OPT finish Polish new formula on soft paint

it is a little oily..you def can see it smearing all over when you throw a light at the paint. Thats why I always wash the car after buffing it out with 85
 
I understand not wanting to have to change pads to make this polish work, but the crimson pad isn't as soft as they come. It actually has some cut to it. I think you would have much better results on a black pad that is softer and truely has no cut.

From AG's website on the Crimson pads -
The crimson foam is designed to apply waxes, glazes, and sealants in flawless, even coats without causing swirls. The soft foam has very light polishing ability, making it a great choice for cleaner waxes, too.
 
I understand not wanting to have to change pads to make this polish work, but the crimson pad isn't as soft as they come. It actually has some cut to it. I think you would have much better results on a black pad that is softer and truely has no cut.

From AG's website on the Crimson pads -
if someone wants to review it with another pad be my guest..I only use Hydrotech Low pro pads on my car because thats what works for me and thats all I buy for it. But comparing the 2 with the SAME pad shows that 85 still finishes down better..so if I put OPT on the black pad and it finish down well. 85RD is still going to work great with that pad as well. so I still think 85RD is a better finish polish for very soft paint.
 
As far as DA polishers go, 85rd works incredibly well with a BLACK foam pad on most paints, however I've achieved better results on some paints with the Crimson HT pad.

Your results may vary. I'm still hopeful that there will someday be an alternative to 85rd in the MF polishing world that works fast. I like 85rd when I have tons of time, and I want to spend hours working and working that polish to make the finish as close to flawless as possible, but in the real world, time matters...and the MF revolution has taken the almost extinct DA polisher, and turned it into a "must have" by making correcting paint easy ...and fast, even for newbies.

Taking the final step with MF pads...easy and fast/with jeweling capability has been a real challenge. I think there is a possible solution out there....HD UNO version 4. It shows incredible promise of having ONE product that can compound, polish, finish, and jewel just by varying technique and pads. I plan on spending a bunch of time next spring finding out. I want an easy, fast, detailing made simple solution to ALL scenarios...and if one product can do this, it will be revolutionary, or perhaps a natural evolution.

In the meantime, the old reliables remain on my shelf.
 
if someone wants to review it with another pad be my guest..I only use Hydrotech Low pro pads on my car because thats what works for me and thats all I buy for it. But comparing the 2 with the SAME pad shows that 85 still finishes down better..so if I put OPT on the black pad and it finish down well. 85RD is still going to work great with that pad as well. so I still think 85RD is a better finish polish for very soft paint.

What if OPT finishes down better with a black pad? 85RD is still better? From memory these two finish polishes are quite different in that one is DAT (85RD) and the other is SMAT (OPT FP). Assuming I am remembering correctly, it doesn't seem all that surprising to me that the method (pad, machine, technique) that works well on one, would perform differently with the other...

I have Red Hydrotech as well as Red & Black CCS pads all in 4" that I plan to use on vivid black Harley this winter with Optimum Finish Polish so we will see how it works out. I couldn't say whether or not this black is harder or softer then what you are working on but compared to the paints I have played with, it ranks as pretty soft. But in my case I specifically got the red hydrotech with its light amount of cut for removing the swirls and the red & black CCS pads to try out for finishing as they have no cut.
 
As far as DA polishers go, 85rd works incredibly well with a BLACK foam pad on most paints, however I've achieved better results on some paints with the Crimson HT pad.

Your results may vary. I'm still hopeful that there will someday be an alternative to 85rd in the MF polishing world that works fast. I like 85rd when I have tons of time, and I want to spend hours working and working that polish to make the finish as close to flawless as possible, but in the real world, time matters...and the MF revolution has taken the almost extinct DA polisher, and turned it into a "must have" by making correcting paint easy ...and fast, even for newbies.

Taking the final step with MF pads...easy and fast/with jeweling capability has been a real challenge. I think there is a possible solution out there....HD UNO version 4. It shows incredible promise of having ONE product that can compound, polish, finish, and jewel just by varying technique and pads. I plan on spending a bunch of time next spring finding out. I want an easy, fast, detailing made simple solution to ALL scenarios...and if one product can do this, it will be revolutionary, or perhaps a natural evolution.

In the meantime, the old reliables remain on my shelf.
look forward to your findings
 
Starting to feel like if someone says the Optimum product on this forum isnt the best everyone jumps on you abot it..This is my finidings on my car with the products I use..I never said it was the end all be all but with super soft paint and the HT crimson pad the 85rd beats the optimum. I have no use for any other type of pads to own because I only work on my car. Granted I have the MF system but thats only for once in a while if I do my neighbors car or my GF's. I am sure someone can figure a way to make it work better with a different type of pad and maybe working it alot longer..but why does that do me any good making me have to work longer on my car to achieve the same results with the 85RD faster.
 
it would be interesting to know if DAT polishes eventually break down to finer crystals than SMAT polishes which could explain why they finish better on soft paint.

you've found what works for you so no reason to change anything. Thanks for doing the experiment on your car in any case.

It didn't work out but it added to the knowledge base here and that's never a bad thing.
 
Starting to feel like if someone says the Optimum product on this forum isnt the best everyone jumps on you abot it..This is my finidings on my car with the products I use..I never said it was the end all be all but with super soft paint and the HT crimson pad the 85rd beats the optimum. I have no use for any other type of pads to own because I only work on my car. Granted I have the MF system but thats only for once in a while if I do my neighbors car or my GF's. I am sure someone can figure a way to make it work better with a different type of pad and maybe working it alot longer..but why does that do me any good making me have to work longer on my car to achieve the same results with the 85RD faster.

I feel they aren't jumping on you about it - they are trying to help. But I definitely, can see your point it certainly comes across that way. I wouldn't take it personally.

Everyone has products that perform well and for others don't perform well for whatever reason. So many variables out there....It doesn't mean either is right or wrong.

Optimum also has a large following of loyal customers. And so does Menzerna.
 
it would be interesting to know if DAT polishes eventually break down to finer crystals than SMAT polishes which could explain why they finish better on soft paint.

you've found what works for you so no reason to change anything. Thanks for doing the experiment on your car in any case.

It didn't work out but it added to the knowledge base here and that's never a bad thing.

DAT- Diminishing Abrasive Technology
SMAT - Super Micro Abrasive Technology

( I stole this from Mike Phillips.... all you have to do is search - I found this in less than 20 seconds by searching "smat dat"


DAT - Diminishing Abrasives Technology
Diminishing Abrasives are a category of abrasives that actually break down, pulverize and disintegrate into nothingness as you work them against the paint.

For example, a diminishing abrasive will start out a certain size and/or shape, then under pressure over time as they are worked against the paint they will actually breakdown or break apart. This means they start out aggressive and thus aggressively abrading the paint, as they are worked under pressure over time they begin to break down and as they breakdown their aggressiveness level is reduced to the point that when correctly worked they are completely broken down and all you have left is a mixture of spent or used-up diminishing abrasives and the carrying agent or base they were embodied in to start with. There's also a certain amount of removed paint in this resulting mixture.


SMAT - Super Micro Abrasives Technology
Super Micro Abrasives are as the name states microscopic in size and do not break down like diminishing abrasives. While they may not breakdown like a diminishing abrasive, there does come a point where there effectiveness falls off in performance, my guess is that this is a cumulative effect of the base formula they are embodied in dissipates while particles of removed paint build up in the residue adulterating or diluting their effectiveness.

Just to note, this same adulterating or diluting effect takes place with any abrasive product because as the abrasive remove small particles of paint, these small particle of paint join into the mixture thus changing the ratio or percentage of abrasives to the base formula.

ALSO FROM MIKE PHILLIPS POST:

Also, many Optimum polishes use SMAT. Note one isn't necessarily better than the other, just options.

From my article list under




The SMAT Pack - Everything you ever wanted to know about Meguiar's SMAT products...

The Aggressiveness Order of SMAT Products - This might surprise you!


I think I touch on these topics in my how-to book also...
 
Starting to feel like if someone says the Optimum product on this forum isnt the best everyone jumps on you abot it..This is my finidings on my car with the products I use..I never said it was the end all be all but with super soft paint and the HT crimson pad the 85rd beats the optimum. I have no use for any other type of pads to own because I only work on my car. Granted I have the MF system but thats only for once in a while if I do my neighbors car or my GF's. I am sure someone can figure a way to make it work better with a different type of pad and maybe working it alot longer..but why does that do me any good making me have to work longer on my car to achieve the same results with the 85RD faster.

I don't think anyone is jumping on you here. They are trying to offer some logical explination as to why perhaps it didn't give you the results you expected!

That being said: Use whatever works best for you. I think it is pretty admirable that you were having such great success with 85rd and still decided to try another product. Oh well... OPT didn't work as well for YOU and thats why there so many products out there to suit our individual needs and personal methods! All in all good right up and thanks for sharing your results even tho it wasn't a personal success story! :props:
 
Starting to feel like if someone says the Optimum product on this forum isnt the best everyone jumps on you abot it..This is my finidings on my car with the products I use..I never said it was the end all be all but with super soft paint and the HT crimson pad the 85rd beats the optimum. I have no use for any other type of pads to own because I only work on my car. Granted I have the MF system but thats only for once in a while if I do my neighbors car or my GF's. I am sure someone can figure a way to make it work better with a different type of pad and maybe working it alot longer..but why does that do me any good making me have to work longer on my car to achieve the same results with the 85RD faster.

That is certainly not my intent and I don't think it was the others either. My observaton was that you said you used Optimum Finish in exactly the same manner as 85rd and at a speed setting higher than we recommend...but you also said you didn't get any instuctions with your sample. I was only suggesting to try it again per our directions, but if you're happy with what you have then certainly stick with it. The only reason I chimed in at all is that I know Optimum Finish doesn't do that when used per instructions...which you didnt have.:cheers:
 
what do you recommend..i will give it another go
 
From our site and packaging:

To apply Optimum Finish, use light to medium buffing pressure with a finishing foam pad (no cut). For high speed buffers, 1000-1400 RPM will provide excellent swirl removal and a flawless finish. The polish is aggressive enough to remove 2500 sand scratches, but fine enough to produce perfect results even with a high speed buffer. For orbital buffers, use a medium to light cutting pad with moderate speed (3-4) and pressure for desired results. Always use enough polish to create a barrier between the buffing pad and the paint surface. Wipe off residue by misting either water or Optimum Car Wax and gently wiping off with a plush microfiber towel.

Always use enough product to create a barrier between the buffing pad and the paint surface. Wipe off residue by misting Optimum Car Wax on it and wiping it with a microfiber towel for a steak-free perfect finish. Can be used by hand or with an orbital or high-speed buffer.
 
I will pickup a black pad today and give it a quick go
 
My initial thought was to change the pad to a black or blue LC pad which is what everyone keeps telling the OP - use a pad with no cut. However, the directions say to use a medium-light cutting pad and according to the description for the Crimson pad it does have some polishing ability. The OP said he used it at speed 4.5 and the directions say 3-4. If I'm reading this right then he should only slow down the machine using the same pad. Feed back please

*Edit - correction to crimson HT description
 
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