What was your first truly successful detail where it all "clicked"?

[cammyfive]

I've been following/using Adams for a little over a year now and mainly just the interior maintenance/weekly wash products. I've done paint corrections of my personal vehicle maybe four times and only this last time (3 or so weeks ago) did it actually 'click' where I got the results I wanted and was able to walk away and look at my work and say, 'Wow!!!! That looks great!!!" Prior to that there were always a few things that I couldn't get right (never knew when the polish flashed and how to avoid overworking it, etc) but this last time I really felt good about it. Lately, I've seen a number of threads where first time machine polishers were frustrated....TRUST ME I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL! I think, with maybe a rare exception, no matter how many posts you read or videos you watch, you're not going to get it perfect and will probably walk away a little frustrated.

 

Moral of the story: Keep at it, practice makes perfect@

[cammyfive]

A few shots of the work that I'm proud of from this last time.

Edited May 16, 2014 by cammyfive

[Kingsford]

After I bought my Colorado and everything I was doing wasn't working like it did with my F-150. I had to rethink my strategy and go back at it because I couldn't give up since it just looked terrible. Asked some questions rewatched some videos. Thought outside the box and it just started to work. Now 5 years after starting to detail its finally all starting to click together and I feel confident enough to tell other what to do when they need help. 

[Fit08]

Great thread I think! Why, because I too felt the same way. While I'm still learning I do however feel confident I can improve any surface, the question is for me, "how close to perfect can I get it". Now, while I'm not looking for 100% on any correction, if the true be know I would like to have better results. Flashing and work time for polishes seem to be an issues but with white this can be tough!

 

I find nothing more deflating then doing a correction in garage and putting out in the sun and you ask yourself, "what have I been doing for the last 12 hours"  because defects are still present, less yes, gone no.

 

Yes, with the more we do we get better, but I think I underestimated the patients and determination needed to get closer to 100% if this makes senses?

[Chris@Adams]

Nice......glad you got it!

[Ricky Bobby]

The more practice the better, and each time you use your polishes/compounds with your machines you will get a bit better at it.  I've had my Porter Cable for 9 years now and still get better each time, I'm sure the first few years I was horrible at polishing, I've gotten better but very far from a master of the craft.

[mc2hill]

I know this feeling.  The first time out I worked on my truck all day, and while it looked better it was not great.  Then i learned about the 2' x 2' test area, and use that testing area on all the cars I work on now  (Often to decide on a polish/pad combination.)  I wish I had started with that, but the extra time spent redoing my truck was more learning and machine time.

I was also lucky enough to meet a professional detailer and have "apprenticed" with him many times.  From this I have gotten to work on things that I would not get the chance too (new Camaro ZL1, 5 or 6 BRZ's, and a few boats) and to learn lots of tricks.

 

But time working with the machine and products is the best way to get better.      

[Kornercarver]

I think I probably had my first successful detail sometime in 1968. Those were days when we used Simoniz Wax, Car Shin Was and silicon spray on the tires. We didn't have as many detailing products but we used what we had.

 

 

 

[stirthepot]

this was the detail that got me completely hooked. i always washed by own cars but they never looked as good as they do with the adams system / family of products. pics are in that thread, the car looked amazing when done (i don't have it anymore)

 

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75242

[scott5]

 

This was the time it clicked for me, after I got done doing my mustang that was VERY bad when I got it. I have done many before on some crazy cars and I am always proud of my work, but this one I stepped by and went holy crap and I got a lot of business when I posted it up on FB when I had it and random people walking down my street saying wow that looks great.

[Fit08]

 

This was the time it clicked for me, after I got done doing my mustang that was VERY bad when I got it. I have done many before on some crazy cars and I am always proud of my work, but this one I stepped by and went holy crap and I got a lot of business when I posted it up on FB when I had it and random people walking down my street saying wow that looks great.

Yes, that sure is a bute!! Love the "chrome" like look of the black!

[Chris@Adams]

This isn't my first detail but when I was 15 I wet sanded my 72 Chevelle and my friend painted it (he was probably 17 or 18) it turned out great! He is still in the body shop field......

[cammyfive]

Awesome responses! I don't want to overstate my skill because it surely pales next to many of the veterans here but it was nice to smile after I finished versus shaking my head in disgust!

[GerryC]

2008ish, after finishing up the interior and mechanical restorations on the vette, I had to learn the paint. I knew Corvette clear was tough as nails compared to other vehicles, and I spent a considerable amount of time in this one spot until I figured out what I had to do to the rest of the car, on and off, over the course of the following weeks. 

 

[scott5]

Yes, that sure is a bute!! Love the "chrome" like look of the black!

Thanks. It took me a while to get it like that