ddvette9
09-09-2016, 02:44 PM
First, thank you Corey for selecting me to test the new Ultima.
Second, I used the original green ultima weekly and sometimes daily for YEARS, both in rinseless and waterless applications, and on multiple cars and paint colors. So I am extremely familiar with the original product.
Third, I apologize for no pictures as my Iphone recently began experiencing a focus bug (common problem) where the camera is always out of focus, and since I am getting the new Iphone soon I decided to deal with the problem for the short term. However, I will provide thorough details through words.
Fourth, I tested the product in Tampa, Florida, with daily temps in the 90s, extremely high humidity, dirty wet roads and also through a recent hurricane for durability.
Now on to the new product. Three things initially struck me. 1) It is white, not green. 2) It smells different (I prefer the smell of the green Ultima) and 3) the dilution ratios are heavier than the original Ultima, making it less cost effective to a certain degree. For example, the waterless solution is now 1 ounce for 22 ounces versus .5 ounces for 22 ounces and the rinseless solution is now 2 ounces in a bucket versus 1 ounce.
I have tested the product 6 times in the past few weeks, 2 rinseless applications and 4 waterless applications. The testing was done each time on a mild to moderately dirty 2015 Ultra White Lexus IS. The paint is non coated, but receives constant cleaning by me and is in great shape for being 2 years old. I used the new acrylic to clean the paint, trim, windows, wheels etc., basically the entire exterior of the car.
The towels used were the golden dual sided towel from car pro and the orange BOA and on a few occasions a green short nap 16x16 all purpose towel.
Now on to the direct comparison to the original Ultima.
I personally preferred the cleaning power, ease of use and functionality of the original ultima over this new stuff. Where this new stuff excels is in the durability, protection and shine department. It finishes like a spray wax and protects as well whereas the original Ultima was more of a glorified quick detailer with light protection in my opinion. There is no denying that after a few applications on my Ultra White Paint, it almost had a bright neon glow to it, which has to be the acrylic. I actually texted Corey that the new stuff almost slightly changed the color and shade of my paint, in a good way, it really popped. It is like it was painted with a bright white neon highlighter if that makes sense.
One of the issues I experienced with the new stuff is at the specified dilution, I found myself reaching for a third towel way too often. Meaning I would use one to apply/wipe over panel, then one to buff panel, then I often grabbed a third towel for a final wipe. With the original Ultima, 2 towels was all I needed to perfect a panel after application. However, I recently cut the dilution ratio in half and had much better results with application and finishing, so food for thought I guess. But to me, this new stuff is a little more difficult to work with and requires more effort in the wiping and finishing department, something I didn't like. Simply put, the original Ultima "feels thinner" which I guess leads to less effort wiping whereas this new stuff "feels thicker" leading to a little more effort involved.
Overall impressions over the last few weeks are that I personally prefer the original Ultima for MY use of it. Everyone is different, but I find the favorable dilution ratio, ease of application and wipe off and smell of the original product to be better than the new stuff. I am praying you guys don't kill me for saying that, but everyone is different and for my uses which are daily wipe downs, and weekly rinseless washes, I will take the original green stuff over the new stuff.
However, from my testing, the new acrylic stuff IS glossier and does a substantially better job keeping dirt off the car and providing protection. I would imagine it is better for those who don't wipe their cars down all the time like I do but want longer protection because the protection does seem better. But me being the OCD clean freak I am, the green Ultima is more than good enough for me.
So in short, I tested the product in hot and humid Florida, 4 waterless washes and 2 rinsless washes (car was mild to moderately dirty each time),I prefer the durability, shine and protection of the new stuff, but prefer the dilution, smell and ease of application of the original green Ultima.
Please remember that the above is strictly MY opinion, and the feedback is a truthful opinion of my experience with the product and may differ greatly from your findings or opinion. I made a conscious and honest effort to test the product and report my findings. Thanks for reading my review and thanks again to Corey for sending me a bottle for testing.
Second, I used the original green ultima weekly and sometimes daily for YEARS, both in rinseless and waterless applications, and on multiple cars and paint colors. So I am extremely familiar with the original product.
Third, I apologize for no pictures as my Iphone recently began experiencing a focus bug (common problem) where the camera is always out of focus, and since I am getting the new Iphone soon I decided to deal with the problem for the short term. However, I will provide thorough details through words.
Fourth, I tested the product in Tampa, Florida, with daily temps in the 90s, extremely high humidity, dirty wet roads and also through a recent hurricane for durability.
Now on to the new product. Three things initially struck me. 1) It is white, not green. 2) It smells different (I prefer the smell of the green Ultima) and 3) the dilution ratios are heavier than the original Ultima, making it less cost effective to a certain degree. For example, the waterless solution is now 1 ounce for 22 ounces versus .5 ounces for 22 ounces and the rinseless solution is now 2 ounces in a bucket versus 1 ounce.
I have tested the product 6 times in the past few weeks, 2 rinseless applications and 4 waterless applications. The testing was done each time on a mild to moderately dirty 2015 Ultra White Lexus IS. The paint is non coated, but receives constant cleaning by me and is in great shape for being 2 years old. I used the new acrylic to clean the paint, trim, windows, wheels etc., basically the entire exterior of the car.
The towels used were the golden dual sided towel from car pro and the orange BOA and on a few occasions a green short nap 16x16 all purpose towel.
Now on to the direct comparison to the original Ultima.
I personally preferred the cleaning power, ease of use and functionality of the original ultima over this new stuff. Where this new stuff excels is in the durability, protection and shine department. It finishes like a spray wax and protects as well whereas the original Ultima was more of a glorified quick detailer with light protection in my opinion. There is no denying that after a few applications on my Ultra White Paint, it almost had a bright neon glow to it, which has to be the acrylic. I actually texted Corey that the new stuff almost slightly changed the color and shade of my paint, in a good way, it really popped. It is like it was painted with a bright white neon highlighter if that makes sense.
One of the issues I experienced with the new stuff is at the specified dilution, I found myself reaching for a third towel way too often. Meaning I would use one to apply/wipe over panel, then one to buff panel, then I often grabbed a third towel for a final wipe. With the original Ultima, 2 towels was all I needed to perfect a panel after application. However, I recently cut the dilution ratio in half and had much better results with application and finishing, so food for thought I guess. But to me, this new stuff is a little more difficult to work with and requires more effort in the wiping and finishing department, something I didn't like. Simply put, the original Ultima "feels thinner" which I guess leads to less effort wiping whereas this new stuff "feels thicker" leading to a little more effort involved.
Overall impressions over the last few weeks are that I personally prefer the original Ultima for MY use of it. Everyone is different, but I find the favorable dilution ratio, ease of application and wipe off and smell of the original product to be better than the new stuff. I am praying you guys don't kill me for saying that, but everyone is different and for my uses which are daily wipe downs, and weekly rinseless washes, I will take the original green stuff over the new stuff.
However, from my testing, the new acrylic stuff IS glossier and does a substantially better job keeping dirt off the car and providing protection. I would imagine it is better for those who don't wipe their cars down all the time like I do but want longer protection because the protection does seem better. But me being the OCD clean freak I am, the green Ultima is more than good enough for me.
So in short, I tested the product in hot and humid Florida, 4 waterless washes and 2 rinsless washes (car was mild to moderately dirty each time),I prefer the durability, shine and protection of the new stuff, but prefer the dilution, smell and ease of application of the original green Ultima.
Please remember that the above is strictly MY opinion, and the feedback is a truthful opinion of my experience with the product and may differ greatly from your findings or opinion. I made a conscious and honest effort to test the product and report my findings. Thanks for reading my review and thanks again to Corey for sending me a bottle for testing.