In one corner you have Wolfgang, in the other you have Optimum...let's get ready to rumble!!

Dan Tran

Dan Tran

New member
Joined
Sep 10, 2015
Messages
1,055
Reaction score
0
Hello folks,

There is always something special to me that makes me return back to Wolfgang. However, the other day I was looking thoroughly into both complete lines. I even went to the extent to make a spreadsheet to compare price per ounce, and see what the cost difference of everything would be for the heck of it. During my process, it was nice to see how I can buy optimum products where it seems I am getting more great applications from one vs. buying something that is dedicated for each task. I love that from both there is a coating option as well as waterless/rinseless and clay bar etc etc. in other words both lines seem evenly matched as far as EVERYTHING.

Would you geeks consider Optimum complete line a serious contender as far as being considered a TOP SHELF product, fairly priced, and can in some cases exceed better than Wolfgang? Just based on my analysis and research about Optimum, it seems very well-rounded and in most cases cost effective compared to Wolfgang for sure.
 
Boy, that's a loaded question. Of course Optimum makes top shelf products...I also think it could be easily argued that everything sold here at AG is a top shelf product...the washouts are usually dropped.

IMO detailing products are so good today that it's hard to make a bad choice with anything. As far as the price difference with Wolfgang, there are frequently good sales either here or at the Wolfgang site, see link at the bottom of the page.
 
I'm on board with the way Setec answered the question.

MOST brands that are stocked through AG are fantastic, and they have historically gotten rid of those that have either:

A) Not Sold
or
B) Did not live up to expectations of the AG staff and AGO community

Optimum is absolutely a top shelf manufacturer in my eyes... they helped pave the way for rinseless washes (plus multi-use product via ONR) and coatings all with the strong backing of science. Does this detract from what other brands have done in these particular areas? Absolutely not. Wolfgang is also top notch as well as Pinnacle, and for bang for buck in terms of PBMG "house brands" Mckee's 37 is awesome.

Plus, like it was mentioned above, if you catch a good sale with free shipping on the bulk containers it will drive the price point even lower.
 
These guys above have great answers. In all honesty, it is very hard to stay absolute loyal to only one brand. I have products from CarPro, Meguiar`s, Optimum, Ultima, and a few other brands. As the great Mike Phillips says...."Find what you like and use it often."
 
For a pro the optimum line will save you much time and money if you use the system right. You cannot store the BRS in a bucket of Uber for a small example, probably couldnt use uber in a pad washer if you want to coat. You can get ONR in a 55 gallon drum too.

For a hobbist, all of the products are fun to use. , but If I did this for money I would be zeroed in on Optimum almost exclusively.
 
When I joined AG over 5 years ago ONR was the first RW I ever tried and I was hooked but over time many others have taken the product and improved it greatly, such is the case with WGU. The price per gallon for most products is $40 and you need 1 ounce per 2 gallons to do a wash but with WGU its 1 ounce for 3 gallons, thus making more, which you always need and saving you money. Sure WGU costs more initially, $25.00 more but when you stretch it out you come out ahead in the long run. Like the saying goes, it takes money to make money....oh wait, that doesn't apply here unless your a pro and looking to get the most bang for the buck....oh wait, that does apply here, LOL:doh:

Then there's how WGU works, that too has been improved upon, its no contest once you've used other brands for a period of time you'll see what I/we mean!
 
JeffM said:
For a pro the optimum line will save you much time and money if you use the system right. You cannot store the BRS in a bucket of Uber for a small example, probably couldnt use uber in a pad washer if you want to coat. You can get ONR in a 55 gallon drum too.

For a hobbist, all of the products are fun to use. , but If I did this for money I would be zeroed in on Optimum almost exclusively.
Click to expand...

Wrong. I use multiple rinseless washes with the BRS, which is stored in that solution for long periods of time.

Also, I use Meguiar`s D114 in my pad washer with no issue.
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Why not?
Click to expand...

It will pull, what I think are the gloss enhancers into the sponge and turn it black and it becomes unusable for me. Its smears whatever it is all over the paint.

I have 4 waterless with wax of some sort in it and they all do it except the ONRWW,.

Ill put the sponge in a bucket of it tonight and take a pic.
 
CarolinasFinestDetailing said:
Wrong. I use multiple rinseless washes with the BRS, which is stored in that solution for long periods of time.

Also, I use Meguiar`s D114 in my pad washer with no issue.
Click to expand...

Were not talking about 114, and it doesnt have anything in it that would prohibit bonding of gloss coat im guessing either.
 
JeffM said:
It will pull, what I think are the gloss enhancers into the sponge and turn it black and it becomes unusable for me.

Ill put the sponge in a bucket of it tonight and take a pic.
Click to expand...

And it only takes 1 night to happen? Interesting, looking forward to seeing the results.



Sent from my iPhone
 
I too am interested in the results! Never heard of that happening before but as I'm just starting to get more seriously into detailing and haven't yet thought about storing ONRWW in the bucket to use for multiple washes. But I'm not a pro, so I don't know if it'd be beneficial for me to store it for weeks at a time...

Sent from my XT1031 using Tapatalk
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Boy, that's a loaded question. Of course Optimum makes top shelf products...I also think it could be easily argued that everything sold here at AG is a top shelf product...the washouts are usually dropped.

IMO detailing products are so good today that it's hard to make a bad choice with anything. As far as the price difference with Wolfgang, there are frequently good sales either here or at the Wolfgang site, see link at the bottom of the page.
Click to expand...
pretty much my thoughts exactly
 
The sponge has been in clean solution for a few days without it turning color, but squeezing it there does appear feel different. It is possible that it became dirtier because it was in a bucket with used solution, or from using it after it had been soaking for a while. Its just been too cold to wash my vehicles.

The one time I wanted it to change color....

I usually have to hit it with power clean or soak it in a bucket of 114, but since that is hard to come by now, its saved lol.
 
Thanks for the reply. And yea it figures... Certain things pick the worst time not to work. Lol.


Sent from my iPhone
 
I went from washing 2 or 3 vehicles once or twice a week to washing one vehicle maybe once a week. So when it was warmer out the sponge was getting much dirtier much faster, apparantly it is the dirt being pulled off the vehicle and getting stuck into the sponge. If the sponge is cleaned after each use it wont build up like this, but soaking it in WG or any of the other polymer based rinseless washes with gloss enhancers will do it, except ONRWW, the sponge stays fine in it.

This was after soaking in a clean solution for a couple days from this thread.

63B02557-66C8-4682-B11C-B8D0232A17F4_zpssm0wugek.jpg


E4436F9C-4F17-4E32-867D-898C89E5F94B_zpsx3vblign.jpg


This was today after about 4 vehicle washes

80509621-BA43-4C46-8E93-D43FBEB3E93E_zpspqotwci0.jpg


37D9C1B1-F944-4E46-8931-8944A430DADE_zps1hrcsjlu.jpg


99BFA7A8-750B-4989-BDE9-6DF0AF439850_zpsbdihittw.jpg


The sponge will continue to get blacker and blacker and washing a panel I can see something being smeared on it, compared to a new solution with a clean sponge.

Its probably a good problem to have, means the polymers are encapsulating pretty well, I suppose.

The only notable thing I can come up with why ONR wont attract dirt into the sponge like this is Yvaan said ONR has zwinewicker (spelling I know, some chemistry mumbo jumbo, ), essentially the solution pushes particles away from eachother, why dirt settles in the bottom of ONR and makes it safe to use 1 bucket. It must push the dirt away from the sponge as well, who knows.
 
JeffM said:
The only notable thing I can come up with who knows.
Click to expand...

The notable thing I come up with is that crusty blue lid you're using for your rinseless bucket... I bet it's twice as bad on the inside isn't it? And you wonder why the sponge winds up getting dirty on its own.. Lol. Just kidding man.

Well it looks legit. Thanks for the update. I wonder how Megs D114 would fare on keeping the sponge clean since it does really well keeping microfiber towels from staining and superb at releasing dirt. That's a funky looking sponge.. I suppose it's well engineered and works well, but it sure doesn't look like it'd be the safest thing to use.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top