View Full Version : Recent LF Work: Bunch of Opticoats, Corrections, and Living with NC Weather!
Figure with the recent wintry weather in North Carolina I`d post a few writeups of past work. For the record, despite all the preparation work needed for OC, the product is a people pleaser and has brought in alot of new clients looking to do the treatment.
First off: Jerez Black M3 was scheduled to address heavy marring from a previous detailer who used improper rotary technique. Paint had copious amounts of buffer swirling. We approached this with the intention of correcting most to all defects without hindering paint thickness. Two passes of compounding and a final polish brought the paint potential to 95%. Considering this vehicle will be tracked and other paint rashing are occurring, we stopped leveling the paint. The vehicle was left to be protected with a new protection combo.
To avoid damage or inappropriate work, always ask for a paint demonstration and an explanation for why each approach is done!
Problem of doing 2 step corrections in 1 day? No sunlight for all the hardwork. Curse you North Carolina weather.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-En68DbKbjN8/URkRs-qZdTI/AAAAAAAABYI/5dlsYdlXzGI/s576/IMG_5829.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yYX5DiaM1w8/URkRn4AGHAI/AAAAAAAABYI/Y7mgr81P0J8/s576/IMG_5830.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-U9uaod2hWmo/URkRmXgTN2I/AAAAAAAABYI/5QBmj_npuQE/s576/IMG_5831.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oPu7RE3BjV0/URkR_LmVTOI/AAAAAAAABYI/mLb01RG9b3U/s576/IMG_5833.JPG
In Process
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ufWtw_FMiIo/URkSA8PT4PI/AAAAAAAABYI/-jGuCLn-d88/s576/IMG_5841.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-eBLbZreeymc/URkSL1b9DqI/AAAAAAAABYI/n9JCpG6HUcI/s576/IMG_5848.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-x1V1UkAnClw/URkSaBtQNeI/AAAAAAAABYI/vHAuWVBTrvI/s576/IMG_5849.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qqjQtzhvnOI/URkSdd2UzvI/AAAAAAAABYI/GrLDtQrsEtc/s576/IMG_5852.JPG
Notice the haze at the middle of the picture, M101 microhazes if used to correct. Amazing it doesn`t hurt the paint that badly. M205 polishes absolutely fine.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kKUjbxuFE7o/URkSkfsLMzI/AAAAAAAABYI/oXk_UtgK_No/s576/IMG_5853.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-95yW3GmPeUI/URkS3YdnxCI/AAAAAAAABYI/qM0cX8yaDys/s576/IMG_5856.JPG
After - No sun! Hurray.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6Z5J0XwnrxM/URkTJR-lcgI/AAAAAAAABYI/BOKVN97-Ftg/s576/IMG_5858.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-oK8VpG1zp4A/URkTISxhFGI/AAAAAAAABYI/L1FJT-B-dIo/s576/IMG_5860.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-aYOX3EbFbRg/URkTbTDEdiI/AAAAAAAABYI/MfVlhOlZ4EA/s576/IMG_5861.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Qy33_rHOsq8/URkTqEJi_ZI/AAAAAAAABYI/RTjLr58EmuY/s576/IMG_5864.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-Gi8ag-_p4k0/URkTla2NaTI/AAAAAAAABYI/aMkma3_c8S4/s576/IMG_5865.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-HH8vrUxa2o8/URkTvxlZ7GI/AAAAAAAABYI/g3KVOIriZIM/s576/IMG_5868.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-2r4Qa8QtvSo/URkTzEsGgiI/AAAAAAAABYI/8NQS9utZD4U/s576/IMG_5870.JPG
Can`t catch a break, non stop black vehicles coming in for basic restoration. This honda was clayed by a local car wash, of course the micro overspray wasn`t removed. Nanoskin took off the micro paint in a second and it was onto basic swirl removal. Find it funny this paint likes to shine like basic black, even though its got heavy dark blue metallic tints. Enjoy!
Wash – Bath with Optimum Wash, Optimum Power Clean – Pre Wash/Prep Paint.
Decontamination – Nanoskin Towel with *Optimum No Rinse & Yellow Clay
Wheels - Optimum Power Clean various brushes.
Polish – 2 Stages with: Meguiars DA MF Cutting Pad & Optimum Cutting Pads
Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction Compound
Meguiars Ultra-Cut Compound M105
SF 4000 Menzerna
Protection- *Optimum GPS, Optimum OptiSeal
Wheels – Optimum Metal Polish
Trim – CarPro Perl
Interior: Vacuumed, Optimum Power Clean, *Einszett Plastik-reiniger & *Lederpfledge, *Optimum Plus Protectant
Misc Products: *Optimum OptiClean, Finish Kare 425, *Optimum Metal Polish
Before
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kzTqmZE1WM0/UIATmw1iYNI/AAAAAAAABF0/Dwb8dcLmhGU/s576/IMG_5322.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-EQMwGS_x4P4/UIAToSsWkSI/AAAAAAAABF8/IRjNm9_UxuA/s576/IMG_5330.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v1ZMkopvDEM/UIATo0Y_W9I/AAAAAAAABGE/eZgqLqJZ4K8/s576/IMG_5348.JPG
Swirls!
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G2UO9MNn2jg/UIATpZS1LcI/AAAAAAAABGM/RY7sOd-ClJs/s576/IMG_5351.JPG
50/50
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-1LBndto50sE/UIATrGApE8I/AAAAAAAABGc/ynEO8HAKFMU/s576/IMG_5361.JPG
Progress
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EMS5QxFFKF8/UIATsGKukVI/AAAAAAAABGk/L4J4Te99SRc/s576/IMG_5375.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-xbyY9sGxSdk/UIATtujlJHI/AAAAAAAABGs/m7B0Axdu9Zc/s576/IMG_5385.JPG
Sun inspection
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-cL0yzEcA57U/UIATusH2gjI/AAAAAAAABG0/H91X6Kjr0z0/s576/IMG_5387.JPG
After
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-LYy5KvH8S7E/UIATzhQZFSI/AAAAAAAABHM/qG7sxTNA3FM/s576/IMG_5393.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-fG5CZ-kZSX4/UIATyGZnhaI/AAAAAAAABHE/-1VoHxuWIpA/s576/IMG_5391.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E9Sj31BRk5U/UIAT1KpIBbI/AAAAAAAABHU/jnfGR4b1tpk/s576/IMG_5399.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-jS7gRbR8cmo/UIAT2PlE_zI/AAAAAAAABHc/0oIK_YFE1i8/s576/IMG_5401.JPG
Paint was aggressively corrected, then sealed with Opticoat 2.0 for the ultimate protection available. I am horrendous at getting proper lighting to take pictures of the paint. Doesn`t help that we`re slowly losing daylight!
Wash – Bath with Optimum Wash, Optimum Power Clean – Pre Wash/Prep Paint.
Decontamination – Nanoskin Towel with Optimum No Rinse & CarPro IronX
Wheels - Optimum Power Clean various brushes. CarPro IronX x3 & Clayed
Polish – 3 Stages with:
Surfbuf R Series Microfingers Pads
Meguiars DA Microfiber Correction Compound
Meguiars Ultra-Cut Compound M105
SF 4000 Menzerna
SF 4500 Menzerna
Protection- Optimum Opticoat 2.0
Prewipe with Alcohol, Optimum No Rinse, CarPro Eraser
Wheels – Optimum Metal Polish & Optimum Opticoat 2.0
Windows – CarPro Ceriglass,Optimum Opticoat 2.0, & Optimum OptiSeal
Trim – CarPro Perl
Interior: Vacuumed, Optimum Power Clean, Einszett Plastik-reiniger, Optimum Plus Protectant
Misc Products: Optimum OptiClean, Finish Kare 425, Optimum Metal Polish
Before
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nt0aUpVAZS4/UHtjgOBznvI/AAAAAAAABDw/IL8hYhEWl1w/s583/IMG_5261.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--4y7Rvu_yFU/UHtjhd_SdDI/AAAAAAAABD4/EswBpAljun0/s583/IMG_5263.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DalIe_Mming/UHtjib3drkI/AAAAAAAABEA/tjTswhJTe6E/s583/IMG_5269.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/--t8wyTMnwII/UHtji2OylGI/AAAAAAAABEI/_nNMUlhaaSI/s583/IMG_5273.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-wqzCVxWrdEI/UHtld4chuAI/AAAAAAAABFc/bPF26Qy5ivI/s583/IMG_5289.JPG
Cleaning up side pillars.
After initial compound stage
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KKzkjlOFWIs/UHtjj2PulwI/AAAAAAAABEQ/BuSrvwIWfr4/s583/IMG_5277.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8qhwS5RiZBs/UHtlekWTVpI/AAAAAAAABFk/9T2VhFjsEQU/s583/IMG_5296.JPG
After
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-grnchBm_4q0/UHtjllDMu0I/AAAAAAAABEg/Y-FbBV7m2MI/s583/IMG_5292.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-TIfXbkuqHac/UHtjnAzgfPI/AAAAAAAABEo/Gk5rDr4cCiA/s583/IMG_5298.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-TUJ1i4M9-WA/UHtjovmgP-I/AAAAAAAABEw/fRwFFs1uXtA/s583/IMG_5301.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-VskkFsoC99o/UHtjpsP2EXI/AAAAAAAABE4/CTjciVeQQzs/s583/IMG_5312.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-b8BKJ5ILEp8/UHtjq9C6CNI/AAAAAAAABFA/Xr6_mAewwjw/s583/IMG_5315.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-SkWejYgCcPE/UHtjsc7VxlI/AAAAAAAABFI/qADpZtVOXF4/s583/IMG_5316.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-dPHct0USNFM/UHtjtY-MCPI/AAAAAAAABFQ/FlDrF5v2gZY/s583/IMG_5318.JPG
Tires were retreated after pictures.
Up for detail is a G37 with heavy marring and dealership negligence. Front bumper was repainted and funny enough as the easiest to correct. Ample improperly applied touchup paint where the dealer simply dabbed paint expecting it to gloss. Paint was by far the fussiest to work with, hence the 3 step correction and ultimate Opticoat application. This detail gives me nightmares.
Wheels - Optimum Power Clean various brushes.
Wash & Decontaminate - Optimum No Rinse, CarPro IronX, Clay
Polish - SF 4000 Menzerna, Meguiars Ultra Finishing Polish M205, Meguiars Foam Cut Compound M101, SF 2500 Menzerna
Protection- Optimum Opticoat 2.0
Prewipe with CarPro Eraser
Wheels – Optimum Opticoat 2.0
Interior - Leather Master Protection Cream, 1Z Cockpit Premium
Various Products - Optimum OptiClean, Finish Kare 425, Prima Nero, CarPro Perl
Before - Initial Blackness
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-wLQY9RSKnNI/UQAOkUQo0HI/AAAAAAAABS4/mY0UnmlriHs/s576/IMG_5714.JPG
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-m5MpKH-a-C8/UQAO5MawSEI/AAAAAAAABS4/gwCuLAqbnDg/s576/IMG_5717.JPG
Up close
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gQnRbnbuRHc/UQAN_dzlUtI/AAAAAAAABS4/psQzsHGO-J8/s576/IMG_5703.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-y0stGFLx4Gw/UQAOZgWdxII/AAAAAAAABS4/t0GNh9Yy63M/s576/IMG_5706.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-naESOt2dFcg/UQAOd8DCJvI/AAAAAAAABS4/Wtj5gd-ZJ8g/s576/IMG_5709.JPG
Under Lighting
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-xOMYA20uTA8/UQAN_JQNu4I/AAAAAAAABS4/aR9y4EA7fio/s576/IMG_5673.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9-SFJttuz4Q/UQAO2aVZFkI/AAAAAAAABS4/QC5yabxX3QA/s576/IMG_5726.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ihiAinIb9B4/UQAO3GGDDVI/AAAAAAAABS4/IBwQxuws2IE/s576/IMG_5727.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-X67mY4eLT10/UQAN_NoPf7I/AAAAAAAABS4/7mb45oyxDOw/s576/IMG_5692.JPG
After
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-z5p9_jziorE/UQAP077OPCI/AAAAAAAABUQ/o3zptY-5yIU/s576/IMG_5746.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-DHRkrF79v58/UQAP2zACYuI/AAAAAAAABUQ/wdONL1e8Qyg/s576/IMG_5747.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_fBmMrWtApQ/UQAQN-2DpJI/AAAAAAAABUQ/J1xT5ZvS7q0/s576/IMG_5751.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IutZarEf4SU/UQAQIxO3CbI/AAAAAAAABUQ/HjUfVDVaL1w/s576/IMG_5750.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lnQylJ7CabM/UQAQdeq2O0I/AAAAAAAABUQ/BExOL6W0mrs/s576/IMG_5762.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Sa9Z4ZgfOcM/UQAP4BV9cqI/AAAAAAAABUQ/v55yKkpaw6c/s576/IMG_5749.JPG
Finally a bunch of Opticoats. IMO, it has a great appearance to it!
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-qvWMBh434fA/ULLSFRBBjII/AAAAAAAABL8/EmR2IZEhA1E/s576/IMG_5534.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-FgmJub5fXMo/ULLSZit7BaI/AAAAAAAABLw/kj6vGxPOthI/s576/IMG_5536.JPG
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-C0thjqJ_1bE/ULLSeZBvNVI/AAAAAAAABL4/EHuE7N7bjdY/s576/IMG_5537.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-e7jeYlWaTII/UPLx9PnHqLI/AAAAAAAABPs/qZaUEA3U3Cs/s576/IMG_5644.JPG
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-MkViD_qu2DU/UPL0NaRQytI/AAAAAAAABQk/WLGh0w9B0WI/s576/IMG_5656.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-quPoojhLuOs/UIW4-xMJ6ZI/AAAAAAAABI4/hkgYNMIgLAM/s576/IMG_5453.JPG
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Ka3Hbb23Fjc/UOHIXS7bc9I/AAAAAAAABPQ/SSZ-lc_jbLo/s576/IMG_5627.JPG
First bike! Tricky working on such small areas, but the look sure is awesome.
https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/16567_351844814913540_825295082_n.jpg
Scottwax
02-21-2013, 10:06 PM
Nice work on all, agree how really good Opti-Coat looks. I think even Dr. G was surprised when he saw it on my car (went through Memphis on the way to see my younger son in northern Kentucky) and how exceptional the gloss was. So much is made of how well OC protects but it also looks terrific.
:bow on the Infiniti, got to be one of the most difficult black paints to deal with.
sundog
02-22-2013, 10:39 AM
Nice work on all! I have my DD OC`d and really like the shine as well. I am disappointed with the "hardness" as I thought it was going to be like a diamond coating. My expectations were too high in that regard. I had some body work done recently after a small fender bender and the body-shop "washed" the car before returning it. Well, 8 hours and a re-coating of OC 2.0 later I was back to smooth black paint. I let the owner know about it and he said "I guess the guys used that dirty shop rag again to wash your BMW." I can`t even imagine what the "dirty shop rag" looks like. Anyway, beautiful work, keep the post coming!
mikenap
02-22-2013, 12:30 PM
Great work Brandon! :clap2: Good to see you staying busy too!
Nice work on all, agree how really good Opti-Coat looks. I think even Dr. G was surprised when he saw it on my car (went through Memphis on the way to see my younger son in northern Kentucky) and how exceptional the gloss was. So much is made of how well OC protects but it also looks terrific.
:bow on the Infiniti, got to be one of the most difficult black paints to deal with.
Yes, I think I`ll reconsider doing any Infiniti in the future, they really are a different beast. OC isnt the best, but man if you stick to Optimum`s pro maintenance scheme it will run darn well!
Nice work on all! I have my DD OC`d and really like the shine as well. I am disappointed with the "hardness" as I thought it was going to be like a diamond coating. My expectations were too high in that regard. I had some body work done recently after a small fender bender and the body-shop "washed" the car before returning it. Well, 8 hours and a re-coating of OC 2.0 later I was back to smooth black paint. I let the owner know about it and he said "I guess the guys used that dirty shop rag again to wash your BMW." I can`t even imagine what the "dirty shop rag" looks like. Anyway, beautiful work, keep the post coming!
OC will be as permanent as paint, so it CAN get marred up. Sometimes I like to remind people just how much paint goes through in terms of DD. OC just keeps things cleaner and without the fear of anything attacking chemically.
Great work Brandon! :clap2: Good to see you staying busy too!
Thanks Mike, it comes and goes.