So, I'm looking to dump Speed Shine (Griot's) as my main QD. And I order up a gallon of OID concentrate. Smells yummy, but is leaving streaks. Not all the time, but on horizontal surfaces in the direct sunlight, it can streak badly. I normally do next to nothing in the sun, preferring the garage, but the job role of a QD is that you can use it "whenenever" birdbombs, etc. I'm no expert, but one would think anti-streaking would be near the top of features that any QD would have. I dilluted it per directions (3:1). I used tap water. Seattle tap water - which is very good. I've heard of people dilluting it even more than 3:1. So, I guess I'll try that. I'll also get some distilled water. But as of now, I'm a little heasitant to use it. With winter coming, I ONR washed my car and layed down a coat of 425. I'm on a slight time crunch and I didn't have time to clay and correct and am just putting down 427s to protect over winter. I know that I'll be doing serious correction in the spring when I ditch my PC and pick up a Makita and go wool. I see a couple of QID streaks that were left from last week that I waxed over... I'm going to reserve final judgement on the product until I change some of the parameters and go through the gallon, but right now, I'm kindda turned off by it. I was looking for an alternative to the expense and hassle of Speed Shine. #1 priorities I had were value and performance. Other notes: Is OID "super slick"? Uhhh... Didn't notice anything remarkable. Collinite 427 first use: Not hard to get off. Did thin and didn't let it set up too long - 1-2 panels at a time (on/off). Will try to get another coat on in the next day or so. Thanks for reading and chime in on your OID experience as it relates to performance!
i use it 5:1... and yes i noticed streaking... i found that it was coming from my microfibers not being clean enuough... so i use 2.. one to wipe and one to finish off. And i always use distilled water. I dont take any chances with contaminants.
If it begins to streak, I tend to follow FuelTuner's method of QDing. Although your tap water may be great, distilled water still may be better. Oh and I wouldn't completely ditch the PC. It still comes in handy for finishing vehicles and other miscellaneous tasks.
I use distilled water and don't ever having any streaking with OID. Usually if your microfiber becomes to damp it will streak also.
I'm glad you said that about damp and streaking. I don't use distilled water. I use filtered water instead. water is not cheap anymore. So when the MF becomes damp what do you do change MF's or use two MF's:thumb:
I too found that on certain cars(ie some black ones) I would get occasional streaking with OID. I used Brita water and the 3:1 mix and found that when I went to about 3.5-4:1 mix, the streaking has disappeared. I now find I like it more than ever!
There have been a couple other who experienced this I think on Autopia and the Optimum Forum. I have never had any streaking, but I am pretty versed in the Optimum: less is more philosophy. The guys I'm thinking of fixed their problems by 1) using distilled water 2)using less product 3) when in the sun or when surface is hot: put it on the towel and not directly on the paint. Just one more bit of advice: spread it onto the panel with little or NO pressure to get the glossy look. You will notice the gloss within the hour as the polymers link.
All very useful replies. Distilled water is definately going to happen, along with a weaker dillution. Yes, we're also talking abougt a black single stage paint. The comment about damp towel is a little puzzling since the emultion you're applying is 80% water to begin with. However, I'm the guy with the occasional streaking problems, so I'll follow that advice as well. It's not awful or anything like that, it's just it doesn't appear that I'm getting all that the product has to offer. Hopefully with your hints, I'll do just that. Thanks guys!
I think the reason you don't spray it directly to the surface in the sun is the surface temperature causes the solvent to flash off before the polymers are spread. Too many in one spot would look like flashing. By putting the OID on the towel it spreads more evenly and won't flash as quick. If the paint is cool: you can do the towel or directly to the panel.
everyone thinks they can put whatever they want on when it's hot outside in direct sunlight or in extreme humidity.. trust me don't qd or apply wax or cleaner fluid in these scenario's. your asking for hazing/streaking issues. same with washing in the direct sun and getting water spots unless you can run around the vehicle super fast to dry it. for the record DON'T APPLY QD'S OR WAX IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT!!!!!
Ya, that advice sounds sage. And "integrity's" explination makes sense. However, absent of direct sunlight, wouldn't it be a wash spraying directly vs on MF first? I mean, there's not gonna be a heat induced flash occuring, and that's what's essentially causing the streaking, no?
Smearing is the tendency of a protective sealant/wax film to be too mobile on the surface. This can cause a smeary, greasy, hazy appearance, show fingerprints or an oily look. Smearing is usually caused by over-deposition of (higher viscosity) active ingredients. It is key to use the correct amounts, otherwise you can buff it for hours and you'll just move the film around. Solution: use less. Streaking is generally defined as marks/imperfections in the protective film of the sealant/wax that are basically immovable, or hard to move with simple rubbing. In extreme cases, streaking appears as swirl marks where the product was applied. There are two main causes for streaking: - The film-forming active ingredients cannot spread and level well. - The film-forming active ingredients interfere with each other (or with previously applied products). Allowing too little or too much drying time can have negative effects on the film. Sealants that are left to dry for too long may also cause difficulties. This is because after the solvent has evaporated, the remaining actives cannot be buffed to a smooth finish - especially if the materials have begun to cross-link and anchor to the surface - causing a non-uniform film. If you have incompatibility issues, try to determine which previously applied product could have been the source of interference.
