rseward

What about the headlights/taillights, and other non-painted surfaces like the pillar post's (between the front and back doors). I understand you can apply LPS to those areas, but what about polish? Would polishing those area's have any negative effects (induce swirls, etc...)?

I don’t know if that scent is available... but B&BW does make car air freshener. They’re decorative visor clips with refill cartridges. My wife is always dragging me in there to buy them for her car... those and candles

Quoted the wrong one... sorry I don’t know if that scent is available... but B&BW does make car air freshener. They’re decorative visor clips with refill cartridges. My wife is always dragging me in there to buy them for her car... those and candles.

I'm pretty much planning the exact same project on a new car (2018 Highlander)... Wash (Car Shampoo) Clay (Visco Clay Bar / Detail Spray) Polish (SK 15mm / Finish Polish / White Foam Pad) Seal (SK 15mm /Paint Sealer / Gray Foam Pad) Finish (Buttery Wax or H20-GG) It was recommended that if I polish, there was no need for a strip wash. For polishing I bought a swirl killer 15mm, and plan to use finishing polish and white pad. If I come across anything that requires more aggressive correction, I'll polish those "spots" with two steps correcting/finishing polish, but at this time the paint is 99.5% scratch/blemish free. I wasn't planning to invest in a polisher (or if I did, it was gonna be a cheap one from Harbor Freight), but after looking at the time and money involved, I figured it was worth the investment, to insure the best results. Plus I have 2 other vehicles, that could use some paint correction so this will allow me to work on those as well.

I'll start by saying I'm not a detailer, but I've owned and managed businesses and have been a consumer of goods and services for many years, and here's what I'll say about the website. 1. I think you need to offer different pricing for different vehicles... For example, coupe should cost less than an a full size SUV. In my opinion at least 3 price categories are a must "Small/Compact", "Mid-Size", and Full Size (and maybe even Oversized). 2. The interior services included with your "Basic Detail" and your "Full Interior Detail" service, are to similar. For example in your "Basic Detail" you include "Vacuum Carpets" and in the "Full Interior Detail" you include "Complete Vacuum of Carpets, floors, mats, etc... insinuating that the vacuuming included with the "Basic Detail" is incomplete? Same with Glass, interior wipe down, etc.... I would think a "Full Interior Detail" would include things like shampooing or steam cleaning carpets/floor mats, head liner spot treatment, stain removal, leather conditioning, and UV protectants, etc... 3. You should offer add-on's like Engine Detail, Headlight Restoration, Clay Treatment, Debadging, etc... 4. You need pictures of your actual before and after work, cars you've actually detailed and when possible include you and/or your clients in the photos. Also, a "Detailer" (of all businesses) should be very "detailed" in describing exactly what services they provided (avoid using "etc..."). The details are what distinguishes you from others.

I went ahead and ordered the Adam's Two Step Swirl Killer 15mm Kit over the weekend, which includes: SK 15mm polisher, Correcting Polish, Detail Spray, Orange Foam Pad, Microfiber Cutting Pad, Blue Foam Cutting Pad, and Heavy Correcting Compound ($279.98). Then added... Finishing Polish, Paint Sealant, White Foam Pad, Gray Foam Pad, and 2 Borderless Gray Edgeless Towels, for a grand total of $308.49 (after 15% off coupon code). Ordering the same polishes/pads with the Flex would have been about $400, and the HF would have been $200, so the SK was in the middle and seemed like the way to go.

yes... Adhesive backed. Thanks again!

They are color matched body side moldings order from Toyota... Actually I ordered the "Door Edge Guards" and they sent the Body Side Moldings and I decided to keep them.

Locally on CL someone is advertising a "Flex XC 3401" for $275, say's it has 2 hours of total use.... Worth the extra $ for the Flex?

Are you suggesting I polish prior to installation of the molding?

Thanks for the expert advice.... I think I will bite the bullet and pick up a polisher (probably a cheap one from HF for now), and order a backing plate, pads and polish from Adam's.

The 2nd strip wash was to remove any residue left by the clay lube before putting the body side molding on, to insure a good bonding adhesive. I'll probably just re-wash the area where the molding will be installed. The instructions from Toyota say to prep the area with "3M Prep Solvent-70" to remove any wax/sealer etc... I figured the Adam's strip wash would do the job.

Thanks... That kind of what I was leaning towards. Anyone have any experience with "Revive Hand Polish" (it has great reviews). Wondering if that's a good option? It would allow me to get it done a little sooner, since I wouldn't have to invest in tools, and could just apply both the polish and sealer by hand.

I have a question about polishing a new car.... I want to apply some paint protection (sealer) to a new car. It's about 3 weeks old now, but by the time I get around to doing the job (need to acquire some tools and chemicals), it may be a couple of months old. I'm also going to install some body side molding prior. To my untrained eye, the condition of the factory paint looks close to perfect (maybe a couple of very light scratches in the clear coat here and there). The plan is to strip wash, then clay and strip wash again to remove any traces of lubricant before installing the body side molding, and after that polish (maybe) and seal. My question is, what polish should I use... "One Step Polish", "Finishing Polish", or two stages to include "Correcting Polish" then "Finishing Polish"? Or does the vehicle even need to be polished at all before putting down a sealer? Considering it's still new and close to perfect.

Used, you have a ton of options... I’ve bought a lot of used cars and the key to finding a good one is patience, but when you find it, pull the trigger quick, cuz it won’t be around long.

If you're talking "New" your options are limited at a budget of 20K.... I would look at the Civic Si (Si trim are all stick shifts), MSRP is starting about $24,000 (nicely equipped), and you can expect to get about $1500 - $2000 dealer discount. It's a fun car to drive, reliable, low total cost of ownership, and it holds it value well. Also... They make a ton of accessories and performance parts (both Honda and aftermarket) and they are relatively inexpensive.

I'm following along, hopefully I can grab one... the latest "Sticker Bomb Myster Bucket" would have been perfect for me (based on what I saw others receive), because I could use all of what was sent. Then I see posts from members that ordered 2 buckets and were disappointed because they couldn't use any of it, or got 2 identical buckets. With my luck, when I get one, I'll be in the same position and get a bucket that includes everything I just ordered. But still sounds like fun, and worth the risk!

Thanks for the warm welcome! It's amazing how much time is consumed raising kids, but it's the most rewarding thing I've ever done... I couldn't be prouder of my boys. My son is another reason I'm here. My oldest is driving now (recently bought him a used car), so I figured it was something we could do together as he learns how to care for his car. When I decided to order some car care products and tools, and first came across Adam's I wasn't really sure about it. My first thought was "this stuff is expensive" (in comparison to the big brands like Mothers or Meguiars). Then as I started to learn more about the brand and company I could see what made them special. To me Adams Polishes is reminiscent of a craft beer micro brewery... you're gonna pay a little more for your favorite craft beer, but you're also going to enjoy it that much more. That's what I'm hoping Adams will be, and I'm really looking forward to it.

I actually don't have a picture of the car... it's nothing special (2018 Toyota Highlander XLE, Predawn Gray Mica), but the wife is thrilled to be out of the mini van. I'll be sure to post pics after my first go with my new Adam's products. I was checking out the mystery box thread, but it's a long one, mostly saw posts of what people received, but not how to get notified of them or when/where they're offered. Does seem like a fun way to stock up and get introduced to different products.

Sup ya'll... New to Adam's Polishes... and haven't really taken great care of my vehicles (daily drivers) since I had kids (16 years ago now), as all of my time was consumed with them and their activities, but before the kids, I'd detail my cars regularly (light details, not paint correction, or anything like that...). Kid's are growing up so they take less of my time, and because I recently purchased a new vehicle for the wife, I thought I'd start maintaining it myself, in an effort to keep it looking new for years to come. Did some research, found Adam's Polishes and placed an order yesterday. Picked up the basic's: a kit that included Wheel Cleaner, Detail Spray, Car Wash Shampoo, and H2O Guard & Gloss, also got some Foaming Leather & Interior cleaner, Interior Detailer, Visco Clay Bar Kit, and Buttery Wax Kit. After joining the forum, I read about these "Mystery" (box, bucket, etc...) sales, what's the deal with them and how does one get in on them?