Review: Optimum Eraser

[Perfections]

Just wanted to do a quick review on the Eraser. I've seen people's reviews and like them I was a little weirded out when I clayed the surface and didn't feel it getting slicker. But after some cars have passed I've come to love it. Super fast, conforms to tight areas well, and does a great job while not marring the surface. Like ONR when I first used it, I was skeptical of the technology, but after a few uses I trust this product and it hasn't let me down.

Here's a quick video I did to show how it works in tight spots, where you'd have to be reforming your clay.

http://youtu.be/Z-SuTMTQA0g

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Just wanted to do a quick review on the Eraser. I've seen people's reviews and like them I was a little weirded out when I clayed the surface and didn't feel it getting slicker. But after some cars have passed I've come to love it. Super fast, conforms to tight areas well, and does a great job while not marring the surface. Like ONR when I first used it, I was skeptical of the technology, but after a few uses I trust this product and it hasn't let me down.

Here's a quick video I did to show how it works in tight spots, where you'd have to be reforming your clay.

Optimum Eraser - YouTube

Two Q's:
1. Shouldn't the optimal word be "erased", instead of clayed?
2. No noticeable slickness even when using ONR as lube? Strange indeed.

Also.

I value your opinion, and also follow your posts on AGO, Optimumforums.org, and the OPT facebook page. I have not yet wrapped my head around the clay alternative offerings as of late. I am a clay purist. The process is the one step of the detailing process that I relish...having said this, and, after reading your statement regarding lack of slickness, please offer me a reason that may possible lead one such as myself into trying this product.

Huge fan of Dr. G., and OCC :xyxthumbs:...and whole-heartedly believe in the sentiment expressed by Nick:

I let the expert do all the heavy thinking and I simply take his word for it and use the products. I don't like to spend a whole lot of time thinking, analyzing and dissecting "theories" that I'm not properly educated on.

Can you help a brother detailer out?

 

[Perfections]

Two Q's:
1. Shouldn't the optimal word be "erased", instead of clayed?
2. No noticeable slickness even when using ONR as lube? Strange indeed.

Also.

I value your opinion, and also follow your posts on AGO, Optimumforums.org, and the OPT facebook page. I have not yet wrapped my head around the clay alternative offerings as of late. I am a clay purist. The process is the one step of the detailing process that I relish...having said this, and, after reading your statement regarding lack of slickness, please offer me a reason that may possible lead one such as myself into trying this product.

Huge fan of Dr. G., and OCC :xyxthumbs:...and whole-heartedly believe in the sentiment expressed by Nick:

Vegas, great catch, you're correct, it should've been erased instead of clayed. On question 2, it's a minimal difference in slickness as you are erasing the surface, not like clay where it's extremely noticeable, but more of slightly noticeable, which is where I had to trust the technology was working. Once I feel the slight change I move on.

As for trying the product, there are many reasons for me, doing this as a business to have this product vs clay. Speed, I'd not say cut my time in half but 40% improvement would be realistic. There's no need to keep refolding it, just keep it clean. 2nd, if you drop it, it's no big deal, just clean it off. 3rd, it's lasting way longer then a clay block, so it's cutting down my expenses. 4th, and the reason I made the video, it easily adapts to different shapes, where I'd have to be reforming the clay to properly work a certain angle, not the case with the eraser.

Thanks for the questions and if you have any more come to mind, please ask away.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

I'm not understanding the "slickness" issue...when you are claying the "slickness" comes from removing the contaminants...so if Opti-Eraser is actually removing the contaminants, then why wouldn't the surface be slick? Or are you saying that clay leaves some invisible residue on the surface that makes it slick?

This is all just academic to me, I hoarded enough on-sale clay years ago that it will still be a while before I try one of these replacements.

 

[Perfections]

The surface is slick to the touch, it's not as slick while you're in the process of claying/erasing. You know while claying a surface when the contaminants are removed the clay gets super slippery in that spot. It's not as noticeable with the eraser, but once you dry the surface, the surface is smooth and slick like any other clay.

 

[Setec Astronomy]

Oh...sorry, I misunderstood, the feel through the product, not directly on the surface...this has been mentioned in other reviews...sorry, not enough coffee this morning!

 

[Perfections]

Lol, Setec, it was my bad for not being more descriptive!

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Vegas, great catch, you're correct, it should've been erased instead of clayed. On question 2, it's a minimal difference in slickness as you are erasing the surface, not like clay where it's extremely noticeable, but more of slightly noticeable, which is where I had to trust the technology was working. Once I feel the slight change I move on.

As for trying the product, there are many reasons for me, doing this as a business to have this product vs clay. Speed, I'd not say cut my time in half but 40% improvement would be realistic. There's no need to keep refolding it, just keep it clean. 2nd, if you drop it, it's no big deal, just clean it off. 3rd, it's lasting way longer then a clay block, so it's cutting down my expenses. 4th, and the reason I made the video, it easily adapts to different shapes, where I'd have to be reforming the clay to properly work a certain angle, not the case with the eraser.

Thanks for the questions and if you have any more come to mind, please ask away.

Got it :xyxthumbs:

Tactile sensory pleasure vs. $$$...enough said.

The surface is slick to the touch, it's not as slick while you're in the process of claying/erasing. You know while claying a surface when the contaminants are removed the clay gets super slippery in that spot. It's not as noticeable with the eraser, but once you dry the surface, the surface is smooth and slick like any other clay.

Oh...sorry, I misunderstood, the feel through the product, not directly on the surface...this has been mentioned in other reviews...sorry, not enough coffee this morning!

Now my head is fully wrapped around the eraser product...:thankyousign:

 

[Setec Astronomy]

BTW VT, I think this is the only clay-replacement product where users have complained of losing the tactile sensation of being "done".

 

[Perfections]

Vegas, I understand where you are coming from, which is why I didn't list this product is for every person out there . But I on the other hand don't thoroughly enjoy claying, but it's a necessary step for perfection. I enjoy the speeded up process with the eraser, which is turn happens to make me more money per hour . If you love the traditional feel & spend time claying your car, this might not be the product for you. But if you don't enjoy the claying process and would like to speed it up, I'd highly recommend giving it a shot!

 

[ihaveacamaro]

The surface is slick to the touch, it's not as slick while you're in the process of claying/erasing. You know while claying a surface when the contaminants are removed the clay gets super slippery in that spot. It's not as noticeable with the eraser, but once you dry the surface, the surface is smooth and slick like any other clay.

I know exactly what you are talking about. It's very hard to explain to anyone who hadn't used the eraser.

Clay certainly has the best tactile feedback of any decontamination product.

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Thanks, Setec.
It's the only one so far that I would consider using...$40 bucks for both. I'd hate to order the aggressive bar and not get any use.

Tree mist is a problem that I deal with as summer approaches, do you think the mild bar will handle weeks of this buildup?

 

[Perfections]

I know exactly what you are talking about. It's very hard to explain to anyone who hadn't used the eraser.

Clay certainly has the best tactile feedback of any decontamination product.

Yes, hard to explain, which is why I compared it to onr the first time I used it. Weird at first, but grows on at least me. Same with the new formula metal polish, I didn't think anything could beat the pink optimum metal polish. Tried the new formula and it was thinner and I didn't like that at first, but man I'm glad I stuck with it a couple uses, it smokes the pink stuff, which isn't good because I still have a ton of it left :/. Put it on thin like a wax, give it a minute to setup and it comes off just like wax, and a little goes forever!

 

[Perfections]

Thanks, Setec.
It's the only one so far that I would consider using...$40 bucks for both. I'd hate to order the aggressive bar and not get any use.

Tree mist is a problem that I deal with as summer approaches, do you think the mild bar will handle weeks of this buildup?

I'll get back with you on the tree mist/mild bar. Haven't tried it yet.

 

[quantim0]

I just used my fine Eraser for the first time this weekend. I had some iron particulates on my rear hatch and some unidentifiable stuff (dark grey marks I had tried to remove a few times, I was convinced it was a paint defect) on the paint.

I tried to get everything off first with Griots clay and ONR lube and nothing was removed. Switched to the Eraser and everything came off pretty quickly. It was grabby in the beginning, but I was putting too much pressure on it. Just very light pressure was enough to remove everything rather quickly.

I definitely give this a 5 star rating.

 

[Vegas Transplant]

Yes, hard to explain, which is why I compared it to onr the first time I used it. Weird at first, but grows on at least me. Same with the new formula metal polish, I didn't think anything could beat the pink optimum metal polish. Tried the new formula and it was thinner and I didn't like that at first, but man I'm glad I stuck with it a couple uses, it smokes the pink stuff, which isn't good because I still have a ton of it left :/. Put it on thin like a wax, give it a minute to setup and it comes off just like wax, and a little goes forever!

I dislike rainy days due to the fact that I'm always ordering from detail and e cig suppliers.

One mild bar. One pink polish. Can't never have too many metal polishes.
Good product review. Will post my thoughts here next week.

One more Q: Any issue from heat or direct sun like I read concerning towel like alternatives?

I definitely give this a 5 star rating.

I'm always on the tail end of things.

 

[Perfections]

Vegas good question about heat, being mobile, that's highly important to me. Unlike the clay alternatives I've tried, from the off brands all the way to the speedy prep towels, which get sticky, and stick to the plastic containers they come in, the eraser so far has been unaffected. I leave all of them moist which I thought would help prevent sticking, but that hasn't been the case with all of them, except the eraser, which is doing fine. I'll have a better answer once summer kicks into full event here in south Texas

 

[Baconz2012]

Vegas, I understand where you are coming from, which is why I didn't list this product is for every person out there . But I on the other hand don't thoroughly enjoy claying, but it's a necessary step for perfection. I enjoy the speeded up process with the eraser, which is turn happens to make me more money per hour . If you love the traditional feel & spend time claying your car, this might not be the product for you. But if you don't enjoy the claying process and would like to speed it up, I'd highly recommend giving it a shot!

Awesome review! So for the lack of feel it makes up on being cost effective and faster? Sounds good to me! Haha. Thanks again!

 

[psynx]

I'm not understanding the "slickness" issue...when you are claying the "slickness" comes from removing the contaminants...so if Opti-Eraser is actually removing the contaminants, then why wouldn't the surface be slick? Or are you saying that clay leaves some invisible residue on the surface that makes it slick?

This is all just academic to me, I hoarded enough on-sale clay years ago that it will still be a while before I try one of these replacements.

From what I was told by one of my sensei's is that yes clay does leave some kind of residue or chemicals behind so after claying he highly recommends to re wash the paint.

On a side not pm me about the fine and medium grade im trading them away or even selling if any body is interested

Sent from my SCH-I605 using AG Online

 

[conthedon]

I love optimum products but I was not happy about the fine grade eraser, it was too grabby. It stayed grabby unlike clay bars that become slick as they clean contamination. I only did a quarter on the top of my truck and inspected. I have black sapphire metallic paint which I would say is on the softer side, where its easy to see everything.. and it marred my paint like a sand block, it looked pretty bad even in the shade. I went to one of my mild polishes swirlx and used a hand ccs foam, orange, and then white, it removed alot of it, which I was happy about. I dont think a light clay should marr that badly and due to it being really grabby, its like im fighting with the block lol, I would not use it again. I moved back to my normal mothers clay bar. This is just my experience with the product and my paint.