Need help choosing a Coating for my BMW

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Hokie335i

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Hey guys,
So I've had interest from customers about using coatings on their cars. I don't use anything on a customer's car that I haven't tested myself so I'm going to apply a coating to my car first. My car is a 2007 BMW 335i in Jet Black. It will be fully polished and detailed beforehand. I am eager to try the coatings since I've read good things about them but definitely need to test them and my application skills before applying them to a high end sports car haha.

I need some help deciding which coating to use on my car. I ordered the Opti-Coat 2.0 after it was announced that it was being discontinued since I never had a chance to try it out. I also ordered the CQuartz UK edition since it was on sale for a good price from CarPro-us.

Which should I try on my BMW, Opti-Coat 2.0 or CQuartz? Any input or tips for application are greatly appreciated!
 
Cquartz UK
Gtechniq C1+ 2 coats of EXO
Gtechniq EXO
Pinnacle Black Label
 
So far, my only coating experience is with CQuartzUK. It's pretty darn simple - IF you have good lighting and are careful about making sure to get it wiped down properly to avoid high spots. My first time I might have ended up needing to take some SF4500 to a few spots... :doh:

Ones I plan to try in the future include Gyeon, 22ple, and GTechniq.
 
Evan.J said:
Cquartz UK
Gtechniq C1+ 2 coats of EXO
Gtechniq EXO
Pinnacle Black Label
Click to expand...

Thanks but I mean I have ordered both the Opti-Coat 2.0 and CQuartz already and I'm trying to choose between those two
 
If it's something you're looking to offer, I would go with CQuartzUK, since you won't be able to offer OC2.0 for clients.
 
RevitalizeAutoSpa said:
So far, my only coating experience is with CQuartzUK. It's pretty darn simple - IF you have good lighting and are careful about making sure to get it wiped down properly to avoid high spots. My first time I might have ended up needing to take some SF4500 to a few spots... :doh:

Ones I plan to try in the future include Gyeon, 22ple, and GTechniq.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. My dad works for an LED company so our garage is loaded up with LED lights so lighting is good! :xyxthumbs:
 
Hokie335i said:
Hey guys,
So I've had interest from customers about using coatings on their cars. I don't use anything on a customer's car that I haven't tested myself so I'm going to apply a coating to my car first. My car is a 2007 BMW 335i in Jet Black. It will be fully polished and detailed beforehand. I am eager to try the coatings since I've read good things about them but definitely need to test them and my application skills before applying them to a high end sports car haha.

I need some help deciding which to use on my car. I ordered the Opti-Coat 2.0 after it was announced that it was being discontinued since I never had a chance to try it out. I also ordered the CQuartz UK edition since it was on sale for a good price from CarPro-us.

Which should I try on my BMW? Any input or tips for application are greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...

I have used PBL paint coating on my jet black BMW. I love the crystal clear pop it provides. Below are two reviews I put together on them.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ct-review-pinnacle-paint-coating-synergy.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/82129-product-review-pbl-maintenance-3-way.html
 
RevitalizeAutoSpa said:
If it's something you're looking to offer, I would go with CQuartzUK, since you won't be able to offer OC2.0 for clients.
Click to expand...

Good point. I was hoping to just get some experience applying the coatings. I know they're all pretty durable from what I've read and the research I've done
 
Hokie335i said:
Sounds good. My dad works for an LED company so our garage is loaded up with LED lights so lighting is good! :xyxthumbs:
Click to expand...

Good deal. Unlike with correction, I've noticed that it's best to have a good even, diffuse light source for coatings. Spots don't help nearly as much. Even a few T8s in my garage are good enough.

Hokie335i said:
Good point. I was hoping to just get some experience applying the coatings. I know they're all pretty durable from what I've read and the research I've done
Click to expand...

Slow and steady wins the race with CQuartzUK. Making sure you're nice and methodical is key. I typically cross-hatch, and go over it one or two more times afterwards to make sure it's nice and flat, and no spots got missed. When I've had problems getting it to wipe off (smeary, etc.) it seems to be because I either didn't work it in enough, or didn't let it flash long enough.
 
RevitalizeAutoSpa said:
Good deal. Unlike with correction, I've noticed that it's best to have a good even, diffuse light source for coatings. Spots don't help nearly as much. Even a few T8s in my garage are good enough.



Slow and steady wins the race with CQuartzUK. Making sure you're nice and methodical is key. I typically cross-hatch, and go over it one or two more times afterwards to make sure it's nice and flat, and no spots got missed. When I've had problems getting it to wipe off (smeary, etc.) it seems to be because I either didn't work it in enough, or didn't let it flash long enough.
Click to expand...

I'll keep the method for application in mind thanks! As for the lights, they are diffuse, not cheap individual led lights. Since my dad works for Cree, our house is outfitted with almost every light they offer haha. He also has some tradeshow light boards which are very helpful for moving around the car!

Anyways, after thinking about it, I think I'll just go with the CQuartz on my car. Seems easier to apply and level out.
 
I have experience with Gtechniq C1/EXO, 22PLE, Permanon Platinum, and PBL DPC.

I highly recommend Gtechniq C1/EXO and 22PLE. The C1/EXO combination is very beautiful, mildly scratch resistant and offers incredible slickness. I think 22PLE offers more gloss than the C1/EXO combo, but that may be just my memory fading or possibly because my ability to correct, polish and jewel has improved. 22PLE is a bit "grabby" when compared to C1/EXO, but that goes away if you top 22PLE with Carpro Reload or Gtechniq C1.5.

Incidentally, I hear Gtechniq C1.5 is the same thing as Permanon Platinum, so it's not a true coating, rather a hybrid sealant I guess. I wasn't fond of Permanon because of that, and it really lasted only about 2 months.

I personally was not satisfied with PBL DPC, although may have been. I thought it offered great up front depth of gloss and hydrophobicity, but that deteriorated rather quickly over my 6m trial. I documented my experience, but the thread deteriorated with a lot of speculation and it was eventually closed and deleted.

I have a strong desire to try out CQuartzUK and the new Opticoat, but I'm running out of cars since this is just a hobby of mine.
 
Out of the two you stated, go with the CQuartzUK.
1. They dont make OC 2.0 any more
2. CQuartz on black should give you amazing results.
3. When in doubt, read 1 & 2.

I also have experience with GTechniq and I like the the C1/ExoV2 stack.

HUMP
 
I've used both 2.0 and UK, and contaminates and road grime are far more easily released by UK. There's no comparison.

Save the 2.0 for wheels -- that's where it really shines.
 
The Critic said:
I've used both 2.0 and UK, and contaminates and road grime are far more easily released by UK. There's no comparison.

Save the 2.0 for wheels -- that's where it really shines.
Click to expand...


That's great advice. I'll do that. I recently got a set of avant garde M359 wheels on my BMW so using OC 2.0 on them would work. Can Opti coat be saved? As in can I use it for my wheels then put the plug back in the syringe and save for later?
 
Hokie335i said:
That's great advice. I'll do that. I recently got a set of avant garde M359 wheels on my BMW so using OC 2.0 on them would work. Can Opti coat be saved? As in can I use it for my wheels then put the plug back in the syringe and save for later?
Click to expand...

Yes, unlike UK, 2.0 has an indefinite shelf life if you keep it sealed up tightly.

Hokie335i said:
I'll keep the method for application in mind thanks! As for the lights, they are diffuse, not cheap individual led lights. Since my dad works for Cree, our house is outfitted with almost every light they offer haha. He also has some tradeshow light boards which are very helpful for moving around the car!

Anyways, after thinking about it, I think I'll just go with the CQuartz on my car. Seems easier to apply and level out.
Click to expand...

Follow this video on the application process, or else you'll get major streaks in hot weather:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rAM78oDffM
 
Thanks! Is there an ideal temp/humidity range to apply CQuartz?
 
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