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. 😎

Yea, my mom has been saying the same thing since I was 7. A second layer or HS can fix a leveling issue? Does it re-activate the previous layer? I didn't mean actual damage, I was thinking something more like cloudiness from not leveling or not curing properly. I just surmised that since HS could be applied as a drying aid that you didn't have to worry to much about leveling issues, say, compared with Gloss Coat where I apply it very precisely and slowly and really look to be sure its all flashed off perfectly on a panel before moving on. Perhaps I am worried too much about Gloss Coat, too. I meant to ask, does HS need a totally prepped and cleaned surface or can I apply it over previous coats which also have Instant Detailer layered on them? As for Instant Detailer, I think the change in formula is a mistake. (Not that Dr G needs my approval) I've never encountered a product, that's meant for frequent use, NOT to have attractive and inviting aromatic qualities that help you enjoy the process. That invite you to use more. Buy more. In this case I won't. It's a relief, though, to know I can still get larger sizes of the old formula. I'll do that. Does Instant Detailer have a shelf life? Sorry for the rant. I need to go bake some warm cookies now and inhale. 🙂 Habs: Good tips!

Thanks, Ron. I appreciate your input. Great idea about using the Opta-Seal bottle. It does have a finer mist pattern. I'll do that. I get what Dr G is saying about durability vs slickness. I agree. But we all get caught up in the psychology of detailing and being slick gives us a "feel" that we have accomplished something. That the finish is better than before we detailed. I'm guilty of that need for instant gratification. Good to know that the HyperSeal cure time is an hour. Is it "stickier" before it cures? I imagined that the feel of it was slicker (Here we go again) the next day when I felt the surface again. Maybe that was just in my head. Also, since HyperSeal can be used rather imprecisely, such as a drying aid, is it critical to get it distributed across the surface super evenly? In other words, if I get a spot heavily coated is there a risk of damage if it isn't wiped off? With most coatings, for instance, we always look for high spots to wipe away before it cures. Do we need to be as particular with the HyperSeal application process? I may look into Ultra Ceramic Seal as you suggest. I'm just super curious now how these all compare. Like you say, so much is subjective and we each value the benefits (slickness, durability, etc) differently. In fact most of my cars fall into the low miles, always garaged, always pampered category. Only one is really the workhorse that takes the brunt of abuse. I call that our "beater" and test mule for various products. While I have your attention I'll hijack my own thread by asking you about the new formula for Instant Detailer. I was physically overwhelmed that it now smells like rancid vinegar. Oh my gosh it's horrible. Almost to the point that I may stop using it, horrible. Did I get a bad batch or is this no longer scented on purpose? It's really a nose full! Yuck. Instant Detailer was my favorite. I use it constantly. I'm really bummed. Thanks Ron!

Hey stranger!

Preface: It's just me, what do I know! I have been using Gloss Coat, (Bi-annually), Quick Detailer (almost daily) and Opti Seal (infrequently) for a number of years now and only recently purchased Hyper Seal (and MDR and M-Wash) First impression: I absolutely hate (hate, hate) the sprayer. It's hard to hold with no hook/wedge to support the bottle in your hand. Plus the spray pattern, at least on my bottle, was inconsistent and difficult to manipulate. I ended up using a quick detailer spray head on my Hyper Seal bottle. 1. I am assuming that Hyper Seal takes some time to cure on the surface. Can anyone elaborate? 2. In my experience, so far, I find the slickness to be a disappointment. I get a far slicker surface using Optimum Quick Detailer. I apply with a microfiber. I don't know if there is a difference spraying the surface versus on the towel. Thoughts? 3. Things I've read say that Hyper Seal can last a year. But then other sources state that it's good to use frequently with washes. So what is it? Durable or a "use it often" kind of product.

When I get done with this car it won’t be the brakes that are squeaking…it’ll be the CLEAN!

Very interesting. I am pretty anal about washing the car frequently but I guess it adds up at a level you really can't see. I'm going to try a good clean and see how it goes. Will be ordering new products today. Thanks!

Ok, great. I will read up on this. But I assume M-Wash (as well as Power Clean and MDR) is only used PRIOR to a fresh application of Gloss Coat. In other words, I am guessing that these will degrade Gloss Coat somewhat and should not be used as a regular maintenance between-application-intervals of Gloss Coat.

Thanks guys! Very helpful. Looks like I'm still on the right track. But I'll add Hyper Seal to the regimen. Speaking of regimen, I am due to re-apply Gloss Coat to a couple of my cars. I think the finishes are still in pretty good shape, but I expect there is a fair amount of mild contamination. It probably doesn't require any polishing , but some cleaning is likely warranted. Typically I would wash the car and attack any contamination I feel with clay, then re-apply Gloss Coat. I'm assuming I don't need to use any Paint Prep again. But I see some cleaning products that I really don't understand how they are used or if there is a lot of overlap in the formulas. I'm speaking of MDR, Power Clean and M-Wash. How/when are these products the most effective? Thanks again, sorry to get off topic.

Thanks! I couldn't find info on Paint Guard. Maybe I was looking in the wrong place. For years my OPT regimen has been: Gloss Coat>Car Wash>Instant Detailer. On occasion I applied Opti Seal. I was thinking of upping my game a bit and was back here looking for options. But getting overwhelmed with the number of products and what seems like overlapping benefits. It looks like Gloss Coat will remain my base as other products are pro level. But it seems Opti Seal could get replaced by Hyper Seal. Seems logical, I suppose. On that note, it looks like Gloss Coat has been dropped by almost every online retailer. Any ideas why? I was afraid it was being discontinued altogether.

Old dog here looking for new tricks... How does Gloss Coat fall into the above hierarchy? Or is that apples and oranges?