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davidk72008
11-28-2017, 10:45 AM
Hello Everybody. This is my first post on the forum as well as the start of a progress thread on my 2003 GMC Sierra project. I have owned the truck for about a year, and I am finally getting around to detailing it. I ordered a fairly large order of supplies from Adams Polishes last week, and I will be working with a Porter Cable DA. The paint on this truck has been neglected before I bought it, and I haven't done more than just wash it since I bought it.

Anyways, I washed the truck Sunday afternoon and last night I started working on the hood. I clayed it using Adams Visco clay bar and detail spray, used their correcting polish on their orange pad, finishing polish on a white pad, brilliant glaze on their red pad, and finished it off with their sealant on their black pads. I am very happy with the results on the hood so far. There are a couple of scratches that were deeper than I felt comfortable going any further with on this old paint. For my daily, though, I am perfectly happy with about 95% of the swirls and scratches removed and a high level of shine.

Here are some before and after comparisons of the reflection on my ceiling and portable shop light I was using. Speaking of, I reallly need some more room and better lighting. I would love to start doing this on the side with the possibility of building it into a full-on business, but I want to practice on some more of my family's cars before I do that for customers.

https://i.imgur.com/EcfIcGc.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/I96P2h8.jpg

Here is a picture of the truck as it sat before I started with the polishing.
https://i.imgur.com/f4vm4Zm.jpg

Let me know what you think! Thanks.

David

Paul A.
11-28-2017, 10:49 AM
Beautiful work and welcome to the group, David.

Nice looking Sierra too! Smart decision to leave deeper scratches alone on 14 year old paint.

Cruzscarwash
11-28-2017, 11:00 AM
Looks great, idk if it's the light you used but the paint didn't look too bad for an 03. Looks great and I'm sure will really shine in the sun.

Sent from my XT1609 using Tapatalk

dcjredline
11-28-2017, 02:00 PM
Nice

LEDetailing
11-28-2017, 08:02 PM
Looks great, idk if it's the light you used but the paint didn't look too bad for an 03. Looks great and I'm sure will really shine in the sun.

Sent from my XT1609 using Tapatalk

Agreed. I’ve seen one and two year old cars posted on here that look way worse. Great looking results so far.

Goonie75
11-28-2017, 08:32 PM
Sweet work

Sent from my SM-G935V using Autogeekonline mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=87407)

TMQ
11-28-2017, 09:21 PM
Good job there...

Tom

Kamakaz1961
11-28-2017, 09:22 PM
MY EYES! SO BRIGHT!..LOL Excellent work! Keep on Rocking!

davidk72008
11-29-2017, 03:58 PM
Thanks for the kind words everybody. The paint wasn't in terrible shape, it just hasn't had a coat of wax or sealant on it in a while and it's been used as a truck so it needed a little love. There was a little oxidation on the tops of the fenders and there are a few parts where the clear has started to flake already. Other than the clear flaking, I should be able to bring most of it back.

Quick question in regards to the products I'm using, how does Adams stack up to Griot's Garage, Wolfgang, etc that I see on autogeek? This order of Adams supplies is really my first experience with higher end auto care products.

Paul A.
11-29-2017, 04:56 PM
If you're anything like me, David, curiosity about other highly touted brands had me trying a LOT of stuff talked about here on AGO. I've finally settled on a few lines that I like and work well for me. Having been hanging around this bar for about 10 years now I have come to learn which members offer me (personally) the best advice.

I can't offer any comparison with Adams products as I've only tried a few and some years ago. There are plenty here that have more experience with Adams vs. XYZ and I'll let them respond but my point is...

Satisfy yourself by trying other things. Buy smaller quantities and move on to something else if you are looking for better results. For me that was (and still is) the FUN part!

jjamesh87
11-29-2017, 05:26 PM
Lookin good man! These GMCs look good in red.

davidk72008
11-30-2017, 12:56 PM
Good advice Paul. I plan on trying out some other products as I run out of this Adams. I'm enjoying it so far

pilotpip
12-02-2017, 09:55 PM
Definitely doesn't look like a 14 year old truck anymore. Nice work!

davidk72008
12-04-2017, 10:01 AM
I got a chance this weekend to clean up the interior after using the truck all summer and fall for lawn care jobs. I vacuumed, used Adams carpet and upholstery cleaner with their interior brush on the carpets and seats, and I used their leather and interior cleaner on the dash and plastic panels. Then I just followed up with their interior detailer to top it off. It sure was nice to ride in a clean truck this morning to work. I only took a couple cell phone pictures of it, but you get the idea.

Also, there is gum on the driver's side mat. Any recommendations for getting that off without scratching the mat? I started using a metal scraper, but it was scratching the mat up too bad.

https://i.imgur.com/zar5uPI.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/mcw52vT.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/3tNdbbu.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/YASQXxz.jpg

davidk72008
12-11-2017, 10:56 AM
Finally got around to doing a little more polishing on the truck last night. Got the passenger fender and door done. There are some scratches and etched in water spots that are still left in them, but overall they are much improved.

https://i.imgur.com/dVVVc1u.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/0nUMiL7.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/pXo9FeL.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/dDbASWT.jpg