How to Care for Opticoat (and prevent swirls)

iamalexander408

iamalexander408

New member
Hello,

I'm new around here and JSmooth is going to be treating my car with Opticoat Pro! I have a 2013 Honda Accord Sedan Black and at the moment I have PermaPlate and after a few months the swirls is getting pretty bad on it. The car is 11 months old and I wanted to give it something better. I saw OptiCoat Pro was a solution. But I have a few questions,

1. How effective is it to not get swirls from non Opticoat Pro and a regular sealant?

2. I've heard if you take care of your car you can reduce swirls, what's the best method? I wash my car every Sunday once a week.

3. Some people have rules for example, don't use quik detailing sprays, quick wax sprays, no california dusters, no squegee, and no car covers?

4. Can an OptiCoat pro ever fade away, I know they say lifetime but is that really true?

5. I'm planning to go on a road trip for 6 hours, is it ok to put Blue Tape for those 6 hour drive? I would take it off right after.

I'll probably have more questions as people answer :]
 
iamalexander408 said:
Hello,

I'm new around here and JSmooth is going to be treating my car with Opticoat Pro! I have a 2013 Honda Accord Sedan Black and at the moment I have PermaPlate and after a few months the swirls is getting pretty bad on it. The car is 11 months old and I wanted to give it something better. I saw OptiCoat Pro was a solution. But I have a few questions,

1. How effective is it to not get swirls from non Opticoat Pro and a regular sealant?

It is Much more Mar / swirl resistant. I have OC 2.0 on 2 cars and they are still perfect almost 2 years later. Keep in mind, these cars are hand washed using 2 bucket method and either MF or Lamb skin wash media.

2. I've heard if you take care of your car you can reduce swirls, what's the best method? I wash my car every Sunday once a week.

Use 2 bucket Method, with grit guards, and proper wash media. Rinse the wash media in the water only bucket before you re-dip into the soap.
3. Some people have rules for example, don't use quik detailing sprays, quick wax sprays, no california dusters, no squegee, and no car covers?

On black I would not use California duster, squeegee or a car cover. They can all scratch. I do not use a QD to dry bc my cars are coated. I blow off excess water with a master blaster and blot the rest.
4. Can an OptiCoat pro ever fade away, I know they say lifetime but is that really true?

Nothing lasts forever, what I think you read was it is a permanent coating. Even factory clear can wear off. OC is the most durable, proven coating on the market currently.
5. I'm planning to go on a road trip for 6 hours, is it ok to put Blue Tape for those 6 hour drive? I would take it off right after.

I would use the low tack blue painters tape and you should be fine. The hotter the temp is the more of a chance you will have glue transfer. That is better than a chip however:)

I'll probably have more questions as people answer :]
Click to expand...

Hope that helps
 
Alexander -
If you are going this far to take care of your paint, a ClearBra would make more sense than that ugly blue tape and as already been said, there is a good chance to get paint transfer on your paint... I would never do this or recommend this...

I also have Opti-Coat Pro on 3 vehicles going on 3 years and it is still there, no swirls, extremely glossy, the product repels most dirt, so the vehicle stays cleaner, its much easier to wash, and best of all, its Black.... :)

Get Joseph to see about getting you a ClearBra.. He can apply the Opti-Coat to the top of it and it will help... My ClearBra on my Grand Cherokee has taken some big hits of things that totally protected the paint...

Good luck with your project !
Dan F
 
Thanks for all the tips! I'm looking into the MasterBlaster and it seems like that's a totally great way to care for your car and not scratch while drying. Is that one of the best route to go if you wanna care for a car while drying after washing? I might pick one up myself. I wonder if I would have to use a towel to dry the car if maybe this blower will get rid of it all?

I would get a ClearBra but I only drive to SoCal twice a year and in the future not take my Accord. It's just a temporary thing so would blue tape be ok? I don't plan to drive in the afternoon to LA and it's just a morning drive so it should be ok right? 6 hour trip hopefully won't seap into the sealant!

Thanks again everyone!
 
iamalexander408 said:
Hello,

I'm new around here and JSmooth is going to be treating my car with Opticoat Pro! I have a 2013 Honda Accord Sedan Black and at the moment I have PermaPlate and after a few months the swirls is getting pretty bad on it. The car is 11 months old and I wanted to give it something better. I saw OptiCoat Pro was a solution. But I have a few questions,

1. How effective is it to not get swirls from non Opticoat Pro and a regular sealant?
Click to expand...

It adds swirl resistance, not swirl prevention! Proper wash techniques are key!!!

2. I've heard if you take care of your car you can reduce swirls, what's the best method? I wash my car every Sunday once a week.
Click to expand...

Use the two-bucket method, outlined here: Autopia-CarCare How-To Guides: How To Wash Your Car

3. Some people have rules for example, don't use quik detailing sprays, quick wax sprays, no california dusters, no squegee, and no car covers?
Click to expand...

You can use a QD spray, but use Optimum Instant Gloss Enhancer. I would recommend sticking with Optimum for all your exterior needs - Optimum Shampoo, QD, Spray Wax (if desired). Optimum No Rinse & Shine is a great way to wash an OptiCoated car..

4. Can an OptiCoat pro ever fade away, I know they say lifetime but is that really true?
Click to expand...

Yes

5. I'm planning to go on a road trip for 6 hours, is it ok to put Blue Tape for those 6 hour drive? I would take it off right after.

I'll probably have more questions as people answer :]
Click to expand...

Yes, but use low tac tape and make sure the OptiCoat has had a week to cure after application.
 
iamalexander408 said:
Thanks for all the tips! I'm looking into the MasterBlaster and it seems like that's a totally great way to care for your car and not scratch while drying. Is that one of the best route to go if you wanna care for a car while drying after washing? I might pick one up myself. I wonder if I would have to use a towel to dry the car if maybe this blower will get rid of it all?

I would get a ClearBra but I only drive to SoCal twice a year and in the future not take my Accord. It's just a temporary thing so would blue tape be ok? I don't plan to drive in the afternoon to LA and it's just a morning drive so it should be ok right? 6 hour trip hopefully won't seap into the sealant!

Thanks again everyone!
Click to expand...


Yes, the Master Blaster is great but you will still need a towel for the small droplets. Give a Cobra Guzzler a try for a drying towel.
 
Thanks for all the help! Also what do you think of the foam blaster, would it help aid in washing the car so it provides more lubricant during the wash? I think a foam blaster and Master Blaster mix would be really great with the OptiCoat. Have any recommendation on a good air blower, I'm not looking into spending over $100 on just something for my car only weekly?
 
I have had good durability of my OC2.0 by spraying rinseless in a garden sprayer and then doing a Gary dean rinseless with 8 pristine MF 560 gsm towels....and duragloss rinseless...
 
I think I've established how I'll wash the car!

~~~

AR Blue Clean AR383 1,900 PSI 1.5 GPM 14 Amp Electric Pressure Washer
Professional Foam Lance Adjustable with 32 oz. Bottle
Chemical Guys GlossWorkz Shampoo
Carpro Wash mitt 100% Merino wool Safely Remove Dirt

Two Bucket Method too!

I'll use the pressure washer with the foam blaster, with Chemical Guys shampoo and get some foaming before using my mitt from eBay that's 100% wool. They say the GlossWorkz shampoo looks best with the OptiCoat.

~~~

Toro 51585 Power Sweep 7 amp 2-Speed Electric Blower
DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel

Sheeting Method too!

Once I'm done rinsing the car, I'll use the sheeting method, use my trusty leaf blower, and then get all the tiny spots with the Microfiber Towel.

~~~

How's that sound? :D
 
Sounds like a solid plan. Just be sure to rinse the wash mitt often. This is very important in a flat black car.

When I had my black infiniti, it really needed to be careful on the paint. It was very frustrating. Once the car is OC'd it will be less prone to marring.

iamalexander408 said:
I think I've established how I'll wash the car!

~~~

AR Blue Clean AR383 1,900 PSI 1.5 GPM 14 Amp Electric Pressure Washer
Professional Foam Lance Adjustable with 32 oz. Bottle
Chemical Guys GlossWorkz Shampoo
Carpro Wash mitt 100% Merino wool Safely Remove Dirt

Two Bucket Method too!

I'll use the pressure washer with the foam blaster, with Chemical Guys shampoo and get some foaming before using my mitt from eBay that's 100% wool. They say the GlossWorkz shampoo looks best with the OptiCoat.

~~~

Toro 51585 Power Sweep 7 amp 2-Speed Electric Blower
DI Microfiber Waffle Weave Drying Towel

Sheeting Method too!

Once I'm done rinsing the car, I'll use the sheeting method, use my trusty leaf blower, and then get all the tiny spots with the Microfiber Towel.

~~~

How's that sound? :D
Click to expand...
 
While it is great that you are already planning the post-OCP care for your car, keep in mind that it is NOT going to stay swirl free for years.

Opticoat Pro will pick up swirls in the same way as normal clear, but since it is harder, it will be less prone to marring and swirls.

However, keep in mind that a coat of opticoat on soft paint will not turn it into rock-hard VW paint.

I would be quite surprised if the car stayed completely swirl free after six months. Judging from your experience so far, this is probably very soft paint; OCP is definitely going to help, but I would not plan on a day/night difference.

Don't let this sway you away from getting OC Pro or from taking extra care while washing, but just keep your expectations realistic so you won't be disappointed.
 
The Critic said:
Opticoat Pro will pick up swirls in the same way as normal clear, but since it is harder, it will be less prone to marring and swirls.

I would be quite surprised if the car stayed completely swirl free after six months. Judging from your experience so far, this is probably very soft paint; OCP is definitely going to help, but I would not plan on a day/night difference.

Don't let this sway you away from getting OC Pro or from taking extra care while washing, but just keep your expectations realistic so you won't be disappointed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for letting me know! I'll keep in mind about how OCP will develop some sort of swirl in the future. I hope that me trying to do a good wash will make it last much longer. I'll be sure to have a good conversation with Joe after I pick up my car to know all the details on how to do a good wash. I am really excited to go from a swirled up car to a swirl free one. I see the swirl in the sun right now and it's been 11 months of me not exactly using the right methods washing it.

I'll make sure to do the two buckets correctly (which I haven't) and also not quick detail the car everyday while there's dust/dirt on the paint. :wall
 
The Critic said:
While it is great that you are already planning the post-OCP care for your car, keep in mind that it is NOT going to stay swirl free for years.

Opticoat Pro will pick up swirls in the same way as normal clear, but since it is harder, it will be less prone to marring and swirls.

However, keep in mind that a coat of opticoat on soft paint will not turn it into rock-hard VW paint.

I would be quite surprised if the car stayed completely swirl free after six months. Judging from your experience so far, this is probably very soft paint; OCP is definitely going to help, but I would not plan on a day/night difference.

Don't let this sway you away from getting OC Pro or from taking extra care while washing, but just keep your expectations realistic so you won't be disappointed.
Click to expand...

If swirls happen down the road, could a mild polish and soft pad be used to remove some swirls without removing the OC? Maybe something like Menz SF4500 (PO85RD), or perhaps Optimum recommends something, like their Hyper Spray Polish (I checked their literature, couldn't find anything)?
 
chet31 said:
If swirls happen down the road, could a mild polish and soft pad be used to remove some swirls without removing the OC? Maybe something like Menz SF4500 (PO85RD), or perhaps Optimum recommends something, like their Hyper Spray Polish (I checked their literature, couldn't find anything)?
Click to expand...

In theory it's possible, but it's definitely very easy to polish thru any coating.

I have not polished OCP, but it only took 2 passes with HD Adapt/Orange pad at low speed to break through OC 2.0.

I would not bother correcting OCP. Keep it in the best shape possible and plan on getting it re-done once it gets too swirled up for your taste.
 
Coatings can't be polished with any polish that has any abrasives in it...period. Despite manufacturers claims of incredible hardness qualities, coatings are easily polished off with even the finest of finishing polishes.

Perhaps a non abrasive cleaner like a coating prep product would be suitable to spruce it up...and even then I'd apply it by hand.
 
The Critic said:
In theory it's possible, but it's definitely very easy to polish thru any coating.

I have not polished OCP, but it only took 2 passes with HD Adapt/Orange pad at low speed to break through OC 2.0.

I would not bother correcting OCP. Keep it in the best shape possible and plan on getting it re-done once it gets too swirled up for your taste.
Click to expand...

silverfox said:
Coatings can't be polished with any polish that has any abrasives in it...period. Despite manufacturers claims of incredible hardness qualities, coatings are easily polished off with even the finest of finishing polishes.

Perhaps a non abrasive cleaner like a coating prep product would be suitable to spruce it up...and even then I'd apply it by hand.
Click to expand...

OK thanks, that gives me an idea of what I'm dealing with.
 
silverfox said:
Coatings can't be polished with any polish that has any abrasives in it...period. Despite manufacturers claims of incredible hardness qualities, coatings are easily polished off with even the finest of finishing polishes.

Perhaps a non abrasive cleaner like a coating prep product would be suitable to spruce it up...and even then I'd apply it by hand.
Click to expand...

Do you have any proof of this? I have tested polishing effects and have noticed quite the opposite.
 
^ Whatever coating was used in that thread, unfortunately we don't know what it is, is proving to be a real bear to remove. Maybe some coatings can be polished. I look at it this way. If my OC 2.0 gets badly swirled, I will try to lightly polish it. I may be able to polish it, I may not (the coating may come off) - either way it will tell me something
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top