Optimum polishes not PC friendly?

Y

yugin

New member
So I finally did my car. Results and satisfaction: 6 out of 10. I used OP and OC on Egde pads with PC. It's dark blue 2004 Accord. I picked Optimum because of ability to work outside. I started with less aggressive combo edge blue pad+OP and moving up to yellow+OC followed by blue/OP and worked about 10 mins per area similar to half hood. Yes, I did clayed; I don't think I used too much product, but not sure (about quater size to prime and then 2-3 pea size drops). I spent about 7 hours just for polishing and was able to remove maybe 60% of swirling. Or is my paint hard?

Questions:

1. Does product has to completely disappear as it brake down, because even after 10 mins I still could see a little bit of oily traces?

2. Any tips for working with Edge/Optimum/PC combo?

3. What product would you recomend that is easy to work with on PC? I am novice.



Thanks.
 
The Optimum polishes are about as user friendly as they come, and work great via PC.



Not knowing the condition of the paint before you started, it's hard to tell exactly how much you were trying to correct. Sound to me like you are trying to work too big of an area at one time (half of the hood). I would recommend that you work a smaller area, like a quarter of the hood or smaller.



I can't see working the polish for 10 minutes, usually 2 or 3 minutes is about all I will work it. I would recommend using the yellow pad/OC combo again and see how it looks after that. It may take several passes to remove heavy marring via PC.
 
I have to work a SMALL (1' square) area SLOWLY (1" or less/sec) when making corrections go in one direction then change for the next pass. I may take 3-4 passes before you get the results. Only use about a 3 pea size drops of polish, clean the pad or change pads when you notice the pad glazing over with product. Work the polish at 6 on the PC, spead around at 3 or so.



Paint hardness and amount of correction needed will determine the amount of work. The BMW's I've done require patience!



You just cannot rush the corrections with a PC. I really like the LC pads the best.
 
yugin said:
1. Does product has to completely disappear as it brake down, because even after 10 mins I still could see a little bit of oily traces?
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I don't work polishes until they disappear. The OP takes a long time to break down but I still wipe it off before it's competely dry.



2. Any tips for working with Edge/Optimum/PC combo?
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Haven't used the Edge pads or OC, but generally I think it's just gonna take more work than you had expected. It can take many, many passes with a PC to affect significant correction, especially if you're using pads larger than 4".



3. What product would you recomend that is easy to work with on PC? I am novice.
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I wouldn't try polishing outside with them, but IMO the polishes from 1z are as user-friendly as such things get. Not just for novices either, experts like them too. I get mine from Welcome to Exceldetail.com! or Aloha & Welcome to Our Oasis for All Your Auto Detailing Supplies & Accessories"]Welcome to Exceldetail.com! or Aloha & Welcome to Our Oasis for All Your Auto Detailing Supplies & Accessories[/URL]



FWIW, I don't find OP especially user-friendly. That's just me, and I know that others do find it easy to use, but it's sure not my first choice for a novice.
 
I would agree with Accumulator, the Optimum line up is good but it requires a little getting used to it. For example, Optimum is really good because of it's working time. It will take a long, long time for Optimum to break down and just because it's not broken down doesn’t mean it's not working. I found out that Optimum is one of those products that you work it in for a bit (with rotary that is) check your work and go from there. I prefer using Optimum with the rotary, I found that with the PC it takes too long...but that's just me. Oh yea Optimum makes good combo with Menzerna. Some one recommended it and I the results are good.



Have you ever used XMT line up? It's not that bad, really good for a PC and had descent working time. Well just a thought.



I hope my feed back helps a little.
 
When you get good with the PC you may want to consider moving up to a rotary. It should save you a lot of time.



Others on this board report that BMW clear is hard. I won't know until I get my next car--will be an E46 or E90 coupe (some day).
 
Considering that the vehicle you're doing is a Honda Accord, I don't think the paint should be difficult to correct. Most Hondas have pretty soft paint.



FWIW, I own a NHBP Acura Integra and I thought I wasn't doing all that well with getting the swirls out of my car even though I was getting results very similar to those in our Click & Brag section.



Good luck with your future details!
 
Accumulator said:
I wouldn't try polishing outside with them, but IMO the polishes from 1z are as user-friendly as such things get.
Click to expand...

Are they mix polish/filler? What they mean when they say that it lasts several month?



Anyway, I guess I can live with what I've got for now and later give Optimum another shot and work more slowly and smaller areas or try something like XMT or mix some Optimum and Menzerna or...:think: I need it to be fairly quick and easy working.

I forgot to try 4 in. green Edge pad though.
 
yugin said:
Are they mix polish/filler? What they mean when they say that it lasts several month?
Click to expand...



Yeah...but as best I can tell most of the "filling"/concealing comes from waxes. As long as you apply a good wax over top of them stuff stays hidden for a long, long time. And they don't do nearly as much concealing as they do actual mechanical/abrasive correction. People seem to have the idea that they just hide stuff (ala 3M IHG) that'll come back to haunt you, but that's never been the case for me.



Used without a topper they last about a month or *maybe* two in the real world.



Haven't tried the XMT, and with Menzerna I've only used the FP (my painter just *LOVES* Menzerna, but he's using a rotary). Given the products I *have* tried, I'd still look into the 1z if you're gonna buy another product. I can't remember anybody getting it and regretting the purchase.
 
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