Where do I start?

[Tdm26]

I'm new to Adams and to the fourms and I have a basic question. I detail more has a hobby/passion and want to help out my mother in law when she comes down next weekend. She has a dark green Ford Focus and I don't think it has ever seen a coat of wax, let alone a clay bar or any sealant. My question is this, I want to get her squared away for several months but I don't want to spend a ton of time on it either, so what would a good basic process be? I'm thinking 2-3 hrs of time is all that I can use. I have all the basic Adams supplies:

 

Car Shampoo

Wash pad

Bucket with guard

Clay Bar

Detail Spray

APC

Green Wheel Cleaner

SVRT

Buttery Wax

Quick Sealant

 

Thoughts?

[BlueGenCoupe]

That will work.

 

If your going to clay, id suggest strip washing the car instead of using adams shampoo. Also If u have Americana I would use that instead of the buttery wax. It will last much longer. Remember though, sealant before wax!!

[Tdm26]

What is a strip wash? Sadly, no Americana. Almost picked some up at a car show yesterday...

[mc2hill]

What is a strip wash? Sadly, no Americana. Almost picked some up at a car show yesterday...

 

Wash with APC mixed in with the Car Wash, wash with Dawn (plain blue), or after the wash wipe the car down with an IPA & water mix.

[BlueGenCoupe]

What is a strip wash? Sadly, no Americana. Almost picked some up at a car show yesterday...

 

Did u see this weekends Daily special. Nows the time to pull the trigger

[Tdm26]

Thanks for the heads up, ordered the weekend deal last night.

[egott_91]

You should be good w/ those supplies. Here is what I would do to get her squared away for a few months.

 

-Strip Wash

-Clay

-(Optional) Rewash w/ Adam's shampoo

-Quick Sealant, wait 30 minutes, then add another coat

-Buttery/Americana

 

The wax on top of the 2 coats of sealant will last months.

 

Happy detailing!

[Tdm26]

Thanks for the info!

[mckinneytundra]

Wow, helping out the mom in law? Impressive, your wifey will appreciate that!

[Team Adam's]

You should be good w/ those supplies. Here is what I would do to get her squared away for a few months.

 

-Strip Wash

-Clay

-(Optional) Rewash w/ Adam's shampoo

-Quick Sealant, wait 30 minutes, then add another coat

-Buttery/Americana

 

The wax on top of the 2 coats of sealant will last months.

 

Happy detailing!

 

Not quite... without doing a polishing step the 2nd wash becomes required.

[egott_91]

Not quite... without doing a polishing step the 2nd wash becomes required.

 

I have honestly never washed after claying and haven't had any issues. Then again, my car has never been to a point where there was a ton of contamination. But the truck had never been clayed before I did it for the first time. I didn't wash afterwards and there were no issues whatsoever. I don't know? You're the guru though, Dylan. What would happen if you don't wash after claying?

[dlee116]

Not quite... without doing a polishing step the 2nd wash becomes required.

 

Would this include hand polishing?

[Tdm26]

Ok, so I took all the advice and gave it a shot last Saturday. I had my brother in law help me, after all, it was for HIS mother...

 

Washed with a combo of water, car wash & APC

Clay Bar entire vehicle

Wash again with Car Shampoo

Dried it off and pulled it into the garage

Threw a layer of quick sealant on

Treated the tires and exterior plastic with SVRT and In/Out Spray

Used a drill and the focus pads on the headlights

Layer of Brilliant Glaze (just got it with the premium shine kit...)

Finished with a coat of Buttery

 

Here are some before and after shots. Everything by hand except the headlights so she isn't perfect:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for all the support and advice!