BradB

Ok, thanks.

Thanks Ron. I appreciate it. Is there any visual clue on the newest packaging?

Ron, I believe you mentioned recently that the formulation has reverted to the previous mix and the vinegar smell is now gone. (Yay) I have 2 unopened bottles of the "improved" vinegar version that I cannot/will not use. And I just emptied a 3rd bottle down the drain so I could mix up some from the concentrate I purchased. The smell literally makes me nauseous and the odor hangs in the air forever. (Ugh.) Optimum really shot themselves in the foot with this update. I hope it doesn't hurt future sales of the product. I have a couple questions: 1. How do I know if a new online purchase of the Instant Detailer is the latest, nice smelling, version? 2. I don't suppose there is any way to exchange the vinegar bottles for some of the latest brew? Thanks, Brad

Thanks Ron. 👍

That’s GREAT news! Thanks.

Ron, I know I discussed my concern for the “fragrance” that the newest iteration of the Instant Detailer has. I was curious if you heard of any re-formulation of the scent in the near future? I did get some of the larger bottles of concentrated Instant Detailer but am finding that mixing that in the proper proportion is inconvenient. I really wish I could just buy the ready mixed bottles with a softer scent, or no scent, and not the vinegar smell.

Yes! I remember that. A week or two ago I was closing up a vial of GC, pushing the air bubble out ever so slowly when BAM I slipped and shot probably $15 of product all over the garage. Ouch!

Good info. Thanks. Interesting about Gloss Coat being refrigerated. The wife is gonna love this!

I ended up getting it from Autoality. My first time giving them business. The main reason I didn’t get it direct was price (free shipping for my order at Autoality) And convenience, since I wanted to get a myriad of other products at the same time. Speaking of fresh product, what is the shelf life of Gloss Coat, Hyper Seal and Instant Detailer?

I’ve never shopped at Autoality or Detailing.com. I’ll check that out. I don’t order direct from Optimum, frankly, because of the perks offered by so many other online retailers. Sales, discounts, free shipping…these are important to me. Plus I always find a reason to buy many other detailing items when I’m shopping.

Ron, I was curious why the online retailers (Detailers Domain, Autopia, Autogeek, etc) no longer have Gloss Coat for sale. Did Optimum withdraw the product from everybody? (Except perhaps Rag Co.) If so, why? (Sorry if I asked this before, I couldn’t find my previous post)

I personally don't have a fear of mixing. All I meant was anytime you let Joe Public play with the composition of your products you invite the chance of failure. Or at the very least a less optimal result. But if there is plenty of leeway built into the recipe then you are playing it safe. I'm willing to bet that making a little more objective info available on the products, or how the products interact and compare with each other, would sell a bit more. Maybe a lot more. But never the BS. That's so insulting. I'd love to hear what the chemist has to say. Or at least a dumbed down version to fill in the cracks of knowledge. I've worked for pharmacists, engineers, architects, and economists. Believe me, I know how tough it can be to translate their work to the common man. Glad Dr G keeps you around.

I totally understand out the slickness/durability interaction. I’m just trying to understand where these products fall in relation to one and other. In my case the best course of action seems to be to continue with the Gloss Coat, Instant Detail (old formula) as desired and Hyper Seal to boost durability. With regard to the old and new formulas for Instant Detailer, I assume they are still compatible to each other and could be mixed if one chose to do so? I mention this since I have much of the new formula to dispense with somehow and hate to just dump it. I see the large quantities of the old version are “concentrated” and require mixing with water to use. Depending on me, the stupid end user, to mix this correctly sounds scary. I assume there is a wide margin of acceptability regarding the water ratio? And that the bulk Instant Detailer is compatible with the premixed smaller bottle formula? I guess I’m a problem child but certainly I’m not the only one to be confused between the specific objective qualities and inter-relation of the Optimum products. The marketing materials could be vastly better. (Marketing is my profession so I tend to rant -and worry- when things aren’t clear.) Consumers really need to dig deep and research on the forums to find answers. You know how dangerous that can be, especially if they don’t find someone like you to ferret out the questions. So thanks for putting up with all the irritating and repetitive dialog.

Ron, earlier in this thread you mentioned the Ultra Ceramic Seal as being slick. How would that fit into my regimen given that I use Gloss Coat as a base and Hyper Seal as a booster? (Instant Detailer will always be used as a daily maintenance product. ) Or does one replace the other? The Optimum website product descriptions are a bit vague and there is certainly overlap of benefits.

But, but, that's one of my endearing qualities! 😘 Ok, I get it! You've cleared up a lot of things for me. Thanks a lot! I feel a little less stressed about it now. 😎