Old Pirate
AMG Classic Car Detailing
To the OP, a great detailer in the Dallas area would be Nick's Custom Detailing, call him and say I send you and he'll will take care of your ride for you.
Polishing Opti-Coat? Frustrated!
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Reflectiveauto
New member
Welcome..Optic Coat or Optic Gard is not the fix all sealant that people acts like it is.
You really paid $1k for the Optic Coat? I only charge my clients sealant application of the NanoSkin Shield $150. Will you pay for my vacation also?
You really paid $1000 for Optic Coat?..
CH.Detailing
What's a detail?
Depending on the prep and process required for the application, a grand certainly isn't out of the ballpark.
Reflectiveauto
New member
Im not talking about the prep process before applying the Opt-Coat...Im asking if the Opti-Coat alone was $1000 on top of that detail.
Todd@RUPES
Just a regular guy
We do not allow member bashing on AutopiaForums... Your questioning of the OP and what he is willing to pay could be written in a much more constructive fashion without the sarcastic overtone.
I regularly charge between 900-1200 for Opti-Coat and a 2 step polishing process, and I am well aware of detailers who charge more. You may be limited by your geographical location or your mindset, but the number the OP posted, in my opinion, is not extraordinary.
We value all opinions on this forum, but I would ask that you share them in a more constructive manner.
Rocket
New member
No offense but OC and OG are in a completely different league than Nanoskin. OC/OG require more cleaning and prep work before being applied. It's a lot more labor intensive than a regular sealant. What he paid is not uncommon or unreasonable for our area or the work involved
Reflectiveauto
New member
It was not meant to come across as that...I was just surpised that all. I need to start charging more for my sealant plan.
Reflectiveauto
New member
So please explain..what is your process before applying OC/OS? I always do a Stage 4 detail then use the Nanoskin Shield as a LSP.
CH.Detailing
What's a detail?
Whats a Stage 4 detail?
Paul Sparks
New member
I 2nd what Angelo has said. Nick Chapman is the best in that area hands down. :bigups
Rocket
New member
I like to get the finish as close to flawless as I can safely. Since OC/OG are permanent coatings you are really locking in the finish that you have so it needs to look good. OC/OG require a CLEAN surface to allow it to bond so I have to ensure I remove all of the polishing oils and any fillers that might be left on the paint. I have been using CarPro Eraser with good results. I usually clean the panel 2-3 times to make sure I haven't missed a spot. When applying the coating you need to make sure you don't have any high spots on the panel. If you allow the high spots to cure you will need to polish them out. If you see them before they cure you can wipe them with a microfiber to level them out. I rather spend extra time inspecting the panel while I'm coating than having to level the spots later by polishing. Hopefully this is what you were asking about and I was able to answer.
Sorry to the OP for getting the thread off course.
Nth Degree
New member
My $.02:
I will just agree with the many posts here that OC is not a magic force field. Cost to apply it is often high, not because of the product itself, but the prep work that goes into it.
One thing I haven't noticed anyone mention is that this is a black vehicle. Black is not a color, but a part time job. Even OC isn't going to keep it looking perfect. My personal preference is to not use OC on a black vehicle for the reasons that caused the OP to post in the first place. So much work to make it perfect, then not wanting to undo that work to take care of small imperfections. I always make sure a customer with a black vehicle wanting OC is fully aware of what to expect. My most recent one was a new black mini-van. I made the exception because the customer did not expect perfection, wanted the durability and ease of maintenance, and already has a good understanding of how to safely maintain it.
I think it is very important that detailers make sure their customers fully understand the pros and cons of OC/OG beforehand.
I will just agree with the many posts here that OC is not a magic force field. Cost to apply it is often high, not because of the product itself, but the prep work that goes into it.
One thing I haven't noticed anyone mention is that this is a black vehicle. Black is not a color, but a part time job. Even OC isn't going to keep it looking perfect. My personal preference is to not use OC on a black vehicle for the reasons that caused the OP to post in the first place. So much work to make it perfect, then not wanting to undo that work to take care of small imperfections. I always make sure a customer with a black vehicle wanting OC is fully aware of what to expect. My most recent one was a new black mini-van. I made the exception because the customer did not expect perfection, wanted the durability and ease of maintenance, and already has a good understanding of how to safely maintain it.
I think it is very important that detailers make sure their customers fully understand the pros and cons of OC/OG beforehand.
Woob
New member
Yes most issues with OC from DIY installs are either #1 it doesn't react hydrophobic ally like other mainstream sealants and #2 OC doesn't wow them like other coatings.
Wait 6 months, then see the dirt shedding factor and overall appearance of the vehicle. Wait another year then you'll wonder what other products on the market mimic its performance. Yes it costs more money, however you make up for it with the less need to do AIO polishes/corrections in that time period.
Wait 6 months, then see the dirt shedding factor and overall appearance of the vehicle. Wait another year then you'll wonder what other products on the market mimic its performance. Yes it costs more money, however you make up for it with the less need to do AIO polishes/corrections in that time period.