Aredex Products (philly represent)

so for most of you this name and topic will mean nothing. but for us in the NE, more speicifcally the greater philadelphia region, you probably know of Ardex. just wanted to discuss which ardex products you use and which you like and do not like. i have the pleasure of working a mon-fri job detailing where we pretty much use Ardex exclusively, so i have become pretty familiar with most of their products. they have some REALLY nice stuff for a company that makes detailing products specifically for businesses, dealerships, and detail shops. here's what i use on the regular:

New Wave: GREAT APC. can be diluted to suit interior or exterior or used at full strength for NASTY stuff. can be used on maintained wheels, engines, etc.

Purple Rush: one of Ardexs' newer APC's its obviously purple. can be diluted. i use it at 7:1. works great as a pre-soak on exteriors. also works great on carpeting and floor mats! this was made to replace the product which was called "red devil" for those of you who have been in the biz for a while. i like this product much more than New Wave. i use it primarily on engines and as a pre-soak on heavily soiled areas and bus splatter.

Laquer Thinner: all i have to say about this product is TARDIS WHAT?!?! this stuff is quite potent and literally dissolves tar spots JUST like Tardis does. also works great on removing other exterior contaminants which are bonded like rubber scuffs, paint tranfered scuffs, etc. also can be used to remove road paint. you can even use it as a heavy stain or spot remover on carpeting or floor mats. definitely recommend this stuff! its like magic! i've even used it to remove pen ink from leather seats.

OverSpray Glass Cleaner: ehhh. this stuff is ok. sure it cleans glass pretty good, but its finicky. leave any trace of it on the glass and its streak city. i rarely use this at work anymore. i reach for my trusty sprayway :worship2:.

Dull Away: pretty much does what it sounds like. its a white milky liquid which can be used on trim, dressing motors, or any plastics really. it smells GREAT. kind of like a cherry smell or something. it makes me want to drink it haha. you can wash a motor, give the whole motor a good coating of this stuff via sprayer, let it sit for a while and just while all the residual off for a quick fully dressed and nice looking motor. this stuff is like an Adams VRT or similar product.

Details: THIS is one handy product. its an aerosol spray dressing. much like Adams In and Out spray, only MUCH better. i use it on weather stripping, motors (a LOT), exterior trim and bumper trim. can also be used on wheel wells, as a tire shine. you can even spray it on a vinyl dash or door card and then buff off for a little added protection and nice matte look. i LOVE this stuff.

Speedy VOC: this is also a bluish purple-ish liquid. the only thing i use this for is as a tire dressing and inside wheel wells. here's what i do. spray the tires with it and spray the wheel wells with it. no buffing off. spray and walk away. granted i let it sit on the tires for a while and it soaks in so theres no sling. its almost like a cross between adams undercarriage spray or CG barebones and a tire dressing.

Buster: its a wheel acid. all i have to say is wear gloves and dont get it on your skin. but MAN does it tear up some caked on brake dust. it stinks too.

Enzyme Digester: what a great product. uses a natural bacteria enzyme to lift and eliminate tough stains. specifically those of an organic nature. i use it in a sprayer for spot removal and in a Tornador for carpeting and floor mats. its amazing how this stuff just makes stains disappear and literally lifts ground in dirt and debris right out of carpeting. make sure to use in a well ventilated area and leave all the car doors open for ventilation, especially if youre using this via a Tornador. it IS a bacteria based product, so you get the idea. dont exactly want to be breathing in large amounts of this stuff.


hmmm i think that could be it for now. i know theres more but its late and im tired.

 

I use new wave on engines. I use super fast solvent on tar spots. I have some smell good spray for the interior. Tried their clay once, and didnt like it.

I need some of that purple rush and some speedy VOC thanks to you Billy.

 

oh, and you need to learn how to spell Ardex in the title.

 

god DAMNIT i spelled it wrong. ARDEX. guess i cant fix it now huh.

yeah rog check out those two for sure. i wouldnt use the speedy voc as a tire dressing as i know how you like more of a matte finish. but its definitely great for wheel wells.

NICA: please fix my title if you can. its really bothering me :-(

 

Do you pick these products up? How are the prices?

 

i havent actually purchased any of them. these are products i use at work every day and have at my disposal. i can pretty much bring home whatever i need whenever i want so theres no point in buying any of it. as far as prices, im sure theyre pretty reasonable, but im not sure ecactly. we have everything delivered to the shop weekly. most of the stuff i mentioned we get in 55 gallon drums.

 

Anything you want!? Damnit.

 

I actually called them about their Enzyme Digester. Their rep never even called me back.

 

Heard of them also and heard that they have a nice line up. Considering its for sale to a select group, it makes it tough to make an appraisal product wise of there lineup vs what we can purchase on line or otc. Thanks for sharing.

 

I don't think they sell online. I have picked up stuff directly from them, but then again, it helps that I live in the same city they are located in. Its just tough for me to get there.

 

oh i forgot to add that to my little review. thats a shame they never got back to you. i could ask my delivery guy next monday how much it is for a gallon and report it back to you if you'd like. we're allowed to buy stuff for personal use right off the truck from our driver so if you are interested and the price is right in the next couple weeks i could pick up some for you.

 

I have used chemicals from Ardex Labs for many years now, and i must admit they have some very good products. Most of the products are geared for production work. (Dearerships, bodyshops, that sort of thing)
I agree, Enzyme Digester is great. I add it to the clean water in my extractor. Details spray is one of the greatest items to speed along interior work. A spray or two in any vent, wipe the surround, done. Simple as that. They make a great wheel cleaner, and anyone familiar with Ardex will attest to this. BUSTER - Brake dUST removER. I love this stuff. Spray on a cold wheel, let it dwell, brush, and rinse.
However, I wish they could step up their game when it come to the subject of waxes. They offer two paste waxes, Flint and Topaz. Both are very easy to work with, however neither one offers long term protection. They have another relatively new paste out....Gold Supreme. I've only worked with it a few times. Decent wax, and economically easy on the pocket.

 

Mr. Shine, how much do these products cost?

 

They are somewhat reasonable, however I am a big believer in getting what you pay for. The paste waxes that I mentioned eariler, one tuna can is about $12.00. A one gallon bottle of 1500 plus (a light duty compound) is about $45.00. A five of Buster is usally around $110.00. I try to get together a price list of some of the products. What specifically, were you looking for? Polish, wax, AP, gloss?

 

Just in general, trying to get a feel for the prices. Thanks.

 

Here is the Product Page form their website. BTW- The customer service is not really that great. If you do call, be prepared to leave a message for someone who probably will not call you back. I always go to the showroom.....it's just easier.

 

I've used the clay and I wasn't too impressed with it either. Very tough to knead and it crumbles. The wax will last one rainstorm and seems to have fillers in it as well. Just my two cents.

Btw, I see the cars once they are put on the front line since I am in the sales end of the automobile business (cleanup hates me BUT asks for pointers). Anywho, that's how I can voice my opinion on the wax.

 

The clay seemed really hard to knead, and was just a very hard clay in general.

Are you guys open on weekends?

 

I agree with slanguage and Hum-Benz. Claymore is a difficult product to work with.

 

not to be captain obvious here, but you do know you are talking to professional detailers, right? also, quite a few of them are concours level. we know what a clay bar does. hell, most of us have tried all the major brands of clay. just letting you know that for the most part, you are speaking to a very knowledgeable group of detailers.