Opti-coat application problem

[Marj]

I`ve search for anyone that has had this problem that I have had after applying OC. It seems from all the reading and watching some videos that if I follow the procedure religiously, I should get great results. I guess this product has gotten the better of me. I noticed after applying OC and waiting 3- 5 min. to wipe off with a clean microfiber towel that I was getting some milky splotchy patches that has taken some elbow grease to get rid of. It has not been too warm here in SoCal, normal, 75°, all done in my garage.

[chrisguga]

I personally don`t leave it on quite that long before buffing with a microfiber.



Also, I noticed what looked like slight marring/holograms after I applied it, but within 24 hours they went away.

[imported_WCD]

Too much product and what are you using for an applicator? A cut 2" mf towel can work very well. Sound like high and low spots.



I do not have too much experience, but this is my thought.

[C. Charles Hahn]

What sort of surface prep did you do prior to application?

[Dan]

Applying and waiting to wipe off??? You apply and wait. If you see high spots, you can work those out a bit. I know this sounds silly, but are you following the directions?

[Marj]

First I went over the vehicle with M205 then I applied a liberal spray of IPA which did dry pretty quickly as I was wiping up with microfiber towel. The applicator is the one that came with the product. So how long do you leave OC on the vehicle before wiping down? i would do 1/2 of the hood (G35) with OC before I would wipe it off.

[chrisguga]

I personally do no more than half of a hood before leveling.



I apply 7-8 drops to the applicator, do as large of an area I can going side to side and up and down, apply 7-8 more drops, same thing to the next area, and then immediately start at the first area leveling it with my microfiber and I continue to wipe both areas for a few minutes to make darn sure it`s nice and evenly distributed and all the excess is wiped off.



This technique worked well for me. It sounds like you`re letting it sit for too long before leveling it.

[Dan]

Perhaps my approach is different, but I apply it just like Optiseal, the aim is to have no high spots. I put it on thin enough to feel it going on, it`s hard to see at times, especially on lighter colors. Then IF I see high spots, I`ll go back and level with the APPLICATOR.



If I`m reading the OP`s post correctly, he is applying thick, then wiping off and still getting high spots.

[Marj]

Perhaps my approach is different, but I apply it just like Optiseal, the aim is to have no high spots. I put it on thin enough to feel it going on, it`s hard to see at times, especially on lighter colors. Then IF I see high spots, I`ll go back and level with the APPLICATOR.



If I`m reading the OP`s post correctly, he is applying thick, then wiping off and still getting high spots.

Perhaps you are right, I`m not sure. I know as I am applying it, as in the hood, that the applicator will jump out of my hand from grabbing onto the paint and not sliding, so I have to apply more and then it will move a bit more easier. I think I am applying about 8 - 10 drops, and when the applicator won`t slide I feel I need to add more drops.

[Dan]

Yeah, there is definitely a fine line between the applicator grabbing and sliding easily. The key is, if you get lots of high spots, you are using too much. I think 1-3 high spots per panel is ok, but anymore than that, you are using too much. Wait 5 minutes and if you see high spots, level them with the applicator.



FWIW, I`m getting about 3 complete cars out of a syringe.

[RaskyR1]

I don`t wait to level off high spots and I`ve never agreed with that recommendation, however I`m using Opti-Guard and OC 2.0 may be more forgiving, but even then I don`t wait.



My guess is that some of the oils were still remaining behind from the M205 (cloudy look). I strongly suggest washing the car after polishing with CGCW and some Power Clean, especially if you are not using Optimum polishes (I usually wash even if I am). Follow that up with an Eraser or IPA wipe down. Also be sure that you use a clean side of the towel for each section you wipe down, otherwise you are just transferring the oils to the next panel. I end up using about 4 towels to do a wipe down.



You should be able to hit those spots after it`s cured with some Poli-Seal to level them out, either by hand or on the DA with a finishing pad and speed of 3-4.





Hope this helps,

Rasky

[Dan]

Rasky makes some good points about proper prep!

[David Fermani]

A couple things I can agree with that can and will overall create a better application environment and better treated surface,



*Wash after polishing and prior to OC/G

*Avoid wiping the panel down. I see some pany people comment that they wipe the panel after applying OC/G and it makes me cringe. There isn`t a need and you end up killing your MF towel and possibly removing some of the coating. Just take your applicator pad and remove the smears with that.

[Dan]

I see some pany people comment that they wipe the panel after applying OC/G and it makes me cringe. There isn`t a need and you end up killing your MF towel and possibly removing some of the coating. Just take your applicator pad and remove the smears with that.

Lol, that is exactly what I did when I read that part... Cringe....

[RaskyR1]

A couple things I can agree with that can and will overall create a better application environment and better treated surface,



*Wash after polishing and prior to OC/G

*Avoid wiping the panel down. I see some pany people comment that they wipe the panel after applying OC/G and it makes me cringe. There isn`t a need and you end up killing your MF towel and possibly removing some of the coating. Just take your applicator pad and remove the smears with that.

I`ve tried it both ways and it simply works best for me to level of the high spots immediately after applying it. The coating bonds the second it hits the paint and most areas have already flashed off long before I even lay a towel to the paint. If you wait too long the coating starts to set and gets tacky, which will be a complete mess if you try wiping it then. I`ve washed several clients cars now over a year after applying the coating this way and clearly there is zero effect in durability in using this method.



I also have dedicated MF towels for leveling off high spots, I use about 3 per car and toss them into a bucket with OPC and soap immediately after use and they are still like new.





There are always many way to do the same task, neither is right or wrong, simply do what works best for you.





Rasky