camp316

Wiped it down with alcohol and broke out the Adam's seal. For this car a applied the sealant with a microfiber square sponge thing. My thinking was that with winter coming up i wanted to lay a thick layer of sealant down. Not sure if im wrong about this as it seems like what sticks might be the same if done with machine or by hand. 
 
Then glazed, always impressed with the Adam's glaze, goes on easy and super easy to buff off and looks awesome. 
 
Finished off with some extra seal/carabuna wax. 
 
6 hours and a sore back but i think it was worth it 
 
P.S. No idea why the pictures are upside down. 

Glad i asked, never thought of the counter tops 

Just got my Pumpkin scented Detail Spray and love the smell, cant get enough. Made me wonder what else i can use it on?  
 
So far I have used it on my guitar and laptop. 
 
Any other suggestions or uses? Kinda wanna spray it everwhere 

i checked youtube and watched the old videos a bunch. 
 
Thank you wolf, that makes sense, I will seal bare paint when i do my winter prep 

I just bought a new to me black 2014 ram and i wanted to look fresh. Long story short, i found Adams and the serious detailing community. Prior, i used to roll through the local car washes, then found out that's bad, pretty bad. So i began buying mystery boxes, kits, and some other stuff to build my arsenal, and on monday I finally got to bust it all out and get to work.
 
Never did a write up of any kind, so if yous have any questions or something that i missed or especially advise, i would appreciate it. 
 
Heres my truck prior and during
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To start I rinsed the wheels off, I then hit them one by one with wheel cleaner and let it sit as i sprayed down the next. Then i went back to the first one and sprayed down the rubber, rim, and wheel well with all purpose and began to scrub. I used the short and long handled brushes i got as part of Adams winter washing kit. Then rinsed, repeat for all 4 tires. 
 
Sprayed the truck off with the hose then attached a foam gun filled with water and strip wash. Foamed up pretty good (pictured), but i assume the regular shampoo will do a little more foam. Then went over with the Adams wash pad. ( i have one of those micro fiber wash mitts, used both and really like the way the Adams mitt worked)
 
I left the truck wet and started to clay bar. Halfway through i realized that it would of saved me of ton of detail spray if i just would have hit the panel i was about to start with the hose. It was hot and sunny and it really dried up pretty quick. I used 3/4 of my detail spray before i realized. 
 
Now was time to break out the Swirl Killer. Started on the roof (probally least visible spot on a big truck) with the orange pad and orange correcting polish. It didnt really remove any of the scratches but did the swirls. I move up to the blue pad and blue polish, after a couple passes i wiped clean to check, still the same result. As this is my first time with a polisher in my hands, i was kinda afraid to mess anything up. Went back to the orange pad and polish and went over the whole truck. Switched up to the white pad and polish. 
 
After wiping down, it was really a noticeable change, no swirls, really clear reflection, but im not sure that i got any decent scratches out of it. This is my first time so i know i wouldnt get things perfect. i kinda wanna get some more time with the polisher before breaking out the micro fiber pads and really going ham on the scratches. Overall, I was extremely happy with the way the paint turned out when i was done. 
 
Another strip wash and micro fiber towel dry 
 
VRT on all the plastic and trim as well as the tires. I really like the look of the tires right after applied but only really lasted two days. They still look good but not as good (rubber and tire cleaner will be in the future). The trim, as of today (3 days later) still looks great, but it also hasn't rained yet. 
 
After that i used 50/50 distilled/90 alcohol mix and wiped down the truck. 
 
Decided to move onto the paint sealant before glaze. Used the Swirl Killer and grey pad to put it down. This was the new Paint sealer and on the bottle it did not mention any kind of dry time. So i went over the entire truck, then wiped it down with a micro fiber. Pretty easy wipe down, and im glad i got the new seal, i hate licorice smell. 
 
Next to the red pad and glaze. Kinda surprised how thin and watery the glaze was. I probably soaked the pad more then i should have but, ill get it better next time. After the whole truck was glazed down, it started to haze up. Was a little difficult to wipe down clean but well worth it. Looked great when i was done. 
 
Now after all that, I went with a competitor wax and seal. I bought the bottle before i really knew what i was doing and getting into and kinda wanna get through it before i buy another. I wont give out the company but the product is called Top Coat. It went on pretty easy and wiped down easy too. Cant say it added anything to the look. After the glaze, not much would really be an improvement.  
 
So after all that, I was tired. About 9 hours of work, but i am loving my truck now. Sooo impressed, especially for my first go at it. 
 
Now, im hoping for a little while i can get away with weekly or everyother week shampoo and H2O guard and gloss for a few months. Maybe at the end of summer Ill strip it down again and try to get a few more of those scratches out. Bunch of my friends at work saw my truck and want me to come by and help them with their cars so I should get a bunch more practice in. 
 
The next morning i walked out to my truck, and the South Jersey pollen was ALL over my fresh truck. I bought a California duster, ran it down with that, finished with some detail spray and looks good as new. 
 
 
Really happy that i found this sick expensive hobby and found the Adams forums. I cant tell you how helpful everyone has been and such a huge help. I wish i got some pics while doing it but here are some of the end result. 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 

This is the ticket

I use the foam hex applicator, but if they have riges you could use a paint brush or go slow.

I feel like the sun is the best test for finding swirls and imperfections. In direct sun i like to walk around and look at it from many different angles. This light is good for indoor spot checking but the sun seems like the real test. 

I just bought a new to me black 2014 ram and i wanted to look fresh. Long story short, i found Adams and the serious detailing community. Prior, i used to roll through the local car washes, then found out that's bad, pretty bad. So i began buying mystery boxes, kits, and some other stuff to build my arsenal, and on monday I finally got to bust it all out and get to work.
 
Never did a write up of any kind, so if yous have any questions or something that i missed or especially advise, i would appreciate it. 
 
Heres my truck prior and during
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To start I rinsed the wheels off, I then hit them one by one with wheel cleaner and let it sit as i sprayed down the next. Then i went back to the first one and sprayed down the rubber, rim, and wheel well with all purpose and began to scrub. I used the short and long handled brushes i got as part of Adams winter washing kit. Then rinsed, repeat for all 4 tires. 
 
Sprayed the truck off with the hose then attached a foam gun filled with water and strip wash. Foamed up pretty good (pictured), but i assume the regular shampoo will do a little more foam. Then went over with the Adams wash pad. ( i have one of those micro fiber wash mitts, used both and really like the way the Adams mitt worked)
 
I left the truck wet and started to clay bar. Halfway through i realized that it would of saved me of ton of detail spray if i just would have hit the panel i was about to start with the hose. It was hot and sunny and it really dried up pretty quick. I used 3/4 of my detail spray before i realized. 
 
Now was time to break out the Swirl Killer. Started on the roof (probally least visible spot on a big truck) with the orange pad and orange correcting polish. It didnt really remove any of the scratches but did the swirls. I move up to the blue pad and blue polish, after a couple passes i wiped clean to check, still the same result. As this is my first time with a polisher in my hands, i was kinda afraid to mess anything up. Went back to the orange pad and polish and went over the whole truck. Switched up to the white pad and polish. 
 
After wiping down, it was really a noticeable change, no swirls, really clear reflection, but im not sure that i got any decent scratches out of it. This is my first time so i know i wouldnt get things perfect. i kinda wanna get some more time with the polisher before breaking out the micro fiber pads and really going ham on the scratches. Overall, I was extremely happy with the way the paint turned out when i was done. 
 
Another strip wash and micro fiber towel dry 
 
VRT on all the plastic and trim as well as the tires. I really like the look of the tires right after applied but only really lasted two days. They still look good but not as good (rubber and tire cleaner will be in the future). The trim, as of today (3 days later) still looks great, but it also hasn't rained yet. 
 
After that i used 50/50 distilled/90 alcohol mix and wiped down the truck. 
 
Decided to move onto the paint sealant before glaze. Used the Swirl Killer and grey pad to put it down. This was the new Paint sealer and on the bottle it did not mention any kind of dry time. So i went over the entire truck, then wiped it down with a micro fiber. Pretty easy wipe down, and im glad i got the new seal, i hate licorice smell. 
 
Next to the red pad and glaze. Kinda surprised how thin and watery the glaze was. I probably soaked the pad more then i should have but, ill get it better next time. After the whole truck was glazed down, it started to haze up. Was a little difficult to wipe down clean but well worth it. Looked great when i was done. 
 
Now after all that, I went with a competitor wax and seal. I bought the bottle before i really knew what i was doing and getting into and kinda wanna get through it before i buy another. I wont give out the company but the product is called Top Coat. It went on pretty easy and wiped down easy too. Cant say it added anything to the look. After the glaze, not much would really be an improvement.  
 
So after all that, I was tired. About 9 hours of work, but i am loving my truck now. Sooo impressed, especially for my first go at it. 
 
Now, im hoping for a little while i can get away with weekly or everyother week shampoo and H2O guard and gloss for a few months. Maybe at the end of summer Ill strip it down again and try to get a few more of those scratches out. Bunch of my friends at work saw my truck and want me to come by and help them with their cars so I should get a bunch more practice in. 
 
The next morning i walked out to my truck, and the South Jersey pollen was ALL over my fresh truck. I bought a California duster, ran it down with that, finished with some detail spray and looks good as new. 
 
 
Really happy that i found this sick expensive hobby and found the Adams forums. I cant tell you how helpful everyone has been and such a huge help. I wish i got some pics while doing it but here are some of the end result. 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 

I usually look for the Adam's kits. A lot of the product you get will come with a few towels for just a couple bucks more. And also mystery boxes always seem to have some in there.  
 
I know you can never have enough microfiber towels, but by doing this, im running outta room for all them. 
 
For what its worth, not just cause the is an Adam's forum, Ive gotten a few from other detail shops and Adams really do feel quality, especially the double soft. 

I just bought a new to me black 2014 ram and i wanted to look fresh. Long story short, i found Adams and the serious detailing community. Prior, i used to roll through the local car washes, then found out that's bad, pretty bad. So i began buying mystery boxes, kits, and some other stuff to build my arsenal, and on monday I finally got to bust it all out and get to work.
 
Never did a write up of any kind, so if yous have any questions or something that i missed or especially advise, i would appreciate it. 
 
Heres my truck prior and during
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
To start I rinsed the wheels off, I then hit them one by one with wheel cleaner and let it sit as i sprayed down the next. Then i went back to the first one and sprayed down the rubber, rim, and wheel well with all purpose and began to scrub. I used the short and long handled brushes i got as part of Adams winter washing kit. Then rinsed, repeat for all 4 tires. 
 
Sprayed the truck off with the hose then attached a foam gun filled with water and strip wash. Foamed up pretty good (pictured), but i assume the regular shampoo will do a little more foam. Then went over with the Adams wash pad. ( i have one of those micro fiber wash mitts, used both and really like the way the Adams mitt worked)
 
I left the truck wet and started to clay bar. Halfway through i realized that it would of saved me of ton of detail spray if i just would have hit the panel i was about to start with the hose. It was hot and sunny and it really dried up pretty quick. I used 3/4 of my detail spray before i realized. 
 
Now was time to break out the Swirl Killer. Started on the roof (probally least visible spot on a big truck) with the orange pad and orange correcting polish. It didnt really remove any of the scratches but did the swirls. I move up to the blue pad and blue polish, after a couple passes i wiped clean to check, still the same result. As this is my first time with a polisher in my hands, i was kinda afraid to mess anything up. Went back to the orange pad and polish and went over the whole truck. Switched up to the white pad and polish. 
 
After wiping down, it was really a noticeable change, no swirls, really clear reflection, but im not sure that i got any decent scratches out of it. This is my first time so i know i wouldnt get things perfect. i kinda wanna get some more time with the polisher before breaking out the micro fiber pads and really going ham on the scratches. Overall, I was extremely happy with the way the paint turned out when i was done. 
 
Another strip wash and micro fiber towel dry 
 
VRT on all the plastic and trim as well as the tires. I really like the look of the tires right after applied but only really lasted two days. They still look good but not as good (rubber and tire cleaner will be in the future). The trim, as of today (3 days later) still looks great, but it also hasn't rained yet. 
 
After that i used 50/50 distilled/90 alcohol mix and wiped down the truck. 
 
Decided to move onto the paint sealant before glaze. Used the Swirl Killer and grey pad to put it down. This was the new Paint sealer and on the bottle it did not mention any kind of dry time. So i went over the entire truck, then wiped it down with a micro fiber. Pretty easy wipe down, and im glad i got the new seal, i hate licorice smell. 
 
Next to the red pad and glaze. Kinda surprised how thin and watery the glaze was. I probably soaked the pad more then i should have but, ill get it better next time. After the whole truck was glazed down, it started to haze up. Was a little difficult to wipe down clean but well worth it. Looked great when i was done. 
 
Now after all that, I went with a competitor wax and seal. I bought the bottle before i really knew what i was doing and getting into and kinda wanna get through it before i buy another. I wont give out the company but the product is called Top Coat. It went on pretty easy and wiped down easy too. Cant say it added anything to the look. After the glaze, not much would really be an improvement.  
 
So after all that, I was tired. About 9 hours of work, but i am loving my truck now. Sooo impressed, especially for my first go at it. 
 
Now, im hoping for a little while i can get away with weekly or everyother week shampoo and H2O guard and gloss for a few months. Maybe at the end of summer Ill strip it down again and try to get a few more of those scratches out. Bunch of my friends at work saw my truck and want me to come by and help them with their cars so I should get a bunch more practice in. 
 
The next morning i walked out to my truck, and the South Jersey pollen was ALL over my fresh truck. I bought a California duster, ran it down with that, finished with some detail spray and looks good as new. 
 
 
Really happy that i found this sick expensive hobby and found the Adams forums. I cant tell you how helpful everyone has been and such a huge help. I wish i got some pics while doing it but here are some of the end result. 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
  
 
 

lol, i didnt realize

will do, so glad to clear this up, thanks again 

So part of my load was the new brilliant glaze and was dying to give it a trying with my Americana wax (huge shout out to Dan the Man) and I'm stunned on how well those products work together. First of all the add on and off process was super easy with a double polishing mf towel. I live in south Texas very very south so the temperature over here is crazy so I really didn't know what to expect on the drying process. But after letting it heal for 7 minutes each the wipe on and off was very easy. After that I applied some detail spray to get some panels that still had some polish. 
 
The results:

Did not think of that. Awesome idea man 

yeah man some are pretty deep, there is a few dents as well but all i can live with or at least deal with for now until i get my knowledge/skill up.  
 
Ill get some pictures up as soon as i get it back (on call for work till next wednsday).