Optimum Opti-Seal (OS) versus Optimum Car Wax (OCW)?

[sportscarhiatus]

I have both products and love them both. OS is extremely easy to use, and with a couple of spritzes per dry panel, I have no streaking issues. OCW I use on dry paint, and sometimes during drying. I find both to be excellent products that provide slickness, gloss, and durability with the added benefit of being very user friendly.

My question is.... what's the DIFFERENCE between the two? Meaning... what does OS do, that OCW doesn't? When is the best time to use one or the other? Do I gain anything by layering them? In fact, that's a follow on question... do either OCW or OS allow themselves to be layered? (i.e. another coat of OCW over existing OCW?)

thanks in advance...

p.s. how do I contact the Optimum CEO? I see from some prior posts that Dave has gotten back to some folks...

[Mindflux]

OS should last considerably longer than OCW. One is a sealant, the other a spray wax.

They're both highly liked products. You could even top OS with OCW if you so desired. :)

[sportscarhiatus]

OS should last considerably longer than OCW. One is a sealant, the other a spray wax.

They're both highly liked products. You could even top OS with OCW if you so desired. :)

So OS has only polymers, while OCW has some carnauba AND polymers... I guess that's what makes OCW a "wax" versus a sealant, eh?

Here's what I'm thinking then, based on that analysis.

OS = use if you want longer durability of a sealant
OCW = use if you want more gloss/wetness/look of a carnauba wax

so best of both worlds would be to top OS with OCW. Durability of a sealant with the gloss of a wax??? Has anyone tried this? Do these 2 products allow "layering"? or am I wasting elbow grease?

[Mindflux]

So OS has only polymers, while OCW has some carnauba AND polymers... I guess that's what makes OCW a "wax" versus a sealant, eh?

Here's what I'm thinking then, based on that analysis.

OS = use if you want longer durability of a sealant
OCW = use if you want more gloss/wetness/look of a carnauba wax

so best of both worlds would be to top OS with OCW. Durability of a sealant with the gloss of a wax??? Has anyone tried this? Do these 2 products allow "layering"? or am I wasting elbow grease?

Well there's definitely diminishing returns at some point where "X" layers leads to no more gloss/slickness. I'm sure there are folks that put on OS and then top it with OCW. Then subsequent washes they just use some OCW as they dry.

Then re-apply OS every 2 months or whatever they think is appropriate.

[sportscarhiatus]

Well there's definitely diminishing returns at some point where "X" layers leads to no more gloss/slickness. I'm sure there are folks that put on OS and then top it with OCW. Then subsequent washes they just use some OCW as they dry.

Then re-apply OS every 2 months or whatever they think is appropriate.

I agree...

How long does OS need to "cure"/"bond" to paint before applying OCW? Is it fair to assume the typical 12 hour curing time of a sealant?

If anyone has any other opinion on the whole OS/OCW combo and layering questions, please chime in with their feedback. Thanks. Perhaps some folks have pics of their vehicles with OCW on top of OS?

[Mindflux]

I agree...

How long does OS need to "cure"/"bond" to paint before applying OCW? Is it fair to assume the typical 12 hour curing time of a sealant?

If anyone has any other opinion on the whole OS/OCW combo and layering questions, please chime in with their feedback. Thanks. Perhaps some folks have pics of their vehicles with OCW on top of OS?

I don't have personal experience with OS just yet. If I had to guess I'd say 8-12 hours. :)

[Rsurfer]

I agree...

How long does OS need to "cure"/"bond" to paint before applying OCW? Is it fair to assume the typical 12 hour curing time of a sealant?

If anyone has any other opinion on the whole OS/OCW combo and layering questions, please chime in with their feedback. Thanks. Perhaps some folks have pics of their vehicles with OCW on top of OS?Yes, 12 hour cure time. Looking at pictures will do you no good, as it's all in the prep.

[sportscarhiatus]

Yes, 12 hour cure time. Looking at pictures will do you no good, as it's all in the prep.

I know... but sometimes we all like looking at pictures... lol :)

[Rsurfer]

I know... but sometimes we all like looking at pictures... lol :)Your avatar looks dripping wet.

[sportscarhiatus]

Your avatar looks dripping wet.

lol... thanks!

bump for feed back on original question(s) please.

[BobbyG]

I haven't tried Optimum Opti-Seal but I tried Optimum Car Wax and was so impressed with its ease of use and results I bought a gallon. I may just have to order up some Opti-Seal and give it a try.

[sportscarhiatus]

I haven't tried Optimum Opti-Seal but I tried Optimum Car Wax and was so impressed with its ease of use and results I bought a gallon. I may just have to order up some Opti-Seal and give it a try.


That's what I did too... I bought a small 16ozer of OCW, loved it, so I bought a whole gallon. It's my go-to "quick" wax after a wash.

As a follow up note, I did a lot more research for about 2 hours last night on Opti-seal, I read that it is:

1) not as slick
2) beading is not as tight
3) longevity is in question

I think Opti-seal has been around longer than OCW, so the formulation is probably not as good. OCW comes along, and probably does better that Opti-seal. I find that OCW has a warm shine (almost carnauba like) and lasts quite some time.

[BobbyG]

That's what I did too... I bought a small 16ozer of OCW, loved it, so I bought a whole gallon. It's my go-to "quick" wax after a wash.

Exactly!! :props: