Removing Opti-Coat

[cjbigcog]

I want to remove the Opti-Coat from one panel of my car. Not sure how aggressive I need to be to get it off.

Polishes I have are:

M205

1z HG polish

Opt. Finish

Opt. Hyper Polish

Opt. Finish

Menz. FP2



For pads, I have Griot`s Orange and LC White



Will be using either Flex3401 or Griot`s DA



Any help appreciated.

[David Fermani]

Do you want to remove the coating or just prep the panel so you can add more coating? Do you have Opti-Coat or Opti-Guard?

[cjbigcog]

I want to remove the Opti-Coat down to "bare paint".

[Accumulator]

Do you want to remove the coating or just prep the panel so you can add more coating?



Is there a difference? I`m thinking about *after* the initial "layering period"...

[C. Charles Hahn]

I want to remove the Opti-Coat down to "bare paint".



If you want to be absolutely sure you`re down to bare paint, I`d hit the panel with a 3000 grit disc (or even 5000 if you have one or can pick one up), polish it back to gloss, and call it a day.

[RaskyR1]

If you want to be absolutely sure you`re down to bare paint, I`d hit the panel with a 3000 grit disc (or even 5000 if you have one or can pick one up), polish it back to gloss, and call it a day.



This^^^...or a fairly aggressive polishing, then remove oils and see if it`s beading. I`ve hit a car I coated with Opti-Guard using D300/106fa and there was still sign of life.



Why you need to remove it?

[Legacy]

This^^^...or a fairly aggressive polishing, then remove oils and see if it`s beading. I`ve hit a car I coated with Opti-Guard using D300/106fa and there was still sign of life.



Why you need to remove it?



I`m curious as well..just one panel.

[cjbigcog]

I want to do a test panel with Hard Body to check it out. Not sure if it would stick to paint with Opti-Coat. Maybe I need to move up to M105?

[David Fermani]

Scuff it down with some light sandpaper and M105 it.....GONE!

[cjbigcog]

Paint sanding is something I have no experience with. :eek:

[David Fermani]

Buy 1 sheet of 4000 grit from Micro-Surface and you`re set. The biggest noob wouldn`t hurt their paint with it. It only creates a 4000 grit sand scratch which is like cutting though butter with a chain saw with a DA & M105.



Here ya go: Micro-Mesh Sheets - Individual [SHT-01] - $2.71 : MICRO-SURFACE FINISHING PRODUCTS, INC (http://micro-surface.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=273_191&products_id=5)

[cjbigcog]

Thanks David. Should I look for some sort of sanding block to use with the Micro-Mesh?

For finishing, I think these pads would work: Polishing Pads with Wear Indicator - $10.95 : KaleCoAuto.com, Your home for the rare, unusual, and hard to find auto parts. (http://tinyurl.com/9btq2dv)

[David Fermani]

Nope, just do it by hand. This paper has a thick/soft backing material which allows room for error. If you`d like to PM me once you get it I can walk you though what needs to be done to insure a proper outcome.



LC Orange is fine.

[cjbigcog]

Thanks David. I`ll contact you when I`m ready.

[Accumulator]

If you want to be absolutely sure you`re down to bare paint, I`d hit the panel with a 3000 grit disc (or even 5000 if you have one or can pick one up), polish it back to gloss, and call it a day.



YIKES :eek: I was thinking more along the lines of "how mild a polish can I use". I mean, I know from Mirka 4K, but no way would I want to do that just to redo some OptiCoat. If I even need to use M105 I`m gonna be disappointed.



Current reason for my interest- gotta redo some OptiCoated wheels; figured I`d just use Uno by hand, but now I`m wondering if that`ll be enough.



For a whole vehicle...I mean, sheesh, even doing M105/follow up is more than I`d usually do, it`s like having to do that every few years would make me wonder about the whole point of coating it (given *my* circumstances).



If I`m way off-base here (kinda hope I am!), somebody correct me...