Anyone ever use this stuff? I bought a bottle several months ago from Amazon, and since I finally ran out of my usual Meguiar's Deep Crystal wash, it was time to try the Optimum. I don't have water restrictions here, but wanted to try it because it's supposed to encapsulate dirt and clean the paint without damage. All I can say is that this stuff is CR@P. It makes no suds in the water, and does basically nothing to clean the paint or glass. I rinsed the car, even though that's not supposed to be necessary, as I washed it panel by panel, and then blew the excess water off with my power blower. At first glance the car looked OK (the car wasn't really dirty to begin with), but when I got in the driver's seat to move it from the shade back into its usual space, I could see a film on the paint and glass. Several weeks ago the car was completely clay-barred and waxed with Sonax, and it looked great. I can't see how this product would be useful to anyone, water restrictions, or not. Add to that, the Optimum is ~$20 for a quart, and the Meguiar's is ~$4 for a half-gallon.

Off to Walmart to buy more Meguiar's and I'll have to wash the Z again tomorrow. I've been using it for years and it cleans well, doesn't strip the wax, and the rinse water beads and rolls right off.

 

i use it all the time and love it. no it doesnt make suds, but it is the polymers that encapsulate the dirt. i wash with a meguires mitt, blot it dry, mist area again and then dry with a thick microfiber towel.... i have never had any film

 

I didn't see it until the sun hit the car, but it's definitely not as clean/shiny as the Meguiar's. We do have some hard water here in the South, but that's never been an issue before.

My bottle is still filled to the top of the label (made 2 batches) and if you like it, you can have it for the exact cost of USPS shipping. PM me your address if you're interested and I'll tell you how much.

 

That's pretty amazing, Dean. I've been using the Optimum Wash & WAX product for several months here in water restricted California and I am totally happy with the product - and that, also comparing to the full-wet Meg's product you mentioned.

I've used it on every one of our cars from Niz to Niz to '03 to non-Zs and do it exactly like Trav does and have had great success. Hmmm....

 

I used it last time I washed my car... I thought it was a great minus the fact that it made me get all close and personal with all the blemishes on my car.

It also smelt delicious... And according to chippy our chipmunk tast pretty good.

 

Anyone mind explain how it supposedly gets the dirt off the car if you dont rise? I was always under the impression that rising gets alot of the dirt off. That why we rinse from top to bottomw.

 

Its kinda like when you clean your furniture with pledge, but instead you kinda just wipe on a wet cloth then wipe off with a clean cloth...

At least thats how I did it, but I just recently popped my optimum cherry so I could be just messing my **** up.

 

Maybe it's the hard water? When I was out driving just now to get the Meguiar's I could see the film on the windshield. Just not for me, and I like soap suds, I guess. If Trav doesn't want it, the offer still stands, and it's up for grabs if someone wants to pay USPS shipping.

 

Isnt that what quick detailers do? Lol

 

That's why I was using it as a regular car wash soap. No swirl marks on my paint, and I'm not looking to create any.

 

of course i just bought a gallon of it. i got to thinking driving home, when i first started using it.... i was putting entirely too much in the bucket, and i think i let it sit there too long. i remember one time on the Z (was black) i did see some residue but after the next wash, and immediate dry it was gone.

i think you are supposed to use like 2 ounces per 4-5 gallons of water. i bought a baby bottle (since it has ounces on the side) and cut if off.... i measure it when i wash

 

 

Haha i was interested in this, but i think ill just stick to quick detailer and washing the old fashion way with soap and 2 buckets

 

this is awesome quick detailer.... i use it after the ONR bath.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Optimum...P286/17-oz-S1/

** side note, i have also sealed paint with optimum opti-gloss

 

I started using Optimum No Rinse about 3 months ago and I love it. It does an outstanding job cleaning my Z and my Minivan. I also use it as an instant detailer by mixing 2 ounces of ONR with a gallon of water. I have no scratches from the use of this product and am very happy with it.

 

here is what i do with it
-1 bucket with onr with about 4 gal of water
-1 bucket with clear water (both buckets have grit guards in bottom of them)
-pre-spray panel with onr mix
-wash mit on the panel, with just the pressure of the mit on it
-blot dry with waffle towel
-light mist with onr again
-dry with rethickulus towel (after dampening with the spray)

after washing the area, i rub the mitt on the grit guard in the rinse bucket to free any dirt. on the horizontal parts and top half of the sides i wash front to back, on the lower half i use the grout sponge (holds a ton of water) and go vertically..... that is how the paint is usually sprayed from the factory. i do one panel at a time, it usually takes me a good hour and half or two to wash the car

 

Ill have to check into that. A bit more expensive than the gallon containers but it might be worth it.

 

User error.

This stuff as Travis said encapsulates the dirt and lofts it from the surface. Without going into great detail of recommend watching some YouTube videos... Gary Dean has some good how tos.

BTW suds in soap mean 0.. It is a visual to make people feel good.. Proper lubrication is all that is needed and today's no rinse products work extremely well and provide more lubrication than your typical car soap.

Dcains.. If I read your post right you rinsed wiped with the onr and blew dry? The last step contributed to your problem... Try to use the "Gary Dean method" and I promise you will love this stuff for not real dirty cars.

GL

 

give it another chance dean. try with some tips here before you ditch it

 

have i ever led you wrong?