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

tssdetailing said:
David,

I have a handful of maintenance customers that I've put OG and OC2 on. I've noticed that a few of them are in need of a claybarring some 8-12 months later. Does this sound about right?
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That jives with my experience. Of course it depends on how the car is cared for/area the person parks in etc...but ya, 12 months some of them pick up a little contamination. It clays away pretty easily, though (ime).
 
Sorry for taking my sweet ole time posting my final synopsis of Opti-Coat, but life has been out of control with my recent job transfer and being up to my ears in work. The video I took was also too large to load up to Photo Bucket so I had to wait for a friend to shrink it for this to be possible. Regardless, I kept this vehicle for just about 2 years and as a recap this is what was done during this time period:





  • - ½ of vehicle (driver’s side) was coated with Opti-Coat. This included the Paint, Textured Trim & Wheels

    [*]- Weekly (usually) washed with heavy dilution of Dawn dish detergent (w/ excessive dwell time).

    [*]- Monthly washed through harsh touchless car washes

    [*]- Hood wetsanded to fully remove factory orange peel (and UV)

    [*]- Hot S. Florida environment

    [*]- Not garage kept

    [*]- Engine runs 7-8 hours per day, 5 days per week (hood gets pretty hot)





Here’s a video I took on my way to turning this car into the local Ford dealership to pick up my new one. Sorry for the unsteadiness of the camera (phone) as well as several attempts to wipe down the lens wetness. It should have several interesting moments all the way up to the ending. Please stay tuned the whole way though. Play close attention to the way that the soap in the pre-soak gets repelled as well as during the final rinse stage.





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As expected, Opti-Coat held up extremely well on all the surfaces. Even the glass! Dawn(and touchless washes) not only didn’t destroy my paint and/or trim from constant use, but did not harm the coating in any way either. All the trim was like new w/o any signs of premature failure or wear. After approximately 6 months, the coating did get worn off of the treated side of the windshield from wiper abrasion. The areas that did not come in contact with the wipers were still holding up excellent. No premature paint failure noted to any section of the hood panel even though extensive amounts of clear were removed. I’ve even tried harsh cleaners such as APC, Wheel Acid and Water Spot Removers and nothing did any harm to the coating.



All in all, Opti-Coat is one heck of a product and doubt any other protection product can match its effectiveness! I highly recommend this treatment for all vehicles (new and old) as well as anyone wanting a true sacrificial barrier for their finish. Paint prep is critical to the longevity of the coating so having a reputable paint enhancement technician doing the application is the key to your success. As the old saying goes: “The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low cost disappears� & “You get what you pay for� are both great sayings that can be exemplified by who you choose to apply this product for you.
 
Thanks for the follow up David! Several of my clients have told me on a few occasions now just how much they love this stuff! :xyxthumbs
 
ONLY David Fermani would enter a wash bay while in use to capture first hand footage of this coating....that is like going into a bear den just to take photos of the cubs for us nature lovers! ;)



Thanks for the update!



Cheers,

GREG
 
Thanks for the update David. No doubt, its the real deal. The most amazing thing about Opticoat besides the durability is the fact that nothing stick to it. Not needing a dedicated tar remover is amazing.
 
Dan said:
Thanks for the update David. No doubt, its the real deal. The most amazing thing about Opticoat besides the durability is the fact that nothing stick to it. Not needing a dedicated tar remover is amazing.
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I've been really pleased with it on my own cars and customers cars as well. While the durability aspect is amazing, what sometimes gets lost in the discussion is how good it looks. Every customer whose vehicle I've used it on that is aware of it through internet forums had commented on how great the shine is, and most of them have said the durability gets so much play they weren't really expecting to be so blown away by the way it looks.
 
You can definitely see the difference on the hood and decklid panels. Very impressive.



How would you guys rate the look?
 
Awesome David, but make sure you leave a business card in the glove box. The first time the next owner washes his car he'll be like " ***!!" LOL THanks for the update!
 
David, thanks for the Vid

Picus, thanks for the reply



usdm said:
You can definitely see the difference on the hood and decklid panels. Very impressive.



How would you guys rate the look?
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I think it looks better on metallic cars as opposed to solid gloss cars.
 
usdm said:
You can definitely see the difference on the hood and decklid panels. Very impressive.



How would you guys rate the look?
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Scottwax said:
It has a clear, wet glossy look.
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Exactly how I would describe it. I just applied to a jet black porsche today - very glossy, very wet, makes the clear look thick...All my clients have been really happy with the look.
 
Well, I guess Ive put it off long enough. Time to get me some of that. Got a car coming next week that could benefit from it.



Does anyone know if this can resist the damage done by tunnel washes?
 
usdm said:
Well, I guess Ive put it off long enough. Time to get me some of that. Got a car coming next week that could benefit from it.



Does anyone know if this can resist the damage done by tunnel washes?
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It can probably resist damage better than traditional sealants/waxes, but if it's a wash with brushes or "soft cloth" it is abrading the surface, meaning it will probably eventually abrade away the coating.
 
The thing that makes me sad is the brochure still attached to the rear window where it claims $1560 per year based on $2.60 a gallon...:(
 
If someone was to use this on a car that had minor wash marring, would it lock in the marring or fill it in?



What if the car had heavy swirls? Would they be locked in or would the look of the swirls be improved?
 
Locked in.



BluBrett said:
If someone was to use this on a car that had minor wash marring, would it lock in the marring or fill it in?



What if the car had heavy swirls? Would they be locked in or would the look of the swirls be improved?
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usdm said:
Well, I guess Ive put it off long enough. Time to get me some of that. Got a car coming next week that could benefit from it.



Does anyone know if this can resist the damage done by tunnel washes?
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it cannot. I was told by the manufacturer' rep:



"{car wash scrubbers} have to get through the Opti Coat to get to the paint so depending on how deep they are, most light swirling should remain in the Opti Coat layer. Think of I as a sacrificial layer with customers who use that type of wash. Most detailers remove paint when compounding and polishing. At least with an application of Opti Coat, you are adding some clear/thickness back."
 
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