Ultima Waterless Wash as a QD versus other QD's

C

cpa5oh

New member
I use a quick detailer after each wash...right now I'm using Aquawax and/or Optimum Instant Detailer. The Aquawax gives me that just been waxed look with no streaking whatsoever...the Instant Detailer I think would look even better than the Aquawax save for the fact that I'm getting streaking and the appearance of a film in spots (on black paint.) Price between the two isn't comparable - Instant Detailer is much, much less expensive than Aquawax...which is why I keep working with Instant Detailer to try and get it to work for me.

Just came across the Ultima Waterless Wash on the forums here and see everyone saying it's a great waterless wash and that you can use it as an instant detailer, too. The price per gallon of useable product is crazy low.

Question is, considering how I'd use the product mostly (right after a regular wash to get added gloss/shine,) how does it compare specifically in that regard (gloss/appearance) to products like Aquawax, Optimum Instant Detailer, and other spray wax/instant detailers?

Though I read alot of threads, and read rave reviews about it with positive mention of the gloss and slickness it leaves, I wasn't able to get the perspective of how the gloss and slickness compares to instant detailers and spray waxes...not sure if everyone was saying the gloss and slickness is great for a waterless wash or just great, period (considering what detailers and spray waxes can do.)

Gonna order it tonight with the free shipping if I hear it's gloss and slickness is on instant detailer/spray wax level.

Thanks!
 
Let me preface this by saying I LOVE UWWW+ as a waterless wash, rinseless wash, and even to add to a traditional wash. I also like it as a quick detailer in terms of removing light dusts any fingerprints. However, if you are looking for added gloss after a wash, I would look elsewhere, i think a spray wax is more in line with what you are looking for. Just my .02
 
I kinda figured this was the answer I was gonna get...I don't do alot of waterless washes as they scare the crap out of me (having spent hours and hours doing a paint correction this fall.) I'm gonna get some, anyhow...it's such a good value it's ridiculous. Thank you for your honesty!
 
cpa5oh said:
I kinda figured this was the answer I was gonna get...I don't do alot of waterless washes as they scare the crap out of me (having spent hours and hours doing a paint correction this fall.) I'm gonna get some, anyhow...it's such a good value it's ridiculous. Thank you for your honesty!
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If you're looking for a quick detail spray to really amp up the gloss after washing the vehicle, check out Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer. It's available in three sizes (17 oz. ready to use, 32 oz. concentrate and 128 oz concentrate). It's very easy to use and the 32 oz. concentrate and 128 oz. concentrate are bargains considering how much quick detail spray you get once diluted accordingly.


Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer 17 oz.




:autopia:
 
AutopiaTech said:
If you're looking for a quick detail spray to really amp up the gloss after washing the vehicle, check out Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer. It's available in three sizes (17 oz. ready to use, 32 oz. concentrate and 128 oz concentrate). It's very easy to use and the 32 oz. concentrate and 128 oz. concentrate are bargains considering how much quick detail spray you get once diluted accordingly.


Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer 17 oz.




:autopia:
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Thanks for that...like I said in the original post, I'm struggling with this product with regard to streaking and a film-like, not wiped off completely in spots look (despite buffing it dry and again going over it with a softer towel, rubbing alot harder than I'd like to on dry paint.) Hence, me looking for another solution.

I will say, though, that it has rained two days in a row since my last application of Optimum Instant Detailer...there is some water on the car and some dust, but the car is still shining unlike it normally would in such a situation. I'm gonna work with it (maybe using distilled water will make a big difference.)
 
cpa5oh said:
Thanks for that...like I said in the original post, I'm struggling with this product with regard to streaking and a film-like, not wiped off completely in spots look (despite buffing it dry and again going over it with a softer towel, rubbing alot harder than I'd like to on dry paint.) Hence, me looking for another solution.

I will say, though, that it has rained two days in a row since my last application of Optimum Instant Detailer...there is some water on the car and some dust, but the car is still shining unlike it normally would in such a situation. I'm gonna work with it (maybe using distilled water will make a big difference.)
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Try diluting at 1:4 instead of 1:3 - got this tip from the Optimum forums, and found that this worked to greatly cut down on the streaking I had been getting previously. Also, I dilute all my QDs with distilled water - theoretically, the lesser the mineral content in the water used, the better.
 
cpa5oh said:
Thanks for that...like I said in the original post, I'm struggling with this product with regard to streaking and a film-like, not wiped off completely in spots look (despite buffing it dry and again going over it with a softer towel, rubbing alot harder than I'd like to on dry paint.) Hence, me looking for another solution.

I will say, though, that it has rained two days in a row since my last application of Optimum Instant Detailer...there is some water on the car and some dust, but the car is still shining unlike it normally would in such a situation. I'm gonna work with it (maybe using distilled water will make a big difference.)
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Have you tried altering your application technique?
 
umi000 said:
Try diluting at 1:4 instead of 1:3 - got this tip from the Optimum forums, and found that this worked to greatly cut down on the streaking I had been getting previously. Also, I dilute all my QDs with distilled water - theoretically, the lesser the mineral content in the water used, the better.
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Yeah I did that (1:4,) still getting streaking/film. I have not tried distilled water but do have some and will try it next time there are going to be a few non-rainy days in a row (so, probably Thursday.)
 
AutopiaTech said:
Have you tried altering your application technique?
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Not real sure how to alter it and am open to suggestions. Currently, I wash the car, dry it, then use the Instant Detailer. I use one spray per panel...kind of do the spray in a brushing stroke kinda motion to get it to cover the panel easily. Then wipe with a microfiber towel (usually two passes,) then flip over to a dryer side of the microfiber and hit it again with a few light buffs. Last time I tried heavier buffing with a more plush microfiber towel but that last pass was ineffective. This has worked with every other instant detailer I've used (CG V07, Aquawax, Poorboys QD+.) Though I have read forums where others have had trouble with those products...so I'm gonna try the distilled water, try to use it over and over again this way it isn't like I'm mixing products (I've never used it two times in a row,) and next spring try it over top of a different wax/sealant (using CG Blacklight now.) Like I said, the gloss Instant Detailer gives me is something special...if I could just get rid of the streaking/filmy look.
 
cpa5oh said:
Not real sure how to alter it and am open to suggestions. Currently, I wash the car, dry it, then use the Instant Detailer. I use one spray per panel...kind of do the spray in a brushing stroke kinda motion to get it to cover the panel easily. Then wipe with a microfiber towel (usually two passes,) then flip over to a dryer side of the microfiber and hit it again with a few light buffs. Last time I tried heavier buffing with a more plush microfiber towel but that last pass was ineffective. This has worked with every other instant detailer I've used (CG V07, Aquawax, Poorboys QD+.) Though I have read forums where others have had trouble with those products...so I'm gonna try the distilled water, try to use it over and over again this way it isn't like I'm mixing products (I've never used it two times in a row,) and next spring try it over top of a different wax/sealant (using CG Blacklight now.) Like I said, the gloss Instant Detailer gives me is something special...if I could just get rid of the streaking/filmy look.
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It could be the towel that you're using. I use a microfiber towel with a medium nap for a quick detail spray/spray wax such as Griot's Garage Micro Fiber Polish Removal Cloths or the Super Soft Deluxe Microfiber Towels with Rolled Edges.

I've never encountered any streaking issues with Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer. I have the concentrated version at home that I dilute 3:1 and it works like a charm. I've even used it on warm panels in direct sunlight with no adverse affects either.

Try a different towel and see if that helps with the streaking issues. :bigups
 
I often use an applicator (even thin coat) and use dry towels to buff and switching towels after a few panels. Some detailers can saturate a towel quickly.

Process: Spray panel, spread with applicator (it gets primed quickly) so spray even less as you go, and then buff with dry towel. Get a new towel if it starts to slow down the drying.

I use Griots Speed Shine the first time and using too much left streaking that would not buff off unless you respray and do it again. It worked fine with a two towel approach (one towel in lieu of an applicator).
 
Bunky said:
I often use an applicator (even thin coat) and use dry towels to buff and switching towels after a few panels. Some detailers can saturate a towel quickly.

Process: Spray panel, spread with applicator (it gets primed quickly) so spray even less as you go, and then buff with dry towel. Get a new towel if it starts to slow down the drying.

I use Griots Speed Shine the first time and using too much left streaking that would not buff off unless you respray and do it again. It worked fine with a two towel approach (one towel in lieu of an applicator).
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Thanks for sharing your methods of application. :yourrock

You brought up a very good point. Some quick detail sprays do saturate towels quicker than others but I've generally been able to get away using just one towel with Optimum Instant Detailer & Gloss Enhancer. However, using Griot's Speed Shine I've often needed two.
 
Bunky said:
I often use an applicator (even thin coat) and use dry towels to buff and switching towels after a few panels. Some detailers can saturate a towel quickly.

Process: Spray panel, spread with applicator (it gets primed quickly) so spray even less as you go, and then buff with dry towel. Get a new towel if it starts to slow down the drying.

I use Griots Speed Shine the first time and using too much left streaking that would not buff off unless you respray and do it again. It worked fine with a two towel approach (one towel in lieu of an applicator).
Click to expand...

I just tried this method on my car and it worked beautifully! Thanks :D

You use this after washing your car, not when it is dusty?
 
I hope I get a chance to use these methods before it's time to put the car away! (I'm gonna hold out until the first big snow.)

Weather could be a cause of this streaking/filming - it was cold the last time I used it (about 45 degrees out.) First time I used it it was 60 degrees though, which I'd think would be about perfect (not too hot, not too cold.) Both times I could see it sort of flash dry in between strokes with the mf towel...I'm gonna try moving the towel faster when I wipe it off as well.

When I was using Aquawax, I actually used your applicator idea and it worked great...but I never had streaking issues at all with Aquawax so I wouldn't have known it could've helped with a streaking issue. Used way less product, that's for sure.

As for using different towels - I just now ordered 3 different styles of premium towels. I'll try using more of the towels I have now this weekend (though I doubt it will work...I noticed the streaking right from the first panel) but more importantly I'll try all three different styles of new towels I've ordered when they arrive.

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm pretty determined to get Instant Detailer to work for me.
 
Just picked some up during the BF deals. If its anything like other Ultima products Ive used it must be awesome.

How is this as a rinseless wash? Seems most use it as a waterless wash.
 
I use both ONR and Ultima as WW's and both work well but to me the Ultima leaves a slicker finish than ONR.
 
I think a combination of changes have made it so that Optimum Instant Detailer works for me now...

- mixing it in distilled water instead of tap water,
- using 3-4 towels instead of 1-2,
- diluting it 1:4 and adding Optimum Car Wax at a 1:3 ratio to that,
- being more careful with the overlap of areas I'm working on (gotta be careful to wipe it ALL off and not leave it unwiped at the ends of the section I'm working on,)
- and using an applicator so I don't end up with overspray (which is hard not to get this time of year...seems like a constant cold wind is blowing)

Still going to get the Ultima Waterless Wash, though, for when it's cold and I take the car to the spray and wash...spray it down to get the dirt particles off, then hit it with the waterless wash. If it isn't glossy enough I'll hit it with Instant Detailer.

Thank you for all of the help. I wanted to make sue and update this thread in case others go looking for similar information.
 
So your mixing your OID&GE 1:4 and then mixing OCW 1:3 and then mixing those together in the same bottle or are they two different applications?
 
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