Junior

Not sure how to respond to your message Adam.  Seems like I've known you forever, my wife still calls you her "adopted son".  Through all these years, you've treated me kindly even when I don't feel I've earned the respect you show me.  It hasn't gone unnoticed or unappreciated.  We still talk about your days in the little house in Carlisle when there was little furniture and just boxes and boxes of product and a basement full of bicycles.  I still remember when you walked up to my car at Carlisle and used Detail Spray on it and tossed me a couple of sample bottles. It's been a great ride since.  Watching  your journey with your wife, and those three kids, especially Luca since she and my granddaughter are the same age, has been amazing.  Remember the pic of our Alli popping out of the Adam's box?  Times change, your company has to change with the times, but through it all one thing has been stable and that has been YOU. You've never changed. You're still the  "give 110% of myself" guy you've always been.  And you taking time to address this thread is proof of that.  I hope that your business continues to grow and I for one will always be a loyal Adam's guy.  Many many thanks. 
Rich
 

Friends, thank you.  Thank you for caring enough to post your thoughts, and taking time from your life to do so.  Thank you for making your feelings known,  and I can appreciate that you feel we have drifted from our core.  Thank you for continuing to care about our company and brand, even though it's not the company and brand that you supported initially. 
 
The reality:  I understand your point.  We have become a much larger enterprise. At the same time, our customer base has changed as well. Over 60% of our customers are under 30 today!  We have a fantastic marketing department that turns out limited edition promotional products and Adam's branded apparel. While I certainly appreciate the sales, it's not something I had in mind when we started. Nor would I ever have thought old or limited edition products would sell for hundreds of dollars on eBay. Never in a million years, and our marketing team has created tremendous brand equity, and demand.
 
I started this business to offer great detailing chemicals, matched with premium application and removal tools, and easy to understand instructions.  (Eventually, videos, to help the DIY enthusiast achieve incredible results at home, with ease.)  Above all, I want our customers to be impressed with the quality, ease of use, and results achieved with everything that comes from Adam's.  
 
The reality:  The promotional stuff sells, and the new majority of our customers are young.   I now have partners, a bank expecting us to meet goals, etc.  It's not just me and my small team, boot strapping to make payroll, and kick out a few new products each year.  Adam's Polishes has grown exponentially, and as a result, it has changed.  While the changes at Adam's are good for some, they are not appreciated by all. Especially the original customers, those who remember us small, with nearly all American made products.  Those who have supported our brand for a decade or even two. 
 
As some of you are aware, our ownership group acquired our chemical manufacturer last year, and now have access to truly amazing chemistry.  We have invested heavily in the business, updated the lab, and are now making products that are more advanced than the big players in our industry.  Crazy enough, we now have 150 employees, plus another 25 part time show champions.  While I'm humbled that we have established a much larger company, and are roughly 10X the size we were just a few years ago, I also miss the old days.  I miss the days of taking our entire staff out to lunch daily.  Miss indoor parking and a cross-fit gym at the HQ.  I even miss the days of whacking payroll on a credit card, and living in my first warehouse.  While those days were tough, doing whatever it took to survive was invigorating, exciting!  It's hard to do things like that as a large company.
 
You asked about DVK?  Dylan VonKleist is incredible at identifying and developing new products.  He knows detailing as well or possibly better than I do, and has his thumb on the pulse of the detailing community.  He was instrumental in starting this very forum!   I also miss Ashley Wilson.  She worked with us since high school, with her fantastic dad, Mike, one of our original team members.   Ashley was amazing with our resellers, and everyone she came in contact with.  When we moved the business to Colorado, she was unable to move with us, understood.  We had an outstanding controller, Patti.  She started with us in 2009, and helped us get through many, many hurdles.  Her positivity and influence on both me, and the staff was awesome!  She eventually moved on to work with a non-profit, which helps children.  Understood, and she is missed by all of our employees that knew her, and was replaced by a super capable CFO and eventually, an accounting team of five that are much needed to keep this enterprise afloat.  Great people, certainly needed, but a big company team is different feel than a small few person team.  Realize, those people who are gone have moved up, and as our business grew, we had to make changes.  We are friendly with each person that moved on, no bridges were burned in the making of Adam's Polishes!
 
I introduced Dylan to Cody, then the owner of Cyclo Tools, and he was hired there.  Then, Cyclo was acquired by Rupes, which is how Dylan landed there.  It was a good fit for him, the right move at the time.  Truth:  Dylan is one of the smartest, most OCD, focused detailers I've ever known.  His focus on detailing products made our line better, and makes Rupes a better company today.  We never replaced Dylan, and are still looking today. (If you know someone, please shoot me an email with a resume: Adam@AdamsPolishes.com.)  

Today:  Our customer service team is awesome.  Our marketing team, led by Matt Butcher, is amazing.  Our chemicals are outstanding, and our ceramic program is world class.  Our towels and accessories are very good as well.   As I always say, "VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS!"   We are one of the only companies on earth that honors a 110% Satisfaction guarantee.  Pleas, return any product you are dissatisfied with.  Whining about products online doesn't solve a problem.  Remember, you get 110% refund on products you are unimpressed with. Please, no whining, just contact us so we can make it right!
 
I gave 200% to Adam's Polishes for decades. (Gave 200% to detailing for the previous two decades as well. Been detailing for nearly 40 years now!)  Today, I've shifted priorities, to a family man, and business man.  In that order.  I used to come home after work and get on AdamsForums, and on other social media platforms.  Today, when I'm home, I'm a Dad, and husband. Today, I don't always get to the HQ, rather, I travel all over for business.  I'm on a plane at least 4X a week, and while my United Airlines status is rocking, my absence is noted at home.
 
God has been incredibly good to me, and our business.  I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to start and grow this business from zero. Blessed with an incredible and dedicated team.  Blessed to have met my wife, and blessed with our three healthy children.  Blessed to live and work in Colorado.  Blessed to have incredible customers who care enough to report your feelings on our direction!  
 
Finally, I encourage everyone to VOTE WITH YOUR DOLLARS!  Focus on the high quality products that keep your car shining, and your shine therapy soothing.  I'm still detailing something every week, sometimes daily.  It's my therapy.  It's always been my therapy.  Detailing is how I unwind and find clarity in this complicated world.  
 
I'm here as the Chief Detailer, and Founder of Adam's Polishes.  I'm not the CEO, not the marketing director, just the Chief Detailer.  If you don't like a product, please, contact our customer service team, and we will make it right.  (orders@adamspolishes.com, or 866-965-0400.)  When I tune in to listen to people complain about our business, it certainly hits a nerve.  If you have a product that has not impressed you, please contact us!  Vote with your dollars, and you will see more products that you love from Adam's Polishes.
 
Thank you very, very much for your loyalty, and for your business.
 
Humbly,
Adam

I read that to say that the Swirl's Neoglide will cause to your vehicle are of a unique pattern compared to the Swirl's the other automatic car washes will cause.

The Adam's Customer Service team has again proven what the word "Exceptional" means.   How many companies can you send a email to with a picture and your order number, get a quick response and then have a replacement show up a few days later - not many, but Adam's is one of them.  Regardless of the reason that I've contacted anyone at Adam's, I've received Exceptional Customer Service and it is one of the reasons why I have such high regards for the entire team.
 
While most companies try to blame someone else or do the minimum required, the Adam's teams continually proves through their actions that their Customer Service is Superior to all others.  
 
Thank you to all the Adam's team members from Support, bottling, packaging and shipping - it really does take a team to make this truly exceptional customer service experience happen and it is appreciated.

After reading this post, I figured I’d look up neoglide. This made me laugh 😆 
 
 

After reading this post, I figured I’d look up neoglide. This made me laugh 😆 
 
 

Arsenic won't kill you as fast as cyanide but that doesn't mean it's good for you.
 

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.

Last night I sent this thread to HQ for review, and then had a reply email and also a phone conversation about it and other developments this morning.
 
Your feedback is appreciated, and the issues presented in this thread are being heard and discussed by the decision makers in this company.
 
I expect that we will see some changes that will address many of these concerns, along with concerns and other issues from previous feedback threads.
 
A quote from the email from HQ: "Feedback keeps us strong and is healthy."
 
So if you have constructive feedback, then the company wants to hear it.  If you are not comfortable posting it on the forum, then send me a PM and I will compile the comments and send them in for review and discussion.
 
 

If the company had never changed, people would complain. 
If they went back to the way it was 10 years ago, people would complain. 
If they grow and change, people will complain. 
The detailing industry is changing every day. We can change with it, or not. 
My only complaint is that I still have too much of the old products and I can’t justify upgrading yet. Third world problems, I know. 
I will stick with folks that I know personally even if it costs a bit more. Adams is one of those companies. 
 
Just my two cents 

Adam has also posted the "vote with your dollar" advice on this forum, but it was specifically in regards to the expansion into some of the branded merchandise, like shirts, hats, socks, etc. 
 
His comment meant that if these other products do not interest you, then vote with your dollar and not buy them.  This comment was not meant to be applied to the company as a whole, only specific products.
 
Again, all these other products, including the swag products and the expansion into different equipment lines, have not in any way come at the cost of the constant development and refinement of the core chemical products.
 
Other than the "Made in USA" issue on some of the equipment, I just don't understand why offering any of these other products means that the company is no longer meeting its goal of providing the best quality detailing products, with unmatched support in this industry, to make it easier for customers to get the results they want, and to ENJOY the process!
 
 
Another general discussion topic not specifically directed to @ramflava:
 
The entire "re-branded" argument, when it comes to equipment, does not make any sense.  Adam's Polishes, just like the vast majority of detailing product companies, do not manufacture equipment.  Equipment is manufactured by...EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS.   These manufacturers design and build equipment, either as a standard item, or in many cases, to the specifications of the buyer or client.  For example, Adam's tells the manufacturing company what they want for specifications in a particular product, and then prototypes are built and tested, and then the final product is tested, then released.  In other cases, the main component of the product is already part of that manufactures product line, so Adam's might just make a few minor changes.  And since I know it will be brought up, there is also one major and well known EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURER that also sells some detailing chemicals.
 
Simply put, Adam's Polishes manufactures detailing chemicals, and uses equipment manufacturers to build the equipment.  Just like they have textile manufacturers make the towels to their specifications, the brush manufacturers make the brushes, etc.  Yes, some products are off-the-shelf (buckets, some brushes, spray bottles), and some have only maybe color or other cosmetic changes, but they do not manufacture any of it, so why would people expect them to be manufacturing something as complicated as a piece of power equipment.
 
Contrary to what the uninformed masses (that spend too much time trolling FB and IG) might think, just because a specific piece of equipment might appear similar to another, it does not mean that company made it, and Adam's just slapped a sticker on it.  What is more accurate is that the same equipment manufacturer made variations of the different products, so some appearances are the same.  A good example is when the pressure washer was released.  People on IG and this forum were so quick to proclaim that it is just a re-branded Sun Joe, and some said Arksen, and yet more said Realm, and so on.  And none of those were the correct manufacturer.  Kyle stated that Apex makes the Adam's version.  So that likely means that Apex also makes some or all of those other "re-branded" pressure washers that look similar.
 

It seems like we get one of these "Adam's isn't as great as it once was" posts every couple of months and it always stirs things up.
 
Here's a fact: The only constant in life is change.
 
Hey - I miss DvK, too. But he's gone.  He's moved on.  So has Adam's and so has this forum.
 
In the 10 years I've been using Adam's products the line has changed A LOT.   Some of it I use, and a lot of it I ignore.  Doesn't bother me in the slightest if they release a product I'm not interested in.  I just don't buy it.
 
This forum is designed to be a place where Adam's customers can come and ask questions that are answered by other Adam's customers, Adam's employees and - every one in a while - Adam himself. It is not a place for bashing Adam's products or practices or directions. There are plenty of places on the 'net where you can voice your displeasure with anything you like.  You'll have a lot of company.
 
It sucks that you felt disrespected by Adam's "vote with your dollars" comment but try to put yourself in his position. He has thousands of users that love his products and clamber for everything he produces and a handful of people not happy with the "direction" his company has gone.  I'm sure he gave you his opinion in a very respectful way but sometimes you have to just say, "Well - see ya later!"
 

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.

As far as I know, all of Adam's chemicals are still made in the USA.  And that hasn't changed.  The clay bar went to Korean (I think. could be wrong) several years back because it was the best clay made, and Adam has always tried to give his customers the best products he can.  Same as micros. The best microfiber towels are made overseas. Yes, you can go to discount stores and buy cheap micros, but I've never found any that compare with what I get from Adam's.  As for polishers, it's next to impossible to find anything mechanical made in this country any more. We all know that.  And Adam's customers have demanded things like Rupes, Flex, pressure washers, undercarriage washers, etc.  Adam listens, and tries to find the BEST products for a reasonable price and yet he still has to make a profit to pay his employees and operating expenses.  The company has grown so large now, and demand has become so huge, that it's most likely a bit of a struggle when there are sales or holidays to get everything exactly right for every customer.  They're human.  And on your package's way to you, there are many hands that touch those packages too. And some of those hands aren't so gentle, and some aren't so honest.  
Best advice to everyone from me personally is to just relax.  Be patient. Nothing in life is perfect, but we're all trying to do the best we can. 
 
 

The chemical's Adam's offers are excellent but, what really makes 'em KICK ***? The info they provide showing you how to use their products and the no brainer things like color coding the pads to the polishes... I was lost trying to get into detailing with other products, I bought pads & polish from Amazon & proceeded to waste my Saturday detailing my truck with less than good results... Fast forward a few weeks and a bunch of time on youtube watching Adam's Video's and I had AMAZING results!!
 
Can I blame them for offering China made tools, NO WAY! It's not like they're charging a price that isn't consistent with other Chinese made tools, correct?
 
I can't afford to sink the $$ into an American or German made polisher and the more profits Adam's can make the better, it will go into R&D on Chemicals and however Adam sees fit, god bless capitalism... If you want an American made polisher or pressure washer go buy one.. I still have my cheapo PC polisher and it works fine for me.. I have lots of American made items that I count on and use a lot but, something that gets used 2-3 x a year like a polisher I have to make the concession and buy imported stuff...
 
How that possibly makes a company a poser? I do not know... It makes them capitalistic which is what built and continues to build and keep this country great...

I’ll chime in, Adams support has always been stellar and still is. Adam is a great guy, he has helped me out a lot. The products speaking from a chemicals perspective are still excellent. The Chinese made tools I wont fault, but they are not for me. I like to buy premium tools. Adams spoiled me with Flex Rupes and Cyclo I guess. That’s up to you the buyer and I’m sure there are more people willing to spend half what I will on a polisher than those who don’t see price as an issue. The only other thing I’ve seen is that there isn’t really an Adams Expert on the Forum who measures up to someone we knew who used to OWN IT. The guy moved on to another company and those are huge shoes to fill. It will take what’s happening now, which is several contributing members and folks at Adams to fill that gap. That dude was a lot like Adam to me. Them type folks ain’t growing on trees.
 
As long as they continue to keep the customer number one and provide excellent service I will remain loyal to AP. I don’t see Adam letting that fall by the wayside. It starts at the top.
 
Latly I’ll pose this question, have you been delighted with their products and/or service? I have on NUMEROUS OCCASIONS!!! If you haven’t, maybe you aren’t paying attention. Otherwise I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve not had experiences with any company I’ve traded with like I have with AP.

I’ll chime in, Adams support has always been stellar and still is. Adam is a great guy, he has helped me out a lot. The products speaking from a chemicals perspective are still excellent. The Chinese made tools I wont fault, but they are not for me. I like to buy premium tools. Adams spoiled me with Flex Rupes and Cyclo I guess. That’s up to you the buyer and I’m sure there are more people willing to spend half what I will on a polisher than those who don’t see price as an issue. The only other thing I’ve seen is that there isn’t really an Adams Expert on the Forum who measures up to someone we knew who used to OWN IT. The guy moved on to another company and those are huge shoes to fill. It will take what’s happening now, which is several contributing members and folks at Adams to fill that gap. That dude was a lot like Adam to me. Them type folks ain’t growing on trees.
 
As long as they continue to keep the customer number one and provide excellent service I will remain loyal to AP. I don’t see Adam letting that fall by the wayside. It starts at the top.
 
Latly I’ll pose this question, have you been delighted with their products and/or service? I have on NUMEROUS OCCASIONS!!! If you haven’t, maybe you aren’t paying attention. Otherwise I don’t know what to tell you. I’ve not had experiences with any company I’ve traded with like I have with AP.

I would think it does moisturize based on the lanolin content.

Every wonder how we do door jams and tight spaces quickly?  The answer is a steamer and a tornador tool. 
 
Our steamer is a Vapor Chief 135 that allows us to mix chemical in the same line. With the steam it really heats the product which makes it super effective. We tend to run diluted APC through ours, but in the winter we can run rinseless through it to do an entire car. It just takes a little time. 
 
A good entry level steamer is the McColluch MC1385. It doesn’t allow continuous fill while hot, doesn’t mix chemical in the line and is lower pressure but will make a difference in how you work. 
 
In these two videos (sorry for my poor video skill, it’s not easy to work and video), you can see how the steamer does a ton of work. Once the steamer does it’s things, you can wipe them clean with ease. 
 
 

02D7E6A4-115F-4F01-8B23-C1EBAAEA83B4.MOV  
 

FBAD197A-8EB9-4D34-BD9B-890C4D9B4D6F.MOV Typically before we wipe though, we use the Tornador tool. This tool runs off of the air compressor (and is air hungry with heavy use) but uses compressed air and chemical to mobilize contamination. We also run this with diluted APC frequently. 
 
When you combine these tolls, tight spaces don’t stand a chance!  Door jams are cleaned with easy as well as seams.
 
 

50D36D9E-1B62-4A9E-B445-24EB58E4F68B.MOV  
 

61825BE1-A628-4144-BE1A-0D4767D686CC.MOV

Turns out I didn’t need the clay at all! Just a thorough cleaning, detail spray, and a little H20 G&G did the trick! I figured out it was more than likely overspray and soap residue. 

@Yo-Yo Ma's Cousin 
 
Detail Spray is very useful on interior trim, door jambs, even door panels and seats. It’s amazingly versatile. I spray it in the floor boards a lot of times just to get that RedBull scent😆

Oh I believe it!! Ill do that! Thanks.

 
 
No confusion, just wanted to make sure I was understanding. Thanks for bringing our questions to HQ!

Thanks for the clarification!

I believe you are correct about nappy, in other words something with nap or fibers. On the faux wood and shiny parts of interiors believe it or not, I like to use Adams Detail Spray. It kicks it up a notch.

@Rich @Junior The Interior Protection Paste can be used on all non-porous, non-nappy surfaces. So leather, vinyl and plastic are all fair game!