Great news for detailers from optimum

reparebrise · 04-21-09, 07:16

Optimum has announced the arrival of it's new permanent coating. Congratulations Dr. G!
Opti-Coat Ready For Release!! - Optimum Forum

David Fermani · 04-21-09, 07:33

So now they're marketing it as a "permanant" coating? I thought the claim was 2-3 years?

Anthony Orosco · 04-22-09, 06:36

Here's hoping I don't get banned again

But I'll state this to only help in the clearing up the meaning of "permanent".

I have been told that within the car product industry if you had a protectant that lasted a year or more it would be considered permanent while many would say that it is really "semi-permanent" but then using that line of reasoning the paint itself would be "semi-permanent" for it can wear off or even be removed.

Same goes for leather, vinyl, pinstripes, etc. If a company makes a product then that can last up to 3 years or more then using the word "permanent" would seem to fit well even though it can be removed or eventually wear away.

Most paint shops that I know only guarantee the paint jobs for a limited time not for the life of the car even though they consider the paint to be "permanent".

When I describe the product to people I say it's "semi-permanent" unless I'm talking about it in greater depth where I can better explain "permanent".

Anthony

Jakerooni · 04-22-09, 06:58

This is the Optimum "X" that only certian select few were able to test out for the last year or so correct? Heard some decent reviews on it so far

reparebrise · 04-22-09, 07:45

Sorry permanent was my bad, should have stated long lasting

Slickery · 04-22-09, 09:39

How much is it?

Conan777 · 06-02-09, 06:05

Does anyone have some pictures of this stuff in action? What is so special about it?longevity only? or is it similiar to applying an additional layer of clearcoat?

POPPAJ · 06-03-09, 05:22

I'll have to give this product some thought. Looks like it could be a winner for the high end pros, but I'd miss my quiet time doing a full correction twice a year on the family vehicles. Does sound interesting as a long lasting plastic protectant though.

tom p. · 06-03-09, 06:18

Anthony, is this going to be a big $$$ product? I don't see it on their website.

What would the typical preparatory steps be prior to applicaiton of Opti-Coat?

Thx.

JoshVette · 06-03-09, 09:44

So what exactly will it protect against??

Just environmental/polution/UV damage like any other wax/sealant or against swirls and more physical abrasions?

What standards did you use in measuring the protection over such a long duration? Just beading or slickness or something more??

Seriously think these questions should be answered with the type of claims being made.

If you're going to market it to the "pros" then you need to be prepared to answer the questions the "pros" ask.

Thanks,
Josh

Anthony Orosco · 06-03-09, 10:28

Eh......I need to be careful the way I reply here so please understand that, I don't want to come off as a sales guy here.

Think of Opti-Coat as a polymer sealant on mega-steroids. It has all the properties of a sealant but with extended durability, up to 3 or more years.

The testing was done over normal washing, with no additives such as spray waxes, qd's or anything extra in the form of paste waxes, sealants, etc. I used rubbing alcohol to try and remove it but it had no effect. Even polishing took several passes before it would fully remove areas of the product that had streaked. This was using a rotary, FPII and a polishing pad. Some have also ran their cars through car washes many times with no loss of beading and the unique way it sheds water.

Some testers have reported that it does add to the film thickness and one painter had difficulty repainting a car we had it on because he only scuffed the paint up and did not fully sand it down.

I'm not positive about the marring issue but some tester have stated it does reduce marring.....this though may be seen as subjective and of course washing and drying habits will effect how it looks and also lasts.

As I noted previously the term "permanent" can be descriptive of anything that lasts a year or more. Even paint or clear coat itself is not truly permanent as it can be polished off, wear off, etc.

As soon as I clear off my camera card I'll put up a few pictures of a Porsche we just did with the coating.

Anthony

reparebrise · 06-04-09, 03:43

For some pics go here
Opti-Coat Ready For Release!! - Optimum Forum