OPTI-NEWS: Opti-Coat 2.0 is no longer available to the public. OCP is now the only Opti-Coat.

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Thomas Dekany said:
 What type of light would you like to see OCP's gloss under?
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I don't have to see it under any light. I've installed Opti-Coat for years as well as having installed a lot of OCP and been an authorized installer(and still am). I've seen OC2.0 and OCP under all lighting conditions I can think of and don't need anyone else to reinforce or realign what I already believe to be true through personal experience. 


My point was this. That lighting doesn't make for a quality argument of anything looking good because it makes just about anything look good. If you feel differently about my view of lighting, it's all good. We don't have to agree bro. Just expressing an unbias view of a specific aspect of an OCP gloss debate that is going on.


 


You've expressed certain feelings about CQuartz Finest in the past and I was curious how extensively you've used it Thomas. Have you experienced the product beyond your personal ride after the shelf life had expired? 
 
Thomas, any car in the garage will look good, even one that is all swirled up.  That pic proves nothing...ive taken before pics of cars prior to a 3 step correction and it looks glossy.


 


My biggest complaint is with OC not looking great...once applied, after 3 months, after one year...on wheels, who cares about the looks, you arent going to see a huge gloss factor on the wheel inners, and if that is a concern, I am not using OC.  I use it because it works pretty well as repelling brake dust, but so does 22PLE and ceramic pro and CQF, all of which LOOK better than OC, IMO!


 


I have OC'd my own car a while back, just the hood to test...didnt reduce the marring I was putting in compared to the fenders, and it waterspotted on me while the fenders didnt.  I cant tell you why, it just happened.  And YES, I applied it correctly and thick enough, and it sat outside for two days, with overnight inside the garage.


 


I have CQ'd about 60-70 cars at this point.  one stands out as having water spotting issues, but that was because while I told the guy to keep the car in the garage overnight, he didnt and it rained that night (within 4 hours after being applied).  Thats not a product issue, thats a user error issue.


 


Personal preference, but I dont like OC for anything but wheels...end of story.  You may not like CQ, but you have no seat time with it.  I dont like OC because I have used it and am not impressed.


 


And the Ceramic pro stuff is a PITA to apply, which is why I dont really like it. 


 


I did a 3 way comparison on my car with 22PLE, CQF, and CP...


best gloss - CQF


best scratch resistance - CP


best reflections - 22PLE
 
I've actually never had any issues with the looks of OCP (nor have my clients), or it's protection against bugs and bird poo. That being said, with a hard line on a solid black panel, it's a night and day between OCP and QCF. Now if you put two identical cars side by side, both polished to perfection and each coated with a different product, it would be harder to see the difference IMO. My issue with OCP is Optimum, not the product.


 


I will also add that after 2 years of having my car coated with OCP it was still swirl free, though I could see a noticeable difference in gloss after polishing a panel this spring to apply CQF. This was after washing, IronX, Tarminator, another wash, and claying. The amount of dirt or "brownness" on my white polishing pad was surprising. To be fair, I did neglect my paint over the last winter.


 


After having CQF on my car for several months I can say I enjoyed washing it much more, it looked better, had a slicker feel, and I like the way the water sheets away water better too. Unfortunately, I traded it in last week, but rest assured, my new ride will be getting CQF. ;)


 


A few of my repeat clients who've had me coat multiple cars have enjoyed Finest more too, not that they were disappointed with OCP. Their first car(s) had OCP and now they've tried having CQF applied to their newest cars after seeing it offered on my site and talking to me about it.


 


Here is an example


 


First car


http://www.autopia.org/forum/topic/122936-black-audi-a5-paint-correction-opti-guard-coating-raskys-auto-detailing/?hl=%2B2009+%2Bopti-coat


 


Second car


http://www.autopia.org/forum/topic/133224-2013-s5-paint-correction-and-cquartz-finest-application/


 


Owner email.


 
I saw someone ask for an Optimum Rep to look in on this thread, but I don't see any direct questions for me that weren't addressed by my other post. If I have overlooked some, please feel free to PM or email me at [email protected]
 
Envious Eric said:
Thomas, any car in the garage will look good, even one that is all swirled up.  That pic proves nothing...ive taken before pics of cars prior to a 3 step correction and it looks glossy.


 


My biggest complaint is with OC not looking great...once applied, after 3 months, after one year...on wheels, who cares about the looks, you arent going to see a huge gloss factor on the wheel inners, and if that is a concern, I am not using OC.  I use it because it works pretty well as repelling brake dust, but so does 22PLE and ceramic pro and CQF, all of which LOOK better than OC, IMO!


 


I have OC'd my own car a while back, just the hood to test...didnt reduce the marring I was putting in compared to the fenders, and it waterspotted on me while the fenders didnt.  I cant tell you why, it just happened.  And YES, I applied it correctly and thick enough, and it sat outside for two days, with overnight inside the garage.


 


I have CQ'd about 60-70 cars at this point.  one stands out as having water spotting issues, but that was because while I told the guy to keep the car in the garage overnight, he didnt and it rained that night (within 4 hours after being applied).  Thats not a product issue, thats a user error issue.


 


Personal preference, but I dont like OC for anything but wheels...end of story.  You may not like CQ, but you have no seat time with it.  I dont like OC because I have used it and am not impressed.


 


And the Ceramic pro stuff is a PITA to apply, which is why I dont really like it. 


 


I did a 3 way comparison on my car with 22PLE, CQF, and CP...


best gloss - CQF


best scratch resistance - CP


best reflections - 22PLE
Click to expand...


 


Reading replies like Chad's reply after yours is what makes me reply to you. Just because "YOU" are not impressed with the look, where others are, doesn't make it so. 


 


As far as photography, you must be a very good one, if you could take a picture of a swirled finish, that would look as good as the one I posted. The reason I posted it is because of your "opinion" of OC. 
 
exactly, its my opinion, as I stated in my post ;)


 


seems like there are a few who are in with the company or die hard optimum users here trying to defend optimum til the end. 


 


Doesnt matter to me if you like OC or CQF or CP or GT or 22 or whatever else...use what you like.  I was just stating I have had issues with OC and dont care for it.  Ive done comparisons with clients and let them choose, and none chose OC when I had it on my car as the "other" side looked better.  At the end of the day, after 10-15 hours of paint correction, its all about the final look for my clients.  They understand maintenance is required and I never sold them on a "one and done" coating


 


I agree with Chad...a side by side will show the difference better, but we can always look at two cars and say which one looks glossier, more reflective, dull, hazy, cloudy, wet, etc...
 
Thomas, I will say I agree with the others in that pictures are worthless when it comes to showing how good a coating, or any LSP looks. Lighting can drastically change how a car looks, and in the image you posted I feel it gives the paint an unnatural "electrical" look to it (My overhead shop lights can have a similar effect). I think some of the more advanced detailer/photographers know how to manipulate the light to get a more desirable look too. I bought a book a while ago on lighting, just haven't had time to go through it, but some of the examples they show are pretty amazing.
 
Envious Eric said:
exactly, its my opinion, as I stated in my post ;)


 


seems like there are a few who are in with the company or die hard optimum users here trying to defend optimum til the end. 


 


Doesnt matter to me if you like OC or CQF or CP or GT or 22 or whatever else...use what you like.  I was just stating I have had issues with OC and dont care for it.  Ive done comparisons with clients and let them choose, and none chose OC when I had it on my car as the "other" side looked better.  At the end of the day, after 10-15 hours of paint correction, its all about the final look for my clients.  They understand maintenance is required and I never sold them on a "one and done" coating


 


I agree with Chad...a side by side will show the difference better, but we can always look at two cars and say which one looks glossier, more reflective, dull, hazy, cloudy, wet, etc...
Click to expand...


 


Hi Eric,


I don't see you listed on the Optimum Authorized Installer's map...so, I was just wondering if you had experience with the consumer or the pro version or both...and from how long ago? Also, every installer I have spoken to (100+) finds Opti-Coat to have very high gloss and apply much easier and in less time/passes than any glass coating. Since you are in San Diego, I can set you up with a demo on proper application with Optimum's Western USA Regional Manager if you like. Also, those who have used Opti-Coat in past years may not realize that Optimum makes rolling changes and refinements without making major announcements...so, today's Opti-Coat Pro and the supplied Primer Polish actually produce a gorgeous unsupassed gloss while maintaining the durability that made OCP the ULTIMATE coating in the marketplace.
 
Thomas Dekany said:
 


As far as photography, you must be a very good one, if you could take a picture of a swirled finish, that would look as good as the one I posted.
Click to expand...



It's not that someone has to be awesome at photography Thomas and I am not picking on you or drawing a line in the sand. But lighting and angles plays a huge role in how paint looks. Someone posted this on a website and I thought it is funny but still a truism: http://imgur.com/a/cm2AK
 
Envious Eric said:
exactly, its my opinion, as I stated in my post ;)


 


seems like there are a few who are in with the company or die hard optimum users here trying to defend optimum til the end. 


 


Doesnt matter to me if you like OC or CQF or CP or GT or 22 or whatever else...use what you like.  I was just stating I have had issues with OC and dont care for it.  Ive done comparisons with clients and let them choose, and none chose OC when I had it on my car as the "other" side looked better.  At the end of the day, after 10-15 hours of paint correction, its all about the final look for my clients.  They understand maintenance is required and I never sold them on a "one and done" coating


 


I agree with Chad...a side by side will show the difference better, but we can always look at two cars and say which one looks glossier, more reflective, dull, hazy, cloudy, wet, etc...
Click to expand...


 


When I find another coating, that is easier to use and looks better, I'll use it. So you may think that I am a die hard fan. On the other hand, if I listen to your opinion (and I respect it) there is no way in hell that Optimum's Opti Coat would have achieved the success  it enjoys today. If the product looked dull, it would have been discontinued a long time ago because it would have never sold.


 


Here is the front of the van done with Ceramic pro (hood and fender)


 


_3220003.jpg by savingspaces33, on Flickr


 


Here is CQP over the whole car


 


_B200012-2 by savingspaces33, on Flickr
 
RaskyR1 said:
Thomas, I will say I agree with the others in that pictures are worthless when it comes to showing how good a coating, or any LSP looks. Lighting can drastically change how a car looks, and in the image you posted I feel it gives the paint an unnatural "electrical" look to it (My overhead shop lights can have a similar effect). I think some of the more advanced detailer/photographers know how to manipulate the light to get a more desirable look too. I bought a book a while ago on lighting, just haven't had time to go through it, but some of the examples they show are pretty amazing.
Click to expand...


 


Chad, it was nearly midnight, I had to get the hell out of there pronto - I am just happy the owner let me take a few.
 
Earl E Byrd said:
Maybe if Mr. DeKany, pulled the car straight in. We all could see it in a better light ..... B)
Click to expand...


 


I try not to drive the cars I work on, but this angle gave us more space to work with so the owner pulled it in crooked for me.  :D
 
Detailed Designs Auto Spa said:
It's not that someone has to be awesome at photography Thomas and I am not picking on you or drawing a line in the sand. But lighting and angles plays a huge role in how paint looks. Someone posted this on a website and I thought it is funny but still a truism: http://imgur.com/a/cm2AK
Click to expand...


 


Photography is my hobby, so I know a little about lighting. You are still missing the point though. OC doesn't dull the finish. It was nearly midnight, the customer was ok with me taking a few quick shots. So i put the tripod down and took several pictures in a hurry. 
 
Thomas Dekany said:
Chad, it was nearly midnight, I had to get the hell out of there pronto - I am just happy the owner let me take a few.
Click to expand...


I wasn't busting your chops or anything. ;)
 
Chris Thomas said:
Hi Eric,


I don't see you listed on the Optimum Authorized Installer's map...so, I was just wondering if you had experience with the consumer or the pro version or both...and from how long ago? Also, every installer I have spoken to (100+) finds Opti-Coat to have very high gloss and apply much easier and in less time/passes than any glass coating. Since you are in San Diego, I can set you up with a demo on proper application with Optimum's Western USA Regional Manager if you like. Also, those who have used Opti-Coat in past years may not realize that Optimum makes rolling changes and refinements without making major announcements...so, today's Opti-Coat Pro and the supplied Primer Polish actually produce a gorgeous unsupassed gloss while maintaining the durability that made OCP the ULTIMATE coating in the marketplace.
Click to expand...


 


I am going to sound like a fanboy, but the Primer Polish that came in the friday before the price increase with my 40cc OCP, is really amazing looking. What ever David did, is working.
 
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