Hey everyone!
This is pretty much my first review for this site, so please bare with me if this seems to be abit nonsensical haha.
So I'm going to be reviewing some of the optimum products I have. Since I'm new to the detailing world, I don't really have much to compare them to, so the most I can give is just a subjective opinion.
Optimum No Rinse
Been using this stuff for a while since the end of last summer; to be honest, when I first bought it, it was simply because everyone was saying how great or amazing it is and how convenient it is to wash a car. At the time, there wasn't much dirt accumulating on my car, so I thought it was really overhyped. Then winter came, and it really started to shine, especially since traditional washes are no longer an option.
It doesn't give a slick surface like some traditional washes (glossworkz car wash), but that really isn't the point of it either. It does clean amazingly well, though its ability to hold physical dirt is really dependent on the wash medium (I've used MF chenille mitts & chenille sponges, grout sponge, normal soft yellow sponge, lake country blue sponge, MF towel, and sheepskin mitt), so if you think it's not doing a good job, try using something else. Though using a rinseless is abit of a pain with the constant drying of panels as you go about, during my lazier times, I just drench the car in ONR wash solution after I'm done cleaning, let it dry, and then QD it with OID.
There really isn't much to be said about ONR that hasn't been said before; it is pretty bad at being a QD, but really that's just like saying an ipad makes a terrible camera (save the new one); it's not meant to replace the other, it's simply just something else you can do with it in a pinch if you don't have anything else to use.
With regards to wash media, it doesn't stain them per-se, more so than make dirt attracted to whatever-it-is you're using, so by the end of it, alot of dirt has been absorbed INTO the medium (not on it; so it doesn't mar paint), which becomes a royal pain to clean if you wash regularly.
I would definitely like to try using BF rinseless wash since it is so well acclaimed and supposedly makes the surface slick, but I got like, 4L of ONR left from the BOGO here on AG so I'm stuck with it for a little while longer...
Optimum Opti-Clean
Ever since I first found out about waterless washes, well it was before I ever found out abut rinseless (ONR), so I've tried abit of over-the-counter stuff. Gotta say, they're overpriced like mad ($20-25 for 1L RTU; that's literally 2 moderately dirty cars...), and they do a pretty terrible job of cleaning now that I look back at it. OOC was definitely wallet-friendly given that it's a concentrate, and while the smell is not that great, it leaves the surface abit slicker than before, and doesn't streak with overuse or leave marks with overspray. Comparitively to UWW+, I prefer ultima since it leaves such a slippery surface behind (I've tried polycharging OOC to see whether or not it would make it similar to UWW... Worked only a tiny bit, and given that polycharging something like a waterless wash is expensive, not really the most viable option either haha), but that's not to say that OOC isn't amazing either. With regards to the slickness, the MF does get abit grabby sometimes on panels with abit more dirt as opposed to UWW+, but it still captures dirt on the first swipe and doesn't simply move it around, unlike OTC waterless washes.
Optimum Instant Detailer
First thing is, this stuff. Smells. Amazing. Seriously, I love giving myself an excuse just to use it; it's such a sweet smell. It streaks. Alot. Not that it's OID's fault, but I definitely used FAR too much the first time around than I needed, since I treated it like a waterless wash. After I learned my lesson, I only give each panel up to 8 spritz's (I use a kwazar double-pump sprayer; saves alot of effort and time, but what I've also found is that it doesn't use that much product, so you get the same kind of coverage; makes it good for preventing you from spraying too much); the MF towel just glides over, and leaves the surface feeling wet, yet completely dry to the touch. Just, obscenely slick and shiny; I absolutely love it. It's so slick, that when I added polycharger to it just to see what it would do, I really couldn't feel a difference; I don't know if polycharger just doesn't work with OID or not, but something as slick as this, it'd be hard to notice if it got even slicker.
I've used Megs UQD and mothers ISD, and they really don't hold a candle to this. OID needs less product, makes the surface super slick, and even shines up the car abit, whereas the other 2 do not.
With CG Hybrid V7 however, I can't really feel like I can compare them; it's a sealant + QD, so of course it will be equal, if not greater in terms of slickness and looks (It would be disappointing if a sealant couldn't even out-compete a QD haha). OID is still my go-to QD for drying my car and for getting rid of bits of dust or water marks here and there. V7 is more for when I'm feeling lazy and don't want to wipe the surface down AND use a spray wax haha; but it is definitely an excellent product too.
Oh, 1 little tiny issue I have is that it streaks glass; now I don't go over the surface after its dried with another MF to buff it down because I feel if something like a QD needed to do that, it really doesn't serve its purpose well then. The reason I don't simply use glass cleaner all the time is because I've sealed it, and I don't want to decrease the durability of the coating. But the times I did wipe my glass with OID, I may have also used abit too much, I'm not sure, but I'll continue doing it to see if decreasing the amount I spray helps in that department.
Optimum Opti-Bond
Well firstly, I personally don't like super glossy wet tires; it just seems strange to me, and the wet look fades too quickly if it's dirty outside. I prefer more of the stain, dry, but black look. Which leads me to OOB; I dilute it 1:3 because I feel it looks the least glossy that way, without compromising durability too much, while making it easier to apply as well. As for the look, it does follow my criteria; it looks just fantastic. Dark, but not shiny, but doesn't look like I've put a dressing on either; literally looks like I've just cleaned it. Very smooth. Application is simple and it doesn't slide off or drip if I accidentally apply too much in an area, and of course, it doesn't sling either. So all in all, I'm very happy with this product and really don't feel compelled to switch.
I have personally used UTTG on my tires, and while I loved it for the time that I continued to use it on my tires, the look simply didn't last long (this was before I bought OOB). It's also not very cost efficient, especially since you can get a gallon of OOB for almost the same price, and can dilute it depending on how you like the look of the tire to be too.
Optimum Car Wax
OCW applies just like all other spray waxes; there's not really any way anyone can change that haha. Slickness is awesome, literally as though I've put sealant on my car. The look is great too; it definitely gave my car abit more of a warmer reflection than just bare UPGP. Whether or not it should look better, I'm not sure, because I have a white car; it's hard as hell to see the difference in virtually any product I apply. It doesn't streak glass either which is great for wiping down overspray haha. Durability is absolutely awesome for a spray wax though. I've accidentally sprayed a section of my flooring in my home (hardwood), don't know how; I guess the trigger just slipped or something. But even though I immediately wiped it down, that spot remained super slippery for over 3 months; it was such a pain to walk over it everyday, but I was too lazy to clean it so it was my fault haha. But really, this stuff is great; definitely outranks megs UQW in terms of [lack of] streaking, look, and durability. I haven't done a 50-50 test with my hybrid V7 yet since I don't have the time (I still have my winter protection on; I really wanna get rid of it and try out the new stuff I bought), but once I do I'll definitely jump on it.
So yeah, not a very technical review since I'm new to this and whatnot, but everything from optimum that I have so far has exceeded my expectations. And I have no doubt that their other products will do the same.
I plan on buying opti-coat, power clean, car polish 2, and metal polish (I have UPPP so I don't think I'll need finish polish), along with a bunch of other products, during the upcoming detail fest sale, so I have abit of that to look forward to as well. I'm happy with my UPGP for the moment, so I don't plan on throwing it away to try out something new. Though when I do run out, I'd definitely try out opti-seal. That's not to say that I'm not open to other brands too, as I really would like to try out BF's products that compete with optimum's (like crystal seal, rinseless wash, waterless wash, all finish paint protection, deep gloss spray sealant, etc.) since BF is known to give a very nice shine (pretty much the only thing that can be done to a white car), but I have so much optimum stuff (everything is in the gallon form haha) that I won't be able to touch other stuff for a while unfortunately.
Ooo, also I'd definitely like some constructive criticism from you guys so that I can learn to write better reviews!
This is pretty much my first review for this site, so please bare with me if this seems to be abit nonsensical haha.
So I'm going to be reviewing some of the optimum products I have. Since I'm new to the detailing world, I don't really have much to compare them to, so the most I can give is just a subjective opinion.
Optimum No Rinse
Been using this stuff for a while since the end of last summer; to be honest, when I first bought it, it was simply because everyone was saying how great or amazing it is and how convenient it is to wash a car. At the time, there wasn't much dirt accumulating on my car, so I thought it was really overhyped. Then winter came, and it really started to shine, especially since traditional washes are no longer an option.
It doesn't give a slick surface like some traditional washes (glossworkz car wash), but that really isn't the point of it either. It does clean amazingly well, though its ability to hold physical dirt is really dependent on the wash medium (I've used MF chenille mitts & chenille sponges, grout sponge, normal soft yellow sponge, lake country blue sponge, MF towel, and sheepskin mitt), so if you think it's not doing a good job, try using something else. Though using a rinseless is abit of a pain with the constant drying of panels as you go about, during my lazier times, I just drench the car in ONR wash solution after I'm done cleaning, let it dry, and then QD it with OID.
There really isn't much to be said about ONR that hasn't been said before; it is pretty bad at being a QD, but really that's just like saying an ipad makes a terrible camera (save the new one); it's not meant to replace the other, it's simply just something else you can do with it in a pinch if you don't have anything else to use.
With regards to wash media, it doesn't stain them per-se, more so than make dirt attracted to whatever-it-is you're using, so by the end of it, alot of dirt has been absorbed INTO the medium (not on it; so it doesn't mar paint), which becomes a royal pain to clean if you wash regularly.
I would definitely like to try using BF rinseless wash since it is so well acclaimed and supposedly makes the surface slick, but I got like, 4L of ONR left from the BOGO here on AG so I'm stuck with it for a little while longer...
Optimum Opti-Clean
Ever since I first found out about waterless washes, well it was before I ever found out abut rinseless (ONR), so I've tried abit of over-the-counter stuff. Gotta say, they're overpriced like mad ($20-25 for 1L RTU; that's literally 2 moderately dirty cars...), and they do a pretty terrible job of cleaning now that I look back at it. OOC was definitely wallet-friendly given that it's a concentrate, and while the smell is not that great, it leaves the surface abit slicker than before, and doesn't streak with overuse or leave marks with overspray. Comparitively to UWW+, I prefer ultima since it leaves such a slippery surface behind (I've tried polycharging OOC to see whether or not it would make it similar to UWW... Worked only a tiny bit, and given that polycharging something like a waterless wash is expensive, not really the most viable option either haha), but that's not to say that OOC isn't amazing either. With regards to the slickness, the MF does get abit grabby sometimes on panels with abit more dirt as opposed to UWW+, but it still captures dirt on the first swipe and doesn't simply move it around, unlike OTC waterless washes.
Optimum Instant Detailer
First thing is, this stuff. Smells. Amazing. Seriously, I love giving myself an excuse just to use it; it's such a sweet smell. It streaks. Alot. Not that it's OID's fault, but I definitely used FAR too much the first time around than I needed, since I treated it like a waterless wash. After I learned my lesson, I only give each panel up to 8 spritz's (I use a kwazar double-pump sprayer; saves alot of effort and time, but what I've also found is that it doesn't use that much product, so you get the same kind of coverage; makes it good for preventing you from spraying too much); the MF towel just glides over, and leaves the surface feeling wet, yet completely dry to the touch. Just, obscenely slick and shiny; I absolutely love it. It's so slick, that when I added polycharger to it just to see what it would do, I really couldn't feel a difference; I don't know if polycharger just doesn't work with OID or not, but something as slick as this, it'd be hard to notice if it got even slicker.
I've used Megs UQD and mothers ISD, and they really don't hold a candle to this. OID needs less product, makes the surface super slick, and even shines up the car abit, whereas the other 2 do not.
With CG Hybrid V7 however, I can't really feel like I can compare them; it's a sealant + QD, so of course it will be equal, if not greater in terms of slickness and looks (It would be disappointing if a sealant couldn't even out-compete a QD haha). OID is still my go-to QD for drying my car and for getting rid of bits of dust or water marks here and there. V7 is more for when I'm feeling lazy and don't want to wipe the surface down AND use a spray wax haha; but it is definitely an excellent product too.
Oh, 1 little tiny issue I have is that it streaks glass; now I don't go over the surface after its dried with another MF to buff it down because I feel if something like a QD needed to do that, it really doesn't serve its purpose well then. The reason I don't simply use glass cleaner all the time is because I've sealed it, and I don't want to decrease the durability of the coating. But the times I did wipe my glass with OID, I may have also used abit too much, I'm not sure, but I'll continue doing it to see if decreasing the amount I spray helps in that department.
Optimum Opti-Bond
Well firstly, I personally don't like super glossy wet tires; it just seems strange to me, and the wet look fades too quickly if it's dirty outside. I prefer more of the stain, dry, but black look. Which leads me to OOB; I dilute it 1:3 because I feel it looks the least glossy that way, without compromising durability too much, while making it easier to apply as well. As for the look, it does follow my criteria; it looks just fantastic. Dark, but not shiny, but doesn't look like I've put a dressing on either; literally looks like I've just cleaned it. Very smooth. Application is simple and it doesn't slide off or drip if I accidentally apply too much in an area, and of course, it doesn't sling either. So all in all, I'm very happy with this product and really don't feel compelled to switch.
I have personally used UTTG on my tires, and while I loved it for the time that I continued to use it on my tires, the look simply didn't last long (this was before I bought OOB). It's also not very cost efficient, especially since you can get a gallon of OOB for almost the same price, and can dilute it depending on how you like the look of the tire to be too.
Optimum Car Wax
OCW applies just like all other spray waxes; there's not really any way anyone can change that haha. Slickness is awesome, literally as though I've put sealant on my car. The look is great too; it definitely gave my car abit more of a warmer reflection than just bare UPGP. Whether or not it should look better, I'm not sure, because I have a white car; it's hard as hell to see the difference in virtually any product I apply. It doesn't streak glass either which is great for wiping down overspray haha. Durability is absolutely awesome for a spray wax though. I've accidentally sprayed a section of my flooring in my home (hardwood), don't know how; I guess the trigger just slipped or something. But even though I immediately wiped it down, that spot remained super slippery for over 3 months; it was such a pain to walk over it everyday, but I was too lazy to clean it so it was my fault haha. But really, this stuff is great; definitely outranks megs UQW in terms of [lack of] streaking, look, and durability. I haven't done a 50-50 test with my hybrid V7 yet since I don't have the time (I still have my winter protection on; I really wanna get rid of it and try out the new stuff I bought), but once I do I'll definitely jump on it.
So yeah, not a very technical review since I'm new to this and whatnot, but everything from optimum that I have so far has exceeded my expectations. And I have no doubt that their other products will do the same.
I plan on buying opti-coat, power clean, car polish 2, and metal polish (I have UPPP so I don't think I'll need finish polish), along with a bunch of other products, during the upcoming detail fest sale, so I have abit of that to look forward to as well. I'm happy with my UPGP for the moment, so I don't plan on throwing it away to try out something new. Though when I do run out, I'd definitely try out opti-seal. That's not to say that I'm not open to other brands too, as I really would like to try out BF's products that compete with optimum's (like crystal seal, rinseless wash, waterless wash, all finish paint protection, deep gloss spray sealant, etc.) since BF is known to give a very nice shine (pretty much the only thing that can be done to a white car), but I have so much optimum stuff (everything is in the gallon form haha) that I won't be able to touch other stuff for a while unfortunately.
Ooo, also I'd definitely like some constructive criticism from you guys so that I can learn to write better reviews!
