Optimum Compound

[blownvert]

will those particles go away when i apply glaze and keep going over it with other things?

[Scottwax]

Originally Posted by RAG

Yeah...if you look real close you will see tons of little marks or gashes that all of the optimum abrasives (polishes or compounds) leave when applied via DA... noticable on black vehicles...you can see them under halogens or even see the "haze" they create under direct sunlight.

Actually, I think that is what is left of the swirls giving it that look. I only have a problem on really soft paints with Optimum polishes using the DA. Of course, soft paint is tough for any polish.

[Scottwax]

Originally Posted by blownvert

will those particles go away when i apply glaze and keep going over it with other things?

I normally follow Optimum Compound with a lighter polish, regardless of how well it finishes down.

[RAG]

Blownvert...A good glaze would propably hide much of the remaining defects and marring from the compound, but only only until you wash it...so this isn't a very good solution. Scott has it right...finish with a softer polish.

Scott...regarding tha pic...you're right, as their is now way you can see the "gashing" I often refer to by looking at a picture...it would never show up. But to re-emphasize my point for those that have not done as much experimenting as us, given a average black vehicle, if you compare OP vs FPII or PO106FF, you will EASILY see the difference in clarity (I can usually see a difference from about 15' back); looking really really close under good light, you can see lots of little gashes (little 1/8" tails from the DA motion) from the initial cut of some of the larger abrasives in the polish. The only way I can prevent OP from leaving these marks on most black paints is to use an ultra soft pad like the white propel and apply minimal pressure...but then the problem is that you're not really doing anything as far as removing swirls, etc.

[Scottwax]

RAG-try the green Propel lite cut pad, works very well for a soft pad and with Optimum. I know the gashes you are talking about (mostly on my retardedly soft paint), but I find that if I keep the bottle well shaken, it isn't a problem. I'd definitely agree that 106 finishes down as well as any polish with actual cut. Mix in some RMG and mist the pad lightly with Quikshine and almost no dusting either.

BTW, went with Hyper Compound and a green Propel lite cut pad, then Optimum Compound with a white LC pad on my 626 today and only had hazing on the curves at the top of the door. 106/RMG cleaned it up really well. The Optimum products did an amazing job on halo swirls, scuffs, etc and the hazing was very minimal on my soft paint.

[wannafbody]

I recently used a 1/3 Mothers Powerpolish and 2/3 OHC combo with a Megs burgandy pad and had a haze free surface.

[RAG]

I'll try the green with the pc. and OP on the next black car I do...it is my go-to pad with the rotary (I have about 10 of them). And I think we're in aggreement that it isn't very agressive...probably even less so than pads I usually use with the PC, like the meguiars yellow, Wolfgang (LC) white, and SFX white and blue.

wannafbody...I wanna believe you, but I can't. I don't think one can use the burgandy pad (and actually apply pressure) with any product and have a haze-free surface...you may not easily see it on colors like white, but it's there. I guess it depends on what one feels "haze" is, but I've logged a fair amount of time with this pad...it is the most aggressive pad I know of...even more so than the Propel Yellow cutting pad.

[eric77]

Is optimum polish supposed to be chunky and impossible to squeeze out of the bottle it comes in?

[Scottwax]

Originally Posted by eric77

Is optimum polish supposed to be chunky and impossible to squeeze out of the bottle it comes in?

Shake it up really well, and I mean really well.

Optimum is going to start manufacturering their products inhouse instead of using another company to mix them. I have a feeling the products will be a lot more consistant once they finish the move (as of about 10 days ago, the move was nearly completed).

[RAG]

I've defenitely sees some bottle to bottle variance as far as aggressiveness goes...particularly with regard to their original compound.

[Picus]

Ya, my one criticism of opt polishes is that you almost need a paint mixer to shake them up.

[Scottwax]

Originally Posted by Picus

Ya, my one criticism of opt polishes is that you almost need a paint mixer to shake them up.

Hopefully having their own manufacturing facility will correct that.