Optimum Polish, correct usage? (pix inside)

fishbonezken · 09-05-07, 05:31

Hi guys, I recently got hold of a bottle of Optimum Polish.
I have been using Meguiar's line of polish(M83,M80,M82) before this, and the Optimum Polish does not behave like any of them at all.

1) Do you first put a few pea-sized drops of polish on the pad(so little compared to a line of Meguiar's polish on a panel), place the pad on the panel and buff?
or place a tiny line of product on the panel and pick it up at 10 o'clock?

2) In the beginning, the OP will have a slightly whitish oily look to it?
When it has broken down, it is a colourless, transparent liquid film. Is that correct?
It took so much longer to get it from slightly whitish to colourless transparent when compared to Meguiar's polishes.

I took my test panel, rubbed some M85 Compound on the panel using a terry cloth towel.
It produced fine scratches like this.

Put a small pea-sized blob of OP on a primed pad.

Buffed until it turned into a colourless transparent liquid film. Like this. Speed was (600rpms -> 1200rpms -> 600rpms)

Result.

3) was that the correct technique and breakdown stage?

4) In this picture, has it broken down?

Humble apologies for so many questions asked.
would love to hear from you guys! thanks!

Coupe · 09-05-07, 05:35

Thats exactly how i use it.

Sometimes after it has gone transparent i go another few passes at 600rpm with almost no pressure, i lift up on the machine a tad so that there is very little to no pressure.

fishbonezken · 09-05-07, 05:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coupe

Thats exactly how i use it.

Sometimes after it has gone transparent i go another few passes at 600rpm with almost no pressure, i lift up on the machine a tad so that there is very little to no pressure.

Cool, thanks! what kind of finish do you expect after using OP when lifting up the machine?
do you do that to make it hologram and buffer mark free?
and then ready for the LSP?
thanks again

Coupe · 09-05-07, 05:51

With any finishing polish ive found if i make a few quick passes at 600rpm and lift up a tad that i get no holograms. Some paints i dont have to do this at all and some paints are so soft it dosent matter if i do that or not.

Coupe · 09-05-07, 05:52

BTW, your last pic, i would work it a bit longer, its almost there.

Bence · 09-05-07, 02:03

Yes, the polish is in its finest state when it does the final burnishing of the paint. However, as you could already see, Optimum doesn't give lots of visual clues about its breakdown process (stays milky). It is not always necessary to work the Optimum to its clearest, finest state; just check your work somewhere in-between. It will finish out absolutely hologram free, and LSP-ready - even when you stop earlier than pictured.

The main benefit of the Optimums that they give you unparalelled lubrication and playtime - but that doesn't mean that you HAVE TO work it forever; it's just a nice option. When you take your time and finish it down like on the pictures, the polish will produce a deep, wet, wonderfully clear finish which can rival with the best finishing polishes.

Other plus is IMO, that the Optimums are the most user-friendly polishes for beginners with lots of safety cushion. It is not sensitive to product placement (on the pad or panel), and behaves very predictably even on contaminated substrates, causing NO machine hop, or gumming.

Coupe · 09-05-07, 02:06

Ive tried stopping before its gone completely clear and i never get a great finish, thats why i work it till its almost totaly transluscent. Takes forever but i spend more time on my finishing work than my cutting work anyways.

Bence · 09-05-07, 04:08

Of course, they need a certain amount of time, but with my Menzerna and Riwax pads it works flawlessly when I stop just a bit earlier.

This factor can be a little pad-dependent.

fishbonezken · 09-05-07, 06:48

Thank you for all your comments!
Do you guys find that with the OP, it has to be wiped off with more passes of an MF cloth?

salty · 09-05-07, 07:28

I work it a little differently. I work it around and just make sure it generates a little heat. Then move on.

It can take a little longer to wipe than other products. I will do a few panels or the whole car then wipe, wipes off easy, or just cleanup with OCW.

Bence · 09-06-07, 05:58

The ease of removal is a good indication point. If it is more difficult to remove, you didn't work it in long enough.

True, giving it a little bit of heat (1800-2000 RPM) can accelerate the process, but it produces the finest finish in the recommended speed range (max. 1400-1500 RPM), with slow finishing passes (below 1000 RPM).

fishbonezken · 09-06-07, 09:55

Thank you for the feedback!
even when I worked it to a transparent film, it is easy to shift, but takes a while to wipe it to a clean finish, unlike Meguiar's polishes.