The specific ion effect of the ion exchange in the Winsor II microemulsion system has been studied in the equilibrium state as well as in kinetic experiments using a two-phase stirred cell. The equilibrium results of an ion exchange revealed the importance of the specific ion adsorption at the negative AOT layer. Generally, it was found that larger bare cations were much better adsorbed at the interface (i.e. solubilized in reverse micelles) than smaller ones, independent of their valency. The differences in the ion exchange of particular cations are explained using the Grahame model of specific adsorption. The kinetic results of the metal ions solubilization allow an explanation for the influence of the number of reverse micelles on the solubilization rate. The relevant interpretation states that reverse micelles present in the organic phase colliding with the liquid/liquid interface form channels between the aqueous pool of the micelles and the bulk of aqueous phase ("sticky collision") in which mass transfer takes place. Then, after successful fusion, the micelles release themselves from the interface finishing the process of solubilization. The proposed mechanism could be seen as an alternative to the model of spontaneous aggregation at the interface. Additionally, it was observed that the measured ratio of equilibrium concentrations of the Ca/Zn mixture in the micellar phase, the ratio of Gibbs excesses at the liquid/liquid interface, and the ratio of the solubilization rates were equal. This result can be seen as an indication for the equilibrium state of newly formed reverse micelles at the interface at least for these defined species.