Applying OCW spray wax with stain applicator

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Shortspark

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I have an ML350 in Diamond White color (a beautiful but fairly expensive white option paint). My last detail had 845 as my LSP and after two or three washes I top with OCW. I have always "topped" by the usual method of WOWO using a microfiber towel.

Today I "topped" again but this time I applied OCW much as I would a liquid wax. I know it is not intended to be an LSP type of liquid wax/sealant but I get a lot of durability out of OCW because my ML is a garage queen for sure and is not in the elements very much at all.

What I did this time was use a stain applicator pad (the ones you buy at Harbor Freight for about three dollars an eight pack). I sprayed the pad and applied the OCW to half the car. It spread very thinly this way and I used only a few sprays on the pad once it was primed - much less product than my normal WOWO method. I then went back and buffed it off with my microfiber towels. OCW does not really haze (maybe it would if I left it on longer) but I think the benefit from this method comes from my actually rubbing in and working it into the paint much better with the stain pad, rather than just a WOWO kind of application.

Maybe there was no real difference but to my eyes I noticed a little more "candy apple" kind of gloss than I am use to seeing on this paint from OCW. With the normal WOWO method, I have always noticed a deeper, richer carnauba look that darkened the paint slightly, or I should say, deepened the pearl/diamond look, if you know what I'm getting at. This time it was not as deep but more sealant-like in appearance and reflection. Just the opposite of what I thought "rubbing it into the paint" would do.

Like I said, it could be my imagination and I have no explanation for it, but I think working the OCW into the paint first with an applicator made a difference in appearance over the regular WOWO method. I know it involves twice the work but I sort of like this look and will try it another time for sure. Has anyone else applied OCW this way? Has anyone even attempted to apply OCW by machine?
 
I've used those exact applicators to apply OCW, UPGP, Opti-Coat and carnauba waxes. You can't beat them for the money and I've never seen any marring on the paint for their use.

For what it's worth, I apply everything by working it as deep into the paint as possible. Never knew any other way so I can't speak of comparisons, just that I like the applicators.
 
Yea, those HF applicators are a real bargain. Rather than clean and reuse them, I just toss them out when I'm finished or save them for the next wheel wax job. They soak up a good bit of product, which when using OCW is not necessarily a bad thing as it helps it spread out thinly. I only had to squirt and reload it a few times once it was primed. I have a little finger pad that grabs the terry material on the pad and makes the application easier on the hands. I'm 65 years old now and doing a whole car gets the joints in my fingers aching a little. The grabber pad holder helps a great deal. I have a Griot 6" electric polisher that I usually use to apply regular sealants and waxes and I might just try it next time with OCW.

I think a QD works better with WOWO but I will keep using this applicator "rub-in" method with various spray waxes for a while and see how it goes. I like it so far!
 
Line many things in life the "best" way to do something may be a variation from the norm. When you find something that works well, share it with others and continue doing it...

Thanks for sharing! :props:
 
Shortspark said:
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Today I "topped" again but this time I applied OCW much as I would a liquid wax. I know it is not intended to be an LSP type of liquid wax/sealant but I get a lot of durability out of OCW because my ML is a garage queen for sure and is not in the elements very much at all.
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Click to expand...

Contrary to your beliefs, OCW is intended to be a full fledged LSP! :dblthumb2:
 
I Dont get using an applicator for OCW. I've always just sprayed, spread thoroughly, then flipped my microfiber over to absorb completely.

Am I missing something here? Why use an applicator?

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VP Mark said:
I Dont get using an applicator for OCW. I've always just sprayed, spread thoroughly, then flipped my microfiber over to absorb completely.

Am I missing something here? Why use an applicator?

Sent from my DROID RAZR using AG Online
Click to expand...
:iagree:

seems like such a time waste when you can spray, wipe and move on.
 
I did not know OCW was intended to be an LSP. They do say it is suppose to protect for five months but I have read reviews showing much, much less in real life. Most people that I have read using this product use it as a "topper" to boost the existing LSP, not as the LSP itself. This is usually done after two or three maintenance washes, hence, the ease of application as a WOWO product. If this is a true LSP then it is not the same as most spray "waxes" with which it supposedly competes, such as AquaWax, eg.

What is a QD and what is a spray wax is sometimes hard to tell apart but I always considered OCW to be just another booster. I read the product description here and at the Optimum website and it does not say anything about OCW being used as a booster or "topper" so I think it could very well have been developed as a stand alone LSP. This explains why it seemed to respond so well to LSP-like application methods.

As far as the question about why use an applicator in the first place, I guess it has to do with the technique more than anything. When I apply OCW the conventional way I spray, spread and immediately buff. The way I did it with the applicator pad was to sort of work it into the paint, as though I was using a paste wax. Then, do the rest of the half of the car before returning to the buffing. I found myself applying it much thinner this way over the WOWO method. Might not make a whole lot of difference to most people but it made enough to me to at least give me cause to mention it.
 
I've found OCW gives you all kinds of headaches when applying it over another LSP, most noticeable on a black car. Yes, it's meant to be a stand alone product. The headaches I've experienced are streaking, hazing, and wax holograms when using it as a topper.

However, if your are using it on clean naked paint, it's as easy to use as any QD. I'm guessing it has to do something with your LSP and the OCW repelling each other.

So, it's an easy to use LSP when used as designed. However, it's doesn't last too long and beading isn't great.
 
RMM (Contrary to your beliefs, OCW is intended to be a full fledged LSP!) I agree. - I will spray OCW on wet paint and dry paint as a wowo but at times I have applied in a paste/liquid wax application style using an foam/MF pad, As a LSP - OCW SPRAY has up to about five (5) months durability. Some people do not understand Detailing or science of Detailing products so with a GREAT product like OCW you may have to go outside of box and use a little different lol for me using a wax applicator pad and then a separate clean wipe off MF towel is not too time consuming next to using a traditional liquid or paste wax where waiting for hazing may be required
 
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