Review: Optimum GPS

[CEE DOG]

Review: Optimum GPS

 

Introduction:

 

GPS stands for Glaze Polish Seal. This is an all in one product that can also be used as a glaze/sealant if worked in that manner. If applied by hand or only worked for a short time with a buffer it fills minor imperfections. If used as an all in one (which I suspect is the choice for most people) it should be worked further, in which case it will remove minor defects. In either case it leaves behind a layer of polymer protection that is claimed to be 3-4 months. I was given this product in a goody box a week ago for my mini-review efforts in the store. Thank you to Nick and AG.

 

Product Claims (from AG):

 

Optimum GPS is a revolutionary one-step product that leaves vehicles smooth, bright, and protected. This is a spray glaze, polish, and sealant in one! Optimum GPS gives detailers the ability to create amazing results with less time and effort than a multi-step polishing process. Easy spray application, high performance, and lasting paint protection are the highlights of this exciting all-in-one product.

 

Details:

 

01.- Packaging: Blue Plastic Bottle w/ Optimum Label and Spray trigger

02.- Directions: Simple and Clear

03.- Consistency: Thick Spray

04.- Color: White

05.- Scent: Smells like GPS to me J

06.- Size: 16 oz. / 64 oz. /128 oz.

07.- Price: $17.99 $44.99 $69.99

08.- Manufacturer: Optimum Polymer Technologies, Inc.

09.- Made in: USA

 

Additional products used during application & or removal:

 

1.- Flex 3401

2.- Flex PE-14-2-150

3.- Tangerine HT pads (6 1/2")

4.- Rolled edge MF towel

5.- Water

 

Environmental Conditions:

 

75 degrees Fahrenheit

60% Humidity

Windy

 

 

Product:

 

 

 

Preparation:

 

After washing with UPGW and drying the vehicle I wet sanded an area with 3000 grit paper for our correction ability test.

 

 

 

I started by placing a tangerine pad on my Flex 3401 and setting up some halogen light due to the clouds. This is the first time I’ve used one of these spray-able polishes from Optimum and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. After about 23 pulls of the trigger to get product into the nozzle (since its new) I pulled the trigger again.

 

To my surprise and delight it came out in a pattern that was nothing short of wonderful! Of course I had never done this before so my distance from nozzle to pad was a bit too close. By backing it off a couple more inches and being sure to center it this is just the most wonderful revolution in application I could have imagined! In theory I knew it was great but never thought it would work that well in the real world. Well, indeed it does.

 

As you will see in the video I had the pad over the hood, which of course means I sprayed some product directly onto the paint where I missed the pad. Depending on what and when you are using the product you may prefer to spray off to the side of the vehicle rather than allowing any spray to hit completed areas of the paint. Either way it wipes right off so no biggy.

 

Typically a pad should be primed before use, which can be somewhat time consuming so I was ecstatic at how the product hit and covered the pad with just a press of the trigger. Normally I would have spent minutes preparing the pad or else settled for the less agreeable method of letting it prime itself during the first section. That method ends up leaving the product built up in some areas and not spread properly in others so until this my choice has almost always been spending extra time rather than not priming the pad correctly.

 

If the other Optimum polishes spray as perfectly as this I am truly impressed.

 

Application and Observations (D/A):

 

The instructions recommend a speed of 3-5 for D/A. After quickly spreading the product on low speed I started at 5 1/2 and played with it a bit during my sections. The working time I found to be quite lengthy even taking into account I may have over applied the product a bit. Any remaining product was easily removed with a spray of water and a couple wipes with the mf towel.

 

Upon inspection I found the 3000 grit marks had been removed and the paint looked glossy and wet except for a few lines in one spot that appeared to be from my poor & rushed wet sanding technique. Of course all the deeper defects in the paint remained.

 

If using a more aggressive polish or spending more time is not an option you can of course expect GPS to round the edges of the defects it doesn’t remove which will make them less noticeably and allow the gloss of the paint to be what stands forth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CEE DOG]

Video: Optimum GPS In Action (Part I)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl20CraDV6o&feature=colike

 

Next I attacked the section below the tape line. This time I wanted to see how fast the product was removing the 3000 grit marks so I only passed over the surface a couple times with my 3401 before checking it. Again I used a spritz of water and an mf towel and wiped the surface to check. The grit marks had been almost entirely removed as best as I could tell in just 2-3 passes and about a minute of polishing. I had removed most of the GPS (which had been on the paint) with my towel so to finish the refinement I sprayed one spray directly on the paint and worked it to my hearts content (or a little beyond that actually)

 

 

[CEE DOG]

Video: Optimum GPS In Action (Part II)

 

 

As I removed the tape it pulled off about a 1” long section of my clear coat with it!! The paint is failing in many places so I wasn’t too concerned…

 

To test how GPS compared side by side with Poliseal I applied a little Poliseal to a tangerine pad and polished out the tapeline. As always, Poliseal was a joy to work with. The grit marks were removed, and as anyone who has used Poliseal knows the product basically melts into the paint leaving little if any to wipe off.

 

 

Video: Poliseal

 

[CEE DOG]

Application and Observations (Rotary):

 

I wanted to get a little time with the product on the rotary as well. There wasn’t really anything on this side of the panel I was trying to polish but I did want to have a large enough section for my future durability tests. I was going to only lay down a quick 2-3 passes with the GPS but I ended up working it real fast across the paint more than a few times. Then I followed another section with the Poliseal and rotary.

 

 

Video: Optimum GPS (Part III)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CEE DOG]

Additional Observations:

 

I was surprised at how noticeable my tapeline was in my rotary test. As you can see in the picture both products darkened and increased the gloss of the paint. Poliseal appears to leave the paint slightly darker than GPS as you can see in the picture above.

 

During application GPS appears to be much more visible on the paint than Poliseal but wipes off extremely easily at whatever point in the buffing cycle you decide to release the trigger. It also seems to become more reflective when it flashes as opposed to Poliseal which becomes more transparent. I’m not sure if Dr. G intentionally placed something in GPS to make it so reflective when it flashes or if it’s just a byproduct of all the other magic!

 

As I’m sure many will tell you the only thing that Poliseal falls short on is the difficulty of removing it from the pads. I’m happy to report GPS was much easier for me to wash out and it left no stain! (Note: I did wash it out directly after use.)

 

 

 

Does it stain trim?:

 

Double check for yourself but from my experience it does not. The tiny drops in the first picture were left on the bumper for over ten minutes and maybe closer to 30. I didn’t test beyond that.

 

 

 

Pros:

 

1.- Ease of application (Love the spray idea!)

2.- Versatility – Conforms to the detailer and situation

3.- Wet Glossy finish

4.- Long work time

5.- Easy wipe off regardless of work time chosen

6.- No dusting (just a bit if too much product is used)

7.- Does not stain pads

8.- Does not stain trim (Double check this for yourself but I found no staining)

 

???

 

1.- Durability (I’ll keep you “posted”)

2.- In the interest of getting this posted I skipped the glaze test for now.

3.- Will spraying water directly on the paint, (rather than the towel) affect the durability?

4.- I have had great success polishing smooth plastic with Poliseal so I look forward to trying GPS in that manner as well.

 

Cons:

 

1.- None

 

Final Observations and Summary:

 

I love the new spray method of application. I always thought this was gimmicky but was I ever wrong! The product itself is excellent as well. It has a fair bit of cut and a very wet finish while being a dream to work with. The best part is it conforms to the detailer.

 

You want to work it for two passes? Fine, it will do what it can for you and leave a wet finish on its way out.

 

You want to work it for 8 passes? That’s ok, its not going to dry out on you or give you any complaints.

 

Don’t have a machine? Use it by hand as a glaze.

 

Using a rotary? GPS is friends with Mr. Rotary as well.

 

In conclusion I will say just as I loved Poliseal since the first time I used it I feel the same towards GPS as well. I expected them to feel identical to me but they actually felt quite different. Next time I have to reach for one or the other I will grab GPS specifically due to the spray application as well as the fact it is much easier to wash out of the pads experience. Additional use will educate me further.

 

After washing cars and working with this product (as well as another I’m excited to talk about soon) it was time for some relaxation. I enjoyed a plate of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and squash casserole! Then I had a good shower before dropping the top and releasing Skybaby from the Sky Cave.

 

 

 

 

Sky, meet Sky!

 

[DLR Detailing]

Excellent review Cee Dog! Thanks for taking the time to share your GPS experience with us.

 

Now i'm more anxious than ever for my latest Optimum Fix to arrive.

[CEE DOG]

Thanks guys!

 

Chris or David, if someone would like to top GPS with a wax or sealant should they wait for some time? How long does it take for the GPS to cure? Can both waxes and sealants be used? Will the solvents in some of them remove the GPS? Will a wax or sealant bond to the top of it or would a sealant lift the gps and seal between it and the paint?

 

Thanks for the info in advance,

Corey

[CEE DOG]

Thanks Chris!