Optimum Opti-Seal

Junebug said:
Quote:Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant also leaves any surface very slick. It also has more of a warm glow of a nuba vs. the hard cold shine of Opti-Seal and many other sealants. Opti-Seal may have more durability. I can't really say because I've never tried it.

That's what's wrong - "never tried it" but it has a hard cold shine - Buddy, I have used WG sealer and after putting OS on my Rav4 (flint mica) and my wife's Sienna (burgandy) there's NO going back to WG. Frankly, I like the Optimum line for compounds and polishes over any of the other products I've tried: WG, XMT, Megs, 3M, Presta, Chemical Guys opps - I mean Poor Boys!
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Great story, and as I'm sure you know, your *opinion* has about as much merit as well, mine or Gary's. So lets leave it as that. I *have* tried it and surprise Poor Boy's (oops I mean Chemical Guy's) Natty's blue wax is better, as is Souveran, as is WGPS, in my opinion of course. :D

P.S.-does CG's making a product make it inherently worse than optimum that makes their own products? This isn't a trick question.
 
Nimble said:
Great story, and as I'm sure you know, your *opinion* has about as much merit as well, mine or Gary's. So lets leave it as that. I *have* tried it and surprise Poor Boy's (oops I mean Chemical Guy's) Natty's blue wax is better, as is Souveran, as is WGPS, in my opinion of course. :D

P.S.-does CG's making a product make it inherently worse than optimum that makes their own products? This isn't a trick question.
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Nor does it make it better......although i find C.G 'S Wet mirror finish ultra slick awesome......
 
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BILL said:
Nor does it make it better......although i find C.G 'S Wet mirror finish ultra slick awesome......
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My point being that CG's makes some of the best products on the market.
 
lets stay quite clear from private labeling .. we dont know the truth and Steve said he doesnt. Leave it at that, if you like a version or product better than another then use it.
 
Turtle Wax does private labeling for everyone,...I just let out the AG secret











:D :p
 
Let me resurrect this thread with some information on OptiSeal and how I now apply it. Having helped develop OptiSeal I have been using it longer than anyone and during that use my buddy Ron and I have developed our own way of application.

After polishing my victim I apply a few pumps of OptiSeal on to a plush microfiber which is only used for this type of application. I then apply the misted microfiber to the paint and work it in well, you can also mist the panel and then work it in but the goal is to work that panel until very little is left to evaporate.

I then move on to another detailing chore and return to the paint about an hour or more later. I fan the portions of the car where I will re-apply another layer of OptiSeal to remove any settled dust and duplicate my application method but this time as I'm appply the OptiSeal I will, as it begins to evaporate, burnish the paint with my microfiber (you can flip the towel over for this step if you like). Using this method you'll use more OptiSeal but I have never had any streaking issues on paint, glass, chrome, etc. while doing it this way.

So in short, apply OptiSeal liberally on a plush microfiber, don't worry about streaks on this first step. Then an hour or more later apply less OptiSeal but burnish the paint until nothing remains (burnishing doesn't mean you'll apply more pressure but that you're just increasing your speed a bit).

You can in another hour or so repeat step 2 but I'm not sure anything more happens after 3 or 4 layers in one day.

Just the other day about 9 layers were applied to this 1991 M3. Did layer 9 do anything more spectacular to the finish than layer 3 ? Eh, I don't think so but we got a lot of compliments on the finish from people, asking what we had used.





91M3white.jpg







Anthony
 
Anthony, I have used both of the no-wipe sealants offered and still have alot of streaking issues with Optiseal specifically on black but also noted on darker metallics. I have tried to use super sparingly as noted but it certainly is more finicky than the "other" brand. I will also note the "other" brand recently brought out an updated version with more apparent gloss. What are you and Optimum doing to better the expectation of this product for end-user specificially as it relates to over-use and gloss factor ??
 
Anthony Orosco said:
So in short, apply OptiSeal liberally on a plush microfiber, don't worry about streaks on this first step. Then an hour or more later apply less OptiSeal but burnish the paint until nothing remains (burnishing doesn't mean you'll apply more pressure but that you're just increasing your speed a bit).Anthony
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Anthony, when you say to "burnish with more speed", are you referring by hand or with a PC? I assume you mean just buff it by hand? Thanks for clarifying.

I've used the tri color euro foam applicator seen below with great success. I use the softer grey side.
 
killrwheels@autogeek said:
Anthony, I have used both of the no-wipe sealants offered and still have alot of streaking issues with Optiseal specifically on black but also noted on darker metallics. I have tried to use super sparingly as noted but it certainly is more finicky than the "other" brand. I will also note the "other" brand recently brought out an updated version with more apparent gloss. What are you and Optimum doing to better the expectation of this product for end-user specificially as it relates to over-use and gloss factor ??
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Well in my talks with David of Optimum we haven't really discussed anything about a re-design or an updated version only because he feels the positive results far outweigh the negative.

In the end it all comes down to what you as the individual is most comfortable using and what you feel gives you the best finish and results, whether it be the Zaino, Ultima or Optimum....or good ol paste/liquid/sealants. I would rather give advice to someone NOT to use OptiSeal if they can't seem to get the desired results than continue to tell them to keep using it in hopes it one day works for them.

I'm really sorry you and others have had some application issues with OptiSeal and I wish I could come out and personally try and help out but I can't realistically. I can though (if I ever get that precious spare time) post up a video I made of OptiSeal application and perhaps this will help people out having issues. I need to edit and shorten the movie and I just keep putting it off.....and off.............and off.

Anthony
 
dengood1 said:
Anthony, when you say to "burnish with more speed", are you referring by hand or with a PC? I assume you mean just buff it by hand? Thanks for clarifying.

I've used the tri color euro foam applicator seen below with great success. I use the softer grey side.
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I mean by hand. I am experimenting with other application techniques using OptiSeal that if works will be pretty cool and I'll be sure to post them.

I'm also working with cross using OptiSeal with other products which *may* shorten ones detailing routine. Again I'll post results if positive.

Anthony
 
Anthony Orosco said:
Well in my talks with David of Optimum we haven't really discussed anything about a re-design or an updated version only because he feels the positive results far outweigh the negative.

In the end it all comes down to what you as the individual is most comfortable using and what you feel gives you the best finish and results, whether it be the Zaino, Ultima or Optimum....or good ol paste/liquid/sealants. I would rather give advice to someone NOT to use OptiSeal if they can't seem to get the desired results than continue to tell them to keep using it in hopes it one day works for them.

I'm really sorry you and others have had some application issues with OptiSeal and I wish I could come out and personally try and help out but I can't realistically. I can though (if I ever get that precious spare time) post up a video I made of OptiSeal application and perhaps this will help people out having issues. I need to edit and shorten the movie and I just keep putting it off.....and off.............and off.

Anthony
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Anthony, please dont take this as a slam, but I feel it shortsighted of any manufacturer to fail to upgrade or enhance a product when complaints are forthcoming from its users and a product exists that basically does the same thing without such a different outcome. I think Sal was smart to consider adding gloss at his clients request since most felt the OS product had significantly better final looks. That said David, IMO, should realize he can produce a product that doesnt streak even if used a little heavier by end user.

Obviously I would prefer to use a AG offered product, and thus why I am so challenging on this product.
 
Nope, not taking it that way at all. I understand what you're saying and while I have mentioned this to David he looks at the 90% who have success with it rather than the 10% who may not. I'm not saying that an "updated" version will not ever be offered but as far as I know David has no immediate plans to tweak it.

When OptiSeal first came out I got an email from a regular on many of the forums asking me if he purchased OptiSeal would it be a waste because 6 weeks down the road would there be an "updated version" and I ensured him that there wouldn't. He uses the product and has come to be very fond of it.

It makes me think of all the people who bought Zaino CS and touted about how glossy it is and better than OptiSeal and Ultima in that department only to have another version coming out which, I believe, states it now adds more gloss. Are these people going to be given a new fresh bottle of CS, a discount on a new bottle, have to buy a new bottle or left with a product they may now feel is "sub-par"? I can't speak for others but I would not like to spend $30.00 on a product then 2 weeks later (I know CS has been out a lot longer than 2 weeks, I'm exaggerating here) a new and improved version come out (yeah I know it happens all the time) but I personally don't care for it UNLESS the product is just plain faulty from the start.

Optimum spray wax is being tweaked after 5 years, the tire shine has been as well as the Protectant plus, car shampoo and No Rinse and while I can't say OptiSeal will never see a tweak I can say though with great confidence that it won't within the next 6 months. At that time David will evaluate the product and see what changes, if any, need to be made.

Anthony
 
Anthony Orosco said:
Let me resurrect this thread with some information on OptiSeal and how I now apply it. Having helped develop OptiSeal I have been using it longer than anyone and during that use my buddy Ron and I have developed our own way of application.

After polishing my victim I apply a few pumps of OptiSeal on to a plush microfiber which is only used for this type of application. I then apply the misted microfiber to the paint and work it in well, you can also mist the panel and then work it in but the goal is to work that panel until very little is left to evaporate.

I then move on to another detailing chore and return to the paint about an hour or more later. I fan the portions of the car where I will re-apply another layer of OptiSeal to remove any settled dust and duplicate my application method but this time as I'm appply the OptiSeal I will, as it begins to evaporate, burnish the paint with my microfiber (you can flip the towel over for this step if you like). Using this method you'll use more OptiSeal but I have never had any streaking issues on paint, glass, chrome, etc. while doing it this way.

So in short, apply OptiSeal liberally on a plush microfiber, don't worry about streaks on this first step. Then an hour or more later apply less OptiSeal but burnish the paint until nothing remains (burnishing doesn't mean you'll apply more pressure but that you're just increasing your speed a bit).

You can in another hour or so repeat step 2 but I'm not sure anything more happens after 3 or 4 layers in one day.

Just the other day about 9 layers were applied to this 1991 M3. Did layer 9 do anything more spectacular to the finish than layer 3 ? Eh, I don't think so but we got a lot of compliments on the finish from people, asking what we had used.

Anthony
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Thanks for the tip I'll try using OS this way in a couple of weeks and post my thoughts/review. OS is a stand alone product right? and it can by use over a sealant AND caraunba? Just want to make sure Feed back please
 
I used OS and really couldnt tell a difference on my finish. I will try it again using this method.
 
Thanks Anthony.....i will try it that way you recommend this week and post back my 2nd experience with this product........
 
Yes wytstang, OptiSeal can be used over and/or under a carnauba.

My personal preference is to use it as a stand alone lsp. I'm not one to use a plethora of lsp's nor does time really allow that for most of my work but if given the chance the most I may do is add a paste wax on top of a few layers of OptiSeal, usually Trade Secret or Victoria Concours wax.

Sometime this week I'm going to try a radical application method of OptiSeal after some brain storming with David over the weekend while I was in Dallas for the BMW Oktoberfest. If this works it won't be used by everyone I'm sure because the application conditions need to be critical but it may produce some nice results.

As for looks, please remember that ALL looks are subjective. I spoke with a guy at the BMW event this past weekend and he swore up and down about using his Griot Garage stuff and while his car looked glossy it had halo-scratches all over it. He looked at the BMW we had there and was impressed with it but couldn't believe we didn't use a wax on it. When he saw how easy OptiSeal was applied, how little is used and how long 8 ounces will last him he changed his tune to "Well my wax finish looks better and will last longer!" I wasn't going to argue with him because his mind is made up.

It's about personal choice and what one feels they like best in terms of looks and application. It's like when I first started using Optimum spray wax and talking about it on the forums. People said there was no way a "spray wax" could be better than a wax you have to rub on, haze up and then rub off. The mindset says that if it's too easy it must not be that good.

Anthony
 
The application tip I got from Anthony's posts was to work OS into the paint. The instructions on the bottle say to "work" it in, but I have mainly just been wiping it on.

Need to "work in-walk away".
 
Waxmax said:
The application tip I got from Anthony's posts was to work OS into the paint. The instructions on the bottle say to "work" it in, but I have mainly just been wiping it on.

Need to "work in-walk away".
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Just finished polishing with 106ff and applied one coat of OS. Waited 1 hour, but was too dark to apply second coat. Will QD with FCS today and try Anthony's method on second coat. Will post my results late today.
 
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