Opti-Gloss Coat or C.Quartz UK Edition

[kylemstn]

I live in Canada and my car faces extremely cold and salty conditions, what I would like to know is how long each coating ACTUALLY lasts according to you guys, of course the coating will receive constant maintenance and renewal (Such as UK topped with Reload.) Also I understand the hydrophobic effect is better on C.Quartz, am I correct? Lastly how does UK perform in the summer time? Gets really hot in the summer and would like to know since UK is meant for colder climates... (May then use regular C.Quartz...)

Thanks in advance for all of your great feedback!

[David Fermani]

Even though durability with CQ wasn`t as good as OC, certain people tended to favor it due to the perceived look it gave. And I think is the reason why Optimum created Gloss Coat which is suppose to look glossier than Opti-Coat (on par with CQ), but last as long as all the glass coatings. I personally find what Optimum is offering to be more unique in regards to the big coating picture.

[fdresq4]

Oh Boy...this could get good. You might have well just asked, "so which truck is better, Ford or Chevy?"

It comes down to personal preference. Although I have the old Opti Coat 2.0 on my wife`s car, and have not tried OPTI GLOSS, my friend and I just applied CQUK/RELOAD to his wife`s Pathfinder. As David stated it may boil down to appearance for some, as long as you decon, prep, and follow the directions.
In the spring, my truck will be getting CQUK/RELOAD on it along with my mom`s SUV. Just my preference.

Here is the post of my friends Patherfinder...

http://www.autopia.org/forums/click-...-hd-adapt.html

Also, in your research, Opti Guard or Opti Pro (Optimum) and CQuartz Finest (Car Pro) are installed by Professional detailers. OPTI GLOSS, CQuartz/CQuartz UK can be applied by anyone.

Good Luck!

[Stokdgs]

Kylemstn -

Welcome to the Forum !

I can offer this - Optimum has been around longer than any of the other Coatings out today.

I have Optimum Opti-Guard (= Pro), on my Grand Cherokee going on 4 years and it still looks beautiful, very clear, and glossy..

I have done Nothing to my Grand Cherokee`s paint since preparing and applying this Coating other than washing it, and occasionally, applying a QD for something to do, while I carefully look at every square inch of the paint..

And this is Not a Beautiful Brilliant Black Crystal Pearl Coat "Garage-Queen" Jeep - I have driven it 14 thousand miles in all kinds of good and bad weather since Coating it, and like I said, it still looks perfect..

I know of no other Coatings out today that have the durability Opti-Guard (the old name), has, but then no one else started making these products that long ago either..

Good luck with your research !
Dan F

[ShaneB]

If I`m not mistaken, cquartz UK is formulated for easier application in colder climates. Compared to regular cquartz, I believe they should/would perform the same in all temperature ranges once applied.

As for gloss coat, I don`t believe its been out nearly long enough for real world durability testing. Some people out there have used it and can give you insight so far.

Personally i have cquartz UK on my car and like it so far. But I`m questioning more and more lately why I need to "maintain" it with reload. Its a coating... I would expect to apply it and be done with it. The way I see it, why not skip the coating and just use reload by itself? Not entirely sure on the thought process. Will cquartz UK not last long by itself? I don`t see much point in applying it when you`re just covering it up anyway. Coatings/sealants/waxes are suppose to be a sacrificial layer to protect your cars paint, why apply a coating just to apply a sealant to protect it? Doesn`t make much sense to me.

As far as I know gloss coat doesn`t need that extra step. I could be mistaken. I won the cquartz UK in a giveaway here but had I actually bought a coating myself I would lean more toward gloss coat simply because its apply and forget, no need to refresh it with a spray sealant

[kylemstn]

Thanks so much guys.. Leaning towards Opti-Coat now, solid points brought up by everyone here!

[52split]

I have applied both and have one on each of my cars. Gloss Coat is MUCH easier to apply than UK and looks just as good minus the darkening effect. Same slickness and gloss as UK...my UK days are done. GLOSS COAT is so much easier to apply with most of the product flashing off and no issues on when to remove UK, etc.

Go Gloss Coat. You won`t go wrong.

[Zelfiris]

I have applied both and have one on each of my cars. Gloss Coat is MUCH easier to apply than UK and looks just as good minus the darkening effect. Same slickness and gloss as UK...my UK days are done. GLOSS COAT is so much easier to apply with most of the product flashing off and no issues on when to remove UK, etc.

Go Gloss Coat. You won`t go wrong.

I have applied CQUK and Opti-Coat 2.0 and I have the same thoughts. CQUK was a pain to apply and Opti-coat 2.0 was a breeze. I expect Opti-gloss coat application should be similar to Opti-Coat 2.0.

I have 3 orders of Opti-gloss coat just waiting for summer

[David Fermani]

I`m questioning more and more lately why I need to "maintain" it with reload. Its a coating... I would expect to apply it and be done with it. The way I see it, why not skip the coating and just use reload by itself? Not entirely sure on the thought process. Will cquartz UK not last long by itself? I don`t see much point in applying it when you`re just covering it up anyway. Coatings/sealants/waxes are suppose to be a sacrificial layer to protect your cars paint, why apply a coating just to apply a sealant to protect it? Doesn`t make much sense to me.

Exactly my thoughts too. If it`s a coating there shouldn`t be a need for a booster product. That`s the whole point of selling these products to customers and telling them no waxing is ever needed again. Heck, if that`s the case I can sell you HD Nitro Seal as a "coating" that lasts 2-3 years, but recommend topping with Poxy or Express Wax to reap the full benefits. Isn`t this basically what dealer paint protection warranties stipulate? Annual/Semi-Annual reapplications.

[RaysWay]

Whatever you end up applying, be sure to post pics with some feedback.

[Stokdgs]

" I`m questioning more and more lately why I need to "maintain" it with reload. Its a coating... I would expect to apply it and be done with it. " ShaneB

" Isn`t this basically what dealer paint protection warranties stipulate? Annual/Semi-Annual reapplications. " David Fermani

Thank you, gentlemen !

And this is why I looked at the history of Optimum`s products way back when it first came out, and even back almost 4 years ago, was satisfied with what I had read from many trusted Detailers, seen personally, and learned from feedback from Optimum...

The "its not as glossy" vs "this is more glossy" vs "its not as slippery" vs "this is more slippery" debates - well, its just too subjective for me to even want to go there...

The "chemists" (?) debates that Anthony Orosco had to endure - I dont have a degree in that field and personally dont care to get one now.. All I can say about this debate is that the man and people at Optimum made something that has had great longevity and no maintenance, on everything I have applied it to.. Plain and simple...

All my vehicles then, all my Clients vehicles are enjoying years of no maintenance, protection, and on my vehicle/s, no scratches, damage from hand washing and even some emergency car wash places on my several thousand mile adventures...

Good luck with your research !
Dan F

[David Fermani]

That ^^^ and I feel really sorry for the consumer who has to weed through all this B.S. just to select a product that best suits their needs.

[fdresq4]

That ^^^ and I feel really sorry for the consumer who has to weed through all this B.S. just to select a product that best suits their needs.

Three things people should never talk about..
1. Politics
2. Religion
3. Coatings...LOL!

[EVOlved]

I went gloss coat that said I haven`t applied it yet waiting for spring. The ease of application is what got me.

[TroyScherer]

I will try and add to the discussion in a constructive way and give my views on the versions I have used.

I have used both CQ & CQUK. I personally like the application and removal of CQ better. I like how you apply it and let it setup before buffing off any high spots. And I found it buffed out easier than CQUK as well. But IMO opinion on the same paint CQUK darkened a little more and looked better. But if you only use one of them you will not know the difference or even miss it.

I have only used OC pro not OGC. I liked that OCP was a 4+ year product for a daily driver that wants easier maintenance. My concern with OGC is that is is now a 2 year coating just like CQ. Can it last longer ? Sure just like I got 2.5 years from CQ before I tried CQUK. But if it only last 2 years then it really comes back to application and looks. IMO CQ/CQUK look better than OCP. But maybe OGC has changed that. OCP looked like I applied another layer of clear.

While OCP is still going strong 3+ years now, it could use a little polish to clean it up. I have done a lot of rinseless and water-less washes. I have come to realize that 2 years is a long time to not "play" with the paint and any other products.






Now to add to the "topping" the coating discussion. While I agree that topping a coating seems to be pointless and not needed. I have found that most all coatings are not as slick as we would prefer. So while topping with a wax is simply pointless for me because it changes the characteristics I wanted when applying a coating useing the proper product to enhance and add slickness is nice even if not needed. CQ/CQUK has Reload and Hydro2 to do just that. And Opti even suggests using OOS, ONR, OCW, their detailer to add slickness. Doe they need it? Nope. But it adds that extra little but most of us like and prefer.

I do find it funny how many Opti pros are now using OGC on top of OCP because of the gloss and slickness issues. Does OCP need to be topped? According to the info and installers; no. But some are now doing it anyway. Why? Sounds like topping CQ with Reload to me.

(On a side note to prove I`m not partial: I want to get gloss coat and apply it over my OCP. )