CaptainChet

Here is how I make a windshield disappear (so to speak).

Start with dry windshield (yes, just as it is right now-do not wet the windshield)

0000 steel wool, rub entire window until it's totally super smooth. This will take awhile but the results will be amazing.

Next, clay bar with Adams clay bar and some lubricant. This is just to make sure you didn't miss an area.

Next, quick spray of Adams Glass Cleaner to remove any residue form the clay treatment.

Next, apply Adams Glass Sealant as directed and allow to dry. Remove with a spray of Glass Cleaner. Do not try and remove this without spraying a bit of window cleaner!

Step back and smile. The windshield will look new (aside from chips, dings etc)

Aside from the 0000 steel wool, the most important tool is the microfiber towel you use. Without question, using the Adams Microfiber towel for windows is the ONLY way to properly clean glass. When Adam showed me this towel and the results, you will fully understand why there is absolutely no other choice!

Entire process for a Corvette/Porsche size windshield, about 25 minutes.

 

With that said, here are the products that will get you to where you need to be:

 

Car Shampoo

Clay Bar

Detail Spray

QS/Americana

LOTS of towels

PCP

PFP

MF pads AND/OR foam pads, foam finishes down better

Pad conditioning brush, if you go with MF pads

 

---

 

The products are correct but the order is not how you will do the car, just so you don't get confused.

 

Generally the order is; wash, clay bar, polish, seal (or wax,) and done!

Here is how it looks after two days and some light driving. (click on image to see the full size)

My two bottles arrived yesterday and I applied it with a hex applicator (spray on applicatior, not directly on tire) and the look is fantastic. Not to shinny but not dull either. For me, and my Artic White C7, it's just about perfect. It's going to be one of my favorite products.

Now I have to see how long it lasts. My guess, a good while.

Adam's personality is what built his company... followed shortly thereafter by quality product offerings backed by an unmatched guarantee. You can't teach passion like that, and its infectious to those that partake in clinics, shows, etc. Really, the whole Adams crew shares that level of dedication and passion for detailing. You can take all the business and marketing classes in the world. Without passion for what you do, you're almost doomed to fail. Sorry, I felt compelled to say that after watching the video.

No special today boys... if you notice there are still promos in the special area. We're leaving those live for the stragglers.

And I was one of them!!! Thanks. Order place...then I come here and read about the tops!!! Well, next order.

Dylan, suprised you didn't comment on my other thread!

Thanks Chet, and what a pleasure spending time with you and Barbara!

 

Thanks for taking time out during the show, and for posting these pictures and video!!

 

The pleasure was ALL ours!

Here is a link to all the photos I took at the April Bash

Adams related:

Adam at April Bash - CHMPhoto's Photos | SmugMug

New Corvette C7

C7-April Bash - CHMPhoto's Photos | SmugMug

Me and Adam

So, I'm at the National Corvette Museum's April Bash and after driving 350 miles my BLACK Corvette (in the middle of the photo below), it needs some cleaning up. I mean, there are hundreds of super looking Corvette's here! Walking around I see this guy using a Flex and I think, "Hey, maybe I can have him detail my car!" You know, I want to see the stuff going on at the Bash, who has time to detail! ? So I stop and ask this guy if he really knows what he's doing. He asks where's my car and he will show me. I go get my car and he goes to work on it. Just a small area to show me what he can do!.

WOW, I mean he knows his stuff -- once he figures out how to center the polishing pad!! But I think this guy has a real future in the car detailing business that's for sure.

Here is a very short video showing him at work. What do you think? (click on the link below the photo)

NCM April Bash - CHMPhoto's Photos | SmugMug

Indeed, that is the same C7.

Here is the link to the video. The detail shot starts about :52 seconds into the video.

They are Swiss, they are too busy being neutral to get in the middle of any "Detailing Wars"

Actually, this was filmed in Detroit. Before the official release (per the intro comments).

Autoweek did a video walkaround of the new C7 Convertible introduced in Geneva. A few frames of the video showed someone detailing the C7.

Considering Adams Detail Spray is the official product for Corvette's, I'm wondering if that is what is in the unmarked generic spray bottle.

What do you think?

For me and my BLACK Corvette, getting the paint truly perfect!! Especially the front bumper. Just cannot get that concourse look no matter how hard I try (and I'm talking using every tool made to man).

CJ, I took the plunge into wet sanding on my 2010 Vette and the wife's Boxster (2006). After watching a bizzillion YouTube videos, it seemed not all that difficult, conceptually! Practically speaking however, it takes some 'guts' the first time.

What I discovered is the real key, is not the sanding (yes, you have to be gentle, slow, smooth etc) but your ability to polish out the sanding marks. You have to have the right tools. At the minimum. a FLEX is my suggestion. The PC MAY do the job, and a rotary WILL do the job but the flex is the best in-between choice. Also, you will need something pretty aggressive as far as polish goes. Adams Severe Swirl Remover has removed 2500 grit sanding marks pretty nicely. You do have to follow it up with the other two steps.

I would STRONGLY suggest you try it on an area that is not all that visible and but accessible to the polishing pads. Maybe a door jam etc. Once you feel comfortable removing the sanding marks, then have at it on the hood and those scratches!!

Post pic of your results!!!

Friends, this is a great thread, and great insight into how you feel about shipping charges.

 

Loving your input friends, and please, keep it coming!

 

-Adam:thumbsup:

For me, the BEST thing is that when the customers speak, the company listens!

Often (and being in the airline business listening to the customer [passengers] is a rare commodity). I know now that Adam is listening to us and sharing his thoughts and problems. While we all have an opinion, the ultimate solution is one that has to make economic sense for the company and for the customer; very difficult to do.

My suggestion might be along the lines of shipping charges based upon a scale based upon the total order amount with the occasional special thrown in every now and then. For example;

Order Amount:

FedEx Ground -----FedEx2nd Day----- Overnight

Up to:

$49.00 -----$8.95 -----xx.xx ----- xx.xx

$100.00 -----xx.xx

$150.00 -----xx.xx

$200.00 -----xx.xx

etc. etc.

The advantage of this to both the company and the customer: For the company is that it encourages orders to go a buck or two over the next shipping break point and to the customer is to know that the more I order, the better the shipping rates becomes. It's sort of a win-win situation for both. The shipping charges and price levels is something that Adam's has to work out based upon knowledge of the weights of products, packing materials and labor costs, etc. etc. etc.

Of course, certain special items have to have a special price for shipping. Unusually heavy, or bulky items that require extra packing/handling. I mean if you decide to sell lead bricks for $1.99 each, $40.00 worth might weigh 300 pounds and $7.99 shipping would not be prudent business decision! Joking of course, but I know you get the idea.

A wise man one said "This is not a money problem, but an idea problem"

Thanks for listening to us Adam!!!

I was reading this thread with great interest. I too agree with everyone about the packing and customer service; FIRST RATE!!.

I also agree that shipping is a necessary evil and someone has to pay, somehow. While I'm not complaining directly about the shipping charges, they have stopped me from placing small orders (especially disappointing are the daily specials).

It's very hard for me to accept that the shipping charges sometimes are almost 30% of the price of the products! Usually around 20%. To me, that's just unreasonable.

As of right now, I have the two specials (36 oz Detail Spray and the Daily Special, 36 oz VRT) in my cart and with the forum member discount the price is $53.91. Ground Shipping is $9.58 or about 18% of the price of the products.

Now, spending $9.58 is not going to change my lifestyle any and I will place the order but it's the principle of it all. It's a huge percentage. We know that it's weight/distance based but I get a FexEx discount from my employer for 2nd day shipping and I priced the same weight to ship back to Adams using my discount and the price was $11.55, and that's second day air!! The price Adams is charging is $20.44 for the same service! If I can get that discount from FedEx, I surprised that Adams cannot.

I wanted to share my feelings (and they are mine alone) but the shipping charges do prevent me from placing orders for items that I would prefer to have but can find an alternate for so that I do not have to pay such (IMHO) high shipping charges.

This is a business decision of Adams and I would be remiss not sharing my thoughts as I think many others might feel the same way!!

I'll have to second what's said above!

I've had a PC for years and it just not anywhere near the Flex. I also have a rotary buffer as well. The Flex is the best of both worlds (literally). My PC with the 4" pads serves a great purpose. So does the rotary (but I don't suggest using this tool unless you know exactly what you are doing). The Flex accomplishes everything I need for 99% of my paint correction and polishing. For the small areas, the PC is a life saver.

Unless you do something very very stupid, the FLEX is as safe to use as the PC and as effective as the rotary. It's a brilliant design and as you can tell, I highly recommend it. If I could only use one power tool, without hesitation I would use a FLEX!!

Hope this helps!!

This Caddy is beyond fixable with the level of scratching, that's why we use it for training. It allowed Howard, detailing newb, training with the rotary buffer and PC without worrying about damaging the paint.

 

Also allowed me to try my first time lapse. We'll use it on a real detail, don't worry ;-)

That explains it!!

Me>

The video is very cool but is it just me or is the correction a bit lacking for five steps. Maybe is just the GoPro. Here is the first and last frames side by side. Maybe it's just me???

You can easily see the FMP flash in this video I made for Dylan to see regarding speed of the Flex and my technique. Actually, in both passes it's clear when the polish 'flashes' although in person it's slightly later than the video shows. Hope this helps!!

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hupqG3pWa90&list=UUsgbzdtbi6El8VgBsmFwEog&index=2&feature=plcp]Flex and Adams (White Pad) - YouTube[/ame]

Well now guys...I didn't want to change the original. Nice job Dylan!!! I spent 10 minutes, should have spent 20 haha!!

How about this??

Sure, but it will take awhile to do. If you can wait till I get back from my next trip, I'll work on it. Sometime next week.

Just looking for a little touch up on this picture:

 

If someone could remove the sign on the far right side of the picture and then just fill in that spot with the tin background I would be ever so greatful!

OK, here is Version 1, a very very quick fix (less than 10 seconds using Photoshop new 'content aware fill' tool). Getting the ribbing of the metal over the area of the sign will take a while longer but wanted your thoughts on this one.

Working on it....stand by........

Nice work!! I'll have to come see you again soon...when the next special hits!!!

Chet