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Optimum Poli-Seal Review

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Optimum Poli-Seal is the most remarkable, all-in-one product ever produced! This zero dusting, buttery-smooth formula is the ultimate, one-step product. It creates gloss and long term protection that is second to none. Optimum Poli-Seal contains micro abrasives that eliminate (not hide) minor surface imperfections. It provides swirl mark removal, the final polish and a durable wax/sealant…all in one step! Poli-Seal creates a perfect shine on all types of paint, fiberglass, gel coat and smooth molded plastic. A single application provides “optimum” protection for your vehicle that lasts for months!”

———————-

Consumers (professional and enthusiasts alike) have, unfortunately, learned over time that few products claiming to be a “one-stop-shop” are seldomly that.  What they typically find is some sort of “jack-of-all-trades-and-master-of-none” money magnet that ends up collecting dust in the dark or on the front row of the next garage sale for a quarter…priced to move!

Optimum Poli-Seal is not that kind of product.

When a consumer reads the description above, two thoughts will come to mind: “Hallelujah! Where’s my credit card and a phone?”  OR  “Yeah right…What are they going to sell me next?”  Well, Mr. and Mrs. Consumer…you better find your credit card, because you have an order to place.

So let’s look at its claims one at a time.  Because while this “bang-for-the-buck-time-saver” won’t replace intensive-multi-step finishes, we must acknowledge that it never claims to do so.  However, the claims that it does make are achieved with merit.

———————-

1.   This zero dusting, buttery-smooth formula is the ultimate, one-step product.

Most users of this product are looking to maximize time, energy, and efficiency.  While there are other 1-step products available, none are zero dusting other than Optimum Poli-Seal.  And let’s face it, when time is key, you don’t want to have to go back and blow dust out of crevices, rewash, or have to clean up a Sweedish Chef looking work area.

Here is a picture of what Optimum Poli-Seal looks like as it is being worked in via PC.
P1020643-029

As for buttery smooth?  You bet.  It easily squeezes out of its container and can be spread with your finger.  It even has a mild scent unlike many polishes and compounds out there.  Whether priming the pad or spreading it over a panel before cranking up the speed, you will think you are working with a wax or a sealant…but you’re not.  You are working with a double agent! An agent that is not just looking to protect, but correct as well.  Optimum Poli-Seal is not a filling agent. It has some excellent correcting abilities with minimal effort.  What you see is what you get…even after IPA wipedowns!

2. Optimum Poli-Seal contains micro abrasives that eliminate (not hide) minor surface imperfections.

Like anybody, this is what I was skeptical about when I first got this product.  How can a product that is so smooth live up to claims of eliminating swirls, leave a clear-haze-free-glossy finish, WITH protection?  So I decided to try it on two different vehicles with two of the colors that show swirls (in my opinion) worse than the rest: Red and Black.

First up was a Honda CR-V. This poor vehicle had 75k miles and was ready to be resold.  I decided to try bringing it back to life using  Optimum Poli-Seal with an Orange Lake Country Pad (Light Cut). I used a PC on speed 6 and began by priming the pad. I then worked each area making several passes in a cross-hatch pattern for about 1-2 minutes (even though you can work it longer, I often find you don’t need to).

Here are is the hood before I started:
P1020614-001

P1020617-004

And here is the hood after Optimum Poli-Seal (and an IPA wipe):
P1020619-006

And a little bit closer after Optimum Poli-Seal (and an IPA wipe):
P1020620-007
P1020631-017

Here is another panel before
P1020621-008
P1020623-010

And the same panels After Optimum Poli-Seal (and an IPA wipe):
P1020627-014
P1020628-015

After seeing the success with the Honda (which had never been polished but wasn’t horrible), I thought, “But what about on cars that have truly been neglected? Ones that live in the local Scratch and Swirl and have never, ever, seen a pea-sized drop of polish? What about BLACK!?” I had the perfect car: A 100k mile (plus) Saab 9-3, black, scratch and swirled, and never polished!

For this car I decided to not only test Optimum Poli-Seal’s ability to remove swirls and leave a high gloss finish, but also its finishing abilities. Because we all know black has no mercy for a polish job left unfinished, I decided to test 4 different pads– all with varying degree of cut– to find the best finish in only 1 Step.

Here is what the hood looked like before I started (with my sections taped and their respective pads ready to polish). The pads are as follows (left to right): Lake Country Orange, Lake Country White, Lake Country Green Very Light, and Lake Country Tangerine Hydro Tech. They are all 6.5inch pads.
P1020633-019

No, this is what the paint really looked like (those fluorescent lights made it look like I was laready done)
P1020635-021

I began by priming my pad

P1020640-026
P1020641-027

Then, I applied 4 pea-sized dots of Optimum Poli-Seal to the pad.

P1020642-028

I worked it in making several passes in a cross-hatch pattern with medium pressure the whole time.  I ended up with a hood that was kinda scary and cool looking at the same time.

P1020653-035

So how did each pad finish its section?

Here is the Lake Country Orange Pad (and an IPA wipe):

Before:
P1020639-025

After:
P1020652-034

The Lake Country White Pad (and an IPA wipe):

Before:
P1020638-024

After:
P1020650-033

Lake Country Green Very Light Cutting Pad (after an IPA wipe and the winner with highest gloss and correction, in my opinion, for best finish):

Before:
P1020637-023

After:
P1020649-032

Lake Country Tangerine Hydro Tech Pad (after an IPA wipe– a tight contender for best finish):

Before:
P1020636-022

After:
P1020645-031

Here’s one more before and after. This time I am working the deck lid.

Before:
P1020668-046

50/50:
P1020665-045

After:
P1020663-044

3.   A single application provides “optimum” protection for your vehicle that lasts for months!

Of all its claims, this is the only one I haven’t had the chance to test yet.  I haven’t had the product for months, let alone the cars you saw above.  However, what I can say is that the finish left by Optimum Poli-Seal is one of the slickest finishes I have felt and it has a high gloss finish as you saw.  It ranks up there with many of the top level waxes or sealants.  To be honest, since it doesn’t take much longer, I have come to prefer topping Optimum Poli-Seal with Optimum Opti-Seal to ensure long-lasting protection. I guess you can say I use this combo as a 1.5 Step.  Though I don’t have pictures, I did witness rain drops on the Saab a week later.  They were uniform and tight.

———————-

So what’s the verdict?  Well, if you’ve managed to make it this far without opening a new browser to order it yet, it’s time to move.  This is one All-in-One that won’t be creating or collecting dust once it reaches your doorstep. Operators are standing by. 🙂

Thanks for reading this review and if you have any questions or comments, please feel free to let me know.

David Bibiloni
Tailored Automotive Detailing

20 comments on Optimum Poli-Seal Review

  1. Jack N says:

    Great review! I was very impressed by the cutting ability in just one step. I’ve never used an AIO before, but this might push me to try it.

    I’m curious to how an IPA wipedown would affect the durability of Poli-Seal. Wouldn’t it be very reduced? Or did you just do the wipedown to get a better look at the paint after polishing for comparison?

  2. Hi Jack and thanks for the comment/question. I only did an IPA wipedown to show that Poli-Seal was cutting and not just filling. It was also done to provide some lube to make removing the residue easier. If I were doing this on a car that I was not going to top with Opti-Seal, I would use a Quick Detailer like Meguiar’s Final Inspection M34 to ensure I wasn’t affecting the LSP’s longevity in any way.

  3. Shawn says:

    How often can I safetly apply this product with a PC. The vehicle is a 2007 Speed Yellow Porsche turbo.

    • Hi Shawn and thanks for the question. In order to specifically help you with the application of this product using a PC, I am including links to two articles written by Todd. In these articles he addresses specific use of a PC and Proper Preparation of a Car for Polishing.

      PC Use: https://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/ask-a-pro-new-to-a-porter-cable-7424xp-and-need-help-with-process/

      Polishing Prep: https://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-Pro/tutorial-how-to-prep-a-car-for-polishing/

      Generally speaking thought, I can also briefly help you with your question if you already have experience using a PC and prepping a car for polishing. Using a PC, I use the following steps to apply Poli-Seal properly:

      1. Select a 2’x2′ area you want to polish.
      2. Center your polishing (or cutting) pad on the PC and prime it. This can be done by squeezing some Poli-Seal on the pad and working it in with your fingers.
      3. Place 3-4 Pea-Sized dots of Poli-Seal on the primed pad and spread it on to your panel using the PC on Speed 1.
      4. After you have spread the Poli-Seal, crank up the speed to 5 or 6. Work it in using medium pressure on the PC in a cross-hatch pattern until you get the results you are after. You may need to test a couple of different sections, playing around with pads, pressure, and time spent breaking it down. Time will depend on a couple of factors (hardness of paint, temperature, and humidity). On softer paints, I find it has reached its maximum level of breakdown in about 2 minutes (once it “disappears”)…but each car is different. I found that, generally, the longer I work it in, the harder it is to remove.
      5. Finally, I find it easier to remove using some quick detailer like Meguiar’s M34 and a low-nap Microfiber.

      Remember, when doing A, B, and C pillars (or bumpers and tight areas) switch to a smaller pad. Also, one nice thing about Poli-Seal is it won’t stain trim so, you don’t have to worry about that.

      • Shawn says:

        Thanks for the reply. What I was asking is how often can I use this polish per year without worrying about damage to the clear coat? I really don’t feel the sealant will last more than 4-6 months before needing to be re-applied. I am topping this product with Dodo Juice Banana Armour Hard Wax every 4-6 weeks.

        • Ok..Sorry Shawn. I generally don’t recommend polishing more than twice a year. Especially with a lighter colored car, you should be okay polishing once (for example) in the Spring, wash carefully and protect periodically, and then maybe another polishing before the cooler weather (Fall) begins. If it were my car, though, I would probably only do it once a year though…especially if you plan on keeping it for a while. If you are concerned about protection, use Opti-Seal prior to Dodo Juice and you will be solid.

  4. Michael says:

    I’m looking for a AIO…Poli-Seal looks promising and I’m a fan of the Optimum lineup. However, how does this compare to the time proven Klasse AIO?

    • Hi Michael! Optimum sure has been raising the bar and this product is just another example. Klasse is a very nice product, but, unlike Poli-Seal, it contains no abrasives. So, any “correction” to paint is done using chemicals and the pad you have combine it with. It does a nice job of prepping paint for step 2 of the Klasse Twins, but it is not a product that can claim as much as Poli-Seal does and perform the way Poli-Seal does in my opinion. It does, however,have the ability to improve gloss and slickness of paint. Poli-Seal contains micro-abrasives which adds a nice ability to level paint and remove swirls in addition to hightening gloss and slickness. In addition, I haven’t seen much longevity from Klasse AIO alone as far as protection. So, in conclusion, I would use Poli-Seal the same way you use AIO, but if you like AIO, you’ll Love Poli-Seal.

  5. Very nice review David!

    I use Poli-Seal a lot, and have been for years now. It has the ability to perform light correction, or it can simply be used as a quick polish when you want to clean the paint, add some gloss, and add protection as well. I can’t imagine not having Poli-Seal in my arsenal…

    Thanks,
    Todd

    • Thanks Todd! I have to admit, I had this product for a long time before I started to try it out. But since I took the plunge, I am adding it to my list of Optimum products that are to be scheduled for restocking! It is a great product and has so many uses. It work great with a 4 inch pad to remove scratches behind door handles and on interior metals and woods. It is also nice for spot work and wheels.

  6. Scott says:

    David, great write-up, and I wholeheartedly agree…Poli-Seal is the hands-down champion of its category!

  7. Kris says:

    Would there be any bonding issues if I wanted to top poli-seal with a carnuba wax?

  8. roy says:

    would you say that this would be able to finish out say, m105/surbuff on certain finishes or is it too mild? and also is there any experience with this product on mercedes cerma clear? thanks for the write up btw, I just ordered the product and may have the answer to my own question soon!

    • Roy,

      While I haven’t tried that particular combination, I would think that Poli-Seal wouldn’t have enough cut to finish down after such an aggressive compounding combination. Poli-Seal would do a great job of cleaning and adding quite a bit of gloss to Mercedes Ceramiclear, but it would have little impact on defects.

  9. Billy says:

    I have read most of these DIY tutorials and this product does not seem to jump out at me to want to buy it. Everyone claims their products are the best. I have used M105 and M205 and although it works good, it just didn’t satisfy me on the end results and I was out there for hours. I have high expectations so not to say Meguiars is bad, it’s all I use from wax to tire shine to interior.

  10. Alvin says:

    How does it works on an Audi A4 gray 2007? I know it is hard paint but my swirl marks over the car are consider light with some light scratches. Will it get rid of all these?

    • Reece @ DI says:

      Poli-Seal will do a great job of cleaning, removing very minor imperfections, and adding gloss to your 2007 Audi A4. You could give this product a try, however it may not have enough corrective power to remove all of your imperfections. Using something like the Meguiar’s M205 and a white pad will be able to remove more of your imperfections and if you are looking to remove all of your imperfections we recommend a two step polishing process (Meguiar’s M105 and M205). You can then apply and wax or sealant you like to protect your paint. Also, for more detailing infomation and step by step instructions check out our Detailing Guide (https://www.detailedimage.com/Auto-Detailing-Guide/)!

  11. Victor says:

    Hi – I’ve twice bought Optimum Poli-Seal AIO from you all:
    https://www.detailedimage.com/Optimum-OPT-M36/Poli-Seal-P292/32-oz-S1/

    and both times after pulling it out from storage (room temp) to use, it has come out watery & separated from it’s main content.

    I tried shaking it up but it doesn’t reform into it’s more condense gel as when I first bought it.

    Can you please advise on how to store & re-use or if worse case recommend a different AIO?

  12. Erik says:

    Hi, thanks for the great review. I’ve went ahead and purchased this product.

    My car is has very light swirl marks, so I figured this was as much cutting as I needed. My question is, after using Poli-Seal, could I use a Duragloss 601/Duragloss 105 combo as a LSP to provide even more protection? Or would it just not stick on Poli-Seal because of its own protection it provides. I just been hearing about how long lasting protection the Duragloss combo provides is my reason for using it.

    Thanks

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