Optimum Car Wax ( OCW ) First Impressions

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KneeDragr

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I washed my Vette yesterday afternoon, used OID while drying and then followed with a coat of OCW. I drive this car only once ever 2-3 weeks, and wash it every 2nd or 3rd drive. Its garage kept.

My initial impressions are that its very difficult in the conditions of yesterday ( low 90's, moderate humidity ) to avoid streaks. It took a good 5-7 minutes of buffing and spraying OID on the hood to get the streaks out after applying OCW and waiting a few minutes.

Previously I had been using Meguiars Ultimate Quik wax after washes, and Ultimate Detailier when drying. Ive got to say, in similar conditions, the Meguiars product is easier to apply. It also seems to be less 'slick' feeling than I am used to. Its like it felt slicker after the OID dry than after I applied the OCW.

As far as durability, the shine on the Meguiars seems to vanish after about 4 weeks, even with a basecoat of NxT 2.0. Hopefully the OCW will last the entire length between washes.
 
One other thing I noticed, the OCW after moving it around a bit with the Cobra Miracle towel, felt like it had a 'pull' on it like when removing a paste wax or sealant.

Typically with the Meguiars, I dont get this sensation.

My guess is that, the OCW is laying down a much thicker coat of wax, causing more resistance. This is likely providing a better, longer lasting protection, but simultaneously a bit streakier finish in the conditions.
 
So far I've had great results with Optimum Car Wax.

Optimum Car Wax has a milky appearance and sprays on very easily. The best part is that Optimum Car Wax is incredibly easy to apply! Spray it onto your vehicle and spread it over the paint with a microfiber towel. No buffing is required to get a gorgeous beautiful shine! Optimum Car Wax doesn't stain vinyl trim and or plastic moldings. Just spray and wipe! It only takes 25 minutes to wax your whole vehicle and it lasts for up to 5 months.

Now while it states no buffing I still like to give the finish a final going over with a soft Microfiber towel but I have to say when I was applying the wax it dried crystal clear. Using this product was so easy and the results so impressive I could and will use it after each wash or in place of detail spray.

I gave my Corvette a once over before heading to a car show yesterday and it looked like a mirror. :props:
 
I find it hard to use on hot panels. Try working small areas at a time to help reduce streaking. I have run into this when using some quick detailers also.

I also felt the 'pull' you are talking about. I think it might be nuba wax in OCW that is causing this. After a light buff with a dry MF, the surface sure is slick.
 
IME OID is more streaky than OCW. Neither product requires a lot of effort as long as you adjust your technique a little. Meg's UQW and really UQD are a like in that they're super easy but not as slick or durable as the Optimum.
 
I find its best to use/buff off outside of direct sunlight. Its pretty durable for a spray product.
 
Problems with OCW are usually due to surface temp and quantity applied. Usually the culprit is too much product...as we are used to applying paste or liquids that need a flash time. If you will prime your MF, spread OCW quickly over the panel, then flip the towel and lightly buff till gone - it will not streak. If you spray it directly on the panel, or don't move quick enough on a hot panel, that's your trouble.
 
dublifecrisis said:
IME OID is more streaky than OCW. Neither product requires a lot of effort as long as you adjust your technique a little. Meg's UQW and really UQD are a like in that they're super easy but not as slick or durable as the Optimum.
Click to expand...
:iagree::xyxthumbs:
 
KneeDragr said:
I washed my Vette yesterday afternoon, used OID while drying and then followed with a coat of OCW. I drive this car only once ever 2-3 weeks, and wash it every 2nd or 3rd drive. Its garage kept.

My initial impressions are that its very difficult in the conditions of yesterday ( low 90's, moderate humidity ) to avoid streaks. It took a good 5-7 minutes of buffing and spraying OID on the hood to get the streaks out after applying OCW and waiting a few minutes.

Previously I had been using Meguiars Ultimate Quik wax after washes, and Ultimate Detailier when drying. Ive got to say, in similar conditions, the Meguiars product is easier to apply. It also seems to be less 'slick' feeling than I am used to. Its like it felt slicker after the OID dry than after I applied the OCW.

As far as durability, the shine on the Meguiars seems to vanish after about 4 weeks, even with a basecoat of NxT 2.0. Hopefully the OCW will last the entire length between washes.
Click to expand...

From my experience the OCW will last much longer then that on it's own without fail.

Also, no issue with it streaking unless you abuse it by putting put it on a hot panel in the sun. I did this on a car once recently. The whole car had gotten hot and was in the sun by the time I got to it (Long Story...) Anyway, I did the best I could and there were still streaks. I walked away and the thunderstorm rolled in shortly thereafter. Streaks were gone and car looked nice and shiny the next day.

dublifecrisis said:
IME OID is more streaky than OCW. Neither product requires a lot of effort as long as you adjust your technique a little.
Click to expand...

:iagree: X2
 
I wonder if its a combination of using the OID to dry, then putting the OCW on top?

The car was washed in the shade, and moved into the garage after drying to apply the OCW. I had driven the car 3 hours prior, but it wasnt hot to the touch, maybe slightly warmer than if it had sat overnight.
 
KneeDragr said:
I wonder if its a combination of using the OID to dry, then putting the OCW on top?

The car was washed in the shade, and moved into the garage after drying to apply the OCW. I had driven the car 3 hours prior, but it wasnt hot to the touch, maybe slightly warmer than if it had sat overnight.
Click to expand...

They have always played nice for me, did you see my post above about putting it on the towel instead of the panel?
 
KneeDragr said:
I washed my Vette yesterday afternoon, used OID while drying and then followed with a coat of OCW. I drive this car only once ever 2-3 weeks, and wash it every 2nd or 3rd drive. Its garage kept.

My initial impressions are that its very difficult in the conditions of yesterday ( low 90's, moderate humidity ) to avoid streaks. It took a good 5-7 minutes of buffing and spraying OID on the hood to get the streaks out after applying OCW and waiting a few minutes.

Previously I had been using Meguiars Ultimate Quik wax after washes, and Ultimate Detailier when drying. Ive got to say, in similar conditions, the Meguiars product is easier to apply. It also seems to be less 'slick' feeling than I am used to. Its like it felt slicker after the OID dry than after I applied the OCW.

As far as durability, the shine on the Meguiars seems to vanish after about 4 weeks, even with a basecoat of NxT 2.0. Hopefully the OCW will last the entire length between washes.
Click to expand...

I thought OCW was supposed to be applied and then immediately wiped off again. In addition to the heat and humidity it may have sat on the paint too long.
 
I have had exceptional success with OCW. That being said, I only applied OCW to paint that has been recently polished or used it to overlayer DGPS. I never used it on red, dark green or black, but I think that it should work very well. I never applied OCW over a fresh QD of OID.

I apply waxes and QDs in the garage when the paint is cool, so I can't speak to streaks in the sun. The finish lasts months.

If I had to choose one LSP for a daily driver or to replace most consumer products for ease of use, longevity and finish, OCW would keep me very happy with its mix of polymer slickness and nuba depth.

Then again, that's me...
 
integritydetail said:
Problems with OCW are usually due to surface temp and quantity applied. Usually the culprit is too much product...as we are used to applying paste or liquids that need a flash time. If you will prime your MF, spread OCW quickly over the panel, then flip the towel and lightly buff till gone - it will not streak. If you spray it directly on the panel, or don't move quick enough on a hot panel, that's your trouble.
Click to expand...

+1

When I first got my bottle I was spraying it directly on the panels. Even with a cool panel I still got streaks. Spraying it on the MF and then wiping eliminated that problem.

Love me some OCW. Sometimes no matter how much I want to break out the Supernatural I just don't want to put forth the effort it requires. OCW lets me be lazy.
 
integritydetail said:
Problems with OCW are usually due to surface temp and quantity applied. Usually the culprit is too much product...as we are used to applying paste or liquids that need a flash time. If you will prime your MF, spread OCW quickly over the panel, then flip the towel and lightly buff till gone - it will not streak. If you spray it directly on the panel, or don't move quick enough on a hot panel, that's your trouble.
Click to expand...

This.

I love OCW! Great product, great results. I've been using it on yellow and silver, and now on my new red HHR SS. On the bright red (non metallic) paint, the OCW does show more streaking so it takes more effort. I use the above method and no more streaking.
 
OCW is awesome. I put some on one of our cars a few weeks ago and I am amazed at the results. Car stays cleaner longer and has an incredible shine. I haven't washed the car since applying and didn't really think too much about it until today. Yesterday it was driven in heavy rain around town then went on a 60 mile trip. I walked out in the garage today and noticed how clean it was. After reading a thread about waterless washes I figured I would break out the DP. I used one towel and honestly it was hardly even dirty when I finished. I'm talking clean enough that I wouldn't hesitate to use it again without washing. This is after being driven every day since the OCW was applied and not washed.

Again, awesome stuff!!!
 
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