Protecting New Paint

[Rob_R]

Hi guys,
I have started to make formal contact with both companies that apply opticoat and ventureshield. I have received prices for both but the question of 'can both be applied' is still to be confirmed. The company that applies opticoat is going to contact the U.S guru on the matter. As soon as I know more I will update here even if for only interest sake.
I have been invited to the workshop where opticoat is applied which should be interesting. Alot of exotic cars go through their workshop. He also supplied me with many links to a 'detailers forum' of his work that he has done. Have seen pics of a white R36 before and after shots of having opticoat applied and I never thought a white car could look so good.

Anyway I will update soon I hope.

[Corey_R]

I have been invited to the workshop where opticoat is applied which should be interesting. Alot of exotic cars go through their workshop. He also supplied me with many links to a 'detailers forum' of his work that he has done. Have seen pics of a white R36 before and after shots of having opticoat applied and I never thought a white car could look so good.

I'm not sure that the "after shot" has anything to do with the Opti-coat, but more to do with the fact that the car has been detailed and prepared properly. Even the manufacturer of Opti-coat doesn't tout it as being a product which makes your car look awesome! It's benefit is to keep the car cleaner and less prone to swirls, scratches and contaminents etc.

How good it will look afterwards is determined by the effort they put into preparing the car prior to Opti-coat, and then probably the effort you go into applying a sealant or wax over it... (unless you've got money to burn and get them to do that for you too!)

[Rob_R]

I'm not sure that the "after shot" has anything to do with the Opti-coat, but more to do with the fact that the car has been detailed and prepared properly. Even the manufacturer of Opti-coat doesn't tout it as being a product which makes your car look awesome! It's benefit is to keep the car cleaner and less prone to swirls, scratches and contaminents etc.

How good it will look afterwards is determined by the effort they put into preparing the car prior to Opti-coat, and then probably the effort you go into applying a sealant or wax over it... (unless you've got money to burn and get them to do that for you too!)

Well it has everything to do with it. Point being Opticoat does not and should not be applied unless the proper prep work is carried out. Opticoat basically traps in all the hard work that goes into getting the paint work near perfect. Opticoat helps to keep the car looking awesome. Assumed people would know that paint work needs to be prepped first. Appears I was a little clumsy in my statement. The point of mentioning the white R36 was because of my surprise that a white car could look so good when given such TLC.

[Corey_R]

Yes, I understand.
My point was... if the car had the same work done, but DID NOT have the Opti-coat applied, it'd look the same in the after photos!

Granted, after 3 months, it'll look better if the Opti-coat was applied

[Rob_R]

Yes, I understand.
My point was... if the car had the same work done, but DID NOT have the Opti-coat applied, it'd look the same in the after photos!

Granted, after 3 months, it'll look better if the Opti-coat was applied

Yep totally agree on all counts. With a little TLC a properly prepped paint work with Opticoat is less work to maintain long term. Wax job is all part of the package that he has offered me so not a case of money to burn. The only extra option is to have the inside of the rims done. I will still need to take care of the duco as per normal. I'll be taking it back once a year for a surface checkup and detail.
btw, they will need my car for two days and apply two coats.

[fuzion]

On a broader scale comment however, how many products are actually nano based, acrylic, polymer and really how do they actually last.

If you are required to return for "check up" and "reapplication" would this not mean that the product of choice would last approx 12 months? or even 24 months? Or would this be the warrant some companies choose to "suck you in" for re-application as you have not followed their "guideline" on how to care for your vehicle with "their products" and you may of "removed" some of "the product" and it requires a quick "Reapplication".

I find it all very suspicious if you ask me.. Nanolex, G'Techniq, G'Zox, Pika, few products out there are genuine Nano Based and claim only what they can do. 1-2 years depending which end of the product line you have gone too.

But you now mention wax. Wax is not the same as the sealant as you have mentioned so what, he is adding a wax coat over the coat of opti-coat? And why when you search opti-coat on the biggest detailing forum in the world (detailing world uk) you only find spam and no substantial evidence on how long the product actually lasts so im a bit confused too what is real and what is marketing.

brumue did his Golf R in White with Nanolex on some thread, the high reflectivity and glassy/wet look off the white looks brilliant. Saying this yes it was a new car but it was still prepared by him correctly before applying the product himself.

So my question is, what kind of product is it? how long does it genuinely last? As other brands just say " wash with a pH neutral wash" and it will last "x" time.

Each to their own, but marketing does amazing things to peoples thoughts! Next they'll claim it'll add a "micron" to your paint ... lol

[Corey_R]

Hey fuzion.

Opti-coat is from the company Optimum. I'm sure you're familiar with the company, because CCP sell their products.

Opti-coat is not a sealant. It's a lacquer which is claimed to last as long as your factory clear coat would last. The only way to remove it is to perform an abrasive machine polish to cut it off.

The "yearly maintenance" is not to reapply it. Optimum have told me that their customers asked for a warranty scheme to be provided, and so they decided to provide a "Lifetime Warranty" for new cars, or "5 Year Warranty" for used cars, on the condition that the owner brings the car back for a yearly "detail".

I have been informed that the yearly detail consists of the dealer performing a regular paint treatment routine (claying, non-abrasive polish etc) to ensure that long-term contaminents do not erode the finish. If they find that there is a panel with significant areas of damage to the surface from contaminents etc, then they customer can ask them to machine polish the Opti-coat off that panel and reapply it. The customer pays for the labour involved.

In other words, the "yearly maintenance" is to ensure that the car is being properly maintained in order for Optimum to provide the warranty. You can elect not to obtain the warranty and then just take care of the car yourself...

[fuzion]

Hey fuzion.

Opti-coat is from the company Optimum. I'm sure you're familiar with the company, because CCP sell their products.

Opti-coat is not a sealant. It's a lacquer which is claimed to last as long as your factory clear coat would last. The only way to remove it is to perform an abrasive machine polish to cut it off.

The "yearly maintenance" is not to reapply it. Optimum have told me that their customers asked for a warranty scheme to be provided, and so they decided to provide a "Lifetime Warranty" for new cars, or "5 Year Warranty" for used cars, on the condition that the owner brings the car back for a yearly "detail".

I have been informed that the yearly detail consists of the dealer performing a regular paint treatment routine (claying, non-abrasive polish etc) to ensure that long-term contaminents do not erode the finish. If they find that there is a panel with significant areas of damage to the surface from contaminents etc, then they customer can ask them to machine polish the Opti-coat off that panel and reapply it. The customer pays for the labour involved.

In other words, the "yearly maintenance" is to ensure that the car is being properly maintained in order for Optimum to provide the warranty. You can elect not to obtain the warranty and then just take care of the car yourself...

Corey, thanks for the reply.

Logically though. Anything that will leave a "physical coat" it would then leave a micron of coating on your paint as they are claiming its almost like a clear coat basically. So then you would be able to get a paint thickness gauge and see what "Extra" layer it would leave if it would be like a clear coat it should be between 5-15 micron thick.

Paintwork cover excludes damage or detoriation due to factors that are uncontrollable by Zen Automotive Suppliers Pty Ltd such as; bird droppings, insect impacts and remains, tree sap, scratching, hazing or marring of the finish caused by manual automatic wash brushes, dirt and/or abrasive clothes and/or wash mitts, contamined or worn sponges and/or drying cloths, use of leather chamois drying cloths, untreated areas due accident damage and/or subsequent repairs, damage caused by stone chips, other such materials and fair wear and tear.

I am very confused by the above statement taken from the warranty papers to are you even allowed to wash, physically touch, or even drive the car full stop as it is very broad to cover themselves from any issues about the product/longevity etc!

[Corey_R]

Logically though. Anything that will leave a "physical coat" it would then leave a micron of coating on your paint as they are claiming its almost like a clear coat basically. So then you would be able to get a paint thickness gauge and see what "Extra" layer it would leave if it would be like a clear coat it should be between 5-15 micron thick.

Correct, they call it an "aftermarket clear coat". It's claim is that it's much harder than the relatively soft factory clear coat, and also that it's hydrophobic etc (that part is easy to see based on the people here who have had it done). It should be able to be measured. However, it is claimd to be about 2 microns thick.

When I spoke to managing director of Zen Automotive he said that Opti-coat could be sprayed on the car like a traditional factory clear coat, but it would be cost prohibitive to most. So to make it commercially viable it is wiped on in a small area at a time so that it goes on to be approximately 2 microns thick.


It would be interesting for someone to independently measure it to determine whether it meets those claims or not.

[fuzion]

Tonight is a vwgolfnet meet up .. if someone has it ill check on the paint gauge :p

So if you have a car with ceramic clear, would then this be needed?

And any product can be "sprayed" on for that matter. Its all about mixture and temperatures to be applied on. I would love to see how many "microns" it adds to a clear coat as im doubtful it would.. beyond doubtful LOL.

[Corey_R]

If you are so skeptical about the companies claims... why do you stock their (other) products?

[fuzion]

If you are so skeptical about the companies claims... why do you stock their (other) products?

CCP Doesnt? I Think previously they had.

Every brand has their followers of what their favourites are and also i think in every brand from anything from such as car parts there are good and 'alright' bits and pieces in each brandline..

Skeptical more so from what the warranty says. It basically almost tells you that you can't even wash the car!

[Rob_R]

If the likes of Opticoat were in the hands of the general public you'll have alot of disgruntled customers because alot of people (not all) think they are experts in all things. If opticoat application is mucked up then good luck to them trying to correct it in their garage at home.

Each to their own what they choose to do to their car. Some people think they can get something done to their paint job, do stuff all to take care of it then complain or can the product because their car no longer looks as good as they expected down the track. This is why it has a recommended yearly checkup etc. as already mentioned in earlier post. Some products are also cost prohibitive to sell direct to the public. Opticoat tube 40ml cost $200 from what I have been told.

And I have discussed thickness test with the detailer and we are going to do a before and after test. Should be interesting.

Long term only those who choose to use the product will be qualified to make any positive or negative comments about it, short and long term !!

I'm not selling a product here. Just sharing what and how I will protect my paintwork. Maybe or maybe not of interest to others.

[D3bb4]

since when is a 2k factory paint job soft? it isnt acrylic...

[Corey_R]

CCP Doesnt? I Think previously they had.

Yeah. They still list 6 products, although all but 1 are "currently unavailable"...

since when is a 2k factory paint job soft? it isnt acrylic...

Have you ever washed your car? Got swirl marks? It's soft