GRAND FINALE -Optimum Opti-Coating - Durability Test Review!!!
- Thread starter David Fermani
- Start date
imported_Bence
New member
salty said:
Not really with constant Dawn & tunnel washes...
D&D Auto Detail said:
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
New member
estcstm3 said:
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.
Junebug
JAFO
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.
Matt - we have a 08 Highlander - pearl white, great vehicle! I can only wish I could get that coating on mine.
Autogeek
New member
estcstm3 said:
Looked to me like the entire panel was sanded. :think:
JuneBug said:
They are really nice! Super smooth - doesn't feel like you're driving an SUV, that's for sure. :2thumbs:
lostdaytomorrow
New member
Wow, close to being unbelievable.
Barry Theal
New member
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
Forza Auto Salon
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.
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.
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...
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.
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.
Anthony Orosco said:
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.
estcstm3 said:
estcstm3 said:
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...
estcstm3 said:
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.
Barry Theal said:
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.
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
Forza Auto Salon
buzzb said:
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.
Tru_Shine
New member
WOW!! I cant believe I just found this thread!! this is amazing! I cant wait to see more!!
not_a_virus.exe
New member
Yes, please keep us posted. This looks really awesome.
About 10 days ago I drove about 100 miles to have Integrity Detail apply the OptiCoat to my 1999 GS400. After he finished the application my car was in 95+ degree heat for maybe 1-2 hours before I picked it up and drove back to Nashville. About half way home I passed a semi that was spewing diesel fuel all over the road and it covered my car. I was freaking out thinking that diesel fuel was a solvent that might ruin my new OptiCoat treatment since it had not had 12 hours to fully cure. I called Chris and he told me to pull over asap and get a MF towel wet, wring it out, and lightly wipe off the diesel fuel the best I could. I did that and waited until the next morning and did an ONR wash. If my OptiCoat was compromised in anyway I sure can't tell it. It looks great, beads like nothing I have ever seen, and I am totally thrilled with the product. Although it has only been 10 days and 3 ONR washes I can tell you that all of the claims made on this site appear to be exactly what I have experienced to date.
Looks like I have lots of products I won't need for a few years.....LOL!
Looks like I have lots of products I won't need for a few years.....LOL!
not_a_virus.exe
New member
Okay, guys. Where can I get this stuff? Still not available to regular consumers?
RaskyR1
Rasky's Auto Detailing
not_a_virus.exe said:
I don't believe Optimum has any plans to make it available to the general public...having applied it myself now I can understand why.
RaskyR1 said:I don't believe Optimum has any plans to make it available to the general public...having applied it myself now I can understand why.
Correct, there is no plans in the future for the product to be available for the general public, there are just too many liability issues. This product is designed for professional application and does have a slight learning curve. If you are a detailing enthusiast without a business, I would contact a reputable detail shop and have them apply the coating for you.