Need help with Optimum no rinse

S

schiddy

New member
Polished the hood on my black honda. Topped with 1 coat of BFWD. Was about 1 week before I was able to wash with Optimum. It wasn't even that dirty.



I used the two bucket method with grit guards, a grout sponge, and dried with a quality microfiber. It was the first panel on the car that I washed.



After seeing the car in direct sunlight, I saw that I reintroduced a lot of swirling in some areas of the panel. Also, even with fresh BFWD, there were dead bug marks that wouldn't come off.



Is my honda paint that soft, or am I doing something wrong? I need alternatives because I do not have access to a hose in the apartment I live in.
 
The swirls "could" have came from the grout sponge (I'm not a fan) and if the bugs have been on the paint for any amount of time then they can cause damage.
 
Dubbin1 said:
The swirls "could" have came from the grout sponge (I'm not a fan) and if the bugs have been on the paint for any amount of time then they can cause damage.
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Yeah, I think the sponge is a little more abrasive than mitts, at least when doing a no rinse type wash. I'll switch back to mitts.



What can I do to get the bugs off if they have been on there a week? Clay lightly and then re-seal area with BFWD? I'll have to have some QD and MF on hand to clean off bugs as soon as they happen.
 
(Nighthawk) Black Hondas have one of the softest paints out there (along with Jet Black BMWs). Easily scratched even with a MF towel, or by looking at it a bit angrier. Virtually impossible to keep them mar free.



A coating is basically mandatory for these models.
 
You can mix up some ONR at QD strength in a spray bottle and use that to pre-treat bugs and bird bombs.



I'm not a fan of grout sponges either, I use MF covered foam pads. I also use 540 gram 16 x 16 MF towels (which are pretty thick) when working on cars with soft paint like Honda's Nighthawk Pearl or BMW jet black.
 
Bence said:
(Nighthawk) Black Hondas have one of the softest paints out there (along with Jet Black BMWs). Easily scratched even with a MF towel, or by looking at it a bit angrier. Virtually impossible to keep them mar free.



A coating is basically mandatory for these models.
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I saw my car under a florescent light at the gas station tonight. Deeper than before swirls are noticeable all over the roof. I think it was the combination of the grout sponge and using a drying microfiber too long without switching out for a clean one. Pretty upset about this, There were lots of swirls before but this is so much worse. I'm going to have to do polish the whole car like I did the hood and get some serious protection on there.



Could you recommend a coating? I'm only a hobbyist, is this something I'd be able to get? This is my daily driver, I have no garage, and currently have no access to a hose. I'm going to destroy this paint in no time if I don't figure something out!
 
schiddy said:
I saw my car under a florescent light at the gas station tonight. Deeper than before swirls are noticeable all over the roof. I think it was the combination of the grout sponge and using a drying microfiber too long without switching out for a clean one. Pretty upset about this, There auto electronics were lots of swirls before but this is so much worse. I'm going to have to do polish the whole car like I did the hood and get some serious protection on there.



Could you recommend a coating? I'm only a hobbyist, is this something I'd be able to get? This is my daily driver, I have no garage, and currently have no access to a hose. I'm going to destroy this paint in no time if I don't figure something out!
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The grout sponges are horrible. I use them on my rims though =)
 
AutoHead45 said:
The grout sponges are horrible. I use them on my rims though =)
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Oh. Those are fighting words to some. I have only used the Uber sponge and not have seen any issues.



I have read posts elsewhere that Dr G at Optimum is testing spongers (80 dpi or better) and is going to recommend (maybe sell) sponges for use with ONR as safe as microfiber. It will be interesting on how this develops.
 
Not a fan of anything with a sponge. It just gives you something to push against and create pressure on the paint surface. I use chenille (rastafarian) pads, but the mitts are fine, too. I'm very careful about pressure and the motion I'm using.



Somewhere on this forum is Accumulators nearly touchless wash method, but I can't speak to it.
 
When using ONR, I will spray it down with spray wax before drying. Product seems to help towels "glide" nicely across the paint with less friction. I use the foam wash pads from Dedication to Detail (think that is it)- red foam. I also prespray the paint with ONR.



Glad you commented on black BMW being so soft! I was going nuts last week on my car because my breath seemed to put marring on the paint.



Rob
 
WCD said:
When using ONR, I will spray it down with spray wax before drying. Product seems to help towels "glide" nicely across the paint with less friction. I use the foam wash pads from Dedication to Detail (think that is it)- red foam. I also prespray the paint with ONR.



Glad you commented on black BMW being so soft! I was going nuts last week on my car because my breath seemed to put marring on the paint.



Rob
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I do the same just with FK425
 
Well... I'm buying into the dirt encapsulation/retention argument that optimum gives for ONR... and the implication to me means the choice of washing media doesn't really matter because ONR cushions and traditional wash only lubricates that's why grout sponge works for ONRing but not traditional washing



First thing first is to test your washing media against CDs... If it pass the CD test then it will be okay to use with ONR... I find grout sponge passes the test with the right pressure...just enough so that the sponge will not go off my hand.. I haven't tried it on very soft paint like honda night hawk black pearl but I believe pressure not the wash medium is more culprit than anything for ONRing..



How are you pressing against the paint ? ... IME one of thickest plushest MF towel like Eurow shag with deep massage tissue pressure against a cd scratches it...



But...that's just my little experience...
 
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