Snake Oil or the Real McCoy ? - Optimum Polish

[Mike Phillips]

Looks like a great start Ed!

[EdT]

I'll order in their compound and polish, maybe their spray wax as I've read all the information on their website and it's a good idea to use a product before ever posting a comment about it.

Mike, please post your results and observations when you do try their product, I want know what a true Meg's man thinks of it ...should be interesting !

[wetlook]

Originally posted by JeffM

I tried this polish with an Orange LC VC pad. Like everyone says, it can be worked until the cows come home. My only problem with that, for the PC user, is that it never goes clear, not for me anyways.

I was buffing and buffing and buffing, i finally stopped and wiped it off assuming it "had to be long enough".

It removed the defect in the area i was trying to remove, produced a good looking finish and didnt dust.

My problem is, i like to know when the abrasives have broken down, so i can wipe the product off.

If the abrasives dont break down with the PC then it would stand to reason that a person could continually remove paint until they stopped. Is that good or bad, i dont know, im not going to vote for good right now.

Perhaps the abrasives did in fact break down, it just never went to a clear color.

I did half the hood, and switched over to DACP. I have a love hate thing going on with DACP, but it gives me feedback and i know when it has done its job.

Your review of Optimum seems to echo the ones in Autopia too. Practically unlimited working time, leaves a good finish, and doesn't dust.

Did the polish feel gritty when you stopped?

Maybe Optimum can be good for rotary newbies too. Maybe Superior Shine and his ETG can clue us in with how abrasive it can be.

[Scottwax]

Originally posted by EdT

Some people on Autopia have started calling Meguair's polishes old technology due to dusting, limited work time and hard to remove

Based on what I know about most making those comments is that they are very loyal to a certain Z brand of products.

Personally, I don't find DACP particularly difficult to use but it can be a bit dusty.

the only reason I have posted this matter was because senior members of Autopia's forums are all using Optimum Polish with great results and have claimed to leave Meguair's products behind.

I've been using Optimum Polish for a few months now and it is the real deal. With a burgandy cutting pad, it is at least as aggressive as DACP but with very little dusting and on most paints (except real soft ones) finish off as nicely as #80 does. With a yellow polishing pad, Optimum is a touch more aggressive than #80 but finishes down at least as well. More clear and reflective like #82 though instead of the rich wet look of #80. I'm not sure Optimum will ever totally replace #80 for me but it has replaced DACP because it is more user friendly.

I am quite sure that Meguiars is well aware of Optimum's product line, good companies are always interested in what the competition is doing. In addition, good companies will compete against them with their own quality products. Competition means better products across the board.

[Scottwax]

Originally posted by Mike Phillips
They do, although I don't know if that's all they use when they work on cars on that show. When we got to the car months had passed since it was finished and the normal wear & tear a car finish can undergo was apparent although when it left the show it probably looked pretty good. That's life.

That black GTO they did for Lance Armstrong was not good for Mothers, although the fault has to go to the complete moron who buffed out the car. Even with the camera panning quickly over the top of the car (which was under flourescent lighting), the severe rotary holograms were very visible. Just unreal that someone of Chip's reputation would have allowed the GTO to be presented to the owner in that condition.

[JeffM]

Did the polish feel gritty when you stopped?

I didnt notice any gritty feeling between my MF and the paint.

Your review of Optimum seems to echo the ones in Autopia too. Practically unlimited working time, leaves a good finish, and doesn't dust.

I was working on a friends vehicle as a favor, and dont usually need anyhting very abrasive as i only keep up with my vehicles.

So, im not sure if i have the time, or the vehicles, to experiment with or master this product. I probably dont have enough serious defect experience to be giving professional reviews about this product either.

So, for me, it is a decent product, i have 2 4oz samples of, that will most likely sit on my shelf and collect dust, along with my other polishes i dont have the need for either.

My honest opinion is, if you are like me, and pretty much only take care of your own vehicles, stick with a product or manufacturer you have professional support for, products that produce professional results, and can be bought locally or coupled with other products you will be ordering online anyways.

It is very easy to get caught up in the lastest buzz of new products, and sooner or later you will have half a garage full of stuff you wont ever use.

The bottom line for me is, does it produce jaw dropping finishes, how much does it cost, did it enhance the enjoyment of detailing my vehicle, and if i get in trouble-where can i get some quick help?

[Scottwax]

Mike Phillips-I can send you samples of the polish and compound if you wish. I have a sample size of each.

[EdT]

Mike, did you receive the order and try it yet ?

I want a true unbaised answer.

[Mike Phillips]

Originally posted by EdT
Mike, did you receive the order and try it yet ?

I want a true unbaised answer.

Sorry Ed, it fell off the radar screen, I will order them in this week.

[Anthony Orosco]

Meguiars people have long known about Optimum, in fact they bought the very first bottle of the spray wax some years ago.

As for the polish and compound they are fairly new and yes they are both designed around the rotary. The philosophy is that there should only be one product for a range of needs or uses. So instead of 3 seperate steps what if it could be done in 2 or 1 step?

The polish gets its best results with the rotary. The Polish with a DA, it is said by many, takes too long to do its intended job.

The Compound though is getting raves from folks using it with a DA as it cuts faster but finishes out very nice. On a silver or light colored car you can easily go straight to the wax of your choice after using the compound and a mild polishing pad. I can't really comment on this as I don't use a PC.

For rotary use the compound is said to be not aggressive enough so I believe a new formula is being worked on. Keep in mind though that these polishes are designed with the professional in mind first. Those are: car manufacturers, body shops and then pro detailers and lastly the enthusiast.

Bottom line....there will always be a new flavor of the month and there is nothing wrong with trying them out but once you find something that gives you "consistent" results then stick with it, no matter the label.

Anthony

[Mike Phillips]

There is a similar product on the market that was marketed as a one step solution in that to change your results you simply change your pad, it is called System One.

This is actually true for just about any compound, paint cleaner or cleaner/polish and in some cases applies to hand application.

[Teak]

Mike,
I look forward to your evalution of the Optmum Polish, Optimum Compound and Zaino Z-PC.

Anthony,
I agree with you about the polsih working better with a rotary. Further, I agree with you about the flavor of the month products, though I try to stay with what works for me. Some ofthose products wear a Meguiars label and some do not.


Eric

[Anthony Orosco]

Mike - Actually the System One line basically flopped from what I hear through the grapevine. It was used in a demo at the 05 World Car Care Expo and instead of removing swirls it introduced them. Kinda embarassing really

I am posting up some pictures here of a Lexus hood that I intentionally swirled up with an abrasive leveler (Menzerna Powergloss and a wool cutting pad). I then used 3 different pads and the Opt. Polish and Compound to remove the swirls.

I used the Compound with a cutting pad for the initial level then the Opt. Polish with a mid level foam pad. That step greatly reduced the marring and swirls, enough so that if it had been a white or silver car one could of went right to a wax.

Being that it is black though I went one more time with the Opt. Polish and a ultra fine finishing pad. Here are the two pictures, without any wax added.

BEFORE:




AFTER:



I am only posting these pictures for those seeking to know what the line can do. I am sure, in fact I have seen, Meguiars products get these type of results also, especially from Mike

I chose the Opt. line because of their easy workability, low dust, VOC compliant and I don't need to fully remove the product before using the spray wax which saves time which in turn means more profit.

Thanks,
Anthony

[Mike Phillips]

Thanks for the before and after shots... that looks impressive.

I'll definitely give them a try. I'm not sure Lynn's going to let me purposefully swirl the finish on the Pilot however... the hood already receives too much testing...

[Tom Weed]

Well, I have a black Cadillac Catera I am working on this Sunday that has been neglected. I have the Optimum Compound and Polish that I just received and will try it out, take some pics and post my results and impressions of the product here if it's appropriate.

Tom