What is the story with Optimum Car Wax?

SilverLexus

SilverLexus

Super Enthusiast
I am curious to try this product...anyone have any opinions on the product?

My concern is the spray nature...can a spray wax be as good as paste or sealent?

Are there any pics of results?

Thanks for the help.
 
Lee:


I prepped Liz's Saab with Menzerna Final Polish II to polish out any swirls/water spots/marring. It left a squeaky finish and I proceeded to spray on Optimum. For the hood, I think I used 4 squirts. You apply just like a QD...spray and wipe. It cured fine (no rain after 24 hrs).

After about 4+ hours, I noticed the look began to get wetter and a bit deeper as the polymers set up and crosslinked. The day after, the paint looked even better! 12-24 hour total setup time. So initially, no real enhancement, but after 4+ hours you begin to see it.

I'd say about 4 oz (their sample bottle) will do 10 full vehicles. If each vehicle is prepped well, a total application should take ~5 minutes.

For durability, the Saab sat outside 24-7. This was also through the heaviest of pollen season (May-July). The car sat under some heavily sappy and pollenized trees for this time. To compare, I used NXT paste on the trunk.

Both the NXT and Optimum died around 2.5 months (probably more like 3.5 - 4 months in a friendlier outdoor climate). The vehicle was washed every 7-10 days with NXT wash and receieved no QD touchups. However, I noticed notably less water spots on the Optimum coated hood. Whereas, the trunk accumulated them much more.


At the end of the day, I found Optimum to be great for a lot of things. I like to use it after normal washes to add a nice uniform gloss to the vehicle as well as enhanced protection. It also does a nice job of staying clean and repelling dust (great for rims!). All in all, I ended up ordering a gallon. This should be good for a couple of years :D.


Any questions, feel free.
 
I echo GSRstilez comments. I think the key area, as usual, is the prep job.
I like using the opc on clearcoat type paint, while using a ps100 for the non clearcoat surface.
Too control overspray, i'll use the small sponge applicator.
I finish with speed detail spray.
 
Lee,

I've got some that you are more than welcome to try out. I think I will be helping Nick next Saturday with that Aston Martin and a few others, but I should be free Sunday. My car will look like hell becaue I'll be so tired after working on those 5 cars, but I'd definitely be down for a beer and some product testing. :D

It's a definitely noticeable look on Black. I put some on my car, but I think it's a 24 hour wax, because I did half the car with the OCW and didnt touch the other side....You could REALLY tell the next day.
 
most polymers seem to be 24 hours waxes and tend to look better after a period of time. i guess its the polymers (as they call it) bonding together. only thing i dont like about them is that some can't get wet until after the bonding or else "the polymers will drown" (as they say).
 
I've found Optimum to be very easy to use, whether on a stone cold surface or a warm surface .... but definitely not hot, and results are very satisfying.

I doubt it'll replace your go-to LSP but it's the right product to grab when you're looking to get the "just completed a top-to-bottom total detail". I don't know if this is more of a QD ... or an LSP .... or a gloss enhancer but whatever you call it I like it.

The label says it contains carnauba & sealants (but in what proportion) & the slickness definitely improves over 18 - 24 hrs. I've seen the same results as Sean. Waiting a day between applications (3x) will leave the surface as slick as can be, durability is undetermined but the car looks great.
 
Findings are as Seans! Looks excellent as time grows ! Used on a black 997 Carrera and I swear, I could actualy watch it improve as I kept finishing the interior. I was just more and more impressed, and that was with the trial bottle. I think I got about 3 cars out of the sample size. But the Porsche (black) was the one that stood out the most.......
 
OCW is my go to Wax for many reasonns. I really like OCW on light colored cars, mostly what I work on. I really like the ease of use, I use it with Adam's MF's. Just as easy to use as a QD, and gives a great look. IMO it's just as good as any paste wax or sealant on silver! Want some pics?

All polished with Optimum and topped with OCW (Red car is single stage paint)

227ocw3.jpg


227ocw1.jpg


227ruthoptimum5.jpg


227ruthoptimum4.jpg
 
Optimum Pro's:



-You can find it for $30/gallon, which is cheap for a decent sealer.

-Very easy to apply & remove (by hand applicator, spray on/wipe off, machine)

-2 or more coats offers a noticeable improvement in your finish.

-I like using it in the winter, because it doesn't take much time to apply/remove.

-I have not had any noticeable bonding issues with any polishes.

-You can apply it to ALL vehicle surfaces

-I applied two coats of Optimum to my parent’s minivan (located in Ohio) in December, and it was still there in the spring after a VERY heavy winter season.





Optimum Con's:

-If it's less than 40 degrees, you can get some streaking. In the winter I heat my garage, so it's not an issue for me.



-Really no other con's that I've found. I really like this product.





It's also packaged as 'SunX' if you buy it by the gallon. Some people refer to it as an 'express wax' but if you read up on it, you'll find that it's a polymer.
 
you should really try it. i must admit, i was skeptical at first, but i like it a lot. like GSR was saying, at first it doesnt look the best, but then it begins to look better and better. it was a very pleasent suprise for me. good luck!
 
mgm2003 said:
OCW is a stand alone sealer.
Click to expand...

Yes, I know that.

But I was still wondering whether it could be used just to maintain one of the other sealers, since it basically is used like a QD.
 
But I was still wondering whether it could be used just to maintain one of the other sealers, since it basically is used like a QD.
Click to expand...

I have the same question. Can it be used over something like PWC or EX?
 
I just got in from the garage and I tried Opt Spray wax for the first time. I used it on top of 2 coats of Max Wax. I hope it bonds and turns out right. Can someone tell me if I applied it right? I sprayed it on the panel and then spread it with my mf and then buffed it off immediatly.

Greg
 
GregCavi said:
I just got in from the garage and I tried Opt Spray wax for the first time. I used it on top of 2 coats of Max Wax. I hope it bonds and turns out right. Can someone tell me if I applied it right? I sprayed it on the panel and then spread it with my mf and then buffed it off immediatly.

Greg
Click to expand...

That's correct. Next time try the Opt. first, allow it to bond 12 to 24 hours then wax over the Opt.
 
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