Thrifty Vs Fifty Ep 2 : Optimum Power Clean vs LA's Totally Awesome (Tire Cleaner)

[ihaveacamaro]

Hey guys, this is the second episode in a series of videos I'm making called Thrifty vs Fifty.

Essentially I'm comparing two products that can do the same function: one with a low price tag and the other with a high one... and to see if the added price is worth it. Hence, the thrifty vs fifty.

I'm not just going around finding the cheapest and most expensive options out there and comparing them. In my eyes, that comparison would be useless. I am comparing two products that people on forums have highly recommended for a certain task and then if they have big enough different price points, making a video comparison.

Today's episode is on tire cleaners. LA's Totally Awesome vs OPC at a 1:3 dilution!

So without further ado, here is the video:



Thrifty Vs Fifty Episode 2



LA's Totally Awesome:

$6 dollars



OPC:

$36 a gallon



Conclusion:

Both products work extremely well. OPC cleaned a bit better and a bit faster.

Advantage:

LA's Totally Awesome gets the advantage nod from me, because even though it may deliver a bit less performance, the price being $30 cheaper outweighs that.


Hope you guys enjoyed

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

Hey, nice test...I have some comments though...

(It was LA's Totally Awesome vs. Optimum Power Clean)

You tested both products at a 3:1 dilution ratio. OPC was 6 times the price of LA, you could have tried LA at 2:1, 1:1, or straight. Based on your results, it would seem that the LA might have matched the OPC at a higher dilution, and still been tons cheaper.

Likewise, in your bonus Tuf Shine test, the Tuf Shine is available in a gallon at ACC for $40, so, size-for-size, it's only a bit more expensive than OPC. Perhaps OPC at 2:1 would equal the Tuf Shine, and at a better price point.

I chose a 1:3 dilution because it seemed everywhere I looked, that was the most prevalent dilution for tires.

As for having two different dilutions, I decided against that, because I wanted to test each of the solutions on the same level ie same dilution.

What you said could definitely be true. LATA definitely could have matched OPC at a higher dilution. However, to test all these different variables would have made a video that was 45 minutes long rather than 13. At 13 minutes, I thought my video was still too long. My aim is to be able to do my videos in 10 minutes or less.

That's an interesting thing you bring up about tuf shine. I did know that it was offered in gallons, but I didn't know how much it cost, so I neglected to address that.

Still if you consider it, Tuf Shine Tire Cleaner at $40 a gallon, will still only be a Tire Cleaner. OPC can be used in a hundred different ways (I know you know this, just explaining my rationale )

You bring up all kinds of interesting comparisons, and the short answer is this, no one wants to watch a 45 minute video on tire cleaning.

I tried to keep my test as simple as possible (and as short as possible) while being able to have the biggest effect. Keeping both products at one dilution seemed the best way to go to achieve that.

Good points Setec!

I will probably get around to testing and playing with my new products, but I don't think I will be making videos of those tests as well.

[Vegas Transplant]

First of all, thanks for the video, and the effort expended to bring it to the forum.

Now, there's more to cleaning tires and wheels than just removing crud and tire gloss. I've used LATA on severely neglected and abused wheels and I can say that I was not impressed even - at 100%.
Do I think that it is a worthy product? Sure, but not for all applications. But if one seeks a thrifty alternative for removing week old tire gloss from a dd, then go for it.

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by Vegas Transplant

First of all, thanks for the video, and the effort expended to bring it to the forum.

Now, there's more to cleaning tires and wheels than just removing crud and tire gloss. I've used LATA on severely neglected and abused wheels and I can say that I was not impressed even - at 100%.
Do I think that it is a worthy product? Sure, but not for all applications. But if one seeks a thrifty alternative for removing week old tire gloss from a dd, then go for it.

And I think this is the most important. I have dedicated wheel cleaners, I have dedicated this, dedicated that. My conclusion and recommendation is only based on tires, and I agree with you, that in other applications other products might be more helpful/beneficial/useful

But I do find interesting that a product at 1/6th the price worked nearly as well as it's Fifty counterpart (on tires) and ultimately what anyone decides to do with the information in this video is up to them

[Vegas Transplant]

I agree and apologize...I meant to say ..."abused tires and wheels", as in oxidized and looking something like this white wall:


I used an alkaline purple product, pw, and very little scrubbing before attacking the whitewall with an abrasive pad.

Looking forward to the next video in the series hand

[FUNX725]

Instead of responding to your other: Tire OPC...Thrifty v Fifty thread...
I'll do it here.

Thanks for taking your time and efforts to test and compare different products...
some of the Dollar Store variety...Some more car-detailing specific.

You seem to enjoy these presentations as much as I, and many others do, as well.

My only concern with some $-Store products is their alkalinity
and the effects they may have on certain wheel-types,
and sensitive brake-assemblies, if left to dwell too long.

Obscure information: Folks poured Sodium Metasilicate
down their vehicle(s) oil filler tube during the CARS Program



Bob

[Setec Astronomy]

ihaveacamaro, first let me thank you for taking the time to do the video and the comparison. I thought the "standard" dilution rate for the newest version of OPC was 4:1, but they have always said for tough cleaning you can use it straight.

If you do some experimentation later with different dilutions, we'd be happy to hear about it, and you don't need to make a video--we'll believe you if you tell us one worked better than the other

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

ihaveacamaro, first let me thank you for taking the time to do the video and the comparison.

I'm happy to do it I would do it solely for myself anyways, but I thought others would be interested as well.

And just in case you were wondering, my name is Roshan Kind of a weird name, but I'm Indian and I think it fits my personality. Easiest way to say it is if you're saying ocean with an "r" at the front lol!

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

I thought the "standard" dilution rate for the newest version of OPC was 4:1, but they have always said for tough cleaning you can use it straight.

I used it at 1:3 due to reading it on the forums, here are just a few quotes from people on here:

Originally Posted by BobbyG

General dilution for Optimum Power Clean is 3:1 and this seems to work on just about everything. I'd try some diluted at 3:1 and if you need something a bit stronger try some full strength and see if it works better...

For all purpose cleaners regular tap water is fine.

Originally Posted by sal329

I have yet to try OPC but from readings I see a lot 3:1 and some 4:1

Originally Posted by Dan Metzler

I can get OPC to foam up on tires (3:1) but never does on wheels like Mark said. Add a little OCW to your OPC spray bottle and you will have foam and will "cling" longer.

Originally Posted by alko

I agree...3:1 works well for tires and wheels. I've also used it full strength and doesn't seem to harm the tires or wheels.

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

If you do some experimentation later with different dilutions, we'd be happy to hear about it, and you don't need to make a video--we'll believe you if you tell us one worked better than the other

Haha, I'll try to keep this thread updated... if I remember lol



Btw, Setec, thanks for bringing up all your points. I feel that they were all valid and it's good for anyone reading through to see concerns that are brought up in my experiment. Make sure you bring them up for the next video too

[ihaveacamaro]

Originally Posted by Vegas Transplant

I agree and apologize...I meant to say ..."abused tires and wheels", as in oxidized and looking something like this white wall:


I used an alkaline purple product, pw, and very little scrubbing before attacking the whitewall with an abrasive pad.

Looking forward to the next video in the series hand

What do you mean by whitewall? I'm not familiar with the term

And thanks! It's nice to have people look forward to something that you do, it's definitely good motivation to start the next one ASAP!

Originally Posted by FUNX725

Instead of responding to your other: Tire OPC...Thrifty v Fifty thread...
I'll do it here.

Thanks for taking your time and efforts to test and compare different products...
some of the Dollar Store variety...Some more car-detailing specific.

You seem to enjoy these presentations as much as I, and many others do, as well.

My only concern with some $-Store products is their alkalinity
and the effects they may have on certain wheel-types,
and sensitive brake-assemblies, if left to dwell too long.

Obscure information: Folks poured Sodium Metasilicate
down their vehicle(s) oil filler tube during the CARS Program



Bob

You know Bob, I do enjoy these presentations very much! Editing the videos are the least enjoyable part of the whole process, but overall I very much enjoy it and hope to continue if there is interest

You bring up a good concern, and I do not know how this would react to something like bare aluminum alloy. At best, it could clean the wheel, and at worst, be like Megs wheel brightener and spot the entire wheel.

Luckily for me, my wheels have a white rubber coating on them that looks like they are painted white

For anyone else reading this though, I highly recommend a test spot before working on any wheel surface with something like LATA. Optimum power clean is supposed to be safe on every surface

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally Posted by ihaveacamaro

And just in case you were wondering, my name is Roshan Kind of a weird name, but I'm Indian and I think it fits my personality. Easiest way to say it is if you're saying ocean with an "r" at the front

Yes, I picked that up from your video (and it's not weird, we're inclusive here as long as you like detailing!). I just have a policy against using first names in threads unless it's your screen name or you have your name in your sig...it gets confusing to casual readers when people are directing comments or questions to people who they are unable to identify in the thread (just something I remember from being a newb)...so I tend to use screen names.

Originally Posted by ihaveacamaro

I used it at 1:3 due to reading it on the forums

I think a lot of the info/habits regarding OPC are from the original formula, for which 3:1 was standard for general cleaning. The newest formula specifies 4:1 IIRC, but as with any APC, you dilute it to what works for what you are doing.