ramflava

Beautiful family Adam. Since you posted yours, I'll post mine. The picture attached is from the finish line of the 2019 Bataan Memorial Death March. I just completed 26.6 miles of rough and rugged terrain. Wife Karlie. Katie 9 (holding our female German Shepherd "Sami"), Ella 6 (in white), Mark 4 (in black), Matthew 1 (in stripes).

Thank you Adam for the response. This is the type of stuff many of us miss. We miss seeing you being available to talk to on the forums. As a father of 4 children, a husband, and a law enforcement officer (who understands life can be cut short very quickly), I completely understand the father first mentality. I'm still working on that part too. I have had to work 60+ hours per week to help put us in a new house (we close in 2 weeks!!) that fits us all. I haven't detailed in months. As the original poster of this thread, I wanted to see if others were also seeing the major changes I was seeing. I wanted to know if others felt the same way I feel. I have no complaints about the chemical line of products. Several new release items, however, are very cheap and gimmicky looking. It seems to be all that is being released although I know its not the only thing being released. I do vote with my dollars by not buying those products. I have always loved the responsiveness to customer concerns or issues with a product. I just feel as if the company has changed too much and despite having tremendous staff and customer support, it seems like that is just a business model. It used to feel like a family, but not anymore. That is why I felt the need to speak up. Again, I'm so happy to see a response from you and I can tell you still care. That makes me want to continue to support the company. At some point I think anyone with even a small amount of business sense can understand how and why Adams has gotten to where it is today and that investors are a must have to continue to improve and grow. Likely any other company though, that always seems to water down the quality a little and it becomes just another brand instead of a community. Thank you once again for the lengthy response and I wish you well. You are a great business man and family man. Adams still has my business, I just have to learn to adjust with the times and ignore the gimmicky part of the brand.

Is not a test group before this stuff is released? My wife and I also saw "A Davis" in stickers 1 and 3.

Gizmo, you nailed it. I think you put in to words what I couldn't. These lines specifically say exactly how I feel: "Keep the products streamlined, current, improve them as needed, and focus on providing training in the form of videos and social media posts on how to use those products. I'd also like to see Adam himself be a little more present. Being busy isn't an excuse. We're all busy. Be the face of the company, cut the cutesie crap, and get back to the products and support being the main focus." The reason I don't believe our concerns will be honestly address or considered is because the company appears to be too far gone to return to the old Adam's Polishes many of us grew up with. If the mention of investors is true, then I see no way the company ever goes away from where it is now and returns to what made it so amazing originally. Again, I get it. Companies grow and in order to grow and keep up with demand the companies need money fast and investors are the way to go. Take any major corporation today and look back 20 years and you'll see they just aren't what the used to be and many times they lost sight of what got them to where they are now. Its pure business, I know, but its also sad.

If you're having 2nd world problems, you likely shouldn't be spending time on a forum. All in all I like that there has been some support of my critique of the company. I also appreciate some of the counter arguments. I still don't see how anyone in HQ will really care what we think, but that leads me back to my point that Adam's isn't what it used to be and I'm sad about that.

This is all really good discussion and I truly appreciate it. You all make very good points and there is all to consider that I had not previously considered or known about. That being said, the issue I think some people are having about the new pressure washer it that for the price it is being sold by Adam's along with the similarity to other brands that are sold for near 50% of the cost it seems (without knowing specifics) like we're being sold a cheap ("rebranded") pressure washer at twice the price of the other brand. Maybe it is the unknown differences and the extreme similarities that are making people skeptical about the company's products and intention. Of course a company is always going to try to profit, that is what it is ultimately about. However, when some products appear to be high prices rebrands of cheap knock offs, why wouldn't you expect this sort of push-back? When it comes to swag, I remember when Adams didn't really sell any and customers (including me) were asking for some swag. Never could I imagine Adams trying to dive into the coffee business, or socks (I believe I saw something like that at one point), or balloons. That just seems silly and seems to water down the company image in my opinion. It's like seeing Clint Eastwood (a very cool actor and person) ditch his strong tough guy image, that seems to still work for him, in order to pander to today's flat bill hat, gauged earring wearing crowd by wearing such things in hopes of appealing to today's younger generation. In all actuality, his normal persona still works and it his true brand. That's what I mean when I say Adams has gone from contender to pretender. From a customer's perspective what I feel got Adams to be so popular and desirable at first was the Made In USA policy, the chemicals, towels, and basic tools of detailing. Now suddenly Adams is selling random items that seem gimmicky or overpriced rebrands and the answer when someone calls them out is "vote with your dollars." To me that's like being told my opinion doesn't matter. I am but one person and I'm I won't make a dent in the profit, but maybe there are others who haven't spoken up that feel the same way and together voting with our dollars may hurt a little. The best thing to come out of this conversation is TheWolf's last post about sending this to HQ. Hopefully this grows legs and we can get an honest heartfelt response like we use to from Adam himself. That is another thing we used to see, but doesn't seem to happen anymore. I love to see a company grow and I'm all for people making as much money as possible, but when a company grows so big that it loses its humbleness, I begin to wonder if the customers even truly matter. At least when Adam was a visible and engaged figure of the company I felt like our voices were truly heard.

Well, there you go. "Vote with your dollar" that says alot. I've always loved Adams Polishes and recommend them to everyone. 90% of my products are Adams. It isn't so much the chemicals I'm upset with (they still rock) it's the gimmicky direction I feel the company has taken which cheapens it's appeal. This company is great and got my business because of what it was and what it stood for. I've seen Adam's explanation about Chinese products and such. I've read numerous posts. I'm simply stating that recent rebranding of some items and the price tag associated with those items are very different than what we would have seen and expected several years ago. I never fault anyone for growing a business and making a ton of money. I applaud that and I'm and advocate of Entrepreneurship and success. However, it's pretty disrespectful to build such a great customer base then tell them to vote with their dollars when they try to give feedback to you. I know I'm not the only one who agrees with my opinion though I see I'm in the minority on the forums. I just figured I'd state what I know many are thinking and hopefully this post thread will enable some to also express their dislike for the direction of the company.

BTW, where is Adam? He was once a steady contributor to this forum, but now he seems to be MIA. He used to believe in America first, but now Chinese products are just fine and as long as profits are good who cares...right? I'm calling out Adam on this one. Why have you moved this once great company to a shameful competitor to the douchebaggery that is Chemical Guys? Some swag and gimmicks is fun and understandable, but now.....this company is just a sell out.

Your opinion has been considered. Still my opinion stands. They may not be pretending to be what they are now, but they are pretending to be what the once were. Your move. I'm expecting this to be deleted or blocked based on poor feedback, but truth is, I'm not the only one who thinks this.

With the recent release of the new Adam's website and a few products (re-branded pressure washer) I've noticed some major push back on Facebook about the direction of the company. I have to agree. I've been a huge supporter and advocate of this company for several years now, but I'm starting to think they have abandoned the true detailing community for high profit sales. There was a time when Adam did not want to sell items made in China (now it seems everything they sell is), he was also involved in the forums and detailing community, as well as the strict development of quality products. Also it seems since the exit of Dylan, this company has declined quite quickly. I know I'm not alone, but I fear no one on this forum will back me. Thoughts?

Hello everyone. I have a question about cleaning vinyl wrap. About a year ago, I crashed my Sheriff's vehicle into a bad guy during a vehicle pursuit and punctured the radiator with my push bumper. Immediately after the crash, I thought the vehicle was still good to go so I continued pursuing. In the meantime, anti-freeze was spraying out and landing on the roof of the vehicle which has a white vinyl wrap on it. Given the circumstances, I was unable to wash it off immediately and the vehicle was towed away and not seen again for several months while it was being repaired. When I got the vehicle back, I noticed the wrap was yellow and stained. I tried cleaning it and even polishing it, but it barely affected the stain. Any hints, tips, products, or techniques I could use to try to knock down the stain? I'd have it re-wrapped, but we're talking about county property.....I'm lucky to have fuel in the vehicle. LOL

Thanks. This one was nerve racking. My first true luxury car for a client that has a few other high value vehicles. I nailed it. He was very impressed.

Just gave the vehicle back to the owner. It's still noticeable, but definitely much improved. He was extremely happy. This opened up the door to working on several other vehicles of his.

This is actually believed to be sun damage. The owner garages the car, but he often left the garage door open. Good ol' New Mexico sun seems to have baked it. The good news is, I knocked it down quite a bit. Still visible and noticeable, but much improved. Used blue mf pad with some M205, Deep Correcting Polish, and then the Orange pad and correcting polish. Tomorrow will be finishing polish and sealant! The car looks good so far. This second to last is part of the trunk that I hadn't fixed yet. The last is the other half after about 2 hours of work and trying to find the right compound, pad, and speed combo. Not perfect, but much improved.

I'm trying to fix this now, but I'm not sure how deep to go.