Review: Optimum Opti-Mitt

[Chris Thomas]

You're quite welcome Corey, thanks to you for a very thorough review!

 

[Dan Metzler]

I always squeeze the excess out of my MF or Mitt before going to the panel. There is plenty of cleaning solution on the MF and on the Opti Mitt without dumping it all in the floor. Corey is uber careful with his baby and that's why he goes straight to the paint without ringing. I probably have more miles on my OptiMitts than anyone and I can tell you that you don't have to use that much solution and if used properly you won't have anymore in the floor than with a MF.

Also, tucking the lanyard in is fine, but I don't recommend tucking it in and pulling it thru the hole like Corey did in his review. Something like that could start a tear on the corner that could easily travel once started.

Thanks Chris! This sheds a new light on things. I just assumed the Opti-Mitt had to be used right from the bucket to the paint. With my MF, I do get tired of wringing the excess after each dip in both buckets for each panel.
I would assume one good squeeze and the Opti-Mitt would be good for vertical work?

Anyone want to shoot a video about that? :hungry:

 

[IID]

I have had Excellent result's with the Opti-Mitt.I used Chris Thomas's recommendation on using two mitt's at a time.Work's well for me.

 

[Dubbin1]

Got to use mine for the first time today


This happened immediately when I pulled it out of the water for the first time. Its like the yellow foam can't hold the extra weight of the water.

Bad batch?

 

[silverfox]

It's clear that optimum has a problem on their hands.

 

[IID]

Got to use mine for the first time today


This happened immediately when I pulled it out of the water for the first time. Its like the yellow foam can't hold the extra weight of the water.

Bad batch?

That's not good.
I have several Opti-Mitt's (OPT promo) and have only 1 mitt that the glue is starting to come off.Thou I really like how they clean with (ONR),I had the one problem with less than a 10 uses (2-3 times a week) on the mitt.
That problem looks like the tear started right at the glue line?

 

[pfix]

I just used my Opti-Mitt for the first time this afternoon. It worked well, but as others have stated the hand hole is a little on the tight side so I opted to bypass putting my hand inside of the mitt.

I looped the lanyard around my wrist to prevent the mitt from falling to the floor. I did wring out the excess solution prior to using it.

I had more ONR solution on the floor using the Opti-Mitt than I normally had with my grout sponge, but not enough that I would label it as a down side to using the mitt.

I liked how easily it released the dirt to the grit guard and all in all I am happy with it.

I hope it holds up.

 

[Dubbin1]

It's clear that optimum has a problem on their hands.

I wouldn't go that far considering the results others have had. Could be ours came from a bad batch or got caught on something before being shipped.

 

[Chris Thomas]

It is being looked into and all those having problems should just contact your supplier. It is unclear if there is a bad batch or if the yellow foam is too porous making it weaker, but Optimum will make it right, no worries fellas. I have also advised a larger opening if they decide to revise it.

 

[Dubbin1]

It is being looked into and all those having problems should just contact your supplier. It is unclear if there is a bad batch or if the yellow foam is too porous making it weaker, but Optimum will make it right, no worries fellas. I have also advised a larger opening if they decide to revise it.

No worries here Chris, I know you guys will get it handled.

 

[CEE DOG]

I wouldn't go that far considering the results others have had. Could be ours came from a bad batch or got caught on something before being shipped.

This is my bet as well. Mine feels very sturdy and doesnt show any tearing signs. Like Chris said contact your suppliers. Hopefully just an isolated bad batch.

 

[silverfox]

Penny is going to send me another one. It's a shame because it works great. Hey I'm sure the problem will be addressed.

 

[LegacyGT]

Corey, I just used the Optimum Opti-Mitt last night to do an ONR wash and I have a few more observations from my use that I wanted to share. I thought it best to append my information to your already comprehensive review.

While using the Opti-Mit last night I noticed a usability issue due to my new drying technique. Now that I have the Metro Master Blaster, I am no longer using a MF towel to follow up the washing with the Opti-Mit which I believe is why I am now seeing these results.

What I am seeing is that due to the raised bumps on the Opti-Mit, under my usage I am not getting complete contact with the paint to get it clean because to do so would require much more pressure than I am comfortable putting on the paint to compress the 'bumps' enough to get a fully flat surface.

The result I have seen when drying with the master blaster and not following up with a MF towel that would remove any missed spots from the sponge is that there are lines where I missed dirt during the ONR wash with the Opti-Mit:

After these results I think my washing style will be better suited with the LC grout sponge which I was just barely able to get added to my last order before it shipped.

The other observation I had is that I went through a lot more ONR with the Opti-Mit, the first time I have gone through a whole 2 gallons (rinsing was done in a separate bucket). For most of the car this did not bother me, however on the vertical panels, all the ONR mix in the Opti-Mit just drained out the bottom of the mitt and onto the ground, and did not touch the panels.

I may still keep the Opti-Mitt around for wheels, it worked really well for those. I don't think there were any issues with my washing technique, however, I would be happy to hear from others that may have seen and solved this issue already.

I did really like the material the Opti-Mitt was made out of, I felt it did an excellent job of releasing the dirt and contaminates, I just feel it would be a lot better if the pad were made much flatter to get more complete contact when washing.

 

[CEE DOG]

Thanks for adding your well documented thoughts Bill. They are much appreciated. I feel the same way... I do not feel comfortable pressing hard enough to be sure the entire surface contacts the paint either.

Have you tried plush towels for ONR yet?

 

[LegacyGT]

Thanks for adding your well documented thoughts Bill. They are much appreciated. I feel the same way... I do not feel comfortable pressing hard enough to be sure the entire surface contacts the paint either.

Have you tried plush towels for ONR yet?

I have tried plush towels, but I have problems with them folding up on me. My LC blue sponge should be arriving soon, so I'll see if that works better for me.