Adams Waterless Car Wash

[Striker]

What's everyone's thoughts and opinions on this waterless wash? Even as an avid detailer, I am often too lazy to drag out the wash bucket, hose, and the rest of the tools to properly wash my garage queen, 1-1200mile per year car.



Based on it's description* the product would suit me well. I drive the car to a car show, a lil cruise, and back in the garage- you can see why I cannot always justify a full out wash.



I am always torn with these products: do I just stop being lazy and wash the car properly, or can I do this spray-n-wipe wash?

 

[P-nut]

It seems the Adam's product line doesn't get much airplay here. I haven't tried any of them yet, but the company's main warehouse and store are only a few miles away from me, and I've become really interested in them lately. I've heard and read nothing but good things.



Anyway, there's quite a following over at www.adamsforums.com, and surprisingly, that forum is as active as Autopia.



P.S. You're an avid detailer but too lazy to wash your car? :lol:

 

[imported_ww2717]

You do know that Adams has a chemical company that makes car detailing products. Either reformulate one of their products or makes the products according to Adams chemical formula. I don't think that Adams makes their own products like 3D.,

 

[Striker]

It seems the Adam's product line doesn't get much airplay here. I haven't tried any of them yet, but the company's main warehouse and store are only a few miles away from me, and I've become really interested in them lately. I've heard and read nothing but good things.



Anyway, there's quite a following over at www.adamsforums.com, and surprisingly, that forum is as active as Autopia.



P.S. You're an avid detailer but too lazy to wash your car? :lol:

As I was typing that, I was laughing to myself, but with a lack of a garage/shaded area, the washing bit for me is a big pain in the you know what. Plus, the car gets drive, MAYBE once a week, and I cannot justify a total, complete wash for it that often.

 

[CTSV]

I have a whole gallon of the stuff, it works, but it and the meguiars ultimate wash and wax I have both streak unless you followup with a DS wipe down afterwards. That said, it's a mostly safe equivalent to ONR if you only want to spend 30minuites giving the car a quick spruce up before you ride along, however, even though I use 3-4 waffle towels per wash and use all 8 sides, I've already had to correct some micro-marring that's been put there from WWing. It's safer than DS, but nothing's is as safe as a 2 bucket, or ONR-- as at least you're using your washing mit and water...

Anyway, there's quite a following over at www.adamsforums.com, and surprisingly, that forum is as active as Autopia.

As a person that frequents both forums, there's no comparison to autopia. None. If you want to go jump on a bandwagon and get a lot of pats on the back for buying from a single brand, by all means, go post over there, the community is very tight-knit and they'll make you feel right at home. If you want a forum where brand is irrelevant and you just want to know what works, or have any chance at comparing different products autopia is unmatched in that respect, and you'll still get a few pats on the back



Honestly? I purchased one of their $500 detailing kits a few months ago, my evaluation of most of their products could be summed up to say that they work, but they're rather expensive.



The SVRT, fender liner spray (it's basically an oil-based tire shine product,) and the leather conditioner/interior cleaner are products I *might* buy again-- the SVRT is $30 a small bottle. Everything else just isn't worth it. their DS isn't very special versus some M34, their polishes are at best described as 'maintenance oriented rather than for correction' and the Americana wax I have is $70-80 a can, but I'm not sure why.

P.S. You're an avid detailer but too lazy to wash your car?

if he's like me, I can certainly understand it. The V is a garage kept weekend car, and my 'washes' usually take 2-3 hours. It just doesn't need a wash every week, and I'd rather spend those 2-3 hours driving it instead of wasting it in perfect sunny weather on a Saturday. With WW and DS I can keep the V looking pretty good (until the Brake dust is unbearable) for about a month before I just need to give her a bath.

 

[P-nut]

You do know that Adams has a chemical company that makes car detailing products. Either reformulate one of their products or makes the products according to Adams chemical formula. I don't think that Adams makes their own products like 3D.,

I believe that's true of most product lines out there. They contract with a chemical manufacturer to make the products to their specifications. Then they bottle the stuff in-house. All that matters to me is how the products perform.

 

[Striker]

That is exactly my situation, but I more than likely drive my car less than yourself.



I cannot justify a full out wash every time, but at the same token, I insist she is squeeky clean before every drive.



*Is it mandatory to use a waterless wash such as Adam's with a WW towel? I feel that it's just a sales grab, in my opinion.

 

[Leadfootluke]

I have a whole gallon of the stuff, it works, but it and the meguiars ultimate wash and wax I have both streak unless you followup with a DS wipe down afterwards. That said, it's a mostly safe equivalent to ONR if you only want to spend 30minuites giving the car a quick spruce up before you ride along, however, even though I use 3-4 waffle towels per wash and use all 8 sides, I've already had to correct some micro-marring that's been put there from WWing. It's safer than DS, but nothing's is as safe as a 2 bucket, or ONR-- as at least you're using your washing mit and water...





As a person that frequents both forums, there's no comparison to autopia. None. If you want to go jump on a bandwagon and get a lot of pats on the back for buying from a single brand, by all means, go post over there, the community is very tight-knit and they'll make you feel right at home. If you want a forum where brand is irrelevant and you just want to know what works, or have any chance at comparing different products autopia is unmatched in that respect, and you'll still get a few pats on the back



Honestly? I purchased one of their $500 detailing kits a few months ago, my evaluation of most of their products could be summed up to say that they work, but they're rather expensive.



The SVRT, fender liner spray (it's basically an oil-based tire shine product,) and the leather conditioner/interior cleaner are products I *might* buy again-- the SVRT is $30 a small bottle. Everything else just isn't worth it. their DS isn't very special versus some M34, their polishes are at best described as 'maintenance oriented rather than for correction' and the Americana wax I have is $70-80 a can, but I'm not sure why.





if he's like me, I can certainly understand it. The V is a garage kept weekend car, and my 'washes' usually take 2-3 hours. It just doesn't need a wash every week, and I'd rather spend those 2-3 hours driving it instead of wasting it in perfect sunny weather on a Saturday. With WW and DS I can keep the V looking pretty good (until the Brake dust is unbearable) for about a month before I just need to give her a bath.

Uh oh, don't let anyone on adamsforums see this, they will post it on their forum and bash the living crap out of you.



For what it's worth, their SVRT does work well, but on trim it is no better than any other trim dressing. Same with tires.



And I *have* used their waterless wash. But only theirs, so I have nothing to compare it to. After trying it on my vehicle with very very minimal dust, it streaked and didn't leave the surface very slick. It did take their DS to eliminate the haze. I have a DD and not a show car, and I would prefer a Rinseless wash over waterless anyday.

 

[David Fermani]

As a person that frequents both forums, there's no comparison to autopia. None. If you want to go jump on a bandwagon and get a lot of pats on the back for buying from a single brand, by all means, go post over there, the community is very tight-knit and they'll make you feel right at home. If you want a forum where brand is irrelevant and you just want to know what works, or have any chance at comparing different products autopia is unmatched in that respect, and you'll still get a few pats on the back

Thanks for telling it how it is!

 

[chrisguga]

I was banned from the Adam's website because I just can't stand how blindly loyal they are to inferior products.



I really like some of their offerings, but the mods over there will practically insist someone buy a Flex from Adam's because they can't get the results they're after with Adam's polishes and pads on a PC. It can't possibly be the very weak polishes and pads. It's 100% user error, 100% of the time. But, since you're so inept with the PC, you need to buy a Flex from Adam's so it can make up from your inability to detail.



I would have believed this, but after spending 3 hours correcting one door on my car, I went searching for alternatives. I bought the 5" Tuf Buf wool pads and Meg's 105 and achieved beautiful results. I finished down with Adam's white pad and fine machine polish which worked fine for that job. I've since moved on to microfiber pads.



The arrogance over there is simply stunning. It's ALWAYS the user's fault that they can't get RIDS out of Audi paint and not because their most aggressive pads and polishes are mediocre at best.



And now I'm off of my soapbox!



:edit: And just so I don't sound overly negative, I do like their Americana, Detail Spray, SVRT, and Interior Conditioner. They may be a little pricy, but they are quite good. The pads and polishes were a huge disappointment.

 

[uzj100]

I've used Adams, 3D and CG waterless washes. IMHO, they're basically the same. Of these 3, I think I prefer the CG product. Though different in color the scent is the same as Adams.



For light "dusty" surfaces, I think these products are fine and safe to use

 

[CTSV]

I really like some of their offerings, but the mods over there will practically insist someone buy a Flex from Adam's because they can't get the results they're after with Adam's polishes and pads on a PC. It can't possibly be the very weak polishes and pads. It's 100% user error, 100% of the time. But, since you're so inept with the PC, you need to buy a Flex from Adam's so it can make up from your inability to detail.

that is *EXACTLY* what I was told when their strongest stuff wasn't taking out swirls on my paint- I even provided proof via video that I my technique was just fine.. they suggested I spend another $500 on a flex before suggesting a different product, I almost wanted to ask what happened to your 110% satisfaction policy?



I'd quote the rest of your post and put a +1, but I'm lazy. It's never their weak-*** product's fault, it must be yours.

Is it mandatory to use a waterless wash such as Adam's with a WW towel? I feel that it's just a sales grab, in my opinion.

mandatory? If you're wiping off more than light dust yes. The point of Waffle towels is that the dirt gets captured in the 'pockets' and isn't marring the paint.



Light dust from sitting in a garage-- use good MF towels and DS

Dirt/grime/bugs/bird dropings from actually driving the car-- use a Waffel towel and waterless wash.

 

[Bunky]

Uh oh, don't let anyone on adamsforums see this, they will post it on their forum and bash the living crap out of you.



For what it's worth, their SVRT does work well, but on trim it is no better than any other trim dressing. Same with tires.



And I *have* used their waterless wash. But only theirs, so I have nothing to compare it to. After trying it on my vehicle with very very minimal dust, it streaked and didn't leave the surface very slick. It did take their DS to eliminate the haze. I have a DD and not a show car, and I would prefer a Rinseless wash over waterless anyday.

I have used Adam's (still use it since I have some left) along with DP, PB's, and Ultima. Ultima is by far the best cleaner. Adam's is ok but it seems streaky for me too but notice if you let it "age" a few seconds it seems to buff off easier. PB's is the champ is buffing off easy in any condition (cold or warm surface). I just use these as bug /bird removals and on jambs or cleaning up a after quick towel dry.