Optimum Hyper Compound Test

tumbler · 12-07-05, 10:11

The jury is still out on the "hype" but its a much better improvement in cutting and polishing from its predecessors, the Optimum compound and polish.

The usual machinery, heated garage in T.O., sorry for the dark pics.. it gets dark here at like 4 'o clock.. (i hate winter)

So as per usual, I took out my steel wool, but this time, I really , really sawed away at my test panel. I gave it all kinds of hard passes. These are some very bad scratches/swirls.

I found Optimum Hyper took an overly long time to work in. More so than the compound and polish of the past. This may hinder a detailer if he/she has got 2 or more SUV's lined up and waiting for the day. One quick zip pass, blasting away a 1400 or 1500 won't work.

Test One: (Right side only) Rotary At 1400rpm with minimal product,(2 thin lines) the first pass was okay, but very fine swirls still persisted. The product but worked in faster.

Test Two: (Right side only) Rotary At 1400 rpm with more product, ( 2 thicker lines and dabs on the pad) slight improvement and worked in faster.

Test Three: (Right side only) Rotary At 1200 rpm with even more product ( 2 thicker lines , dabs on the pad 12, 3, 6, 9 clock position) I found this combo to be produce the best outcome. I thought there would be more sling, but there wasn't. But, man oh man did it take TIME to work in. I thought it would never end. Luckily i can change my hand position and trigger lock my rotary.

Final:
After VM and Meg's #21

I guess in trademark Optimum compound style, LONGER WORK IN TIME even with 1200rpm doing passes at about the 3 second per foot rule. (thanks sean)

I had no "holograming" which was nice even with Test One when i had minimal product on blasting away at 1400 rpm.

I'm used to 1400 with Meg's #83 DACP so this longer process will be a factor on how many cars i get done in one day. I would not recommend it for detailers who don't have time on their side. The surface was slick, and ready for pre sealant. I should have followed up with Optimum Polish as per Scottwax's recommendation, however instead I went the route of VM and then Meg's #21.

For my next test, (the left side of test panel) I'm going to do Hyper then Opt Polish and see the outcome.

I like the product and will use it when time allows me to, but for the most part I prefer using meg's #83 DACP. Slightly more cutting power and less time doing smr work.

Thanks for reading..

Spilchy · 12-07-05, 10:25

Thanks for the review, pics and comments! Why not use a yellow cutting or wool pad instead of the orange pad?? Wouldn't that cut into the defects much quicker? Then you can follow up with the Optimum Polish with the orange or white pad to clean up the compound haze.

tumbler · 12-07-05, 10:53

my yellow pad was still wet from washing..

I'm saving the Yellow for the left side

and i wanted to go conservative at the start , and then build to more aggressive

Scottwax · 12-07-05, 12:40

Very thorough and interesting test. Great pictures too.

Definitely interested in hearing how it works and compares to DACP when you use a more aggressive foam pad or a wool pad.

My initial impressions are that via PC, Hyper is more aggressive and leaves less marring than DACP using a polishing pad. It may be that using a cutting pad or a different type of buffer (Cyclo or rotary) will yield different results since the abrasives in DACP and Hyper Compound are different.

Personally, I kind of like the long working time since it finishes out pretty well. Besides, probably the extra time spent working it is made up in not having to clean up dusting.

cwcad · 12-07-05, 01:39

Thanks for an informative, illustrated, and intersting review. Look forward to seeing how the other side comes out using a differnet process.

tumbler · 12-07-05, 01:47

no probs.. its just so freaking coooooooooold here last few days I haven't had the time to properly spend to heat up my garage. In these frigid conditions (w/ wind chill -16) it takes about 45mins to warm up properly.. but looking at the avg. temps next few days, I think i'm good for the left side .. I'll no dobut hit with the yellow pad, more hyper and then opt polish (with orange pad) and report back..

G35stilez · 12-07-05, 02:12

Thanks for the write-up.

Please keep us posted on results with the yellow pad.

Bence · 12-08-05, 05:57

tumbler,

please post pics the amount you use on the pad. Somehow I still think I use less product...

tumbler · 12-08-05, 06:20

I will once i get some time, i'm forecasting tomorrow night.. or Sunday

Anthony Orosco · 12-08-05, 06:45

Nice review, great pictures also

I do though disagree with one area, in that it is unfair to state that Hyper compound would not work well for a Pro having several cars to do as the majority of cars do not have steel wool taken to the paint. If one did do a car with that type of damage then the more general route would either be a wetsanding and/or a wool pad first and then one could expect a job of several hours.....as long as the client is willing to pay!!

Looking forward to the results with the yellow pad!

Anthony

tumbler · 12-08-05, 07:15

^ ya, good point Anthony

merci · 12-08-05, 03:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scottwax

Personally, I kind of like the long working time since it finishes out pretty well. Besides, probably the extra time spent working it is made up in not having to clean up dusting.

Nice hypothesis Scottwax. But do you still wipe the surface? I would!