b_pappy

Just an update, no pics. No, I haven't come to my senses, nor has my wife, so we're still building this. We have the engine and trans in, custom radiator made and installed. heater conversion complete. the headers and motor mounts are complete, and the complete exhaust is built, all mandrel bent tubing. The driveshaft is built. We picked a custom master cylinder for 4 wheel power disc brakes. Nothing "off the shelf" fits, but that's partly why I'm building a Vega, a little more of a challenge, and a little unique. We're getting closer, but it doesn't happen very fast. Next we're planning on running all new fuel and brake lines.
Maybe this year :-)
Bruce

Okay, made some measurable progress, with pictures. To recap, it's a 1972 Vega wagon. the engine is a 350, bored and stroked to 383, backed by a 700R4. Out back is a narrowed 10 bolt, 3:73 LSD. It's the large ring gear version, from a S-10 ZR2, so it has bigger carrier bearings too. Custom axles are Dutchman Performance. 4 wheel disc brakes. Coilovers at every corner on tubular control arms. Engine mounts and headers are by Don Hardy Race Cars. It's about the only system that uses conventional mounts, as opposed to a front mount.The headers all fit inside the engine bay.
Nothing fits though...every header pipe had to "malletized" for spark plug clearance, the mounts had to massaged a bit. Then, since these headers are designed for side pipes we moved the collector forward a bit, and routed them back under the car.
The gas tank is a repop 1st gen Camaro unit, and looks factory back there.
There is a ton of little things too, like flipping the heater core around, adding power steering, updating the dash to full GT instrumentation. Should be a fun little car when it's done. I'm hoping we can keep the level of progress going at this rate.
And I'm so lucky, my wife is still be my side during all this.
Some pics:



 

After every use!
 
Here are a few older discussions on proper towel care:
washing towels for a beginner
 
Microfiber revitalizer?
 
Washing Towels Together?

Same here

Just curious to hear how often people wash their towels. My Adam's stash is small, but slowly building, but I wash them after every use.

Nice, looks great. Yeah, I am just blown away by the Ceramic Paint coating.

I went ahead and used the Ceramic Coating to the door jams.
 

 
I am more then impressed with the way the Ceramic Coating turned out! The coating was super easy to put on. The prep work was were I spent most of my time. This car sits out 24/7 and has 30,000 miles on it.
What I did:
Adams Strip Wash
Clay
Adams Paint Correcting Polish
Adams Finishing Polish
Adams Strip Wash
Adams Coating Prep
Adams Ceramic Coating
Adams  Ceramic Boost (24 hours later)
Adams Glass Sealant to all glass.
Adams VRT to tires
Adams Undercarriage Spray to wheel wells
Adams Quick Sealant to wheels (I will soon be out of this!)
Adams Metal Polish #1 and #2 to exhaust tip
 
I am planning on putting this on our Ram 1500 the next time it needs corrected. Maybe in the fall. I am really glad I went ahead and tried the coating.
 

 

 
Before

 
After

Not sure what the solution is, but let Adam's know and they'll replace the pads for you . Thanks for bringing it to our attention.  This is something that may need changed. Glad it worked out for you in the end. 

Finished buffing a customer's Mercedes and started to apply paint coating. Everything was starting well like the other 2 cars did.
Then I noticed that I was getting scratches as I was applying the coating. (They were going in an H pattern like I did to apply the coating). So first I thought it was my single soft polish towel. Grabbed a new one and it was still doing it.
It was caused by the corner of the little blue applicator. Once I bent the applicator block so the corner wouldn't touch it went on perfect.
 
How should I correct this??
 
 
The rough corner of the new block that got me. Notice how the corner is not square with the flat side of the block.

 
Scratches that it caused.

Thanks. Yours looks good too.
I leveled mine. If I didn't need all the ground clearance for all the places I've driven mine. I would have lowered it like yours.
One day I hope to make it to the headquarters and check it out.

that looks amazing! here's mine and my little thing going on here in Denver, CO
maybe our next meet can be at Adams HQ

Thanks guys. I didn't realize how much this color popped until I did this one.
Dan. These are fun trucks. I have an 07 silver TBSS and love it. Spent 2 years looking for a Red one, (looked up and down the west coast) Didn't find one, then found a local older couple that had a very low mile Silver one they bought new with exceptional service records and grabbed it up. 
I had bought that plate and forgot I had it until I opened and moved into my shop. I try to put it on every car I take a picture of. But the later pics I took here I was rushing to take because he was on his way to pick it up and I had to have finished pics of this big job.
 
The trio. My silver, a black, and the blue one on the right.

 
As a dealer for Adams I wish you'd offer things like that to dealers first before they get sold out to the public. We dealers need some cool attention grabbing signage for our waiting rooms and sales displays. This is what I've done. I double stick taped the banner to my wall. But a metal sign would look even better.
 

That is an outstanding turnaround on that SS, and makes me miss my old TBSS even more seeing those pictures! The clarity, depth, and metallic in that paint now is insane.
 
I always wanted a dark blue metallic TBSS, but I couldn't pass up the deal I got on the gloss black '08 when I bought it in '09. Love that color 
 
If I ever end up parting ways with the little ls1 frankenstein truck, I could easily see myself finding another TBSS for a winter vehicle again a few years from now, such a fun SUV.
 
Ninja edit  : Nice license plate in that first picture!

Last week I buffed and coated my friends 08 TBSS. Took about 20 hours to complete the job with around 16 or so hours of correction. I spent 4 hours on the hood alone to get it back.
 
I strip washed, Clayed, 2 step w/ the new blue heavy cut compound on the hood and finished it with the orange correcting compound. Did 1 step orange correcting compound on the roof and sides. Then did the coating prep, coating, let it sit over night and boosted it the next morning.
 
This blue just pops and looks awesome now and the water runs right off when we washed it the first time.
 
Here are a couple before pics.
 


 
After Buffed with the 2 step Heavy cut and finished with Correcting polish. Yes the white specks are from rock chips. Normal in Alaska if you drive anywhere.
 


 
With coating in the sun.
 

Dustin is correct. 
 
Smooth, glossy plastic like piano black door pillars or that Challenger rear valance = Ceramic Paint Coating
Textured plastic like wiper cowls, some side mirrors, Jeep fender flares, etc = Ceramic Trim Coating

I'm glad my dealer reached out to me, very cool guy

I apologize for the inconvenience. The dealer locator feature was implemented on our website several years back by an employee no longer working with us, and unfortunately it requires a new plug-in to make updates, as far as I have been made aware. We are working on a way to update this, but it will take time. Ben Stanley has taken over as Wholesale Director of all dealer accounts over the last month or so, and it does take time to transition into this new role. I will speak with him to see if we can get the dealer locator updated as new dealers join our network.
 
Respectfully,
Dan@Adams

Shout out to all Adams dealers       !!

It is Lukas, he seems like a genuine guy, he reached out to me and I hope he's a good dealer. You know him?

I think the benefit comes in that if I need a last minute product or just one product I don't have to pay shipping if I'm in the area.

Dealers are here to support the customer, and offer hands on support and advice, detailing tips and clinics. Adam's offers great customer service, and most every dealer I've met strives to exceed that. If they don't, they don't stay dealers very long. Yes, the internet has put seemingly everything just a few clicks away, but to some, supporting local dealers is important too.
Mat, if your dealer is Lukas he's a great guy. Give him an opportunity to earn your business.
Bruce

Welcome Rico. I'm based in the Valley, but work in Westlake Village. If I can ever be of assistance feel free to contact me, or follow me on IG.
Bruce
IG @ Bruce4Adams

A little off topic, but I am reminded of a trip to my grandfathers cabin many years ago. Grandpa served lunch and I noticed the plate wasn't spotless. I made a comment and grandpa said "that's as clean as Coldwater can get them."
Well, this was the mountain cabin so I accepted it.
At dinner I noticed the plate wasn't very clean again. Grandpa saw me looking and repeated "That's as clean as Coldwater can get them."
Well we finished dinner and as grandpa stood up he said "Time to feed the dog, Coldwater, dinner time" and his faithful dog Coldwater came running.
I now return you back to the forum, and useful information about detailing.

New car prep. 3 passes of tire and rubber cleaner. (Third was t necessary.... just felt like having an insurance policy.
 
Dried with sidekick and then one coat of vrt on the tires.

Honestly, I think just straight Tire and rubber cleaner might be a better choice. It is just a dull finish with no shine, but clean. 
 
If I had to choose one of those, I would agree that VRT would be faster to apply and finish down.