Opti-Coat 2.0 applicator question

[chrisguga]

I hurried in and cleaned the applicator that came with the OC 2.0 and I can't feel anything on the applicator that I feel would mar the paint if I used it again. Is it necessary to buy some new applicators or should my original applicator be good to go tomorrow? I only had time to finish half of the car tonight.

So far so good. Getting the paint absolutely perfect was a bit of a pain since I knew I was using a permanent coating and I'm anal about details, but it applies easily and levels without fuss. It also looks great even without any kind of lsp.

Thanks,
Chris

:edit: Oh, and you can add a second layer of OC 2.0 after a week or so, correct? I believe I read this. I'd like to add a second layer so I know I have even coverage and for the extra durability as I never want to have to machine polish the car again.

[Scottwax]

I reuse the applicators until the tube runs out. New tubes have new applicators so it works out fine.

Not sure about the layering, probably get a good answer on Optimum's forum.

[Legacy99]

You can layer within 30 days. After that the surface needs to be scuffed.

[chrisguga]

Thanks guys.

I'll finish up the car this week and layer another coating within the month.

Scott, I appreciate your contributions to the board. I used to think your work was decent, but nothing special because of your crappy camera. Then I saw a thread where your customers took pictures of your work up on the top level of a parking deck and it was PHENOMENAL. It's because of your advice that I tried OC and also ONR. So here's a big thanks and please get a better camera. A simple Canon Rebel XSI and a 2.8 50mm lens would cost around $600 a be a big upgrade! My wife is a photographer and this is what she started out with years ago. The lenses that come with the camera bodies are crap, btw.

[tom p.]

Chris, I asked David about re-using the pads. He suggested they'd harden after a while. I found these on eBay for less than $4 delivered:



They're very similar to the pad supplied by OPT.

Seller name: 500_somewhere

[C. Charles Hahn]

Those are the foam pads I used to get at Big Lots years ago! Those were awesome. Used to be $1.00 for that 4-pack, but I haven't seen any around in a long time.

Lately I've been using the foam applicators 3D sells:

3D Car Care; Car Wash, Car Wax, Auto Detailing supplies, Car Polishers, Car Buffers & accessories store

[Bill D]

I have a crap load of Meguiars foam applicators, the kind with the Meguiars name embossed on one side. I don't know if they're best for OC, I'd only be able to use one side, if any.

[Legacy99]

Anyone that puts the foam in a latex glove and then covers it with a blue shop towel? Does this work or is it easier to just use the foam applicator?

[D&D Auto Detail]

Tried that, didn't like it.

[chrisguga]

Thanks for the link to the pads. I also didn't want to try the glove or plastic baggie + shop towel.

I did discover that I have streaks running through portions of the coating now that I pulled the car out into the sunlight. I guess I'll have to polish the coating back off and try it again and spend more time leveling it out.

Oh well, live and learn.

I'll have to wait until this weekend to finish my car if I can't get it done tonight. I'm doing a 2 step polish and detail on a friend's '69 Chevelle SS Tuesday through Friday evenings for a car show on Saturday. This will be my first classic car and I'm excited! It's a gorgeous car, but the paint looks like it has been cleaned with a brillo pad for years.

[K3RMiTdot]

I ordered a bunch of applicator pads, just incase i needed them for situations like this!

[Scottwax]

Thanks guys.

I'll finish up the car this week and layer another coating within the month.

Scott, I appreciate your contributions to the board. I used to think your work was decent, but nothing special because of your crappy camera. Then I saw a thread where your customers took pictures of your work up on the top level of a parking deck and it was PHENOMENAL. It's because of your advice that I tried OC and also ONR. So here's a big thanks and please get a better camera. A simple Canon Rebel XSI and a 2.8 50mm lens would cost around $600 a be a big upgrade! My wife is a photographer and this is what she started out with years ago. The lenses that come with the camera bodies are crap, btw.

I took photography in college, have a really nice Nikon N60 but its a 35mm film camera, just not enough exposure adjustment to handle the contrast of black cars on pavement in the full sun so I got a Sony Cybershot about 4 years ago, which unfortunately over the last year has been slowly going bad. Just replaced it about a week ago with an Olympus SP-610UZ. Huge upgrade, 14 MP, 22x zoom, much more control over the exposure settings so I can adjust for unusually light or dark backgrounds so the contrast looks better.

This is with the new camera:



Better?