2002 Porsche Carrera Aero (Opti-Seal), 2003 BMW X5 (Clear Seal), 2006 330ci (Opti)

**Scottwax** · 03-09-2007, 02:06 AM

2000 Porsche Carrera Aero. Last detailed May 20th of last year using Werkstatt`s Prime and Acrylic Jett. Still slick, still looked really good. No swirls to speak of. I went over it with Werkstatt`s Prime using a blue Propel finishing pad and Optimum Opti-Seal by hand.

My son brought his digital camera (Fuji Film F470, 6 megapixel) so I have noted digital pics. Some of them are a bit dark, still working on the proper settings. Some of the print film shots are a touch light-full sun and silver, oh boy!

Digital-

Next two, both digital-

**Scottwax** · 03-09-2007, 02:17 AM

2003 BMW X5. Same last detail date as the Carrera. Again, holding up nicely 9 months later. I again started with Werkstatt`s Prime using a blue Propel finishing pad and followed with Zaino Clear Seal by hand.

Digital-

Comparison thoughts between Opti-Seal and Clear Seal:

1. Both have excellent slickness

2. Both take an equally small amout to cover a whole vehicle

3. Both dry streak free unless you use too much and in both cases, once the product is dry, you can simply wipe off the excess.

4. Opti-Seal has a very wet look, Clear Seal is more subtle-basically, how the prep looks, that is pretty much what you get. Side by side, Prime vs Opti-Seal, there was a very noticable increase in wetness. Side by Side, Prime vs Clear Seal, the increase was there, just not "wow` like Opti-Seal. The name "Clear Seal" though, is very accurate, basically, it seems to seal in the look you already have, probably so it doesn`t alter the look of Z2 or Z5. In any event, Prime itself is pretty wet looking so topping with Clear Seal still gives a really good look.

5. Durability to be determined...

**Scottwax** · 03-09-2007, 02:30 AM

2006 BMW 330ci. Regular customer, last waxed in December using OCW while washing with ONR. Fast forward nearly 3 months and lots of nasty weather in January and February and you get this:

(Fenderwells already cleaned and dressed so any overspray is washed off when the car is washed)

During the Optimum No Rinse Wash:

Paint still looks pretty good:

All washed and the tires dressed with Armor All:

A week or so ago, a mud flap fell off a semi and nailed the driver`s side front fender and door, luckily it was just rubber transfer that came off pretty easily using Optimum`s Poli-Seal using a while LC polishing pad. I followed with Opti-Seal. As above, digital shots are noted.

Digital-

**BigAl3** · 03-09-2007, 02:32 AM

very nice :up

**01bluecls** · 03-09-2007, 02:45 AM

Honestly the digital pics probably do your work more justice! Either way great work as always!

**imported_artikxscout** · 03-09-2007, 06:43 AM

Hey scott, do you intentionally make it look brighter or is it just the camera? What setting do you usually have your picutre on for your regular camera? Great work by the way... Opti-seal not the same as OPS right?

**imported_doctordon** · 03-09-2007, 08:08 AM

Scott: I switched from film to digital a fair while ago because you can post-process correct better. Sadly tho`, it also allows people to cheat. This is your shot with two easy steps in Photoshop. Some would still prefer darker because it provides more contrast: `Eye of the beholder` stuff...

Nice work - no matter how it photographs.

**ed2065** · 03-09-2007, 08:32 AM

Good work Scott. Looks like a big difference in the two types of pics you took

**sixty7mustang22** · 03-09-2007, 08:50 AM

Scott, you ate the man. Nice work.:xyxthumbs

**sharky nrk** · 03-09-2007, 08:56 AM

Scott doesn`t need PS touch ups - his details look so good their questionable anyways lol

**sharky nrk** · 03-09-2007, 08:57 AM

^^ that was a compliment in case it came off the wrong way

**imported_doctordon** · 03-09-2007, 09:16 AM

Sharky: Mine too.. I liked his pics - just thought I show him how easy Pshp can mod`m.

Scott - happy to pull it in an instant at your request.

**sharky nrk** · 03-09-2007, 09:50 AM

^^ I feel you on that one - did mean anything against your post either

**Anthony O.** · 03-09-2007, 10:11 AM

Nice work there Scott!

**Scottwax** · 03-09-2007, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by artikxscout

Hey scott, do you intentionally make it look brighter or is it just the camera? What setting do you usually have your picutre on for your regular camera? Great work by the way... Opti-seal not the same as OPS right?

It is the camera, filling the majority of the frame with either a white or pearl car, or a dark blue or black car throws off the exposure, even with matrix metering. Doesn`t help that most of the paved areas here are concrete and like with the 330ci, I sometimes am stuck in areas where the background is sunny still (like late afternoon) and the car is in the shade. I also forgot to change from the bright sun exposure setting when I shot the 330, which tends to throw off the exposure badly if the car isn`t in the full sun.

If I could get the damn thing to work properly in manual mode, I could simply split the difference of the background and subject exposure. :nixweiss