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

porta said:
I dont think you will get out 8 months of C2.
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Yeah I think 8mths out of a single neat application is pushing it a bit, but here are 2 quotes from the horses mouth so to speak, Rob Earle of Gtechniq :-



`we recommend applying c2 neat and then diluting and using as a qd every 2-3 washes that way you will always have a perfectly maintained finish. however a single application should last appx 6 months.`

`if you are using the c2 QD too then the coating will be perfectly maintained until the rust god calls time on your wheels`



C2 Liquid Crystal Sealant QD

C2 Liquid Crystal Sealant & QD





`
 
RaskyR1 said:
When this product first came out I thought to myself why would I ever want that? Now I'm not sure I'd want to be without it! ;)



Working full time and detailing part time does make it hard to find the time to work on my own car these days, so it's definitely nice having the coating for me. It makes cleaning easier and it also stays looking nice longer. It's definitely not for everyone though and I'm curious to see how it hold up to marring in the long run.
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May so be it



well said
 
People,



Opti-Coat, if applied properly and allowed to cure properly, can be polished with a mild/finishing product and a finishing pad with little effect on the coating.



I have done this on numerous vehicles and it appears to have very little effect on the properties of the coating.



If the need to polish Opti-Coat comes about I recommend using the least aggressive method first. I will personally reach for a black LC finishing pad and something like FPII, 3M's UF or the new Optimum Finishing Polish (completely new) and first use my Flex DA to see how that works. If needed I will use a rotary.



If I must use something more aggressive then I will do the entire panel and re-apply Opti-Coat. While Opti-Coat will have a difficult time adhering and bonding to itself after it has cured I have found that it can be re-applied to an area that has been polished and then prepped properly. In my testing of this the Opti-Coat has not been completely removed but rather, for lack of a better word at the moment, "lightened" thus allowing for a "booster" of Opti-Coat to be applied.



I do not recommend doing a "patch" re-application of Opti-Coat as this may lead to odd streaks and an uneven finish. Do an entire panel and the results will be far better.



Lastly, Opti-Coat CAN be waxed over, even a sealant applied over it.....not really needed though and will most likely not be as effective.



Anthony
 
1 YEAR REVIEW!!!



Here is my 1 year observation on the Optimum Opti-Coating. The product is holding up incredibly well. Even after weekly hand washes with Dawn Dish soap and monthly Touchless car washing. As a refresher, the entire Driver’s side ½ of this vehicle has been treated with the coating. This includes paint, chrome, textured trim, plastic and glass. No Wax, Sealants, Waterless washes or Quick Detailers have ever been used anywhere on the exterior of this vehicle. There are no discernable differences or loss in protection, beading, shine, gloss with the product or vehicle thus far. It has outperformed my expectations in every aspect that I can imagine. The only section that has “failedâ€� is the portion of the windshield where the wipers run over(due to friction). The areas around it have diminished quite a bit, but are still shedding water very differently than the uncoated passenger side. Bottom line, the product is sticking to the finish like a refrigerator magnet!! Still easy to clean, does not get heavy build up of road oils, even at it’s most dirtiest moment. Just a quick blast of the pressure washer removes 90% of any dirt buildup. Most conclusions are based on comparisons to the characteristics of the uncoated sides as well as past vehicles I’ve cared for throughout my 20+ years of reconditioning vehicles.





Here’s a quick video I filmed with my Smart phone to document some of the characteristics of the coating.

Click Image>>







In addition to the coating testing, Dawn dish soap has not damaged any part of this vehicle thus far. Even bare metal components show no signs of corrosion like many people warned. The paint is as glossy on the untreated side as it is on the treated one. Rubber seals, weather stripping and belt moldings are still in like new condition. And this vehicle is not garage kept and can stay running for up to 8+ hours per day in the brutally hot S. Florida salty environment.





As a side note, because this vehicles has a tendency of spending up to 8+ hours per day at various Body Shops, there is a slight bit of overspray on it. This undoubtedly has effected the way the water beads as the water is beading on a surface speckled with paint overspray rather than a bare one. After discussing this issue with Dr. G, he supplied me with their Water Spot Remover. I will be testing this product, coupled with a fine grade clay bar to clean the coating. Even though the coating is still strongly on the surface, it may require additional topcoat cleaning as a maintenance type of service. This may vary based on climate and environmental surroundings.



WaterSpotRemover001.jpg
 
Your experience mirrors mine, although I haven't been using Dawn. Applied Opti-Coat to both my parent's cars in September 2009 when my Mom got a new ES350. Also applied it to my Dad's '04 Accord. Both cars still look great, my Dad says they are very easy to wash (he goes back and forth between a hose and ONR when washing them) and when I was over for Christmas, the beading on the Lexus was absolutely spectacular and as we drove, the beads ran very quickly up the hood.
 
David,



You need to make a video of this WHOLE testing, the truth is in the video! I have it on my own car been 4 months and a brutal winter, I take it through the touchfree to remove the salt, and it ALL comes off easily.



Cheers,

GREG
 
Anyone regularly claybar their Opti-Coat like every 3 months? If so, does the claybar damage or wear out the Opt-Coat?



My Opti-Coat has acquired quite a bit of swirls and marring and I was thinking about having my detailer apply a layer of Megs #21 synthetic wax over the Opti-Coat every 3 month for the sole aesthetic purpose of hiding these scratches. Part of the package include claying the car. Does this sound like a good idea?



To be honest, I'm kinda of disappointed that there are so many swirls and light scratches. I pay someone to wash my car very carefully with the intent of not scratching the pain with separate MF towels, etc. Am I the only who have acquired so much marring?
 
It may have not been applied to a clean surface and not bonded. The surface may have not been swirl free to begin with. Your detailer may wash too aggressively. Etc. OptiCoat is harder than current OEM clears but it's not bullet proof or bubba proof.



I have clayed mine a couple of times but hardly anything came off. One of the benefits of OptiCoat is that stuff doesn't stick to it so if you still need to clay at 3 month intervals, I would question whether you actually have OptiCoat on your car.
 
integritydetail said:
It may have not been applied to a clean surface and not bonded. The surface may have not been swirl free to begin with. Your detailer may wash too aggressively. Etc. OptiCoat is harder than current OEM clears but it's not bullet proof or bubba proof.



I have clayed mine a couple of times but hardly anything came off. One of the benefits of OptiCoat is that stuff doesn't stick to it so if you still need to clay at 3 month intervals, I would question whether you actually have OptiCoat on your car.
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I think that will have a lot to do with how the car being maintained too. I've been running my car through only touch-less washes (with an occasional ONR wash) the last few months and I've noticed some light accumulation of bonded surface contaminants on the lowers. However, when I was doing weekly traditional washes in the summer the surface stayed squeaky clean.
 
It's possible that the surface was not swirl free to begin with. I did notice some slight swirls before the Opti-Coat was applied, but it wasn't much (I don't think it was nearly as much as I see now, especially on the head and tail lights). I didn't really have much of choice though as I wasn't able to find anyone else who applies Opti-Coat in my area except for the one authorized detailer on Optimum's website, but that other detailer's website was advertising a Teflon sealant or some crap and I immediately dismiss anyone who tries to push a Teflon product lol. Doesn't Optimum check the credentials and reputation of detailers before "authorizing" them as an official Opti-Coat applier?



Another thing is that I get my car washed once a month rather than weekly. Those who only wash monthly, have you also noticed accumulation of swirls and contamination?
 
not_a_virus.exe said:
It's possible that the surface was not swirl free to begin with. That's a no no, the paint should be prepped I did notice some slight swirls before the Opti-Coat was applied, but it wasn't much (I don't think it was nearly as much as I see now, especially on the head and tail lights). I didn't really have much of choice though as I wasn't able to find anyone else who applies Opti-Coat in my area except for the one authorized detailer on Optimum's website I maintain the Optimum Forums and am familiar with most who are listed on Optimum Car Care, you should PM me regarding who your installer was, but that other detailer's website was advertising a Teflon sealant or some crap and I immediately dismiss anyone who tries to push a Teflon product lol. Doesn't Optimum check the credentials and reputation of detailers before "authorizing" them as an official Opti-Coat applier?No we do not police our customers and it would be impossible to do so. What Optimum requires is a hold harmless agreement stating that Optimum is not responsible for misapplication.



Another thing is that I get my car washed once a month rather than weekly. Those who only wash monthly, have you also noticed accumulation of swirls and contamination?Only washing monthly means more dirt on the car and more chance for scratches if improper technique is employed.
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I'm very sympathetic to your situation, but it sounds like you are a victim of a bad detailer. I have no first hand knowledge of your car or who your detailer is, but from the information you have given...something is off. Is your detailer and washer the same person? Did you request OptiCoat, but refuse paint correction? Are your car washes controlled (always the same person and equipment, or do you use a tunnel wash sometimes)? Lot's of variables, but none of your problems are typical of OptiCoat...they are inline with bad service.
 
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