Review: Optimum Car Wash Concentrate

[CEE DOG]

Review: Optimum Car Wash Concentrate


First things first:
If you have issues with the larger images in this thread causing you not to be able to view the full thread without scrolling... complete the following 3 steps one time and moving forward you won’t have issues. (In this thread here) ->> http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...tml#post504404


If the switch I have made to larger images has caused you to want to click away rather than make that change please leave a comment for me to let me know. This thread only has a few large images but if people are happy I’ll be switching to larger photos in most of my reviews.

Introduction:
I can’t believe it’s taken me until now to finally use Optimum Car Wash. Optimum is one of my preferred brands of car care products so you would think I’d have used it before now. Anyway, between my go to car wash and the samples of car wash members have generously sent me for review I just hadn’t gotten around to it. Luckily for me a friend and fellow member of the forum (Jim-Dr. Oldz) sent me a sample of OCWC to try out. I used this product a few weeks ago on 3 different cars and I’ve finally had a chance to finish putting the review together.

Partial Product Description (from Optimum forum):
Optimum Car Wash is designed to clean the toughest automotive grime while maximizing the protection of Optimum Car Wax. The rich foaming lather traps dirt and grime and rinses with cold water leaving a smooth, clean surface behind. Optimum Car Wash is also extremely gentle and very safe for consumers while containing only biodegradable ingredients to make it safe for the environment as well.

Details:
01.- Packaging: N/A
02.- Directions: (0.5 to 1.0 oz. per gallon)
03.- Consistency: Easily mixed with water
04.- Color: Blue
05.- Scent: Blueberry (Very nice and strong)
06.- Size/Price (at time of Review): $11.99 / 32 oz.
----- Cost - 3+/- Gallons of Mixed Solution: $0.56 to $1.12
07.- Size/Price (at time of Review): $29.99 / 128 oz.
----- Cost - 3+/- Gallons of Mixed Solution: $0.35 to $0.70
08.- Manufacturer: Optimum Polymer Technologies, Inc.
09.- Made in: USA

Additional products used for prep, during application, or removal:
1.- (2) buckets with Grit Guard
2.- Car Pro merino wool wash mitt
3.- MF Chenille Wash Mitt (Cobra)
4.- Metro Master Blaster
5.- Various brushes

Environmental Conditions:
85 degrees Fahrenheit
60% Humidity

Video: Mixing Solution




Ready to Roll:

01-Setup



The media I used was the Carpro wash mitt for the majority of the Sky and the Cobra mf wash mitt for the lower portions.

02-Media



Application:
After thoroughly rinsing the vehicle I loaded my upper panel mitt with solution and washed a section of the hood. Normally I rinse the section before moving to the next but this time I waited until the hood was completely washed before rinsing it. After washing a section of the hood as shown below I rinsed the mitt out. When using a Microfiber mitt I spray it out with the hose between each section. However, with the long hair merino wool mitt I now use on Sky’s upper body I find it rinses nicely in my secondary rinse bucket. As I was saying, after rinsing the mitt I reloaded it with solution and repeated the process on the remaining sections of the hood. Next I rinsed the hood clean and moved on to each of the other panels and glass where I repeated a similar process. I did not wash the lower 18 inches of the vehicle, the front bumper, or the rear vertical with my merino mitt. Instead I switched to my Microfiber chenille wash mitt and completed the lowest areas with it. After a final rinse of the entire vehicle I pulled it into the garage where my Master Blaster awaited. There were no towels used to dry the vehicle. After blowing every inch of Sky dry, I took a picture before pulling her back outside for some pictures in the sun and clouds.

Video: Optimum Car Wash In Action




Observations:
Ooooh, Ahhhhh, the smell! Normally I’m the last guy to say the smell of a product really deserves much attention but in this case it does. It’s strong enough that I actually enjoyed it throughout the wash. For me anything that adds to the enjoyment of car care is a benefit.
I had read that OCWC didn’t have obvious lubricity in the way that we judge lubricity (the touch of our skin) but that judging lubricity in this way is pointless anyway. Personally I thought it did have very good lubricity that I could indeed feel. Maybe my water softener ran the night before? Anyway, I loved the way the mitt slid across the paint and I tried to show that in the video by moving slowly enough that you could see it. Suds are plentiful if you want them but as you could see in my mix video I stir the solution first with my arm (partial reasoning is to control the suds as is my preference)



03-After Rinsing





04-After Rinsing





05-After Drying with Master Blaster





06-After (Pulled back into the sun for pictures)





07-After





08-After





09-After





10-After





11-After





12-After




13-After (You can see here when I park in the sun I still get a little Vintage sweating from where I reapplied it on the lower front section of the hood (road wrap incident) and didn’t allow it to fully sweat out)





14-After





15-After





16-After





17-After





18-After





19-Before





20-After





21-After





22-After




Daily Driver:
I also used OCWC on two other vehicles that had a good bit more filth. I won’t bog down this thread with a bunch more photos or details on that but I’ll share a couple.

This was what my daily driver looked like before:




And this was after washing it:




Observations:
I found OCWC to be more effective than I had expected and I didn’t have any problem getting any of the cars I washed clean on the first go around. Of course I did use more pressure with a MF Chenille mitt on the daily drivers so it should be noted that the method you saw in the video was only used on my Sky.

Pros:
1.- Smell
2.- Lubricity
3.- Easy Rinsing
4.- Cleaning Ability

???
1.- Price: This will hinge on the dilution you use which there seems to be some debate about. At the dilution I used price would be a con
2.- I’m sure it just happened to be the lighting of the sun that day but usually the red paint on my sky photographs with an orange tint but this day it photographed with a red/pink tint to it.
3.-How is it that after washing and rinsing outside and pulling the car into the garage it smelled like blueberries 8 hours later? I rinsed the bucket out as well (of course) and I swear I could smell blueberries in the garage that night.

Cons:
1.-Price – See ??? #1 above

Final Observations and Summary:
I’ll vote with my dollar here by telling you that Optimum Car Wash Concentrate is in my cart now. I’m not trying to convince anyone. I’m just telling you that I personally liked it enough that I have it in my cart and the last car wash I purchased was Ultima. I think the cleaning ability of OCWC is in the upper tier of wax safe shampoos and for me lubricity was great. In my opinion it’s an excellent product. In the smell dept. this is my favorite and the only car wash where smell has consciously affected my decision. Not so much that it is the very best smelling car wash (although it does smell really great) but more so that the strength of the scent is noticeable and enjoyable while washing. Keep in mind my dilution was about 1 oz per gallon.

Q&A with Chris:

1Q.- I have seen conflicting data on dilution. A trusted friend told me Dr G said 1/2 oz per gallon was the correct dilution but I see on the Optimum forum it says 1 oz per gallon. What is correct?

1A.- 1 oz per gallon is right, but I only use 1/2 because it works very well and doesn't waste. Dr G said 1/2 oz was good too...but the official recommendation and label remain at 1 oz in case people have hard water and such.

2Q.- Does Optimum car wash have added gloss enhancers?

2A.- This will be answered in an update as soon as Chris gets back to us. I believe it does not have added gloss enhancers.-

Special thanks to Jim, Chris, and Dr. David G.

Thanks for viewing. Comments & questions are appreciated

Oh! A quick story for you guys if you haven’t fallen asleep yet...

Awhile back my lovely wife was able to reconfigure the leg of my canopy in a way that wasn’t helpful. She used the front end of her car as the tool and the leg was demolished when she turned into it.

I temporarily fixed it like this: LOL!



Later using 3/8”-16 x 3 1/2" hex head bolts I did this:





That will do until I find a replacement leg.

This final picture is actually a couple weeks after washing with OCWC but I love it so much I can’t help but throw it in here. Consider it a pretty picture just for fun.

[CEE DOG]

I should have played "Where is Bella" with you guys and offered a prize to whoever found her first! Too bad I didn't think of that sooner!

[LegacyGT]

Corey, great review! I already had OCW waiting in my cart for checkout, so this review was very timely.

Mega LOL at your wife arranging the tent leg in a way that was not useful with a car as a tool you literally had me rolling on the floor.

Sky is looking very pretty, I may have to find one of those fine wool wash mitts as well.

again fantastic review.

[CEE DOG]

Thank you Bill! It's much appreciated I need to post a review on that mitt but won't get into it further here since I don't want to hijack my own thread LOL

[LegacyGT]

Thank you Bill! It's much appreciated I need to post a review on that mitt but won't get into it further here since I don't want to hijack my own thread LOL

I will be looking forward to it. Also, I wanted to mention that the picture sizes are great! I am on my iPad right now and the review looks fantastic with the larger pictures

[Munich77]

I love OCW myself, too. I love using it in my foam gun. Personally I am simplifying my detailing supplies and OCW is the only car wash I have right now.

[CEE DOG]

I will be looking forward to it. Also, I wanted to mention that the picture sizes are great! I am on my iPad right now and the review looks fantastic with the larger pictures

And here you are my friend: Review: CarPro Wool Wash Mitt


And some additional info...

Here is what Chris of Optimum had to say on the subject of using OCWC with a foam gun.

The following quote is the property of Chris Thomas:

In the tank mix 3:1 water to Optimum Carwash, then set the slider to the 3rd hole from the left (4:1). that'll give you 1 oz per gallon on the vehicle and looks a little sumpin like diss:

[Twister]

I'm going to have to order this one to try next

[JCturboT]

Corey,
Another steller review, you must get sick of hearing that huh?

Can you compare OCW to your other two highly recommended soaps, Ultima & Duragloss.

Jeff

[batb]

I have been using OCW and have been happy with it. I was thinking of trying Ultima next based on the Ultima reviews but not sure I will now.