GRAND FINALE -Optimum Opti-Coating - Durability Test Review!!!

**cptzippy** · 06-03-2010, 08:11 AM

Sure wish someone in my area did this since I ain`t no pro to do it myself

**imported_Bence** · 06-03-2010, 10:32 AM

Originally Posted by salty

...other products make the 6 month mark...

Not really with constant Dawn & tunnel washes...

**estcstm3** · 06-03-2010, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by D&D Auto Detail

He explained that in the first paragraph...

"the paint on the factory hood would be sanded flat to test the productâ€™s UV ability."

I am not sure how it helps to test the products UV ability by sanding the factory clear down and not protecting it? Like I first stated 99.99% of the car owning population is not sanding thier clear off so why compare against that? Why not compare the durability and UV of the Optimum Opti-Coat to a factory clear paint? (which would be the 99.99% of the population)

**Autogeek** · 06-03-2010, 12:41 PM

Originally Posted by estcstm3

I am not sure how it helps to test the products UV ability by sanding the factory clear down and not protecting it? Like I first stated 99.99% of the car owning population is not sanding thier clear off so why compare against that? Why not compare the durability and UV of the Optimum Opti-Coat to a factory clear paint? (which would be the 99.99% of the population)

Less clear coat = less UV protection. Starting with less clear compromises the clear coat`s UV protecting abilities. 99% of the population are not dealing with brand new paint, so it seemed like a pretty logical decision to me.

Thanks for the update David. I`ve got some here in the office that I`m going to be trying soon. My folks have a silver `08 Highlander that sits outside 24/7 under sprinklers and trees and whatnot, and never gets washed. I`m thinking of running a test on that. I might PM you if I have any application questions.

**estcstm3** · 06-03-2010, 01:06 PM

Originally Posted by Matt@Autogeek

Less clear coat = less UV protection. Starting with less clear compromises the clear coat`s UV protecting abilities. 99% of the population are not dealing with brand new paint, so it seemed like a pretty logical decision to me.

Thanks for the update David. I`ve got some here in the office that I`m going to be trying soon. My folks have a silver `08 Highlander that sits outside 24/7 under sprinklers and trees and whatnot, and never gets washed. I`m thinking of running a test on that. I might PM you if I have any application questions.

I couldn`t really tell from reading, but was the side he protected was sanded as well? That may be the part that I am hung up on.

**Junebug** · 06-03-2010, 01:17 PM

Great test David! I wonder what the company will say when you turn that half and half back in LOL!

Matt - we have a 08 Highlander - pearl white, great vehicle! I can only wish I could get that coating on mine.

**Autogeek** · 06-03-2010, 01:24 PM

Originally Posted by estcstm3

I couldn`t really tell from reading, but was the side he protected was sanded as well? That may be the part that I am hung up on.

Looked to me like the entire panel was sanded. :think:

Originally Posted by JuneBug

Great test David! I wonder what the company will say when you turn that half and half back in LOL!

Matt - we have a 08 Highlander - pearl white, great vehicle! I can only wish I could get that coating on mine.

They are really nice! Super smooth - doesn`t feel like you`re driving an SUV, that`s for sure. :2thumbs:

**De WALTER** · 06-03-2010, 02:06 PM

Great review David !!!

**lostdaytomorrow** · 06-05-2010, 08:41 PM

Wow, close to being unbelievable.

**Barry Theal** · 06-05-2010, 09:23 PM

David have you tried to remove any of it yet? Hence Laquer thinner or anything? Im curious to how durable this really is.

**David Fermani** · 06-21-2010, 09:37 PM

Alfisti, salty, Scottwax, MuttGrunt, mystickid, PWORLDSTANG, Matt@Autogeek, JuneBug, De WALTER - Thanks alot guys. I`ve got some stuff coming up in te next couple weeks to throw an interesting twist into the test. Stay tuned.

Originally Posted by Anthony Orosco

Nice stuff David......and people called me a shill, thanks for vindicating me:2thumbs: :LOLOL

In reality what this test does is basically crams maybe a year or more of daily car life into 6 months. I had my doubts myself when I read David would wash it with dawn and at tunnel washes but very happy to see it holding up so well.

Now wait until you all get a load of the interior portion!

Anthony

Thanks for your help with Opti-Coat Anthony. I`ve always followed your enthusiasm for Optimum. After using most of their products, I can honestly say that they are incredible. Dr. G is a genius! With 2 messy kids, I can`t wait to test the interior product.

Originally Posted by estcstm3

One question, why did you wet sand at the beginning? Who wetsands a brand new car? Doesn`t that throw off your results since you have removed probably 10 microns of clearcoat? Just wondering what the rationale was there.

Originally Posted by estcstm3

I am not sure how it helps to test the products UV ability by sanding the factory clear down and not protecting it? Like I first stated 99.99% of the car owning population is not sanding thier clear off so why compare against that? Why not compare the durability and UV of the Optimum Opti-Coat to a factory clear paint? (which would be the 99.99% of the population)

I sanded the factory clear coat for several reasons. Mostly to make it more vulnerable to *possible* failure & to test this product`s UV ability. This car is parked outside in the hot Florida sun and the engine remains running 7-9 hours per day which creates quite a bit of constant heat to this panel that most likely accentuates the wearing effect. I`ll keep you posted on any developing deterioration of both the coated and non-coated portions...

Originally Posted by estcstm3

Since this is a big teaser thread, what was the direction he (Dr. G) wants to go with this product?

Not quite sure what Dr. G`s exact intensions are, but this product has countless uses and is being marketed to more than just the Car Care industry.

Originally Posted by Barry Theal

David have you tried to remove any of it yet? Hence Laquer thinner or anything? Im curious to how durable this really is.

Nope, not yet Barry. I understand that the coating isn`t effected by solvents and/or harsh chemicals. The only way to remove it is by adrading it away by either sanding or compounding. I`d hate to have to remove this stuff. There`s really no way you`d be able to destinguish between removing the coating or the clear.

**buzzb** · 06-23-2010, 08:47 PM

Opti-coat sounds like a fantastic product. Have you noticed any water spots since the product beads so well David? Also- if you test any other vehicles (and I don`t know if you are) it would be nice to see if a nice soft black finish (example: Infiniti or BMW black) is resistant to water spots from rain/acid rain/environmental fallout. I know you get those lovely afternoon showers for 20 minutes then full sun in Florida so I wonder what you`ve noticed in terms of this.

**David Fermani** · 06-28-2010, 07:58 PM

Originally Posted by buzzb

Opti-coat sounds like a fantastic product. Have you noticed any water spots since the product beads so well David? Also- if you test any other vehicles (and I don`t know if you are) it would be nice to see if a nice soft black finish (example: Infiniti or BMW black) is resistant to water spots from rain/acid rain/environmental fallout. I know you get those lovely afternoon showers for 20 minutes then full sun in Florida so I wonder what you`ve noticed in terms of this.

Great question buzzb - As a matter of fact I just finisheed testing the coating`s resistance to water spots. I left the coated side sit next to my sprinklers for about 30 minutes and it got covered pretty good. I then left it on there for almost a week in the sun. It washed off really easy. I had to scrub the uncoated side with PowerClean.

Here`s what it looked like:

The bottom right pic is what my sprinkler system filter looks like after a couple sessions.