RayS

I washed and installed Adams ceramic paint coating yesterday and buffedwith adams 2.0 ceramic boost

Not the best pics in the world, but I believe I can see the difference:

 

 
102,000 2012 Camaro door sills were beat on this Ashen Grey Metallic! Mostly from folks getting into and out of the back seats. 12mm LT Mini and my Rupes ibird nano took care of all but the very deepest scratches. Heavy Correcting Compound and a Blue Microfiber Pad finish down to this level. I just purchased a set of Brushed Aluminum and Black Gen5 Camaro Door Sill Plates off Amazon to help protect them from this point forward.

I spent some time on a 1994 Lexus SC400 today.  The car has 285,000 miles and the paint is the original paint.  We found a couple of places where the clear coat needs repair and it is a known item for the car and there is a repair kit available.  We'll look at doing the repair in late September or early October and a redo of the shine in November.  Overall, we're rather pleased with the way it came out given the age and miles.
 
We are out of Red vehicles and are actively looking for some to buy and correct mechanically and/or visually.  We do this as a hobby and while we never turn down a profit on a vehicle, it is not our objective, we just don't want to end up at a loss.  If anyone knows of a Red vehicle available for purchase in the South East (South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina) that would be a challenge and viable or has a Red Make/Model that they'd like us to try and find and do, let me know.  Most of the vehicles end up going to high school students, college students or young couples starting out so we make sure they are mechanically sound and safe. 
 
Adam's:  Colorado (mine), Malibu (wife's), Range Rover, CX-5, Lexus sc400, Suzuki Intruder VS800, Sears Riding Mower, Mustang (pending repaint)
Pre-Adams:  Monte Carlo SS, CX-7, MR2 (2 of them),  Mustang, Cruze, S-10, Impala

Everyone talks about swirls and how bad they are. We know they’re bad. They’re also very easy to get, sometimes without even knowing. 
 
We began working on a two week old Ram 1500 that came to us with just 800 miles on the clock. The owner hadn’t washed it since he made an appointment with us to give it the business. 
 
When the truck came, it didn’t look too bad. Some minor defects here and there, but workable. After washing the truck, we found more defects. 
 
As we were ready to start polishing, we put it under our Astro Pneumatic colormatch light (similar to a handheld scanlight). And that’s where things went sideways. 
 
 

 
And...
 

 
You can easily how bad the damage is to the finish of this new truck under the proper lighting.
 
Without proper (maybe even specialty) lighting, we would never have caught just how bad it is.
 
Lighting took us from a finishing polish as new vehicle prep to compounding, correcting and finishing polish. We still have more to go tomorrow, but it’s looking good so far. 
 

 
Don’t underestimate the power of proper lighting and techniques. Sometimes you need to change the plan in the middle. 
 
All photos were taken under the same light with just my phone to write this. There was no change between them. Lighting is one of the most important aspects to proper detailing. 

My Grandfathers old truck left to my Uncle after he passed. The recent respray done on it was god awful but i was able to bring out the shine. Fun stuff




 

Ha, I just had a similar transformation on my old truck.  It is an 05 with 263,000 and I have never taken care of it properly at all.  Then I bought a 15mm swirl killer and other Adam's products for my new car and decided to practice on my truck.  The difference was ridiculous....
 
Before

 
After

Nice writeup of you 'journey' Ray!  The paint now looks really deep and glossy.  

Amazing what you find when you start going through your pictures.  What is more amazing is when you look back a year and 10 days and see such a difference in a vehicle. 
 
When I bought my truck, I was using a competitors products and while I knew it was a good product, I was pretty sure my truck could look better.   I have a picture of the first full detail I did when the truck was barely a month old.  The method used on truck for the August 16, 2017 picture is basically the same method used on the August 26, 2018 picture.   The time of day was within 30 minutes of each other and it happens that the truck was parked in the same spot. 
 
The truck was a full detail, wash, clay, fix all the funky spots, seal, wax and I was happy.  I received some compliments on the truck, the water beaded,  I had no complaints.  The question was how and by using what, could I get it to look better.  I knew I was good at detailing, yet I saw way too many vehicles that told me there were better products, methods and Detailers, so I knew I had room for improvement.  The question was what did I need to change, learn and work on to up my game.
 
I started researching, reading, asking questions, more reading and watching a few video's.  It came down to 3 consumer grade products and I made the choice to go with Adam's because of the information available on the product site and this forum.  I started with a few basic products to test the waters and was impressed with the ease of use and outcome. Over the next several months I continued to read, learn and listen to the users, "this forum", to continue to improve on the quality of the job.
 
Now we jump forward a year, add 7,000 miles and 12 months of being parked outside and multiple months of using Adam's and you end up with a depth and glow that blows away the original products that I was using.  I am looking forward to seeing what another year with bring with talking with the forum members, experimenting and working on improvements.  I am confident that if I continue to use the Adam's products and learning from Expert and Master Detailers on this forum, I'll be able to achieve a higher level.
 
A big thank you goes to all the members who share their stories, provide feedback and to the Adam's team for the products they produce.
 
 
 

Thanks Everyone!!!  I just placed my first order.  Lots of basics...two buckets with the rolling bases, car shampoo, foam gun, etc.  I'm asking my fiance for that rolling shelf/caddy for Christmas.  LOL  We are going to clean out my garage in October, in anticipation of his moving in next year when we get married.  (Yes, this 60 year old granny is getting married...again...lol...never say never!)  He's got a Silverado that he's fairly OCD about, so I'm sure we will have lots of good times working on our vehicles.  He's more into working on his engine and keeping it detailed, and he has a huge red tool box that is coming soon to my garage.  My garage is already pretty spiffy, for a woman's garage, but I'm excited to make it even more special with my detailing products.  
 
I have to admit that I felt pretty ill equipped to do the corrections that my brand new vehicle needed.  It was very scratchy in areas.  I also wanted a ceramic coat.  So, I'm getting that done at a local detail shop.  I researched the h*ll out of all the local shops, and the one I'm using has nothing but 5 star reviews, has been in business a long time, does all the fancy cars in this area, and I met with their shop manager (a woman who is in my age range!!!  Retired from the KY Toyota factory!) and was so impressed.  So, I'm taking it in for today.  Hope I made the right decision, but I just didn't feel like I had the skills (yet) or the time to do it myself.  
 
And during my meeting with the shop manager, she asked if I wanted a job there.  LOLOLOL  Gosh, I would love to intern at a detail shop!!!  Maybe I have a new career to explore when I retire from transplant nursing in a few years!!!

Well that's pretty awesome! Great to have you here, Ray. Nice work!

Amazing what you find when you start going through your pictures.  What is more amazing is when you look back a year and 10 days and see such a difference in a vehicle. 
 
When I bought my truck, I was using a competitors products and while I knew it was a good product, I was pretty sure my truck could look better.   I have a picture of the first full detail I did when the truck was barely a month old.  The method used on truck for the August 16, 2017 picture is basically the same method used on the August 26, 2018 picture.   The time of day was within 30 minutes of each other and it happens that the truck was parked in the same spot. 
 
The truck was a full detail, wash, clay, fix all the funky spots, seal, wax and I was happy.  I received some compliments on the truck, the water beaded,  I had no complaints.  The question was how and by using what, could I get it to look better.  I knew I was good at detailing, yet I saw way too many vehicles that told me there were better products, methods and Detailers, so I knew I had room for improvement.  The question was what did I need to change, learn and work on to up my game.
 
I started researching, reading, asking questions, more reading and watching a few video's.  It came down to 3 consumer grade products and I made the choice to go with Adam's because of the information available on the product site and this forum.  I started with a few basic products to test the waters and was impressed with the ease of use and outcome. Over the next several months I continued to read, learn and listen to the users, "this forum", to continue to improve on the quality of the job.
 
Now we jump forward a year, add 7,000 miles and 12 months of being parked outside and multiple months of using Adam's and you end up with a depth and glow that blows away the original products that I was using.  I am looking forward to seeing what another year with bring with talking with the forum members, experimenting and working on improvements.  I am confident that if I continue to use the Adam's products and learning from Expert and Master Detailers on this forum, I'll be able to achieve a higher level.
 
A big thank you goes to all the members who share their stories, provide feedback and to the Adam's team for the products they produce.
 
 
 

That will be a huge transition, but I'm sure it will be a welcome one.  Good luck on the build.

Over the years, Adam's has had many different branded products. Not all sold.  It's a tricky situation to figure out what would sell and what wouldn't when it comes to branded items. HD is a much larger client base than Adam's has. They've been in business a heck of a lot longer and people wear HD clothing , etc. whether they have a Harley or not.  And it's recognized everywhere in the world. I don't think Adam's can come close to comparing itself to HD in terms of popularity. Maybe in a few years. But if you look around,  you don't see too many people wearing Meg's shirts, or CG shirts, etc.  The fact that Adam's has stuff available for us die hard addicts is a big plus in my book.  I don't know how many Adam's shirts I saw walking around Carlisle 10 days ago.  And Adam's banners flying from tents, decals on cars, bags on the ground, and the list goes on.  I think they're doing pretty well!  

And for added money, Shane is going to start offering no line tanning services to folks, free treatment with every coating! Or you can buy passes prices to be determined. Group pricing and outings are available speak with the owner for more info 

I had the opportunity this past weekend to do a full detail on a previous customers new, to her, 2017 BMW X3 in Alpine White. I'd detailed her 2007 Acura MDX several years ago. Since then she's graduated college with a degree in Athletic Training, I believe, and bought this that need a little love.
 
She'd been looking for one of these for several months and finally located one at a dealership in NJ at a price she was willing to pay. The vehicle had been a rental with 15,000 miles on it, she's now put on another 5,000+ on it before turning it over to me for the weekend.
 
I picked the SUV up Thursday afternoon and brought it back to my place where the work would be done. It was raining Thursday, raining hard. We got over 5" of rain that day.

Yup, I started in the rain. Put on a hat, my Bean Boots and a gore tex jacket and sucked it up. Broke out the pressure washer and using Adam's new Pressure Washer Swivel Extension Wand cleaned all the debris from the felt lined inner fenders and took care of the wheels and tires. The 20* bend and shorter length is nice to really get up in where I wanted. Eco All Purpose Cleaner on the fender liners, Wheel Cleaner on the wheels and scrubbed the gunk that was on the tires twice with Tire and Rubber Cleaner to get them thoroughly cleaned.
 
The rain stopped overnight and the rest of the weekend looked like it was going to be great weather.
 
At first light Saturday morning I was outside. Didn't want to bother the neighbors with the pressure washer yet, so I did a few of the more quiet activities first
 
 Chrome exhaust tips polished with Metal Polish #1 using a piece of 0000 Steal Wool
Before:

 
After:

 
I removed the rubber floor mats and cleaned them

 
I vacuumed the interior, and here's where things started to get weird. I was finding shattered pieced of tempered glass in the carpet, along the gas pedal on the hump side, under the front passenger's seat,  between that seats bottom and back, and in the outside seat rail track of that seat.

 
A quick look at all the vehicles glass...
All windows have the BMW logo in them

 
except the front passenger's side door glass

 
The B-pillar on that door

It appears this vehicle had been broken into at some point. I contacted the owner. She said before she purchased it she saw the vehicle had a clean Car Fax, and that she had noticed all the glass shards sometime after she's gotten it home. She contacted the dealer she'd bought it from and was told they knew nothing about it.
 
Engine and engine bay tidied up

Eco All Purpose Cleaner a Fender Brush and Trim & Lug Nut Brush. I dried it with the 4hp setting of my Master Blaster Revolution, shut the hood and let her run for five minutes to dry the rest of the water off. While it was running I sprayed Odor Neutralizer inside the vehicle and into the recirculating intake with the fan on high to take care of any odors.
 
It was now late enough in the morning to get the pressure washer back out again. Adam's Snub Nose Pressure Washer Attachment and my Foam Cannon filled with 2oz of Strip Wash and warm water.

I let that dwell for a few minutes then proceeded to give her a two bucket wash with another 2oz of Strip Wash in my wash bucket and used the Red Microfiber mitt. Rinsed her down well and hit everything below the glass, including the C-pillars with Iron Remover to decontaminate.

 

 

Thoroughly rinsed the Iron Remover off the vehicle and clayed using the Clay Mitt and Detail Spray as the lubricant. Black specks all over the SUV. Worse on the rear panel and right quarter panel, but everywhere on the vehicle. The clay mitt wasn't getting it off.

My guess? The window glass was replaced at a Body Shop and the vehicle was sitting uncovered too close to the paint booth and over-spray made its way to the BMW. There were black paint specks even in the jamb of the rear hatch. They must have had the hatch open when the over-spray made its way onto the Alpine White.
Adam's Visco Elastic Clay was able to remove the over-spray, but it was a lot of work and about three hours of time I wasn't expecting! One last rinse from my Reverse Osmosis Spot Free system, and a quick blow dry with my Master Blaster Revolution, this time on the full 8hp setting..
Before:

 
After:

My right shoulder felt numb when I finished for the day from all the rubbing and pressure I had to exert to remove all of this.
 
Before the day ended, the paint was thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated and I began polishing. I was able to finish the front and rear bumpers, and most everywhere else I had to use my Swirl Killer 12mm mini and Nano ibird. Lots of curves, contours and angles required the smaller machines. Heavy Correcting Compound and a Blue Microfiber Pad, that's it on this one. This vehicle is washed at drive through car washes. Most of the marks in the paint are straight line marks from the car wash brushes. The combo I used got 75% of them out and left the paint with a nice high luster.

My GTO was pulled out onto the driveway for the next two nights and the BMW was put in the garage.
 
First thing Sunday morning I put the plugs into the front bumper she'd provided me. NJ runs a front plate while PA doesn't. She didn't like the holes. Can't say I blame her.

 

In & Out Spray to all the black Honey Comb up front too.
 
Completely Polished, including the headlights.

Also used my Swirl killer 15mm LT machine on the larger flatter panels, again Heavy Correcting Compound and a Blue Microfiber Pad.
 
Paint protected with H2O Guard & Gloss, wheels protected with Ceramic Boost, tires dressed with Tire Shine, Glass Sealant on the windshield. I even hit the little rubber splash guard in front of the rear tires with VRT.

My method for using the Guard & Gloss was one I watched Adam do at Corvettes at Carlisle the previous weekend. I'd never thought of it before. Go one panel at a time, spray the one panel with water from a water bottle, then spray the Guard & Gloss on that wet panel. Use a wet microfiber towel to even it out/level it off and a second to buff the panel dry, then onto the next. In the past I'd been pulling polished vehicles back out onto the driveway and wetting them with the hose again. Adam's method I was able to do while still in the garage.
Sunday was done...
 
Monday morning had three hours spent on the interior. Interior Detailer mostly, Leather & Interior cleaner on the soiled Steering Wheel

In & Out Spray in the vents, inside of the windshield and back glass got Brilliant Glaze, all other glass was wiped clean with Adam's Glass Cleaner. My McCulloch 1385 Steamer was needed to get the crud from inside the cup holders, the tracks in the floor of the cargo area, and a few spots on the drivers compartment floor. The interior came as nice as the outside, I thought.

An obligatory night shot. Which doesn’t do it justice...I need to break out the good camera when it’s all done!
 
 

I’ve written things up a few times previously on the forums...and they’ve been generally well received so it’s something I don’t mind keeping up with as I’m able to. 
 
That being said, if there’s anything specific you want to see covered or asked...please do so. It’ll help inspire some of that writing. Maybe it’ll be a quick answer. Maybe it’ll be a write up with photos from an upcoming job. Who knows what it’ll turn into?
 
Topics can be detailing to busInes’s related. Maybe it’ll help foster good discussions. Our way of doing things isn’t the only way...
 
Anyway, I wanted to extend the offer. Maybe one day I can do a thread for a Q&A on all things interior with Marquis when he’s here working!  He won’t do the forum thing himself, but i can ask and get answers and type for him!  Just a thought. 
 
And as far as a clinic, we are still working on it!  Trying to workout some scheduling and funds to run the event the way it should be done since I sank a bunch into the new workspace!

Betting that was one of the really early off the line pre production demo model that got lost in storage somewhere. I think it got unearthed with the earthquake a while back. 

Ok, here's the album on Flickr!  I will be working on getting them on Facebook for those that have it! 
 

I hope do build my dream garage one day, it will be FILLED with nothing but Adams Polishes for sure, power washer assembly from obsessed garage in it, race deck, bright led lighting and tons of space. but until then i need to get through freshman year of college.... and then all the years after that... ha.. ha... ☹️

Here's my little garage...Have another 2-3 car garage attached to the house.  

@shane@detailedreflections I'll give you a suggestion in lieu of sheetrock that is easy to install, keep clean and is reflective.  https://www.lowes.com/pd/47-75-in-x-7-98-ft-Smooth-White-Hardboard-Wall-Panel/3015239
You can use spray in insulation, which you can rent the machine for a day from most large hardware stores or get a contractor to come by and do it. Then cover the walls with the white wallboard and you can do the ceiling, also.   By the time you add the sheetrock, mud, paint and time the wallboard is a good alternative for a workshop.
 
@Rich I'm in the process of getting bids for adding a Carport onto my house to extend the shaded area outside of the garage.  While I don't have the cold like you do in PA, having a cover is needed most of the year.  This is the model I have a bid on for a 46x26 with the largest opening being 32'.   The companies designs are nice and the contractor I'm working with has been working the company to get the plans and they are very reasonable.   My carport is going to be large, so I'll be in the $12k to $15k range with matching roof lines, using the same roofer that did my house with architectural shingles, etc. etc..  http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/ecocurves/product-87136-1978673.html

Back in 04 maybe, Adam used to rent a house across from Carlisle fairgrounds .  He had the majority of the upstairs filled with Adam's products, but the basement was packed wall to wall with bicycles and parts. He should get together with Mike from American Pickers! 

The Man himself, Adam, started his career detailing bicycles in the neighborhood.  As such, he has an affinity for bicycles and keeps a few "hanging around" at HQ.  It goes to show he has not forgotten where he came from.