Optimum Opti-Clay Towel ?

**RaysWay** · 10-19-2014, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by ec90

What are the differences?

I know the application type is patented but what differences exist between the towels and such? Is Optimum`s fine finer than Nanoskin`s for example?

I used the fine grade Optimum Towel for the first time this morning and I tested it against a Speedy Surface Fine Towel and a Nanoskin Fine Wash Mitt and my initial impression is that it is the least aggressive. Which is great imo. It fills a needed gap between softer original clay bars and these more aggressive clay bar alternatives. I`ll test again this week on a soft black panel to test marring, but for now I do think it`s less aggressive than other fine grade towels.

**RaysWay** · 10-20-2014, 01:47 PM

Added to the site

Optimum Opti-Clay Towel – Fine Blue

Optimum Opti-Clay Towel - Heavy Grey

**trashmanssd** · 10-21-2014, 04:59 AM

WOW, it is 24.99 and as of right now on sale for 19.99. Going to have to do inventory this week and see what I need and get an order ready. Thank you Vega!

**gret** · 10-21-2014, 09:59 AM

I`ve never understood how these towels work... where do the contaminates go? For example, clay you mead to get to a clean side of clay... what do you do with this towel? Do they rinse off?

**mnehls86** · 10-21-2014, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by gret

I`ve never understood how these towels work... where do the contaminates go? For example, clay you mead to get to a clean side of clay... what do you do with this towel? Do they rinse off?

You use it the same as you would clay but no kneading necessary. Spray the surface with lube, go over surface with towel, and after working a little section dunk it in a bucket of water, rub it a bit to get contaminates off and back to work.

**Stokdgs** · 10-21-2014, 12:11 PM

Everything rinses right off my SM Arnold Speedy-Prep Towels just fine..

This Towel when dry is slightly "sticky" to the touch, and will stick to the plastic clamshell it comes in, but can be pulled out just fine without damage..
Im thinking that when it loses its "stickiness", then it will not be as effective cleaning paintwork..

I still use a really good spray on lubricant - DODO Juice Born Slippy - and spray a panel before using the Towel.. I get no marring with this super slippery product..

Dont forget, with Claybars, Blackfire sells this incredible Claybar Cleaner product that really works well too for cleaning all the gunk out so you dont have to keep kneading it, and eventually throwing it away...

Pretty much ever vehicle in the Northwest is loaded down with airborne contaminants from all the huge trees, so I was going through Claybars at an alarming rate until Blackfire came out with their Claybar cleaner...

Once I started using this product, I pretty much stopped buying Claybars, because I could now clean the gunk off of them..

Later when Arnold came out with the Speedy Prep Towel, I got a couple of those and they really do work, but take longer with the Fine Grade, to get stuff off the paint, but the trade off is worth it for the convenience, and if you do this for a living...
Dan F

**gret** · 10-21-2014, 06:41 PM

Originally Posted by mnehls86

You use it the same as you would clay but no kneading necessary. Spray the surface with lube, go over surface with towel, and after working a little section dunk it in a bucket of water, rub it a bit to get contaminates off and back to work.

awesome. Thanks for the info. Gonna grab one of these

no more clay bars!

**trashmanssd** · 10-26-2014, 06:06 PM

Just ordered one of each (fine and heavy).

**trashmanssd** · 11-18-2014, 08:43 AM

Tried both 2 weekends ago doing my nieces car. They both work well her car was a wreck so I used the heavy towel for lower body panels and behind the wheels. The heavy towel had to be washed 3 times it was so bad not just rinsed I rinse after doing a 2`x2` area. Had to stop go into the sink to wash/scrub the towel was so filthy from her car, probably should done more decontamination but was 35 degrees outside for the wash and cars black couldn`t see how messed up it was. that towel took a bit of a beating with that kinda use may only get 8-10 cars out of it towel looks very used dirty lots cracks running through the rubber lots towel showing through the rubber. The fine garde was used on hood and tops of panels that was washed only once looks fine no real wear on it. Both worked great the heavy towel works fast, real fast pulls the stuff up fast and leaves the car feeling smooth (couldn`t see any marring from it either). The towels are bit small for a professional probably worth the extra coin for Arnold towel or other brands (waste some time having to clean rinse towel more often). For someone doing just there cars (hobbyist) I think they are great value smaller but then for the price you can get one of each grade for 50$ and they seem well made (I know i said heavy towel may not last long but thats in that use on my own car would not be near that kinda abuse nieces car has never seen wax in 3 years and maybe handful of washes in that time). My arnold speedy prep towel has about 2 times the surface area of rubber. I will add some pics in next few days pull them all out to show wear on heavy towel and size comparison.