How we develop and test an Optimum product

Sure, everyone tests products before they hit the market. But it’s the level of testing and development that make a huge difference. In the case of an Optimum product, we don’t have the wiggle room to make a mistake. The “Big Guys” can release a subpar product and if it’s not well accepted they just release another product shortly thereafter and everyone forgets about it. This is one reason why some of the competition has dozens of similar products available

All that does is confuse a detailer about which one to purchase. If the product is subpar and does not work as you expect, its wasted money. In the case of a “Big Guy” if you don’t like it, you will probably just buy another one of their products. We don’t have that luxury. If one of our products does not work as advertised, you will probably not give us another shot as we don’t have a “Big Guy” name. So when we develop a new product it has to be well thought out, carefully planned, thoroughly tested and tested again, tweaked and tweaked some more…..then we can release it.

The thinking

When David wants to make a new product, he talks about it first and sets the goals

1. What is the product supposed to do?
2. Is there a need for it?
3. Who will use it?
4. How fast can it work?
5. Is it safe for the vehicle and the user?
6. What is the time frame for release?
7. Can it be as good or better than what the “Big Guys” have
8. Can it be unique in that nobody else has anything like it?

If the answers are satisfactory and the project looks promising, only then can it move forward.

The Execution

Making a sample may seem easy. When David and I first started working on the polish and compound about 6 years ago, I gave him a rather large list of specific things I needed the product to do. He said he could do it and I waited for samples like a kid at Christmas. But in testing initial samples, sometimes (well, many times) they don’t perform flawlessly. When samples are poor or just fair, all aspects need to be discussed on what was good or bad, the level of performance, how it works on certain vehicles in certain situations, etc. From there, the data is recorded and adjustments are made. If subsequent samples start to improve, then we are headed in the right direction. Sometimes samples only improve by a very little bit. Sometimes, we see that a product needs to go in a completely different direction and we exhaust the adjustments of a particular formula, deem it inacceptable, and sometimes start over. It’s exciting when we know we are getting close but even then a formula may have to be tweaked a dozen times before its perfect.

Testing, testing and more testing

Product samples, especially buffing products need to be tested in so many ways. They need to be tested as follows:

1. on various makes and models of varying years
2. They need to be tested for performance as far as aggressiveness
3. ease of use,
4. workability and how smooth it is while buffing and a long working time (an Optimum trademark)
5. ease of wiping off
6. dusting
7. level of swirl marks if any
8. how it works with different buffers both high speed and orbital’s
9. how it works at different speeds of the buffer
10. how it works with all the different pads both wool and foam and not clog the pad
11. stay where its put and not run or sag
12. and of course create a great shine, gloss and clarity

This is a huge amount to ask for in any buffing product. And you really need to hit on every one of the points to make it as perfect as possible. The problem is that we would solve a few points but sometimes lose a few points. It’s just the way chemistry goes, especially when you need to be so precise. We have made and tested literally hundreds of samples to be where the products are today. Each and every sample was discussed about how well or poor its performance was and we have spent countless hours on the phone (like 2 teenage schoolgirls) discussing the samples and where we needed to go with them

The difference is that we have such great communication and trust we can get it done with just the 2 of us. Of course once we have a great working sample we also have other people do some testing. We get their feedback and still make more adjustments. We discuss the label and how to write the description of the product and its directions. There is no stone left unturned before it’s a finished product and released to the detail community. This is why we have come do far in such a relatively short period of time

Working with the OEM (car manufacturers)

They are all a tough bunch. No matter who you work with they push you to the limit and make you do things you never even thought you could do. It’s an honor and a privilege to even be asked by a car manufacturer to help them with a specific project. We have developed such a great reputation that we will be asked to solve a problem at a car plant in regards to a product or a situation they are having. Not everyone is in this position. Of course the “Big Guys” have been working with the car manufacturers forever. They have been around forever. But we have been invited to the party now and we don’t intend to leave. From our work with the car manufacturers, it has pushed us to make even better products that you can use. We have sourced new ingredients and found different ways of formulating the products which I will talk about in a future addition. We have some of the most innovative stuff out there in all aspects of detailing products. They are some of the safest and most effective products you can buy.

I just wanted to tell you here the level of work and testing that goes into all Optimum products and the skill, expertise, knowledge and professionalism of all involved. I will be talking about some of our new stuff that is here now or will soon be coming out in the next few pieces. I hope you will stay tuned