Ron@Optimum

Dr G - Acid wheel cleaners are generally based on hydrofluoric acid which is one of the most dangerous chemicals to work with and can penetrate skin and attack bones. It also damages aluminum wheels. So it is unsafe for user and some wheels.

From Dr G - He doesn’t need fall out remover. MDR will do the job by itself with the clay towel.

I'll copy and paste to Dr G next week for his feedback...an interesting experiment!

I will be getting samples of several of the new "retail" products soon - specifically Power Tire Cleaner, Interior Cleaner, and Waterless Wash & Shine. I'll be testing them and provide my thoughts...

I haven't gotten samples of the new products yet, so am not sure how they fit together. I agree without testing, the Interior Protectant sounds like Protectant Plus. I don't think Dr G is likely to follow the Chemical Guys strategy...suspect this is more diversifying into a retail line and a Pro/Enthusiast line of product. Some may not like Amazon, but they are a selling machine and pridefully ignoring them is likely business suicide.

New info, the Interior Protectant and polishers are in stock but not listed online yet. You can contact Optimum for information/pricing and to order.

The only new products available now are Power Wheel & Tire Cleaner and Interior Cleaner. Will see if I can get an ETA...

for a full size Silverado it should take close to the entire syringe (10ml), depending on what you coat (glass, wheels, metal, etc). Using too little will reduce durability. The good news is you can layer Gloss-Coat, so can apply another coat to get full protection.,

Habs, as a company Optimum votes for overkill!

Both Opti-Seal and Hyper Seal are effective on PPF - Hyper Seal has greater durability. Both can be used as drying aids and are also good on glass, plastic, metal, etc.

Yes, Power Clean is safe on ceramic coating AND film.

that was my idea and went away when I retired to the lake...

Jed, thank you for a well crafted response. I will admit I sometimes get short tempered when getting criticisms about Optimum's marketing or research. People are welcome to their opinions but ultimately Optimum will operate it's business according to it's priorities and convictions. We are very much a company that reflects it's owner and there's a reason he's turned down investors/partners. Dr G may have some blind spots but I believe in his vision for Optimum's future and non negotiable values. That said, Jed, we're proud to have you as a Pro Installer - as I stated, Optimum has the best detailers!

sounds like the cleaner didn't mix well - you can try the steam again or wipe with ONR and a microfiber.

No NDA and that TW business was so long ago...you are close, since Dr G would not "dumb down" ONR, TW bought the concentrate in bulk and could mix it any way they wished to maximize profit. TW made an effort, sending reps into auto parts stores (O'Reillys, Autozone, etc) to demo the product. I think they knew they were in trouble when clerks questioned the product and called it "snake oil". There's still pushback on ONR, Optimum recently offered an 8 oz bottle with money back guarantee and I got to respond when customers wanted their money back. Some just didn't understand how to use it, but others had unreasonable expectations. OPT did find some new users, though...

I don't think there's any plans for sample sizes of the new products (samples seem great but packaging/labels cost more than the product and are not profitable). I thought I heard mention of a cordless mini, but it was not introduced at SEMA. The new products are related to existing Optimum formulas (naturally) - Wheel & Tire Cleaner is a specialized form of Power Clean, Interior Cleaner also has some Power Clean added, Interior Protectant is an enhanced version of Protectant Plus, etc. These products are aimed at the retail market (think Amazon) in ready to use form, simplified functions and directions. They do not replace existing Optimum products that have multiple applications and can be purchased concentrated. Those products, as always, target the enthusiast/professional market.

Turtle Wax figured changing the bottle and dilution ratio would throw customers off...and they were mostly right. Their rinseless was more expensive but most never computed it. I found it funny when people said TW was better (or ONR was better) because they were the same. They didn't educate the masses on the rinseless technology and got pushback from ignorance. The product flopped and became a bargain basement deal (and yes, Big Lots still exist). Their chemist tried to reverse engineer Opti-Seal but never got it right - Dr G said that is much more difficult that TV makes it seem. I was consulting with Optimum then but Dr G asked me to sit in TW meetings to expand his "staff".

There is no new version No Rinse Wash & Wax - FYI

New products - not on web site yet, but can be ordered via phone or email (901-363-4955 and info@opticoat.com). There are 2 new cordless D/As (15mm and 22mm), a cordless Rotary and a corded Rotary. NO Optimum products are being discontinued.

Can't answer your last question...yet. You are exactly right about keeping it simple with ready to use products and no confusing instructions. ONR is successful in spite of all that and proof is all the competing products. OPT has an Amazon Specialist who is guiding product development. Coming from the food industry, I've warned Dr G about SKU growth and product proliferation - it's expensive and can cannibalize your sales. Ironically, TurtleWax bought their rinseless from Optimum (along with several other products including Wax and Opti-Seal). They wanted us to dilute ONR and Dr G refused so to make more money they changed the sizes and dilution ratio. But right again, they did not train people how to use or why it worked, so failed miserably (after also failing to reverse engineer Opti-Seal).

I don't think OPT will discontinue existing products that have multiple uses to concentrate on more specialized ones. We have to recognize where the market is going while serving our core customers. I was shocked to hear how much more waterless wash Amazon sells versus rinseless, but ignoring the masses is a fools errand.

am double checking, but when V5 of ONR was introduces I asked Dr G if he planned an update to Wash & Wax and he said it was already slicker so no need. OPT tends to leave "New Formula" online and on bottles for a long time, but I don't think Wash & Wax is new formulation. Setec, I use ONRWW except when testing new products = I like the slickness, even when using wax/sealant as drying aid.

in general coatings can be layered, but not sure mixing products will work. Gloss-Coat is easy to polish off and I'd guess UK 3.0 would be too, specially because it's past it's shelf life. I'd think 1 pass with Hyper Polish and your good to go.

Think there's also a corded rotary -

I was told what the new machines were but don't know details or when they arrive.