Polishing Opti-Coat 2.0

[chris03tl]

I think you have the right idea. I can't tell if the sheeting/pooling action is because of residual oils. Classically oils would be hydrophobic and also bead but if other solvents are used they may have hydrophillic properties. Cleaning with Dawn would get you down to either clear coat or Opticoat, but ultimately it sounds as if you may have to re coat the panel, unfortunately. Perhaps your detailer would redo the coat?



I am curious:



How would the professionals reading this thread respond to a customer with such a concern?

Ive been in contact with my detailer about my concerns. He agrees that they are valid, but his opinion is that he didnt want to re-wash the whole car after polishing (vs spraying each panel with PrepSol and wiping) at risk of introducing marring that would be "locked in" with the OptiCoat. I disagreed with that assessment, because Id prefer the OptiCoat bond well even if some marring happened to be introduced vs. no introduced marring but also possibly no protection at all on the paint.



I just ordered a bottle of Griots Paint Prep, which I will use after polishing the panel(s) that may need recoating....that in conjunction with a complete dawn wash and air dry (blower, whatever) should keep marring to a minimum and give me a really clean base for the OptiCoat.

 

[Chris@Optimum]

I'm a member here too if you guys have any specific questions and yes Dr G and I confer on subjects that come up on the forums almost daily.



Barry, LT will not remove it and yes you need to try some. Even if you only used it on wheels, it's amazing.



As far as making a product to remove it, it becomes part of the finish by a covalent bond so you have remove it abrasively.

 

[imported_Picus]

Seriously? I need to call Dr G. tomarrow and get my hands on some. What about gasolene? Yea yea yea I know gasolene on paint? Yuppers it was a great tar remover in the day!!!!

Gas won't remove OC, ask me how I know.



RE: the op; I've polished OC coated vehicles with light combos like 106ff/8rd/uno on finishing pads and they don't seem to effect it at all. I did need to remove some from a window and used 105 on an orange LC pad, and it seemed to remove it (as in, beading/sheeting were absolutely non existent after several passes with water/apc).



FWIW, a little OT but worth mentioning, don't use chemicals that will stain paint on OC coated surfaces, you'll stain the OC. I know it seems fairly common sense, but it's worth mentioning since one of my clients let some lacquer thinner dry on his paint (coated with OC) and was surprised that it stained the OC.