Review: 3 Trim Protectants 1 Bumper- 303, Wolfgang, Opti

[KirkH]

Trim Protectant Review: 303, Opti-Seal, Wofgang

I tested three trim protectants that I had in my inventory.

303 Trim Restorer & Protectant

Wolfgang Vinyl & Rubber Protectant

Optimum Opti-Seal

The test subject, a weather beaten 2010 Jeep front bumper!

Before application of trim protectant, the test bumper:

Immediately after application
Wolfgang

Wofgang is sprayable,smells good and was easily applied.

303

The 303 is weird. It looks clear, but goes on blue and was tough to buff off:

Opti Seal

Just spray and wipe.

18 hours after application
Wolfgang

Looks great! Even, dark, smooth satin finish. Dry to the touch.

303

Looks bad. I think worse than than before application. Whitish,splotchy. This is going in the trash.

Opti Seal

Looks really bad. Definitely worse than before! Challky, splotchy, really bad. I love Opti Seal on paint, but on Jeep trim, it is a failure.

Now compare these to this:

24 hours after application of Chemical Guys Carbon Flex C9 trim protectant

There’s no comparison. C9 is the best trim protectant I have tried. It is probably the best product I have ever bought. You can see my review of itin this forum.

Wolfgang is a keeper at about $22 for 16 oz.
Opti-Seal is a keeper for paint at $24 for 16 oz.
303 was a waste of about $8 since it came in a multi pack with other 303 products. Of those, I love 303 convertible top cleaner.

Carbon Flex C9 is $80 for 1 oz. It took about .25 oz for both mirrors and 4 fenders on a Jeep Wrangler Sport.

Please post up with questions, criticisms,comments,etc. Have a great day!

 

[The Guz]

Well the only real trim protectant is the one from 303. So I can see why your results were not good especially with opti-seal. Opti-seal may have many uses but at the end of the day it is a paint protectant.

303 is best applied in single strokes from one side to the other instead similar of working it in because it cures fairly quick. It doesn't need a lot of time for it to be buffed off.

 

[KirkH]

The instructions on the 303 says "Work into surface and allow product to fully dry."

Opti-Seal claims to be trim protectant. Others have reviewed it on the web for trim and had success.

The Wolfgang bottle says "developed to beautify, PROTECT and condition any rubber or vinyl surface."

Maybe I don't understand "secret detailer language" ;-)

 

[The Guz]

I know what 303 says. I received it and reviewed it from a giveaway on the forum. From using it, working it in is not the best way to apply it. It will streak doing that and appear splotchy.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-303-automotive-trim-restorer-protectant.html

Opti-Seal is meant to be used as a paint sealant. Does it work to protect trim? Yes. But it is not going to restore trim. A trim restorer like 303 or solution finish will restore the trim.

Description of opti-seal pulled from optimum's site

Optimum Opti-Seal is a revolutionary paint sealant that creates unmatched slickness and gloss with just a few drops per vehicle. One ounce completely seals and protects 4-5 cars! This product leaves no residue and requires no buffing. Enjoy months of durable polymer protection with just drops of Opti-Seal.

Optimum Opti-Seal is a true paint sealant with no cleaning properties. It seals and protects paint under a crystal clear barrier of cross-linked polymers. Dirt, moisture, oil, and UV radiation are all sealed out of the paint to maintain optimum gloss. It is a spray sealant that provides the durability of traditional sealants in minutes.

The science behind Opti-Seal is incredible. The hyper concentrated polymer sealant begins cross-linking as soon as it hits the paint. Opti-Seal flashes almost immediately to leave a polymer film on the paint. Opti-Seal is not a short-cut product. It is a state-of-the-art, stand-alone spray sealant that provides real, durable protection for paint, plastic trim, and wheels. This is a last step product, not a maintenance product. After polishing, apply Opti-Seal and walk away. Opti-Seal is the only paint protection your vehicle needs.

Opti-Seal is crystal clear in the bottle and on the paint. Applied very thinly, it will not streak or cloud. Simply spray, wipe, and walk away. Opti-Seal leaves absolutely no residue to buff off. Paint protection couldn’t be any easier!

Opti-Seal contains no fillers or cleaners. This is a true paint sealant. If your vehicle has some light imperfections, use Optimum Poli-Seal or Optimum Polish for removing oxidation and any other paint correction. Top the smooth, shiny finish with Opti-Seal for added protection and gloss. Opti-Seal can also be used as a base coat under Optimum Car Wax or any other car wax.

Based on the description of Wolfgang, it appears it's meant more for rubber and vinyl. I don't see plastic mentioned on it. I have never used it so I am just basing this per the description on Autogeek's site. To me it appears that this is meant more for interiors. I am sure it would work on plastic but it probably won't last as long as 303 or the coating you currently have.

Penetrate, restore, and protect vinyl and rubber automotive surfaces.

Wolfang Vinyl & Rubber Protectant is a powerful preservative for all vinyl and rubber automotive surfaces. Restore and maintain the supple, smooth texture of the dash, door panels, and console with regular applications. Wolfang Vinyl & Rubber Protectant leaves a satin, non-greasy finish that looks better than new!

Ultraviolet rays are the single biggest contributor to vinyl and rubber deterioration. The windows actually magnify sunlight, accelerating discoloration, fading and cracking on the steering wheel, dash and seats. Wolfgang Vinyl & Rubber Protectant conditions and protects rubber and vinyl surfaces while powerful sunscreens block surface-drying UV rays. Vinyl and rubber surfaces remain supple and soft.

Other protectant products contain petroleum distillates as their shine agent. These sit atop the vinyl as an oily, greasy film that looks and feels unnatural. These petroleum products can actually speed up drying and cracking of the top layer of vinyl over time. Wolfang Vinyl & Rubber Protectant works differently.

Wolfgang Vinyl & Rubber Protectant is a water-based conditioner that penetrates beyond the surface to help maintain pliability and integrity of rubber and vinyl. Wolfang Vinyl & Rubber Protectant provides a natural, rich, smooth finish that lasts because it emanates from within the vinyl and rubber, rather than just sitting on top.

You'll enjoy the refreshing Wolfgang signature scent lingering after you've protected your vinyl. The pH balanced, water-based formula leaves a satin, non-greasy finish that does not attract dust. Over time, your interior surfaces will retain their color and texture, and they’ll stay cleaner!

Wolfgang Vinyl & Rubber Protectant is a protectant and conditioner in one. Preserve and beautify your vehicle’s interior surfaces with Wolfgang’s non-greasy, UV-blocking interior surface protectant.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Eldorado2k]

Yea I agree with The Guz. You tested these 3 products but IMO the test has a couple critical flaws.

Wolfgang Vinyl & Rubber Protectant: It's a protectant, not a cleaner nor a restorer. [both of which that bumper is in major need of]

Opti Seal: Sounds like a "sealant" to me... When was the last time you applied a "sealant" on top of swirled out paint and blamed the sealant for not correcting, or in this case "restoring" the finish? Never, because that's not what sealant is meant for. Same way Opti Seal isn't meant to restore your trim.

303 Trim Restorer & Protectant: Ok now this 1 sort of puts it's foot in it's mouth with its name... But notice it wastes no time trying to bail itself out by adding "Keeps Trim Looking Like New" right underneath the product name.. That pretty much means it's restoring abilities aren't the greatest and it's probably 75% better meant for preserving new trim as opposed to restoring any trim.

The other thing wrong with the test is your failure to do any kind of prep to the surface. That's rule #1 if you expect any sort of proper and long lasting result when it comes to restoring rubber & plastic trim.

And why do we only get to see a finished product of the 4th entry? The 1 you just so happen to like? We're left to guess what kind of special treatment aka prep might've gone into that perticular piece of trim in order for it to turn out the way it did while the other 3 look like crud... This review is invalid! Lol.






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[KirkH]

I did leave out the prep, my bad, I'm new at this. The surfaces were cleaned 3 times. Orange degreaser, car shampoo, clayed, then invisible multipurpose cleaner. They were extremely clean.

Thanks for the criticisms. I will do better next time.


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[KirkH]

I did another review on the Carbon Flex C9 on this forum. I thought I put a link to it in this thread. All the bumpers and plastic got the same cleaning and prep treatment.


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[Eldorado2k]

I did leave out the prep, my bad, I'm new at this. The surfaces were cleaned 3 times. Orange degreaser, car shampoo, clayed, then invisible multipurpose cleaner. They were extremely clean.

Thanks for the criticisms. I will do better next time.


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No need to do better by any of us... At the end of the day we're all here to help.

You said you clayed textured trim? I'm not sure if that's such a good idea.. Did it look better after claying? How did you go about cleaning with the degreaser and all purpose cleaner? Did you wipe with a towel? Scrub with a brush? Or?

The main goal in pre cleaning/prep is to knock off as much of the oxidation [white chalky stuff] as possible prior to applying the final product. The closer you can get it to look like new before even applying the "trim protectant" the better.

My fav. product for preparing plastic trim is Mothers Heavy Duty Trim Cleaner.


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[KirkH]

Cool, thanks El. I used a stiff bristled brush with the orange, a mitt with the shampoo, Blackfire clay lube with a clay sponge block, and a microfiber with the Nonsense invisible cleaner. i also used Griots Dried on Wax remover and a toothbrush on a couple small spots of white chalky spots, but it seemed really harsh on the trim, so i only did test spots with it.

 

[mwoywod]

Hey, I actually really appreciate this little test and I just did some trim restoration on a 2003 wrangler today that has been parked outside for the past 4 years because the guy who owned it had it solely for plowing snow in the winter. I'm not kidding when I say the plastics were so chalky they were white. It took me two hours just to restore the plastics and I did it by scrubbing them with a soft bristle brush attached to a PC and some Optimum Power Clean which made little difference but my hope was that it opened the pores some. I then used OPT GPS (Glaze polish seal) and spray it directly on the plastics and polished them on speed 5 on my pc 7424xp with a green buff and shine pad and made sure to move slow yet fast enough not to create much heat and they ended up looking incredible. I plan on getting some pics together (which are terrible because I didn't think I could restore them without Solution Finish) but hopefully I'll be able post about the process and show some before and after photos by the weekend. I topped the slightly textured plastics with Opti-seal followed by Optimum car Wax.