CQuartz UK vs Opti-Coat 2.0 for Black Cars

[The Critic]

I have two cars that I will be polishing soon. Both cars are black-colored and have fairly soft paint.

After polishing, I had originally planned to apply Opti-Coat 2.0. But after some thought, it occurred to me that these cars will require re-polishing after 1-2 years. This is due to the soft paint and the dark color -- it is simply unrealistic to expect these cars to be immune from light wash swirls.

Given the circumstances, I do not find the durability of Opti-Coat 2.0 to be a good fit. Since I will be re-polishing again in a year or two, these cars are better suited for the CarPro's Cquartz UK product. This way, I can have significantly better gloss and slickness, which are two attributes that Opti-Coat lacks.

What do you guys think?

 

[swanicyouth]

I use OC and am very happy with it. If you need to re-polish in years - just re-apply the OC again at that time. However, I'm sure CQ is a great product, as all things CarPro. The thing is, OC can be washed with any soap or strong solution once it's cured. You don't need to use Reload with OC. While OC is a bit more costly, it's not a significant amount. My guess is slickness of any coating is temporary at best.

Or, if you want slick and future re-applications - get the Pinnacle coating. You get multiple applications in a bottle.

 

[The Critic]

I use OC and am very happy with it. If you need to re-polish in years - just re-apply the OC again at that time. However, I'm sure CQ is a great product, as all things CarPro. The thing is, OC can be washed with any soap or strong solution once it's cured. You don't need to use Reload with OC. While OC is a bit more costly, it's not a significant amount. My guess is slickness of any coating is temporary at best.

Or, if you want slick and future re-applications - get the Pinnacle coating. You get multiple applications in a bottle.

I have plenty of Opti-Coat 2.0 -- cost is not the issue. It's probably cheaper for me to use what I have already.

My understanding is that the slickness stays with Cquartz -- can anyone confirm?

In addition, polishing through Opti-Coat is easier said than done. It definitely adds an extra step to the process and makes the job a lot harder. I am also under the impression that Cquartz just fades away after a certain point and will not need to be compounded off -- is this correct?

 

[BlkHemiLTD]

It sounds like your assuming the soft paint will swirl "after" the opti-coat install.... Once opti coat is on there it is protecting the soft paint from swirling. Opti coat cures to a 9H hardness so you should be worried about the characteristics of the coatings not the soft paint that will be "under" them.

 

[TroyScherer]

Both options are good. I have OC on my black truck and it makes cleaning it quicker. But OC is not a force filed from swirls. They will happen. But when I polish it I will be removing OC not the clear coat. Then I can re-apply another layer and make a thicker coating. Because you just need to remove the swirls and re-coat; not remove the coating. (According to Chris@Opti)

I have CQUK on our Jetta now and like it very much. It looks good and is slick. The beading and sheeting is nice as well. You can use Hydro2 as the top up product so you don’t have to touch the paint more than necessary. It really come down to what coating you have and decide to use. Both are better than a wax IMO.

It sounds like your assuming the soft paint will swirl "after" the opti-coat install.... Once opti coat is on there it is protecting the soft paint from swirling. Opti coat cures to a 9H hardness so you should be worried about the characteristics of the coatings not the soft paint that will be "under" them.

The 9H you are quote is not fully correct. Yes the coating “can” reach 9H but only on certain substrates. The softer the substrate the softer the coating will ultimately be. By what you’re saying OC would make soft BMW Black as hard as Corvette paint. OC will help prevent swirls better on soft paint than the original clear coat, but it is not the miracle product some make it out to be. Also 9H means almost nothing in reality. Soft black Honda paint swirls and scratches, as does rock hard Corvette paint. What makes the most difference in my experience is how the coatings releases dirt and how slick it is when washing.

 

[Mike@DedicatedPerfection]

The 9H you are quote is not fully correct. Yes the coating “can” reach 9H but only on certain substrates. The softer the substrate the softer the coating will ultimately be. By what you’re saying OC would make soft BMW Black as hard as Corvette paint. OC will help prevent swirls better on soft paint than the original clear coat, but it is not the miracle product some make it out to be. Also 9H means almost nothing in reality. Soft black Honda paint swirls and scratches, as does rock hard Corvette paint. What makes the most difference in my experience is how the coatings releases dirt and how slick it is when washing.

Very accurate assessment Troy. I agree.

 

[octane]

It sounds like your assuming the soft paint will swirl "after" the opti-coat install.... Once opti coat is on there it is protecting the soft paint from swirling. Opti coat cures to a 9H hardness so you should be worried about the characteristics of the coatings not the soft paint that will be "under" them.

by experience on my soft toyota black paint, panels with OC2.0 swirl the same as panels with nothing but sealant on them... even after it's fully cured!

 

[The Critic]

It sounds like your assuming the soft paint will swirl "after" the opti-coat install.... Once opti coat is on there it is protecting the soft paint from swirling. Opti coat cures to a 9H hardness so you should be worried about the characteristics of the coatings not the soft paint that will be "under" them.

by experience on my soft toyota black paint, panels with OC2.0 swirl the same as panels with nothing but sealant on them... even after it's fully cured!

+1. I have 2.0 on my grey Toyota and it swirls up easier than bare paint alone.

 

[Old Tiger]

I have plenty of Opti-Coat 2.0 -- cost is not the issue. It's probably cheaper for me to use what I have already.

No, anding is that the slickness stays with Cquartz -- can anyone confirm?

In addition, polishing through Opti-Coat is easier said than done. It definitely adds an extra sticture:ep to the process and makes the job a lot harder. I am also under the impression that Cquartz just fades away after a certain point and will not need to be compounded off -- is this correct?

either will need compounding. ReLoad or SONAX Polymer Net Shield will enhance the slickness and gloss of either OC or CQ-UK.

 

[The Critic]

either will need compounding. ReLoad or SONAX Polymer Net Shield will enhance the slickness and gloss of either OC or CQ-UK.

I'm hesitant to use Reload on OC. I tried hydro2 and it lasted 1 wash, so it was a real waste of money.

CQuartz needing to be compounded off is news to me. Did Corey post this somewhere? Thanks.

 

[swanicyouth]

I like OC with Sonax Brilliant Shine - insane beading and once and done. If you need to polish, just apply more OC.

I dunno about coatings with a "life span". However, if if trust anyone it would be CarPro.

 

[BlkHemiLTD]

The 9H you are quote is not fully correct. Yes the coating “can” reach 9H but only on certain substrates. The softer the substrate the softer the coating will ultimately be. By what you’re saying OC would make soft BMW Black as hard as Corvette paint. OC will help prevent swirls better on soft paint than the original clear coat, but it is not the miracle product some make it out to be. Also 9H means almost nothing in reality. Soft black Honda paint swirls and scratches, as does rock hard Corvette paint. What makes the most difference in my experience is how the coatings releases dirt and how slick it is when washing.

Which substrates can it reach 9H then? What does it reach on soft vs hard paint?

I did not say the BMW Corvette thing.... I quoted optimums own site obviously.

Yes it will prevent swirls better than the original clear is really my only point... that the characteristics of the coating will be more a factor then what the original paint was.

In reality 9H means they tried to scratch it with a really hard pencil and it didnt scratch. A stupid test? Maybe but its still comparative. I bet the same test on soft clear wouldnt be 9H.

Yes, I agree all paint will scratch and so do coatings.

For those who think the coating scratches easier???? That just doesnt make logical sense to me seeing as opti coat is based on SiC which is hard enough to cut glass. But I would definitly like to see that test done and proven somehow.

https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/anecdotal

 

[The Critic]

For those who think the coating scratches easier???? That just doesnt make logical sense to me seeing as opti coat is based on SiC which is hard enough to cut glass. But I would definitly like to see that test done and proven somehow.

https://yourlogicalfallacyis.com/anecdotal

My own car has been coated with OC 2.0 since Sept.

To date, I find that it's still easier to leave swirls on the car compared to when it was wearing just a normal sealant.

The only logical explanation is that the coating has not fully cured, and is therefore, soft and prone to imperfections.

 

[BlkHemiLTD]

Maybe it hasn't but thats my point, without some sort of valid test these experiences are just that. Experiences without proof of why that happened. No doubt you applied Opti-Coat and I don't doubt it is for some reason scratching just as easy for you but without knowing why this is happening I would not condemn opti coat or its ability to harden to a level above your soft clear coat.