The Guz
Mike
I had originally put this review up on the Adams forums. The moderator did not like the results and me not recommending the product. Out of retaliation my thread was deleted. I will post the review here as well for someone to be able and find an honest and unbiased review of this product. Ray I hope this is ok.
So there is an ongoing debate on whether or not a strip wash product will remove a sealant or wax. Many times these types of products fall short of the claims they make.
Product description:
Adam’s Strip Wash is a concentrated soap blend that removes any wax and sealant protection as you clean your ride, preparing it for a paint correction session with a machine polisher or hand polish, or to start clean with a fresh layer of sealant or wax. Use with Adam’s Foam Cannon or Adam’s Foam Gun for best results.
1. Pour 2-3 oz. of Adam`s Strip Wash onto the Adam’s Wash Pad and into the bucket.
2. Spray hose directly into Wash Pad to disperse soap and create suds. Fill bucket 2/3 full with water.
3. Rinse vehicle with hose, wash top to bottom following the Two Bucket Method outlined in our Videos and Handbook, then rinse again.
4. Dry vehicle with an Adam`s Great White Microfiber Drying Towel.
Adam’s Foam Gun or Foam Cannon:
1. Fill Adam`s Foam Cannon or Adam’s Foam Gun canister nearly full with water.
2. Pour 3-4 oz. of Adam`s Strip Soap into canister.
3. Screw sprayer lid back onto canister, shake well.
4. Attach canister and sprayer to nozzle or pressure washer.
5. Squeeze handle to spray tons of suds onto your vehicle.
I decided to purchase a bottle. I had originally purchased a 16 oz bottle and ended up receiving a 32 oz bottle. This usually occurs when the smaller size is out of stock.
So let`s take a closer look at the product description
Now I read this and I am ok with the statement. But I have never had a problem using a regular car soap prior to performing a paint correction. As a matter of fact I typically use the Aggressive Wash Method that Mike Philips has an article for. Many detailers (pro and hobbyists) have gotten this far without needing any sort of strip wash.
I then read and interpreted this statement as the product claiming to remove any sealant or wax regardless of the manufacturer. I got flack for this on the forum as the Adams forum member and moderator The Wolf kept insisting that this product was designed to remove old waxes and sealants and I was using it incorrectly. Ok great. Then where on the label does it state to use only on old waxes or sealant? Nowhere is this stated.
We start with photos of the bottle
Rear of the label stating the instructions on how to use the product
Product description on the rear label
I then filled up my bucket with about 3 to 3.5 gallons of water. Using 3 oz`s of strip wash in my bucket. I also added 4 oz`s of strip wash into my Blackfire foam gun. I went with the strongest recommended mixture as my daily driver at the time had 1 week old Optimum Car Wax sitting on top of 3-4 month old Rupes P808. Thinking I would need something a bit stronger.
The product generated good suds. The lubricity is ok. It`s enough to not scratch the paint as it allows the wash mitt to glide across the paint.
Here is an idea of what the consistency of the product is. It is a thin consistency. It does have a citrus scent that resembles the Adams all purpose cleaner.
Here I am generating suds in a bucket
My first test subject was my 02 Camaro which is coated. I was thinking this would make a nice maintenance wash for a coated vehicle. Here is the initial beading as I rinsed off the car prior to foaming it with my foam gun
I proceeded to foaming the car. Foam was ok. Not thick but ok. Similar to when I use CarPro Reset with the edge going to Reset.
I rinsed off the soap from the paint. Beading was unaffected. But I knew that since coating can handle a harsher wash. I did not notice that it really did a deep clean. At times it appeared as if it left something behind. I noticed odd sheeting behavior on the black rear sail panel behind the T Tops. Out of curiosity I had another bucket with Adams regular blue car shampoo. The weird sheeting phenomenon had gone away after I went over that area with regular car shampoo. It could have been the strip wash leaving something behind (aka surfactants) or it did not rinse clean as the soap would dry rather quickly.
Here is the beading after
I dried the car with my DP Turbo Car Dryer and followed up with Opti-Seal as a drying aid to remove any remaining water. Gave my white paint some great gloss.
On a coated car it seemed to work just like any other soap. I did not notice anything different than when using a regular car shampoo. I knew that it would have no effect on a coating.
So there is an ongoing debate on whether or not a strip wash product will remove a sealant or wax. Many times these types of products fall short of the claims they make.
Product description:
Adam’s Strip Wash is a concentrated soap blend that removes any wax and sealant protection as you clean your ride, preparing it for a paint correction session with a machine polisher or hand polish, or to start clean with a fresh layer of sealant or wax. Use with Adam’s Foam Cannon or Adam’s Foam Gun for best results.
- High suds formula safely removes dirt and other contaminants
- Safely strips wax and sealants, does not dry out plastic or rubber
- Rinses clean without streaks
1. Pour 2-3 oz. of Adam`s Strip Wash onto the Adam’s Wash Pad and into the bucket.
2. Spray hose directly into Wash Pad to disperse soap and create suds. Fill bucket 2/3 full with water.
3. Rinse vehicle with hose, wash top to bottom following the Two Bucket Method outlined in our Videos and Handbook, then rinse again.
4. Dry vehicle with an Adam`s Great White Microfiber Drying Towel.
Adam’s Foam Gun or Foam Cannon:
1. Fill Adam`s Foam Cannon or Adam’s Foam Gun canister nearly full with water.
2. Pour 3-4 oz. of Adam`s Strip Soap into canister.
3. Screw sprayer lid back onto canister, shake well.
4. Attach canister and sprayer to nozzle or pressure washer.
5. Squeeze handle to spray tons of suds onto your vehicle.
I decided to purchase a bottle. I had originally purchased a 16 oz bottle and ended up receiving a 32 oz bottle. This usually occurs when the smaller size is out of stock.
So let`s take a closer look at the product description
Now I read this and I am ok with the statement. But I have never had a problem using a regular car soap prior to performing a paint correction. As a matter of fact I typically use the Aggressive Wash Method that Mike Philips has an article for. Many detailers (pro and hobbyists) have gotten this far without needing any sort of strip wash.
I then read and interpreted this statement as the product claiming to remove any sealant or wax regardless of the manufacturer. I got flack for this on the forum as the Adams forum member and moderator The Wolf kept insisting that this product was designed to remove old waxes and sealants and I was using it incorrectly. Ok great. Then where on the label does it state to use only on old waxes or sealant? Nowhere is this stated.
We start with photos of the bottle
Rear of the label stating the instructions on how to use the product
Product description on the rear label
I then filled up my bucket with about 3 to 3.5 gallons of water. Using 3 oz`s of strip wash in my bucket. I also added 4 oz`s of strip wash into my Blackfire foam gun. I went with the strongest recommended mixture as my daily driver at the time had 1 week old Optimum Car Wax sitting on top of 3-4 month old Rupes P808. Thinking I would need something a bit stronger.
The product generated good suds. The lubricity is ok. It`s enough to not scratch the paint as it allows the wash mitt to glide across the paint.
Here is an idea of what the consistency of the product is. It is a thin consistency. It does have a citrus scent that resembles the Adams all purpose cleaner.
Here I am generating suds in a bucket
My first test subject was my 02 Camaro which is coated. I was thinking this would make a nice maintenance wash for a coated vehicle. Here is the initial beading as I rinsed off the car prior to foaming it with my foam gun
I proceeded to foaming the car. Foam was ok. Not thick but ok. Similar to when I use CarPro Reset with the edge going to Reset.
I rinsed off the soap from the paint. Beading was unaffected. But I knew that since coating can handle a harsher wash. I did not notice that it really did a deep clean. At times it appeared as if it left something behind. I noticed odd sheeting behavior on the black rear sail panel behind the T Tops. Out of curiosity I had another bucket with Adams regular blue car shampoo. The weird sheeting phenomenon had gone away after I went over that area with regular car shampoo. It could have been the strip wash leaving something behind (aka surfactants) or it did not rinse clean as the soap would dry rather quickly.
Here is the beading after
I dried the car with my DP Turbo Car Dryer and followed up with Opti-Seal as a drying aid to remove any remaining water. Gave my white paint some great gloss.
On a coated car it seemed to work just like any other soap. I did not notice anything different than when using a regular car shampoo. I knew that it would have no effect on a coating.
