Nick McKees37
McKee's 37 Product Support
- Jan 6, 2011
- 7,265
- 0
I'm a car guy, plain and simple.
Those that know me well truly believe my veins aren't filled with blood, but 93 octane instead. When I see a cool car with swirl marks, water spots, or etchings caused by bird droppings, a part of me dies on the inside (I'm sure eating beef 6 meals a week doesn't help either).
A cool car to me is something that's fast, stylish, and has a soul. When I saw this Audi S5 was violently attacked by a sprinkler, I dropped what I was doing and put Optimum's newest product - MDR (for Mineral Deposit Remover) to the test.
The name of this product might cause a lot of you to scratch your heads, so for this article I'm simply going to refer to it as Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover because that's the intended application of this product. Saying it removes mineral deposits is the same as saying it removes water spots. Keep it simple Simon, errr, Dr. Ghodoussi.
Before I dive right in, what are mineral deposits and how do they create unsightly water spots?
Minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, are what constitute “hard water.” Hard water is responsible for water spots and that green ring around your bathtub. The calcium and magnesium actually harden inside pipes (called “scale”) and on other surfaces, including your vehicle. When you park next to a sprinkler, or rinse your vehicle with hard water, you could be dousing your vehicle with hard mineral deposits. Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover removes these mineral deposits, leaving your paint clean and shiny.
There are several different types of water spots, which one is Optimum MDR designed to remove?
Water spots start out as a topical contaminant, but over time (rather quickly) they will etch the paint, requiring an abrasive polish/compound to completely remove. Water spots that are etched into the paint are classified as Type 2 or Type 3 water spots. Topical water spots are considered Type 1, and that's the kind Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover is designed to remove. If you want a more in-depth look at the various types of water spots, Mike Phillips has a handful of articles that will satisfy your fix.
Can I just use vinegar to remove water spots?
This is a common question, and the answer is yes and no. Here's a quote from an article Mike Phillips wrote:
Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover - a product specifically designed to remove water spots
Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover is a thick, non-abrasive gel that clings to automotive surfaces and dissolves topical water spots and other water-based contaminants. Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover combines environmentally-friendly acids with chelating agents to quickly and safely remove water spots, leaving the surface smooth and clean.
Water Spots on Audi S5
Can you see the water spots?
Look closer...
As a car guy and a car wax enthusiast, this breaks my heart:
Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover to the rescue!
How to apply Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover
First, remove loose dirt and grime with a quality waterless wash. Next, apply a quarter-sized amount of Optimum MDR onto a clean microfiber cloth or foam applicator. I chose a foam applicator pad because it's less abrasive than a microfiber cloth. Remember, use the least aggressive approach first whenever you're touching your paint.
Work it in for 30-60 seconds
Optimum MDR is a thick gel that spreads very thin and goes very far. I was shocked at how far the quarter-sized drop of product spread.
After working the product in for 60 seconds, I attempted to buff it off with a clean, dry microfiber towel and found that this mostly caused it to smear around. I tried spraying the panel with DP Waterless Wash as I wiped and that made it much easier. You could also probably get away with using a dampened microfiber towel.
Look ma, no more water spots!
I found Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover incredibly effective and easy to use. It removed the Type 1 water spots with ease, saving the Audi's paint from unsightly etchings and craters that would require Mike Phillips several hours to fully remove on his day off. :laughing:
Does Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover take off wax?
This is going to be a commonly asked question, so I'll go ahead and answer it now. Optimum MDR certainly isn't going to make your wax protection better, so I would highly recommend following with a coat of your favorite wax or sealant to ensure the paint is protected. I chose BLACKFIRE Midnight Sun Paste Wax because it really makes silver metallics POP.
Conclusion
Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover is like Advil or Tylenol. You shouldn't wait to buy it until you need it. It's something you should always have because you don't know when you will need it. Just like when you feel a headache coming on, you'll be happier than a pig in...you know....when you are able to easily remove fresh water spots with Optimum MDR.
Optimum MDR Mineral Deposit Remover
Those that know me well truly believe my veins aren't filled with blood, but 93 octane instead. When I see a cool car with swirl marks, water spots, or etchings caused by bird droppings, a part of me dies on the inside (I'm sure eating beef 6 meals a week doesn't help either).
A cool car to me is something that's fast, stylish, and has a soul. When I saw this Audi S5 was violently attacked by a sprinkler, I dropped what I was doing and put Optimum's newest product - MDR (for Mineral Deposit Remover) to the test.
The name of this product might cause a lot of you to scratch your heads, so for this article I'm simply going to refer to it as Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover because that's the intended application of this product. Saying it removes mineral deposits is the same as saying it removes water spots. Keep it simple Simon, errr, Dr. Ghodoussi.
Before I dive right in, what are mineral deposits and how do they create unsightly water spots?
Minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, are what constitute “hard water.” Hard water is responsible for water spots and that green ring around your bathtub. The calcium and magnesium actually harden inside pipes (called “scale”) and on other surfaces, including your vehicle. When you park next to a sprinkler, or rinse your vehicle with hard water, you could be dousing your vehicle with hard mineral deposits. Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover removes these mineral deposits, leaving your paint clean and shiny.
There are several different types of water spots, which one is Optimum MDR designed to remove?
Water spots start out as a topical contaminant, but over time (rather quickly) they will etch the paint, requiring an abrasive polish/compound to completely remove. Water spots that are etched into the paint are classified as Type 2 or Type 3 water spots. Topical water spots are considered Type 1, and that's the kind Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover is designed to remove. If you want a more in-depth look at the various types of water spots, Mike Phillips has a handful of articles that will satisfy your fix.
Can I just use vinegar to remove water spots?
This is a common question, and the answer is yes and no. Here's a quote from an article Mike Phillips wrote:
Mike Phillips said:
Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover - a product specifically designed to remove water spots
Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover is a thick, non-abrasive gel that clings to automotive surfaces and dissolves topical water spots and other water-based contaminants. Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover combines environmentally-friendly acids with chelating agents to quickly and safely remove water spots, leaving the surface smooth and clean.
Water Spots on Audi S5
Can you see the water spots?
Look closer...
As a car guy and a car wax enthusiast, this breaks my heart:
Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover to the rescue!
How to apply Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover
First, remove loose dirt and grime with a quality waterless wash. Next, apply a quarter-sized amount of Optimum MDR onto a clean microfiber cloth or foam applicator. I chose a foam applicator pad because it's less abrasive than a microfiber cloth. Remember, use the least aggressive approach first whenever you're touching your paint.
Work it in for 30-60 seconds
Optimum MDR is a thick gel that spreads very thin and goes very far. I was shocked at how far the quarter-sized drop of product spread.
After working the product in for 60 seconds, I attempted to buff it off with a clean, dry microfiber towel and found that this mostly caused it to smear around. I tried spraying the panel with DP Waterless Wash as I wiped and that made it much easier. You could also probably get away with using a dampened microfiber towel.
Look ma, no more water spots!
I found Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover incredibly effective and easy to use. It removed the Type 1 water spots with ease, saving the Audi's paint from unsightly etchings and craters that would require Mike Phillips several hours to fully remove on his day off. :laughing:
Does Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover take off wax?
This is going to be a commonly asked question, so I'll go ahead and answer it now. Optimum MDR certainly isn't going to make your wax protection better, so I would highly recommend following with a coat of your favorite wax or sealant to ensure the paint is protected. I chose BLACKFIRE Midnight Sun Paste Wax because it really makes silver metallics POP.
Conclusion
Optimum MDR Water Spot Remover is like Advil or Tylenol. You shouldn't wait to buy it until you need it. It's something you should always have because you don't know when you will need it. Just like when you feel a headache coming on, you'll be happier than a pig in...you know....when you are able to easily remove fresh water spots with Optimum MDR.
Optimum MDR Mineral Deposit Remover
