Optimum Car Wax UVA/UVB Blocking Efficiency/Duration

[RMM]

One of my most cherished products in detailing is Optimum Car Wax (OCW). As it is widely know, it claims that it has UVA/UVB inhibitors in its formulation (that, with time and continuous use, will permeate the clear coat and add/replace the stock of inhibitors that are present originally in the OEM paint).

In analogy with the SPF factors that describe sun-blockers (roughly, they tell how long a person can stand in the sun without getting a sun burn as a multiple of the time they can do it without the sun-blocker. It depends on several variables such as the intensity of the solar radiation, the skin absorption, etc), I would like to know the following:
- how long do the inhibitors protect the paint from fading (I know you should reapply OCW every four months – does this mean that 4 months is the median life of the inhibitors?)
- what is its efficiency (does it cover all the UVA/UVB range?)

I am a big fan of Dr. David Ghodoussi's products (it's a pity that there are no stores in Europe such as the great AG that carry all the Optimum Car Care range...) and I know other Optimum's items protect against UV (such as the Tire Gel):
- does Opti-Coat 2.0 have the same protection?
- what about Opti-Clean? I usually use 303 Aerospace Protectant (I know Opti-Clean cleans and protects and 303 only protects) because it claims SPF 40 (I don't know how long that translates in days for a normal dashboard...).

Last information: I live in Lisbon, Portugal (roughly the same latitude as Washington D. C.) if you guys want to give me a more taylor-made answer...(I wish!)

I know this is a bit technical and if it is out of scope of this forum, I would ask Mike Phillips to do what he feels best about this thread.

 

[Rsurfer]

Chris from Optimum will probably chime in, if not you can always pm or email him. I believe OCW is the only spray wax with 2 UV patents. BTW I have 2 gallons of OCW, just to show you how much I like it.

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Optimumforums

 

[KneeDragr]

I sure wish they would make a paste wax. OCW just does not play nice in my conditions, its really streaky, looks awful. A nice paste wax with those UV blockers and polymer protection without those issues would be awesome!

 

[Chris Thomas]

...how long do the inhibitors protect the paint from fading (I know you should reapply OCW every four months – does this mean that 4 months is the median life of the inhibitors?)
- what is its efficiency (does it cover all the UVA/UVB range?)

From another thread, Dr. G stated: "The UV absorbers we use in the Optimum Car Wax are the same as those in the clearcoat paint. The testing we did is an ASTM standard test for automotive paint. A series of panels were painted with automotive base coat/clear coat at the Bayer polymer division (they supply isocyanates to the major OEM paint suppliers and some car manufacturers). The panels were placed in a QUV chamber for roughly 1,500 hours which is equivalent to 5-7 years of external UV exposure. As the test progressed, it was evident that the panels that had Optimum Car Wax with UV protection did not show any fading for the duration of the test while the panels without UV lost gloss and reflectivity (Definition of Image). These results are listed at the end of the patent 6,669,763 (you can use this link United States Patent: 6669763) which was awarded for this new technology since no other wax or sealant provided UV protection."

3-5 months is the life of the bonded wax to a well prepped surface. it has no bearing on the life of the UV inhibitors contained within it. As long as you keep the wax on the car and replaced it as you see beading falling away, you will have the UV protection. OCW has no abrasives and no solvents, so it's intended use is to protect properly prepped surfaces. Dirt, overspray, contaminates, etc. should be removed prior to use.

I know other Optimum's items protect against UV (such as the Tire Gel):
- does Opti-Coat 2.0 have the same protection?
- what about Opti-Clean? I usually use 303 Aerospace Protectant (I know Opti-Clean cleans and protects and 303 only protects) because it claims SPF 40 (I don't know how long that translates in days for a normal dashboard...).

The UV protection in tire gel is not the same as what's in OCW. It is the same UV additives that are used in the tire manufacturing process.

Optimum Coatings have some UV, but once the UV damaged/oxidized paint is removed and the coating is applied it becomes a non-issue. The remaining paint won't loose any more UV and the coating will not oxidize.

Opti Clean is a spray and wipe cleaner safe for interior and exterior surfaces, it doesn't have UV inhibitors and only some polymer protection remains behind. Opti Clean should be followed with Optimum Protectant Plus on interior surfaces to provide/restore UV protection.

Last information: I live in Lisbon, Portugal (roughly the same latitude as Washington D. C.) if you guys want to give me a more taylor-made answer...(I wish!)

Your climate is always a variable to consider, but just watching how your finish reacts to water will tell the tale. When prepped and waxed an extremely hydrophobic reaction is observed. Over time, bonded contaminants will eventually make the beads less crisp and the surface will loose some slickness. Then, when waxes wear away, you will see beads flat pools that don't run off easily. Just watch for these and then adjust your regimine accordingly. Any time listed is only a guide...for example: my BMW manual says that I only need to change my oil at 15,000 mile intervals. But, I check my oil every month and when it "looks" dirty, I change it...usually around 5,000 miles.

I sure wish they would make a paste wax. OCW just does not play nice in my conditions, its really streaky, looks awful. A nice paste wax with those UV blockers and polymer protection without those issues would be awesome!

Feel free to contact me an tell me about your process, I know we can find the problem. Usually, when there are streaks it's just too much product being used...or the applicator/towel is too saturated. I spread the product with one towel, then buff it with another clean, dry towel untill it disappears. The only time I get streaks with this method is if the paint is not ready for a "pure protection wax" meaning that it needs a cleaner wax to remove bonded contaminants...or when I apply it to a panel that is too warm. It really is that simple, usually...but let me know if you have a different issue. One other time i had trouble on a single stage paint...but that was the paint because nothing worked or lasted on that thing.

 

[faulksy]

Some awesome info there Chris

 

[Larry S]

Wow! Great info there, Chris.

Thank You

 

[umi000]

I sure wish they would make a paste wax. OCW just does not play nice in my conditions, its really streaky, looks awful. A nice paste wax with those UV blockers and polymer protection without those issues would be awesome!

Might be a crazy thought, but if you're willing to go through the effort of applying a paste wax and removing, have you tried using OCW in a similar fashion? Spray on an applicator, spread, let haze, buff off. I've seen a post where someone used Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax in a similar fashion - more to test whether it'd work and how difficult it'd be to buff off.

 

[mwoolfso]

I don't recall ever seeing OCW haze; always did SOWO.

 

[KneeDragr]

Might be a crazy thought, but if you're willing to go through the effort of applying a paste wax and removing, have you tried using OCW in a similar fashion? Spray on an applicator, spread, let haze, buff off. I've seen a post where someone used Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Wax in a similar fashion - more to test whether it'd work and how difficult it'd be to buff off.

I'm all out but maybe I will give that a shot sometime in the future.

 

[RMM]

Thank you very much for your answer Chris! :dblthumb2:

 

[joebruin77]

As the test progressed, it was evident that the panels that had Optimum Car Wax with UV protection did not show any fading for the duration of the test while the panels without UV lost gloss and reflectivity (Definition of Image). These results are listed at the end of the patent 6,669,763 (you can use this link

I am curious if the research Dr G sites included other car waxes or sealants. If his study only compared a non-protected panel to one with OCW, then that doesn't speak to the question do other waxes and sealants provide less UV protection. If the study included panels protected by several other waxes and sealants on the market and the one with OCW was the only one out of all of them not to show damage from UV, then that would be impressive.