Ardex Detailing Chemicals

[ssmokn]

Does anyone use Ardex chemicals (cleaners, polish, wax etc.).



I found a detail shop supplier in my area that carries the whole line. I stopped in and the folks there were very helpful. I will definitely be frequenting that store because they have many of the things that I often find hard to get.



One comment they made was that if I bought any Ardex product and was dissatisfied for any reason they would refund my money (I guess that is Ardex`s guarantee).



If you have used the Ardex line do you have any favorites that really stand out. Thanks for the input.





Their website is http://www.ardexlabs.com/

[imported_edschwab1]

A while ago I called Ardex and spoke to rep, who was very arrogant. I was just trying to find a distributor, which there is none in my area. They would not sell direct to me because I do not an EPA# and several other numbers.



Try the products and let us know, what you think.



Eric

[ssmokn]

Will do. I will probably use this shop for pads, sponges, APC cleaners, brushes etc.



They have a huge supply of chemicals but I have many products that I`m happy with so unless I run out of something or hear that something is very good I`ll probably stick with what I have.



The sales guy said that Ardex has a new APC called "New Wave" that was supposed to be excellent. I bought a quart, it gets cut anwhere from 2 to 1 to 10 to 1 or more depending on the task. I`ll let you know how this stuff works. He reminded me that if I wasn`t happy to bring it back -- no hassle my money will be refunded. He also gave me a decent discount on everything which was nice. I spent over an hour bs-ing with the guy.

[dank]

I go by the Ardex distribution center everyday on the way to work. Their whole line is available to the public at the small store on the loading dock. It is on Byberry Road in Northeast Philly. Might have to check out their line.

[imported_Aurora40]

Hmmm... I almost hate to own up to it...



While I was between jobs, I was working at CarMax doing detailing. I thought it would be pretty enjoyable, and during the interview I made quite clear I wanted to work for a place where quality was the key, not quickness (though I obviously didn`t expect them to be autopian about it). They made it quite clear that they care greatly about quality. I soon found out that was a lie, and I really didn`t enjoy the job much. It was commission, so I took my time (though the equipment was pretty terrible too) to do a decent job. I didn`t really want to quit as it was a job. Fortunately I landed a real job pretty soon thereafter, and only worked at CarMax about 6 weeks. It was an interesting way to start using a rotary, though. They showed me how to crank it up to about 2300 and lean onto the buffer on tough spots (not moving it off that tough spot, mind you). Everyone thought I was an idiot for running it at a max of 1800, and just taking multiple passes over tough spots... But that is a whole different story...



Anyway, the whole point is that they used Ardex products. I found them pretty substandard. Their foam buffing pads seemed ok, their wash `n wax seemed like any other cheapy car wash, though it did foam a lot (helped by the fact that people pumped a ton out of a 55 gallon drum into their buckets).



Their cut white was so unbelievably harsh I only used it once. It never broke down as far as I could tell. It left very deep scouring, though. I made the mistake of trying it by hand on a very oxidized side mirror housing, and it looked like I wiped it with gravel (it was the only cleaner CarMax bought). However, this really wasn`t the appropriate product for the job, it`s just that it is all CarMax purchased...



The Bead-X is like concrete in it`s difficulty to remove. It did have a light cleaning ability to it, and left a decent shine. The Diamond Crystal Four was the only good product. It left a nice shine and was easy to use. But it was nothing out-of-this-world. Their Express Wax has Teflon (woo hoo!) and really doesn`t leave much of a finish. Their Clay-More clay was horrible. It was pretty scratchy, yet was powerless against all the overspray the paint shop guys would invariably leave.



It`s "OK" Green was actually pretty good on carpets. It reminded me a lot of APC+. I never tried it on engines, though, as they used Auto - Marine for that (which was really strong and caustic). Their ATTACK wheel cleaner was like chemistry-class acid. I think that`s all that was in it...



Spot Delivery is their QD, and it smells ok. It is quite streaky considering that it really doesn`t leave much slickness behind. It`s a decent product, though.



Spot Remover was weird stuff that seemed pretty solventy. Almost like it could remove touch-up paint.



I think that is all I used. I was underwhelmed with it all, though I also have no idea how cheap or expensive it is. Perhaps it is very low-cost. I don`t think there were any products I would allow on my car, with the possible exception of the It`s "OK" Green (what a name... :rolleyes).



Hope this helps... :spot



Oh yeah, I also used some Leather Perfect, but just once. It had a smell not unlike Pinnacle. It sort of had a solvent smell to it as well, but that could just be the leather scent. It`s hard to say how that worked as it wasn`t my leather. But it seemed ok. I also used some blue vinyl dressing (can`t remember which) that was quite silicone-filled and quite shiny.

[detailbarn]

Personally I would stay away from Ardex they are a very mass produced get the job done quick , forget about results type product. I have never had any good experience with the products or the company. They are all about profits and have no concern about the actual performance of their products.