Optimum Opti-Bond Tire Gel... meh

mdgrwl

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Before I understood there was a difference between oil vs. water based tire gel's, I bought Optimum Opti-Bond based on the great reviews.

I've applied this about 5 times so far and Im done with it.

This stuff doesn't last a single drive through rain. Very dissapointing. It looks good going on, and last a while in dry conditions... but after driving 50 miles through rain, its all gone.

Back to the oil based Meguiars Endurance...
 
Did you clean the tire before applying?

Welcome back Setec.


On topic, neither OptiBond or any other "dressing" lasts me much through rain either. It use to make me mad, so I switched to Tuff Shine on my daily driver. I used to scrub the tires clean before applying as well.

I think regular dressings look great - but they aren't the best for daily drivers.
 
Agreed.

So far Black Magic Titanium Tire Wet Gel has given me some of the best results for a tire dressing, but sticking to water based stuff, Adam's SVRT works pretty well. I also like CG Silk Shine a lot, but one rain and it's gone. Maybe I'll try PERL next.
 
Yes, of course after a wash.

Swanicyouth - FWIW IME there is a marked difference between oil & water based tire dressings. Meguiars Endurance tire gel would last a few rains and still have a nice satin look. Opti-Bond IME is all but gone after 1 drive through rain...
 
Thanks mdgrwl for the review. I was actually looking at Opti-bond after I was done with my Blackfire Tire Gel. Based on your review I will just order another bottle of Blackfire Tire Gel as I am real happy with it. I was looking to see if there were better tire gels. Blackfire tire gel is a good goto for me.
 
Meguiar's Hyper Dressing works really good for me.
Sure it won't last a month but it last long enough , plus diluting it 2:1 gives me three gallons.
Also very easy and fast to apply it to the tires.

I will soon use a coating on my tires, did one for a customer and loved it.
 
I've been actually pretty happy with Opti-Bond Gel. I think all will agree, that it is a superior product, and offers a better sort of protection than most over the counter products.

Yes, while after a rain, the tires don't look exactly like I just applied the Optibond, but to me, the tires are still nice and black, not turning brownish, and thus I would imagine there is some protection still being offered even a few weeks or more later.

I've used products like Meg's Endurance in the past, yes, very oily, and very wet looking, but also slung, it never dries, and it would attract dirts and dusts like crazy down here in the desert. Not to mention that upon follow up treatments, I'd be seeing a whole lot of black (rubber) on my applicators.
Mark
 
I agree MarkD51 !!


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I like topping my tire dressings, some last long but start dulling after a while, but still bead. So I then top it during its next wash.

I live in California so we don't deal with rain much.
 
I've never had any problems with Opti-Bond washing away after driving in the rain one time. It might have looked a little duller but the protection was still there and could tell the tires had been dressed. I always surgically clean my tires before every application and apply 2 coats of OB.
 
I don't like trying to clean the stained-paint that's caused
by the sling from those "oily" tire dressings.

Most of the time the stains are ineradicable:
OOOOPS! There goes the paint warranty!

What a pisser that is, for not only your vehicles...
But also for your Customers' (if any), as well.


Bob
 
After a rain the paint and wheels are already dirty, so does it matter that the tires look dull. After a good wash, it only takes a few minutes to apply OB. The time it takes to scrub off a solvent based dressing vrs. a water based dressing is double the time and a stronger APC.
 
I've never had a problem with sling & Meguiars Endurance.

Those that have must be over applying or not letting it soak in long enough.
 
Yes, of course after a wash.



Swanicyouth - FWIW IME there is a marked difference between oil & water based tire dressings. Meguiars Endurance tire gel would last a few rains and still have a nice satin look. Opti-Bond IME is all but gone after 1 drive through rain...


I'd rather just use water based dressings on my garage queen. I've tried some of the others. They do last longer, but next time you clean your tires it's like cleaning up a sludge pit left by the Exxon Valdez.
 
I alternate between Opti-Bond and P.E.R.L. but I confess to reaching for P.E.R.L. more often. I agree that Opti-Bond doesn't last through rain well, but, my car would need completely cleaned after rain anyway.
 
I have been experimenting as always.

Ultima Tire and Trim one out of all that I tried, including Optimum in durability. However, it started dulling and I then reached for PERL, which is my second place winner. I tried it at 1:1 but seemed somewhat dull, so next I am going to be trying it 2:1
 
I alternate between Opti-Bond and P.E.R.L. but I confess to reaching for P.E.R.L. more often. I agree that Opti-Bond doesn't last through rain well, but, my car would need completely cleaned after rain anyway.

Ditto. I also tend to reach for PERL more times over OB.

P.S. - Great looking Type S.
 
I have been experimenting as always.

Ultima Tire and Trim one out of all that I tried, including Optimum in durability. However, it started dulling and I then reached for PERL, which is my second place winner. I tried it at 1:1 but seemed somewhat dull, so next I am going to be trying it 2:1

Are you looking for a duller look then? 2:1 is stretching it. I use PERL straight and works great.
 
Are you looking for a duller look then? 2:1 is stretching it. I use PERL straight and works great.

I meant 2 parts product 1 part water.

at 1:1 the look is too dull for me, but straight out of the bottle is to glossy for me. So I've been messing with the dilution ratios to top my Ultima Tire and Trim.

Side Note: I tried DUB by Meguiars Tire Shine and while it did have a glossy look. IMO it has a nice, deep, rich appearance to it, glossy nonetheless.
 
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