Review: Optimum Gloss Coat Paint Coating

[RaysWay]

aka Optimum Gloss-Coat Rayview :)

Here she is! My new (to me) 2000 Mercury Sable LS. The first thing I did was take it home for a quick wash and wax (Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo and BLACKFIRE Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection).

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-r1GiGb9KSEk/VAMbpu-L5TI/AAAAAAAAPT0/9hSP-lcs9X0/s640/2014-08-29%252018.37.11.jpg

The paint is in overall great condition, but did have plenty of swirl marks that I wanted to remove so I planned a full detail the following weekend. While I was busy deciding on what products to use for the full detail, the detailing world was hit with shocking news. Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 was discontinued. It would be the end of an era for a flagship detailing product.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-qnMA4yvm468/VAYWGlQBptI/AAAAAAAAPmk/hVSzKYcoLxE/s400/opticoattombstone.jpg

The stages of mourning a loss are considered universal and are experienced by people from all walks of life differently. The first stage (denial and confusion) was evident across multiple detailing forums on the internet. The immediate shock even hit home at the Autopia-CarCare.com offices:

(Dramatic Reenactment @ Autopia-CarCare.com)
vrQFBYgwQW8

The other stages of mourning a loss were observed as well.

2. Anger (outlash towards Optimum and vendors)
3. Bargaining (Opti-Coat 2.0 Black Market)
4. Depression (lowered state of anger)
5. and finally Acceptance

I don`t view this backlash as a negative, I like to look at it as a positive. The things we hold dearest to our hearts, cause us the most pain when we lose them. The commotion caused by the discontinuation of Opti-Coat 2.0, showed us just how much we all loved a product manufactured from Optimum Polymer Technologies. They "changed the game" years ago with the debut of Opti-Coat. The same chemist and company is now promising better scratch and mar resistance, better UV resistance, better chemical etch resistance, and better release properties than any other consumer coating on the market. After I personally went through the 5 stages of loss, I decided to give the same company that "changed the game" years ago the benefit of the doubt and use their latest coating as my LSP - Optimum Gloss-Coat.

After reading my review, I hope you`ll agree with me when I say there is nothing to fear. Gloss-Coat is AMAZING.

Here`s the vehicle before washing. Not too shabby since I wash and waxed the car 5 days ago.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mgY9mBP9elM/VANXeMFzIoI/AAAAAAAAPUk/hj_-QnTX_GQ/s640/IMG_0696.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-b6MuLTd47z8/VANXd2UAixI/AAAAAAAAPUc/46bDk7R7kvQ/s640/IMG_0697.JPG

Bonus BFWDAFPP beading pics

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jHFeMPv83BA/VANXng7lPOI/AAAAAAAAPV4/NMweXjfo8vI/s640/IMG_0708.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yfYUng7EY0Q/VANXoOEEIfI/AAAAAAAAPWA/NdKzXGxenls/s640/IMG_0709.JPG

Wheels and tires cleaned with Tuf Shine Tire Cleaner and Iron X with various brushes.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MdzFwkdJwZs/VANXmFZfhfI/AAAAAAAAPVo/q6YLqEg87N4/s640/IMG_0706.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Vudwxs72uOc/VANXojyvhsI/AAAAAAAAPWI/zp9Bm3Qvryw/s640/IMG_0710.JPG

Here`s the Sable after being washed (Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo), decontaminated (Iron X + Nanoskin Wash Mitt), and dried (Guzzler MF Towel).

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-ajTrzClwfyg/VANXsK4M9oI/AAAAAAAAPWo/dcFs95O_TNk/s640/IMG_0714.JPG

Although the paint looks clean, you can tell by looking at the reflections of the light fixtures that the paint is not as shiny as possible.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AekpKd8_TdU/VANXtdCaY8I/AAAAAAAAPW4/ppyiuMf-kjk/s640/IMG_0716.JPG

Before applying any coating, it`s recommended to remove any defects from the paint. The Toreador Red Pearl Metallic did a great job of hiding imperfections. I used my FLEX Swirl Finder Light to inspect the true condition of the paint.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3UhiJ4kqplc/VANXtzCyBYI/AAAAAAAAPW8/V_MTjIU7m8Y/s640/IMG_0717.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3yR8BNlRm_8/VANXw5jYj9I/AAAAAAAAPXs/_5tiRu0jIkI/s640/IMG_0721.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aS_RpKXlahY/VANXv3MXLZI/AAAAAAAAPXY/sWw00-4pmro/s640/IMG_0720.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-cqBc6DN52ZM/VANXxn6qXuI/AAAAAAAAPX4/0vsORdjMDrw/s640/IMG_0722.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9B0e-ZVjIcI/VANXx4DoVpI/AAAAAAAAPX0/AxqLFKhp6yk/s640/IMG_0723.JPG

I decided to use a RUPES LHR15ES to try out the new Lake Country HD Orbital Pads. I started my test spot with the orange polishing pad with BLACKFIRE SRC Finishing Polish.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kq6QFHwMhVQ/VANX3-2siLI/AAAAAAAAPZo/Muo32NHiwzc/s640/IMG_0731.JPG

It was a perfect combo. (Left side unpolished)

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Mrv3uWzaDVU/VANX8NiZX7I/AAAAAAAAPZ8/2B_5GnypXZo/s640/IMG_0738.JPG

The reflections were much sharper, the paint was shinier and the color was deeper.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Q7-SGNtSpvk/VANX7qiAPsI/AAAAAAAAPZw/qATmutrtSTw/s640/IMG_0737.JPG

BLACKFIRE SRC Finishing Polish was all this paint needed.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-o4gaFkloRGw/VANX9xaqanI/AAAAAAAAPaY/xcNL0EaaRZ4/s640/IMG_0741.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-doNe3bVWLGk/VANX-x2M_5I/AAAAAAAAPag/Se5G6KelRK4/s640/IMG_0743.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YxqhnoPRLq0/VANX_v_bBSI/AAAAAAAAPl8/jwc4jlm2tW0/s640/IMG_0744.JPG

The Lake Country HD Orbital Pads were amazing. They allowed the RUPES LHR15ES to work effortlessly, even on my curved door panels.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/--EKZg1IherY/VANYCfXZdpI/AAAAAAAAPbE/9ttE7Fk9PJA/s640/IMG_0748.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-aGP7DgsWGgs/VANYHu8cuxI/AAAAAAAAPbs/gqEex8gKx3E/s640/IMG_0749.JPG

It was fun watching the car seem to change color during polishing. (Left side polished, Right side not polished)

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CcDtNHQ3gOY/VANYFFyPYXI/AAAAAAAAPbU/dzy3Un3d7gc/s640/IMG_0751.JPG

After polishing the paint, I decided to restore the trim with Solution Finish. This was after I cleaned the trim with Detailers Pro Series Cleanse All.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oK3xYfN1voQ/VANYKh_lFMI/AAAAAAAAPcM/Cmvt4BZGhvo/s640/IMG_0756.JPG

After 1 coat of Solution Finish.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vQgob2uEKU4/VANYM24IUQI/AAAAAAAAPck/NDn6S0y9t1Q/s640/IMG_0759.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PZU7nfQwUXg/VANYO0VhFjI/AAAAAAAAPdA/5ULRoE06Gss/s640/IMG_0762.JPG

I followed up by wiping the entire car carefully with a 15% IPA dilution to remove any oils on the paint.

[RaysWay]

Now I was ready for the main event! Optimum Gloss-Coat.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-npEWRFwMtZI/VANYPiPMRwI/AAAAAAAAPdE/zW4zLAI1Hc0/s640/IMG_0763.JPG

I decided to use the kit "as-is", so I used the round yellow applicator pad and Gold Plush Jr. microfiber towel that are included with the kit. After applying Gloss-Coat to the roof, my initial impression was that Gloss-Coat seemed slicker and thicker to apply compared to any previous application of Opti-Coat 2.0. The applicator slid across the paint easier and the product spread out farther than I ever remembered Opti-Coat. It seemed more "substantial", if that makes any sense. It was easier to see which area had been coated.

The gloss was amazing. The paint seemed dripping wet.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kdIjmS1IkmQ/VANYSnthb7I/AAAAAAAAPdo/2s2Df1iLXjE/s640/IMG_0767.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-18xzlrKHJPE/VANYT3QC2_I/AAAAAAAAPd0/mr8xMG4-nEI/s640/IMG_0768.JPG

Even my coworkers had trouble giving me a hard time without a smirk on their faces with how glossy it looked.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-fZWeR7Ag5Bo/VANYUKFFTKI/AAAAAAAAPd4/-yFd1h9LzFk/s640/IMG_0769.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-g5tt6YQWvBU/VANYVHyb1NI/AAAAAAAAPeE/nffWO-LEc08/s640/IMG_0770.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j2D9E8R8Hvo/VANYV2VyZEI/AAAAAAAAPeI/dmtwD2k_fUQ/s640/IMG_0771.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-eyfXh-o1gdA/VANYWv1LJaI/AAAAAAAAPeU/Lc3UoYFraVs/s640/IMG_0772.JPG

I pulled the Sable outside and finished with BLACKFIRE Total Trim & Tire Sealant on the tires.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_NUajIpd2JU/VANYYFHPh9I/AAAAAAAAPeg/xC-YJ2wkYk0/s640/IMG_0774.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-RTbAVdoLjKQ/VANYY6HLh0I/AAAAAAAAPes/Vbt9Tm3Qwc8/s640/IMG_0775.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-AbvLhtmblTU/VANYZdpE-3I/AAAAAAAAPew/vT2kfT3r0LA/s640/IMG_0776.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-i5zMxrjOR2I/VANYa7ixTkI/AAAAAAAAPfA/rNKcAFnhMh0/s640/IMG_0778.JPG

Later that night, I went outside to check on the car and noticed I parked a little too close to a water sprinkler. The rear bumper and trunk lid were wet. Luckily the Gloss-Coat was allowed to cure for 10 hours in extremely strong daylight before the rear got wet. I wiped the area down with ONR (QD dilution) to avoid and water spots. But I was able to get some early beading shots.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WZhyTBp0OTU/VANYcKcXoTI/AAAAAAAAPfU/86lFdll0T3E/s640/IMG_0780.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-lxVtFF0krCg/VANYe42_LcI/AAAAAAAAPfs/rZeazaLJ8_E/s640/IMG_0781.JPG

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-2WTSNK_F7pA/VANYd2f-Z-I/AAAAAAAAPfc/kew2YPE-hH0/s640/IMG_0782.JPG

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-IKcUSrlty0g/VANYhFBj8VI/AAAAAAAAPf4/EynMx9maTQw/s640/IMG_0784.JPG

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-te3fhYbfLYg/VANYjjyaysI/AAAAAAAAPgU/r0FV1lzsRGk/s640/IMG_0788.JPG

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-uLxf6QGoMhg/VANYi5Yj9cI/AAAAAAAAPgM/LCv8XUlDtdg/s640/IMG_0787.JPG

The next morning I was wiping down my interior and my neighbor asked me why my car was so shiny. :cool: After some small talk, he wants me to detail his G35 asap.

After my weekend fling with Gloss-Coat, I was clearly infatuated. I decided to write down my thoughts to logically see in an ordered list what I thought of Gloss-Coat compared to Opti-Coat:


Better claimed scratch and mar resistance
Better claimed UV resistance
Better claimed chemical etch resistance
Better claimed release properties
Looks much better
Feels much slicker
Easier to apply

Opti-Coat 2.0 was a revolutionary product and undoubtedly raised the bar for all types of paint protection, I don`t think anyone that used it was happy to see it being discontinued; but Gloss-Coat is nothing to scoff at.

Thanks for reading!

p.s. I can`t wait to wash my car :D


Link to Optimum Gloss-Coat (http://www.autopia-carcare.com/opti-coat.html)

[cleanmycorolla]

Nice write up, I used to transfer OC to a little spray bottle and spray it on to applicator, planned on doing it the same way with gloss coat!

[silverfox]

It wouldn`t take much to look better than opticoat. Never liked its looks or its feel or its application or its price. Otherwise, it served a purpose. I don`t get all the horror being generated by losing opticoat 2. Gloss coat had to happen.

[tropicsteve]

looks great ray. I like being able to wax over it without any problems too.

[Bunky]

I assume Opti-Gloss was a marketing response so Opti-Coat (and nothing else called Opti-coat) is reserved for the professional marketing setup and Opti-Gloss had been improved to be easier to apply for general public with a new name and less expectations to complete with Opti-coat program.

I see the recommendation for 15% IPA wipe down so more validity for that but still like carpro eraser better.

[jvs1991]

Damnnnnn. That toreador red looks perfect. May need to pick this up soon. If only I could find the time to get a detail in these days.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Swanicyouth]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/04/6a9a5upy.jpg

How is this to apply compared to CQ?

[spiralout462]

That has got to be the best looking Sable on the road! Great work! Thanks for the write up.

[PA DETAILER]

Great review on the new coating on the block. The end user now has many to pick from!

[RaysWay]

:D Thanks everyone. As usual I`ll be posting updates.



How is this to apply compared to CQ?

Slicker and easier to tell where you`ve coated during application, but I did have to buff off more high spots than a usual CQ application. Although for a true apples v.s. apples comparison I would have to use the same type of applicator.

[jvs1991]

What`s the best procedure for maintenance of this coating? Besides washing regularly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[zerix]

Any chance at a video showing beading/sheeting characteristics?

Also did you feel 10cc was enough to put a nice thick coat on the whole car?

[The Critic]

What`s the best procedure for maintenance of this coating? Besides washing regularly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Probably CarPro Reset. It was designed to maintain the properties of coatings.

[The Guz]

Nice write up. It does indeed stay true to it`s "gloss" name.