has one and it wasn't even on our radar.  The ride is unbelievably smooth, it is super quiet inside and she got it with every added feature you can imagine and a few that we had not thought of.  The 2013 Chevy Malibu is no longer at my house, although it was a great car.
 
What does any good Adam's customer do when they get a new vehicle, detail it with one of their favorite Adam's products and that has become Ceramic Paste Wax for me.  I think we are going to change the Chrome Mirror Caps for body color painted ones, but for now they need to shine.   The wheels were done with Ceramic Boost, the tire Tire Shine and the entire body with Ceramic Paste Wax, Glass Sealant on the Windshield exterior, Brilliant Glaze on the Windshield interior.    The grill took what seemed liked eternity to do, but I sat on my platform stool and worked away and am pleased with the results.
 
I was going to have the front end done with XPel right away, except our local dealer has closed, so I have to travel about a 100 miles to get it done - hopefully this week.   We still plan on going with a professional grade ceramic coating which will be late summer or early fall - at least before the weather turns cold up north.   
 
I do have one question, the front seats are heated and ventilated and the back seats are heated all of them being leather.  I have conditioned many leather seats, but this is the first set that are ventilated and I'm looking for any gotcha's on the conditioning routine.   I like to condition the seats early on to get some protection and start the bi-annual preventative maintenance.  Any input on the ventilated seats would be appreciated.

Maybe it's a new detail shop?  It's very common to have ridiculously low prices when first starting a detail business, just to get customers in the door and get a customer base started.  I hope this is the situation, otherwise this may get interesting.  
 
One of my favorite quotes: "I don't do $100 details, I fix them".   

Maybe it's a new detail shop?  It's very common to have ridiculously low prices when first starting a detail business, just to get customers in the door and get a customer base started.  I hope this is the situation, otherwise this may get interesting.  
 
One of my favorite quotes: "I don't do $100 details, I fix them".   

Maybe it's a new detail shop?  It's very common to have ridiculously low prices when first starting a detail business, just to get customers in the door and get a customer base started.  I hope this is the situation, otherwise this may get interesting.  
 
One of my favorite quotes: "I don't do $100 details, I fix them".