Opti-Glass application video and long-term comparo vs Carpro Flyby30

Jean-Claude

Jean-Claude

Keeper of the beautiful
I've had Flyby30 installed on my truck since 1/15/13 and just received a sample of the Opti-Glass coating. I decided to do a head to head comparo. The passenger side has flyby30 installed and the driver side now has Opti-Glass. The Flyby30 has a 7 day advance on installation and should be noted moving forward.



The Opti-Glass has a different application process. Like Opti-Guard, it has a very limited work time. Opti-Guard gives us about 5 minutes after applying before requiring leveling/dry buffing. Opti-Glass has 60 seconds before you must buff off the residue. It was emphasized that you really don't want to leave it on too long. My plan was to work in smaller areas so that there was not an opportunity for it to set up too fast.



Full disclosure: I applied 2 coats of the flyby30 and did the same with the Opti-Glass. What you're seeing in the video is the second application. Though, it applied the same the first time around.



My process for the application was to tape off one side and remove the flyby30 from one of the sides. I used polish and a microfiber towel to remove the flyby30 and followed up with an IPA wipedown. I spritzed water on both sides and confirmed that all of the flyby30 was removed from the side the Opti-Glass went on. While the side with the flyby30 had water beading, the other side showed signs of absolutely no coatings. The water sat all nice and ugly like you're used to on untreated glass.



I believe a major factor to consider will be the cost. Carpro's flyby30 is supposed to last 6~9 months and if I heard correct, Opti-Glass is more of a 2~3 year coating. We will have to see where the Opti-Glass lands price-wise before the professional detailer sees how it fits into his services. **edit** Retail version will be $79.99 and will be advertised to last up to 1 year. The professional-only version will last up to 3 years at a cost of $100. Both will come in 60ml syringes.**edit**



The video of the application: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ftDdO51wYr0&feature=youtu.be



I will follow up with more information as it becomes available during the comparo.



Follow up: http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-de...-www-detaileddesignsauto-com.html#post1535276
 
Great review! Is the Opti-Glass available for sale? I have not seen it on AG. I'm looking forward to using this product as an add-on service.
 
IHA Mark said:
Great review! Is the Opti-Glass available for sale? I have not seen it on AG. I'm looking forward to using this product as an add-on service.
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Iirc, it is coming out in like 3~4 weeks?
 
Nice video of the application JC. Personally I would wear some gloves...



Its nice to see that Opti-Glass does not have to be worked into the glass like the Wolf's Glass Guard.



Is it possible you can get us some water action shots with a pressure washer or hose when you have time?
 
gmblack3 said:
Nice video of the application JC. Personally I would wear some gloves...



Its nice to see that Opti-Glass does not have to be worked into the glass like the Wolf's Glass Guard.



Is it possible you can get us some water action shots with a pressure washer or hose when you have time?
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In hindsight, it would be wise to wear gloves. It sets up really fast and while it does not bond to your skin like crazy glue, you can see it. It was cleaned off easy enough.



Application is 10x better than Wolf's imho. When buffing off any residue, it's the equivalent to buffing Powerlock off of paint. Super easy stuff. But really, it would not be fair to compair it to anything until we get a price point on the coating.



Wrapping up on a big job today but if we finish early enough, I will get some video and post it up this evening.
 
Jean-Claude said:
We will have to see where the Opti-Glass lands price-wise before the professional detailer sees how it fits into his services. **edit** Retail version will be $79.99 and will be advertised to last up to 1 year. The professional-only version will last up to 3 years at a cost of $100. Both will come in 60ml syringes.**edit**
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Any estimates how many windshields we can expect to get from 60ml?
 
gmblack3 said:
Any estimates how many windshields we can expect to get from 60ml?
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My opinion would be to put a little in a spray bottle('ala how they sent it to me and is shown in the video) and apply to an application pad. I believe using a syringe will mean a good bit of wasted product. Spraying it on, based on how little I had to use this one time, maybe use up 3~4ml per car? They did not suggest to me how many ml they believe should be used per application. So based off of feel, which of course is very subjective, 3~4ml sounds right.



Really, I after trying this product in a spray bottle and seeing how little was needed to fully soak a pad makes me want to try applying Opti-Guard via a spray bottle to see if a more even dispersion can be achieved with less product.
 
I would be curious if the tried and true Aquapel was used as the *benchmark*, then the 2 products, and then not only durability but also how the water beads on each respective.



Or is Aquapel just too outdated to even be a contender...
 
gmblack3 said:
Any estimates how many windshields we can expect to get from 60ml?
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Just talked to David about it today, don't know much about it since I haven't tested it. He says you should be able to get several applications out of a 60 ml syringe. Enterprise has been participating in testing and using Opti-Glass has greatly reduced windshield chips. Before using it, they were having issues with about 15% of the windshields in a given month. On the test cars, no rock chips so far. I don't know how long the test has been going on though.



If that is the case, it will be a great add on service here. Pretty much every freeway is under construction through the next 3-4 years and we have gravel trucks running up and down the freeways constantly.



If you can get 6 applications, that's about $13 worth of product per windshield (retail version) and it looks to be a less than 10 minute application (maybe 20 if you polish the glass first). I figure if you can keep the price in the $50-60 range ($65-75 for the pro version) that's a nice profit for 10-20 minutes of work. Probably one of those things that if you price it too high not many will be interested.
 
After a few days with it, I can say without a doubt that Opti-Glass is amazing. Video will be up in a few days.
 
I was wondering what the benefits are between Opti Guard and Opti Glass. Don't they do much the same thing since OG can be used on glass?
 
Alfisti said:
I was wondering what the benefits are between Opti Guard and Opti Glass. Don't they do much the same thing since OG can be used on glass?
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Opti-Guard is not designed to cope with the abrasive nature of wiper blades and the weather seals on the side windows. Opti-Glass is formulated specifically for those conditions.
 
Jean-Claude said:
Optimum Opti-Glass vs Carpro Flyby30 Water Shedding - YouTube



From the video you'll see the obvious differences in the two different products. Flyby30 sheets really nicely and opti-glass does an amazing job shedding with beads.



When I can drive in some heavy downfalls I will give more feedback.
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Opti-glass looks really good and flyby30 does not look that good at all.



If I may here is a quick video of Wolf's glass guard at 1 month. Not as nice as the opti-glass, but better then the flyby30 IMO:



http://youtu.be/uqDU54BMnAQ



I gave my truck a new application of glass guard the other day. I'll try and do a video tomorrow.
 
After having the products on my windshield for just over a month and almost a month I have a little feedback.



In terms of performance at any speed, they act differently. The Opti-Glass beads and the flyby30 sheets.



The following bit will be with the idea of not turning on the wiper blades in mind. Turning on the blades sort of negates the point, though there are moments when it just makes sense to flip a single pass of the blades on.



Most of the time, I prefer how the Opti-Glass works. There are moments when having a windshield full of micro-beads gets to be too much and I prefer how the flyby30 works. This tends to be in light mists at slower speeds. This area is also where it makes the most sense to flip on the wipers for a moment.



The Opti-Glass begins to reject standing water overall faster than the flyby30. When traveling at highway speeds, I like the Opti-Glass better. The flyby30 is superior to nothing, but the Opti-Glass takes things up a step beyond the flyby30. There really is not much of a comparison between the two. The Opti-Glass outright performs better in most all situations.



With that said, there is definitely a sweet spot for the flyby30 in my opinion as a professional. The flyby30 fills in a void in the market. Per application, it is very cheap. It can be applied very fast and if given the 12 hours to cure(no rain, washing, ect.) it's a no-brain application. Flyby30 is substantially easier to apply than the Opti-Guard.



I would suggest only professionals, individuals who have experience with other Opti-coatings and individuals who would like to begin using Opti-coatings on a regular basis apply the Opti-Glass. With only 60 seconds before the coating sets, there is no room for error in application. Opti-Glass is substantially more expensive. Sure you get a nice size syringe that will do many applications, but if you are not using it a lot, like a professional service, you will be sitting expensive product on your shelf for 1~3 years.



For the car enthusiast that is looking for a good solution that is affordable from a good company, the flyby30 is a great fit. You will need to apply it more often. But the trade off is ease of application and an almost nonexistent chance as generating extra work applying incorrectly. Oh yeah, and the small sizes available and low upfront cost.



Bottom line, they are both nice products. I will be keeping some of each on hand. I will keep the flyby30 available to customers at a price of $45. The Opti-Glass PRO will be an add on service probably at a $225 price. There is definitely room for both products in the market.
 
Thanks for taking the time to post this review. I am looking forward to having OGlass around.



How are we supposed to differentiate O-Glass and O-Guard with abbreviations now? Lol...
 
Well, there is no Opti Guard anymore :D





Rcrew said:
Thanks for taking the time to post this review. I am looking forward to having OGlass around.



How are we supposed to differentiate O-Glass and O-Guard with abbreviations now? Lol...
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