cptzippy Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 I've found with careful techniques I can clean pretty dirty cars with ONR. I read somewhere that you should only use Opticlean on mildly dusty cars (of course many use to say that about ONR). My question is, where is the line (in grime) between using Opticlean and ONR? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dervdave Posted April 15, 2012 Share Posted April 15, 2012 I've found with careful techniques I can clean pretty dirty cars with ONR. I read somewhere that you should only use Opticlean on mildly dusty cars (of course many use to say that about ONR). My question is, where is the line (in grime) between using Opticlean and ONR? Its close, very close but OC covers where there might be an area of doubt if to do a full ONR wash or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cptzippy Posted April 16, 2012 Author Share Posted April 16, 2012 Seems like from other forums that most people are just using it like a glorified QD. Am I the only one who is actually using it on a dirty car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dervdave Posted April 19, 2012 Share Posted April 19, 2012 Its a very fine waterless wash, very safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrvao777 Posted September 14, 2019 Share Posted September 14, 2019 Sorry to drag up an old topic but I was curious. So the general recommendation is: 1) if the car is filthy, do a traditional 2 bucket wash with soap 2) if the car isn't too dirty, we can use ONR (I still typically presoak ONR using a foam cannon and pressure wash the car off before starting my ONR wash) 3) where does that leave Opti-clean? When is the best time to use Opti-clean? More for spot treatment? Would you actually use Opti-clean to clean an entire car? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron@Optimum Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 curious where you got this "general recommendation" because it didn't come from Optimum. We have never recommended the 2 bucket wash (in fact, Yvan LaCroix recommends against it). For a truly filthy car (mud encrusted) we suggest power washing first, but still an ONR wash. I've never had a car too dirty for ONR. Opti-Clean is a true waterless wash and can be used for spot cleaning or for the entire job...and many use it that way. Opti-Clean is a stronger cleaner than ONR and has it's place in a washing routine. For instance, sometimes during a rain storm I pull my car out to get it thoroughly wet, then use Opti-Clean as a safe drying aid to finish the job. darrvao777 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No Soap Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 True! No soap should ever be used again! I do use Opti-Clean as a ONR wash pre-spray in the winter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrvao777 Posted September 15, 2019 Share Posted September 15, 2019 11 hours ago, Ron@Optimum said: curious where you got this "general recommendation" because it didn't come from Optimum. We have never recommended the 2 bucket wash (in fact, Yvan LaCroix recommends against it). For a truly filthy car (mud encrusted) we suggest power washing first, but still an ONR wash. I've never had a car too dirty for ONR. Opti-Clean is a true waterless wash and can be used for spot cleaning or for the entire job...and many use it that way. Opti-Clean is a stronger cleaner than ONR and has it's place in a washing routine. For instance, sometimes during a rain storm I pull my car out to get it thoroughly wet, then use Opti-Clean as a safe drying aid to finish the job. Interesting, thanks for the tips I've been leaning that way anyways as I find ONR to be so much easier to use. What I've generally settled on is pre-rinsing with ONR, power washing if the car is really dirty, using ONR with the BRS, and then using Opti-Clean to spot clean particularly stubborn or dirty areas (tar, bugs, etc) Thanks again, this forum is a goldmine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokiedood Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Ron, what are your thoughts about replacing ONR outright with Opti-Clean while maintaining the same dilution ratio? Is it too strong to use every other week? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron@Optimum Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 no, Opti-Clean is not too strong to use all the time and I just used it today to clean pollen off my Garage Queen. My only issue with OC is that for an average dirty car I have to go slower, use more product, or go back over vs slopping ONR on/drying. I don't see any time savings... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hokiedood Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 1 hour ago, Ron@Optimum said: no, Opti-Clean is not too strong to use all the time and I just used it today to clean pollen off my Garage Queen. My only issue with OC is that for an average dirty car I have to go slower, use more product, or go back over vs slopping ONR on/drying. I don't see any time savings... Why would you have to go slower and use more OOC? It's stronger than ONR isn't it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiddetailer Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 1 hour ago, hokiedood said: Why would you have to go slower and use more OOC? It's stronger than ONR isn't it? You have to be careful with the towel/wash media you use while using Opti Clean as you would accumulate alot of dirt on the towel/media. Flip the towel as it gets dirty with every swipe, and then change towels. As oppose to ONR bucket wash where you apply the Big Red Sponge all over the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron@Optimum Posted May 12, 2020 Share Posted May 12, 2020 Exactly right, Kid, when I use ONR and the BRS, I slosh on lots of solution, give it a wipe, then dry. With, OC you're using much less solution and wiping/drying in one action - not getting the same volume of product to absorb the dirt. For a dirty car it requires (1) more sprays and time wiping, or (2) going back over to catch dirt missed the first pass. OC has to be stronger because you're using much less water that also acts as a lubricant/cleaner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tug Bankert Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 I have cleaned very dirty, white work trucks using onr and no soap. You know the white vehicles with the black sooty film on them? This myth of what Matt Mourmon says about only using onr between washes, ( whatever an in-between wash is anyway). Onr can clean as dirty of a car as soap can. If encrusted with thick mud or dirt it will need a good pre rinse and maybe PC to knock it down, though. I just wanted to clear that up as I'm sure most of you already knew anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darrvao777 Posted May 17, 2020 Share Posted May 17, 2020 Checking back in to report an update, I've been exclusively using Optimum products to clean my car since I last posted in September (don't even own traditional soap anymore!) and have nothing but positive things to report. My experience mirrors a lot of what the experts here have reported: 1) My car is a daily driver and sits outside, I love washing with ONR and the BRS versus the increased caution I need to take with Opti Clean 2) I typically with pre-rinse with a hose just to get as much loose debris off as possible (but I have done plenty of washes without a pre-rinse and haven't scratched my car yet) 3) I find that foaming Power Clean (in addition to being fun) is great particularly for bugs. Such an awesomely versatile product that can be used to wash wheels / tires / bugs / stubborn tar / etc This was a great week where I could put everything together (back to work and driving 5x/week, assaulted by a ton of love bugs, eagerly awaiting my Friday evening car wash): - hose off the car - foam Power Clean 1:3 on the wheels / tires / lovebug-affected areas - use wheel tools to clean the wheels / tires / exhaust - use bug sponge to clean the bugs - hose off again (I believe ONR used in a large volume can also neutralize Power Clean but I prefer hosing it off to be safe) - bring the car inside so I can work in a climate-controlled environment - BRS + ONRWW to clean the body - Opti seal and microfiber towel to dry the body - microfiber towel dunked into ONR and wrung out to wipe down the interior - spritz of opti seal and microfiber towel to dry the wheels Ready for another week of work and lovebugs habs33 and Aerou 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.