Thinking of doing my first Opti-Coat

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mcpp66

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I'm thinking of applying Opti-Coat to my black Camaro. I've never used Opti-Coat before so I don't know if it would be smart of me to make that the first car I try this on. If it's truly as simple as everyone says it is then I'm thinking it shouldn't be an issue. What do you guys think? Should I go for it or play it safe and learn the product on a different car?
 
I'm also afraid to do it because my garage is very dusty. I'd hate for dust to settle on my car and the become part of the finish while the Opti-Coat is drying. Is it safe to apply it outdoors? In the sun?
 
I wouldn't apply anything in the sun. The sun and heat will make it flash too fast.
 
Don't be afraid of it, just read up on some of the tips that have been shared, and work carefully and you won't run into any issues. The OC flashes very quickly.
 
loudog2 said:
I wouldn't apply anything in the sun. The sun and heat will make it flash too fast.
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Yeah, you're right. I'm still a little nervous about doing this for the first time on my Camaro. I should probably try this on something else first.
 
mcpp66 said:
I'm also afraid to do it because my garage is very dusty. I'd hate for dust to settle on my car and the become part of the finish while the Opti-Coat is drying. Is it safe to apply it outdoors? In the sun?
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Most normal garages are dusty to a certain degree and mines no exception. Occasionally, I'll take an air gun or leaf blower and knock allot of the dust down then vacuum it up.

Is there something in particular that makes your garage extremely dusty? Are their doors on it? If you feel comfortable applying it outside I would think once you dusted the garage you'd be one up on mother nature.

I think as long as the surface is cool and in the shade, applying outdoors shouldn't be a problem. I'm not sure about direct sun so to error on the side of caution I wouldn't.
 
BobbyG said:
Most normal garages are dusty to a certain degree and mines no exception. Occasionally, I'll take an air gun or leaf blower and knock allot of the dust down then vacuum it up.

Is there something in particular that makes your garage extremely dusty? Are their doors on it? If you feel comfortable applying it outside I would think once you dusted the garage you'd be one up on mother nature.

I think as long as the surface is cool and in the shade, applying outdoors shouldn't be a problem. I'm not sure about direct sun so to error on the side of caution I wouldn't.
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In Chris' video it looked like his car was outdoors, but in the shade.
 
Whatever you do don't try to apply OC in the sun. Take your time and keep an eye on it from every angle.

As I have spent more time with OC and CQ I have found OC to be my favorite of the two. It's a very very deep product. By deep I mean unique in its depth of properties. It's like how far down the rabbit hole would you like to go? Im the MAN
When I first applied it full instruction was not available. Since then I have learned the best way to apply is as if you are using a wowa sealant. (Thanks Chris) Now I can apply it much faster than many other LSP products (taking into account the fact I don't have to buff it off.) OC flashes very fast. The last time I applied it I was fetting flash and invisibility within 30 seconds or less if I recall correctly. I've been meaning to post my personal latest views of these coatings which includes what I just wrote but haven't had the chance. I'll post a video in the next day or two of the fast flashing I got on my last application. Heat and humidity play a big part in how fast it flashes.

Good luck

FYI: those directions on the AG store website are outdated ime. Depending on the conditions you need to check sooner than 5 minutes and I would apply like a wowa sealant rather than the front to back and side to side method it mentions there. You can finish with that direction but I wouldn't only do that. I believe Bill had good results front to back and side to side though.
 
BobbyG said:
Products need to be tailored for ease of use otherwise sales would tank in a hurry. The directions seem to be pretty straight forward so I think if you take your time you'll be fine...

Optimum Opti-Coat 2.0 Permanent Paint Coating FREE BONUS
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:iagree:

I was worried about dust as well because I live in a very windy area so I opted to apply it in the garage. If your car is black you can see the flashing/application much more easier than a white/beige/silver car. Just use a compressor to blow out dust. PS: I applied Opti-Coat to my car the first time I handled it with no practice. So you can do it and its easy to correct. :)
 
hose your garage out the night before and open your garage door 1 hour before you do the IPA wipedown
 
Been there. I would recommend practicing on another car first. Secondly apply it with a microfiber applicator pad, not the tiny foam pad that comes with it. Do it outside on a calm day. I would never do it in a garage because you have about five minutes or less to wipe areas that do not flash off and you will never see the unflashed areas unless you have it outside in natural light. I can't stress that enough. Shop lights don't cut it. Have a microfiber towel and wipe areas that don't flash off with a light swipe. You will love this stuff.
 
silverfox said:
Been there. I would recommend practicing on another car first. Secondly apply it with a microfiber applicator pad, not the tiny foam pad that comes with it. Do it outside on a calm day. I would never do it in a garage because you have about five minutes or less to wipe areas that do not flash off and you will never see the unflashed areas unless you have it outside in natural light. I can't stress that enough. Shop lights don't cut it. Have a microfiber towel and wipe areas that don't flash off with a light swipe. You will love this stuff.
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Great advice!! I don't use the mf towel though. If I get one here or there I just touch up the non-flashed spot with the foam applicator. Still great to have on hand in case it works better for you.
 
mcpp66 said:
In Chris' video it looked like his car was outdoors, but in the shade.
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I would say don't be afraid. I was somewhat intimidated going into my first application (this past weeked) based on what I had read on the forums but I found the product VERY easy to use. I would apply it outside if possible. I was able to do all parts of the car outside except for the passenger door (had to clean it). It was WAY easier to apply outside. I did it during sundown so it wasn't in the direct sun yet there was ample light to get the job done.

As I noted in the review forum, just go for it. Take your time, apply to one panel and then another. When done with the second panel, go back to the first to check for any streaks. Keep working all around the car like this. It spreads on very thin.

I used the sponge applicator for everything (applying the product and knocking down high spots) similar to chris@optimum. Others prefer to use a MF to knock down the high spots, it all just comes down to what you like better as either way works.

As for testing on a different car first: I don't think there is a need to if you just take your time and triple check everything for high spots. However, some prefer to test it first and I certainly understand that.

I am still very green at car detailing so others advice may be better, but this is just what I have experienced after using it on my wife's car. It's a great product and not nearly as difficult to apply as it might seem by reading some of the reviews/complaints.
 
CEE DOG said:
Great advice!! I don't use the mf towel though. If I get one here or there I just touch up the non-flashed spot with the foam applicator. Still great to have on hand in case it works better for you.
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Corey, how long are you waiting before going back and touching up the high spots with the applicator? Granted I'm using Opti-Guard, but every time I've tried it that way it ends up making it look worse as the coating is still tacky and the only way I've been able to fix it is to go back over the whole panel and hit it quick with a MF towel.
 
RaskyR1 said:
Corey, how long are you waiting before going back and touching up the high spots with the applicator? Granted I'm using Opti-Guard, but every time I've tried it that way it ends up making it look worse as the coating is still tacky and the only way I've been able to fix it is to go back over the whole panel and hit it quick with a MF towel.
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Well, I did this the last two times I used it and it was flashing almost immediately so my wait time was measured in seconds. I would apply, look, and then if a spot wasn't gone within 30 seconds (Im guessing) I would hit it with the applicator.

It's good that you bring this up because I suppose a distinction should be made between a high spot and what I was seeing when it flashed like that. The high spot wasn't hardened at all in my case so maybe thats the difference?
 
CEE DOG said:
Well, I did this the last two times I used it and it was flashing almost immediately so my wait time was measured in seconds. I would apply, look, and then if a spot wasn't gone within 30 seconds (Im guessing) I would hit it with the applicator.

It's good that you bring this up because I suppose a distinction should be made between a high spot and what I was seeing when it flashed like that. The high spot wasn't hardened at all in my case so maybe thats the difference?
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I'm going to have to try the 2.0 then and compare. My best results have come from just hitting them lightly with a towel after a few seconds. My first go at the airbrush was not so good either. :D I need to dial it in better as it's putting down way to much product.
 
I've applied options coat to a couple cars and it is very simple. Do one panel at a time, artery a couple minutes lightly wipe off excess areas of options coat that haven't flashed off on its own. Don't worry about dust because the options coat flashes so fast, dust landing on it isn't a problem.
Just make sure you use proper lighting and remove any spots that haven't flashed. Do not apply in the sun.

To see what the so called "high spots" are, you see here: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/35657-jeep-patriot-opti-coat-2-0-a.html
 
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