While I'm no expert when it comes to detailing, I do have some observations about Optimum's NRWS versus QEW after using NRWS for the first time this past weekend.
After hearing the positive buzz about NRWS here, I bought a quart as I was down to my last couple of ounces of QEW (which I've used for nearly a year). I paid approx. $24 including shipping for the NRWS, so this product is more expensive than QEW ($15 including shipping for two 16 oz. bottles from Protectall's website) even if you put in a half ounce or so of over the counter QD in your QEW wash. Of course, this all depends on the dilution ratio you use for the NRWS (see below).
Instructions on the NRWS bottle are clear and understandable. Like many people here who've used this product, I chose to go with 1 oz. of NRWS in one gallon of water (similar to QEW) rather than the 1 oz. per two gallons of water on the label. If one went with the dilution ratio on the bottle, then NRWS would be cheaper to use per wash than QEW since you'd only use ½ oz. of NRWS per gallon of water compared to 1 oz. per gallon with QEW.
On a technical note, the cap on the quart size NRWS is larger than the cap on the 16 oz. QEW bottle. I just tried this with water, and 2 capfuls from the QEW cap fill the NRWS cap with a small amount of overflow. The QEW cap actually holds about 1/3 an ounce compared to a ½ ounce from the NRWS cap, so if you're used to using 2 capfuls of QEW like I am (2/3 an ounce), 2 capfuls of NRWS (1 ounce) will give you a stronger wash mix.
When you put your wash pad or mitt into the NRWS wash mix, you can definitely feel an extra ingredient that's lacking in QEW as the wash mix has a more slippery feeling than QEW. My guess is it's the QD that Optimum has added. When washing, my chenille wash pad glided over the paint a bit better with NRWS than with QEW. The NRWS didn't leave the wash pad any cleaner or dirtier than QEW. I did think, though, that the NRWS left more dirt in suspension in the mix on the car than QEW as the Megs ultra-plush terry cloth towel used for my initial drying pass got dirtier quicker with NRWS than with QEW. For this reason, I think it's wise to use a plush towel (whether cotton or MF) for an initial drying pass with NRWS. The waffle drying towel used for my final drying pass stayed relatively clean, same as when using QEW.
My initial drying pass left much less product on the paint with NRWS than with QEW. So, there was less for the waffle weave to get, but it also meant that I needed to be quick on my second pass before what was left had dried. When I finished the entire car, NRWS left it clearly clean, but there was no noticeable shine or glow. I would say that QEW (with a ½ oz of QD thrown in) was about the same. Of course, neither can compare with the look after using a QD like Quikshine ... not that I would expect them to. I had no marring with NRWS (nor with QEW).
To sum it up, both NRWS and QEW are fine products. But is one better than the other? After my first use of NRWS, I don't think so, but it's just my opinion and, as I said at the beginning, I'm no expert. More use of NRWS may change my opinion ... and don't PM me asking if I want to get rid of it, 'cause I do plan on using it up.
However, I do think that if you're looking for NRWS to leave a nice QD-like shine on your car just by itself, you'll be disappointed. But still, all in all, a nice product. :2thumbs:
After hearing the positive buzz about NRWS here, I bought a quart as I was down to my last couple of ounces of QEW (which I've used for nearly a year). I paid approx. $24 including shipping for the NRWS, so this product is more expensive than QEW ($15 including shipping for two 16 oz. bottles from Protectall's website) even if you put in a half ounce or so of over the counter QD in your QEW wash. Of course, this all depends on the dilution ratio you use for the NRWS (see below).
Instructions on the NRWS bottle are clear and understandable. Like many people here who've used this product, I chose to go with 1 oz. of NRWS in one gallon of water (similar to QEW) rather than the 1 oz. per two gallons of water on the label. If one went with the dilution ratio on the bottle, then NRWS would be cheaper to use per wash than QEW since you'd only use ½ oz. of NRWS per gallon of water compared to 1 oz. per gallon with QEW.
On a technical note, the cap on the quart size NRWS is larger than the cap on the 16 oz. QEW bottle. I just tried this with water, and 2 capfuls from the QEW cap fill the NRWS cap with a small amount of overflow. The QEW cap actually holds about 1/3 an ounce compared to a ½ ounce from the NRWS cap, so if you're used to using 2 capfuls of QEW like I am (2/3 an ounce), 2 capfuls of NRWS (1 ounce) will give you a stronger wash mix.
When you put your wash pad or mitt into the NRWS wash mix, you can definitely feel an extra ingredient that's lacking in QEW as the wash mix has a more slippery feeling than QEW. My guess is it's the QD that Optimum has added. When washing, my chenille wash pad glided over the paint a bit better with NRWS than with QEW. The NRWS didn't leave the wash pad any cleaner or dirtier than QEW. I did think, though, that the NRWS left more dirt in suspension in the mix on the car than QEW as the Megs ultra-plush terry cloth towel used for my initial drying pass got dirtier quicker with NRWS than with QEW. For this reason, I think it's wise to use a plush towel (whether cotton or MF) for an initial drying pass with NRWS. The waffle drying towel used for my final drying pass stayed relatively clean, same as when using QEW.
My initial drying pass left much less product on the paint with NRWS than with QEW. So, there was less for the waffle weave to get, but it also meant that I needed to be quick on my second pass before what was left had dried. When I finished the entire car, NRWS left it clearly clean, but there was no noticeable shine or glow. I would say that QEW (with a ½ oz of QD thrown in) was about the same. Of course, neither can compare with the look after using a QD like Quikshine ... not that I would expect them to. I had no marring with NRWS (nor with QEW).
To sum it up, both NRWS and QEW are fine products. But is one better than the other? After my first use of NRWS, I don't think so, but it's just my opinion and, as I said at the beginning, I'm no expert. More use of NRWS may change my opinion ... and don't PM me asking if I want to get rid of it, 'cause I do plan on using it up.
However, I do think that if you're looking for NRWS to leave a nice QD-like shine on your car just by itself, you'll be disappointed. But still, all in all, a nice product. :2thumbs:
