So I also posted this in the optimum forums....here is my situation So after doing my 3rd car, I've finally given up on OC and OP. I know I am a n00b, so I figured maybe the first two cars were simply because I didn't use good pads (used the "wolfgang light orange cutting pads" included with my udm order) or because I used too much product, or had the wrong technique. This past weekend I tried removing the millions of swirls on my mom's beater 1999 Toyota Camry. OC could not remove a single damn swirl, even using a yellow pad and UDM on speed 6 for over 5 minutes a section. I'm thoroughly dissatisfied with the lack of results. OP does a decent job of polishing the paint to a shine, but it too does not remove many swirls. Even on my girlfriends 07 Accord (supposedly soft paint), the OP didn't do much with either a green or white LC pad. Her car had very very few swirls, and OP still couldn't get it out. I've tried using the "less is more" technique, and even that barely does anything. I'm seriously on wits end, trying to get Optimum to remove some swirls. When I stopped by Chemical Guys the other day, Paul told me that OP and OC are pretty horrible, and are actually made for optimum by someone else (figures...just like everything else in this detailing world). From what I've searched regarding optimum on this board, not that many people seem to use OP and OC, more so ONR and OPS. Has anyone managed to get OC or OP to work with a UDM, and NOT a rotary? I just feel like with a DA, there's no way to get the OC or OP to break down enough. I generally spend at least 5 minutes per section, proper pressure and moving the UDM slowly across the panel, and the OP and OC will look like its broken down, but the swirls remain. So - what should I get instead? M83 and M80? I'm just looking for something that's not too expensive (like Menz), has a fast working time, and produces decent results. I don't care as much about the best shine, I just don't want to spend another 8 hours detailing my car to find out that the swirls are still there. Thanks!
Optimum products were designed with rotary in mind. There are people who do use them professionally (i.e. scottwax on autopia) but by PC & UDM they just take way too long to break down IMHO. I find that Meguiars 83 is a great product by PC, as well as the Poorboys SSR's. Menzerna will work as well, but is pricier. Good luck in finding a suitable polish for your needs. Pete
+2 for #83. Usually with one pass and when it properly breaks down, I don't have to follow up with FPII like I have to when I use IP sometimes
I had use both and haven't run into any problems with them. I had use LC CCS orange on OC on my wife's 03 Toyota and it work fine. I do a 2x2 area for about 5-7 Min's and then finish came out great and also on a Black 02 Mercedes too and no problems at all. But i don't always use it and some Toyota's have a hard finish and some are medium. Try working it longer and don't use alot of OC on a pad, just about 2 or 3 pea size on your pad and work it in with some pressure for about 5-7 Min's and check your work on that area. Hope this helps you out.
I find it funny that detailing suppliers and MFGs have to bad mouth (and lie) their competition in order to try and get customers. The people bad mouthing wouldn't have to unless they were desperate or jealous. Also the ones hosting "Evil Twin" sites ... again desperation.... it's getting pretty ridiculous these days... As you've leared already, the Optimum line of polishes were designed for rotary use (as is Menzerna) and they work best with said machine. If you do decide to use Optimum with a DA, use very very very little, and OC will yield results faster than OP. Speed 6 is also the key. The most friendly polishes via PC or UDM are the Pinnacle XMT and Poorboy SSR line. All polishes require different techniques but the learning curve for these polishes aren't bad at all...
I have had no problems working version I of OC & OP on my PC. I wouldn't necessarily say that they're horrible products but there's definitely better products out there.
Which versions are you using? As well I wouldn't necessarily blame everything on the product if the paint itself needs alot more aggressiveness in application/technique. OP/OC aren't your normal diminishing abrasive products, they are meant more for pad dependency and constant buffing to get the best results. Try using a more abrasive pad, more pressure, and a moderate amount of product. You'll want to keep buffing evenly till you get a slight drag and slight amount of dust. Hope that helps.
i too have purchased Optimum polish, compound and hyper compound. i tried using with both my flex 3401 and PC with poor results from both the compound and hyper compound. i have tried using very little and everywhere in between. i too feel that they were all designed with strictly rotary in mind (their instructions dont even mention DA polishers) so they just sit on my shelf... Optimum polish i find does work great however... i like that it has a nearly infinite working time!
Meg's 83 and 80, the PB SSR series and the Danase Swirl Abolisher Series are all known to be very good with a DA polisher.
