Need Optimum advice--

P

pwaug

New member
I have a 2007 Metallic Granite Green (med to light green with gray tones) Passat that has been protected with ZAIO and Z2 since day one so the paint is in great shape. In the spring (usually early April) I clay, apply 1 coat of ZAIO and 2 coats of Z2, maintain with Z6and then add a coat of Z2 every couple of months until November to last through the winter.



I am thinking about moving over to Optimum products and need some recommendations as to products and process.



Would this be the recommended routine--



Clay

Poly Seal--1 coat

Optimum Car Wax--2 coats

Maintain with the new Optimum QD

and add coats of OCW through-out the summer



Would appreciate input on this routine or any other suggestions--Thanks!!
 
Optimum products are great and it is mostly what I use, however, what are the reasons you want to switch? If you are getting good results with your current process, why change? Anyways, if apply Poli-Seal and maintain with OCW. I see not need for the QD if you can apply OCW just as easily.
 
brwill2005 said:
Optimum products are great and it is mostly what I use, however, what are the reasons you want to switch? If you are getting good results with your current process, why change? Anyways, if apply Poli-Seal and maintain with OCW. I see not need for the QD if you can apply OCW just as easily.
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Thanks Brad--just looking for something a little less expensive and less time consuming. It seems the OCW would be much quicker to apply than the Z2. I would use the QD for a quick clean up when the car isn't too dirty.
 
pwaug said:
Thanks Brad--just looking for something a little less expensive and less time consuming. It seems the OCW would be much quicker to apply than the Z2. I would use the QD for a quick clean up when the car isn't too dirty.
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Seems like a perfectly good reason.
 
Clay

Poli-Seal

Optimum Car Wax

ONR wash to maintain (Can't forget about ONR!)

Add Optimum Car Wax as needed



Like Brad said, the spray wax is just as easy to use as a quick detailer so I would maintain with ONR and use the spray wax.



-Paul
 
Also, don't forget about Opti-Seal. That's be a nice step to add after PS and before OCW. Maintain with ONR, the new Instant Detailer (OID) and OCW.



Here's how I would do it...



Wash - Optimum Car Wash or ONR

Clay

Poli-Seal (1 application)

Opti-Seal (1 application)

OCW (1 application)



PS is going to provide a nice foundation for Opti-Seal so you really shouldn't need two applications of either.



After you have done this process, maintain your vehicle with ONR and OCW. Throw in the OID to remove light dust between washing. Or, add it to the wash after the first and second drying pass.
 
After you have applied the 2 coats of Opti-Seal, on top of the Poli-Seal, then simply washing with ONR and giving the monthly dose of OCW should work great and give you the visual and protective results you desire.



A time saver for me lately has been to spray OCW on the area I just cleaned with ONR before I blot or towel dry the are with a WW MF. This not only cleans, but add a fresh layer of OCW in one step!
 
If you want a time saver LSP other than Z-2p.. you have Z-CS, Opti-Seal, and Ultima.



I do have OS, and ONR which are one of my favorites!
 
After using both products I was disappointed with the Optimum products. When it come to look and longevity the Z products were superior. I couldnt get OCW to last more that a couple of weeks and the look was kind of boring. However I like the Optimum polishes and others have had good luck with OCW. Right now I am using Ultima and prefer it to the Optimum.
 
duke727 said:
After using both products I was disappointed with the Optimum products. When it come to look and longevity the Z products were superior. I couldnt get OCW to last more that a couple of weeks and the look was kind of boring. However I like the Optimum polishes and others have had good luck with OCW. Right now I am using Ultima and prefer it to the Optimum.
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The only really comparible products between the two lines are Opti-Seal and Clear Seal. Both seem to have similar durability but OS definitely looks a lot wetter to me. The new version of OCW holds up pretty well and the look is amped up (better depth). Z2 or Z5 will still last longer though.
 
Scottwax said:
The only really comparible products between the two lines are Opti-Seal and Clear Seal. Both seem to have similar durability but OS definitely looks a lot wetter to me. The new version of OCW holds up pretty well and the look is amped up (better depth). Z2 or Z5 will still last longer though.
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How is the durability of OS versus Z-CS?
 
I do what Scotty does and that's OCW after PoliSeal and that imparts a nice finish and feel already. Spray OCW on a finishing pad at 900rpm leaves most of my customer's car holo free too after a good 'prep' work :p On a light polishing pad will do too but depends on the paintwrk. Neat little piece of trick. hehehe. Fast and easy.
 
Scottwax said:
:confused: Did you read the quote of mine you pulled?
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Sorry for the mind burp!! I missed the first line. So sounds like a regime of Poli-Seal, Opti-Seal then a coat of OCW once a month should be good as far as durability?
 
pwaug said:
Sorry for the mind burp!! I missed the first line. So sounds like a regime of Poli-Seal, Opti-Seal then a coat of OCW once a month should be good as far as durability?
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Yes it will be fine. Besides, your way ahead of 95% of other car owners who only wax their cars every 4 - 6 months. Remember, if you are waxing your car every month...durability is sort of a non sequitur.
 
TheFiveO said:
Yes it will be fine. Besides, your way ahead of 95% of other car owners who only wax their cars every 4 - 6 months. Remember, if you are waxing your car every month...durability is sort of a non sequitur.
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Thanks!! I do have to worry about durability from November through March when I don't have many opportunities to re-wax. However, every now and then throught he winter we have a mild day so it seems when the opportunity is there I could do a quick ONR and add a coat of OCW.
 
pwaug said:
Thanks!! I do have to worry about durability from November through March when I don't have many opportunities to re-wax. However, every now and then throught he winter we have a mild day so it seems when the opportunity is there I could do a quick ONR and add a coat of OCW.
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Absolutely! Especially if the vehicle is garaged and you can ONR and OCW in the garage. Another option, if you are worried about the Northeast winter durability is the Collinite line of waxes. At least during that season.



I live 90 minutes from Los Angeles so I often forget the weather extremes you deal with elsewhere
 
I can speak for the winter/salt durability of Ultima. Nice line. Easy to use, looks amazing, protects well, and has proven very durable.
 
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