Is layering opti-coat worth it?

Of course lifetime depends on environment. You guys in the US suffer failure dramatically more than we do in the UK. Where you guys can have catastrophic failure, we rarely see anything more than very localised degradation.
 
I think what the manufactures mean by "Lifetime Protection" is the average lenght of time people hang unto their cars (5 years)
 
WRXINXS said:
Great info guys thanks! Does it actually get that much thicker if you layer it? I have a sunday driver that I am getting a layer of 2.0 and was just wondering if it would really be worth it to get the detailer to add a second coat or if I should just stick with one coat.
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Drew, the other thing to consider that if you are in fact getting OG and not OC, OG is a thicker coat than OC is. Doubling OC might be roughly equivalent to an OG coat.
 
richy said:
Drew, the other thing to consider that if you are in fact getting OG and not OC, OG is a thicker coat than OC is. Doubling OC might be roughly equivalent to an OG coat.
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Oh boy, I wish you hadn't said that. I think we're going to be back to a (justifiable?) discussion about OC vs. OG, or I guess that will be OC vs. OC Pro now.
 
Flash Gordon said:
What is OC pro?
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Ok Flash, I know you know this, but I guess you want me to spell it out for the other people in the thread. First there was Opti-Coat, which was pro only, then when the consumer version, Opti-Coat 2.0, came out, the original Opti-Coat was renamed to Opti-Guard. I guess that was too confusing, so now the consumer version is going to be Opti-Coat, while the pro-only version will be Opti-Coat Pro. At least that was how I understood it, but what do I know.
 
Opti-Guard is really thicker than Opti-Coat 2.0? My detailer is very small low volume and he uses 2.0. I want to get the best one.
 
WRXINXS said:
Opti-Guard is really thicker than Opti-Coat 2.0? My detailer is very small low volume and he uses 2.0. I want to get the best one.
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Opti-Guard is more concentrated (less solvents), therefore should leave a thicker layer.

If your detailer is legit they should be able to obtain the pro version.
 
Hey anyone know if u can layer EXO over CQ lol...
that smaller verison of EXO makes me want to get it....
 
Setec Astronomy said:
Oh boy, I wish you hadn't said that. I think we're going to be back to a (justifiable?) discussion about OC vs. OG, or I guess that will be OC vs. OC Pro now.
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To me, there's no discussion. OG is the better product and it's all I've ever used, including when it used to be called OC.
 
richy said:
To me, there's no discussion. OG is the better product and it's all I've ever used, including when it used to be called OC.
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When OC 2.0 came out, it was described as being no different than OG, just a different solvent so it had a longer cure time for less-experienced users. That description morphed over time to being a more diluted version of OG (to acheive the longer cure) that also theoretically gave a thinner film-build. The longer cure, which I presumed was hours instead of minutes, has (I think) variously now been described as weeks or months during which the OC 2.0 can be more easily removed. Also, the thinner film-build has been described as not being relevant because either way, it's "permanent".

I'm not really sure what to make of it any more, there have been a lot of reviews/tests posted over the years by people who were using OG, and initially we were told they would be valid in comparison to OC 2.0, but I'm not sure if that's really the case. I'm also not clear whether the layering of the OC 2.0 needs to be done during that cure time, or if it could be done a year down the road, etc.

I guess it's a moot point if you are an enthusiast, because you can only buy the consumer version. But it may be that some people who would apply OC 2.0 themselves might take it to a pro to get the OG (now OC Pro with a warranty).
 
tuscarora dave said:
I called Optimum a few weeks ago to ask about the required cure time between coats and was told by "Ron" that "theoretically you could layer it within an hour as soon as it cures to the touch", he said however that "a lot of professionals like to wait the full cure time which could be months."

The only caveat is that "after 3 layers, the Optimum Coating tends to discolor" So no more that 3 layers is recommended.
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You can go over it immediately for a thicker coat, or wait till it's dry to the touch for a true second layer. I personally would shoot for a single coat will great coverage.

I put too many layers of 2.0 on the lambo hood we had at SEMA to count and it never "discolored" I started loosing clarity after 3 consecutive coats, but that may have just been because the first two weren't hard yet. I think you could realistically build it up as thick as you want if you wait between layers...but, ONE coat will give you all the same attributes. It is only the topcoat that should concern the owner. Remember, layering was only necessary to achieve adequate thickness for waxes and sealants. This is a true coating like paint is a coating, so it will not need to be layered unless you try to stretch it too far or wipe it too much.

I would recommend like the others for you to use Opti Coat Pro if you are having a pro do the install. There is no reason to use the Consumer friendly version if you don't have to.

Setec Astronomy said:
If "Ron" is Ron from Dents and Details, he works with Anthony, and they have the longest experience with Opti-Seal and Opti-Coat since Anthony says he was the one that asked Dr. G for a WOWA sealant. I wonder what "discolor" means...whether the thickness gives it some optical effect, or if it's something else.



Chris@Optimum has said that layering OC is kind of a waste of time, that one coat is permanent, and how much more permanent can you get? I'm not sure I 100% agree with that, but IMO putting a second layer on a "Sunday driver" doesn't seem worth it.
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Actually, Ron in our office is not Ron Harris from San Antonio...but, he is still very knowledgeable about our car care line nonetheless. If he is the one who said "discolor", he just misunderstood me.

Touche Setec, I should have said that "for me" it would be a waste of time. I can certainly see the benefits of someone wanting to beef up the OC 2.0 application to try and match the OC PRO thickness.

Flash Gordon said:
I think it only lasts 5 years (+/-) not a lifetime protection

Furthermore! I think if you covered the surface properly the first time, a second coat wouldn't be necessary
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It will actually last longer than automotive paint because it does not oxidize and is unaffected by UV. To remove it you will need abrasives because it doesn't just wash off or wear away over time like traditional protection products. The thing is that it is a ceramic clear coat superior to OEM clears. That infers that it is superior to glass coatings, PTFE products, acrylic sealants, traditional waxes, traditional sealants if for no other reason than that it does not fall away over time. Before you guys flame that last remark...everyone has subjective preferences and that is why Opti Coat has not "killed" the other protection products. Heck, I have been bored to pieces not trying out new waxes and stuff on my BMW so there will always be room for every product type in the market because everyone likes things for their own reasons.

My point is that 5 years is not the limit. We are soon offering an optional lifetime warranty for Opti Coat Pro applied to new cars and 5 years on used cars available at authorized Optimum Professional Coatings Installers.

Setec Astronomy said:
When OC 2.0 came out, it was described as being no different than OG, just a different solvent so it had a longer cure time for less-experienced users. That description morphed over time to being a more diluted version of OG (to acheive the longer cure) that also theoretically gave a thinner film-build. The longer cure, which I presumed was hours instead of minutes, has (I think) variously now been described as weeks or months during which the OC 2.0 can be more easily removed. Also, the thinner film-build has been described as not being relevant because either way, it's "permanent".

I'm not really sure what to make of it any more, there have been a lot of reviews/tests posted over the years by people who were using OG, and initially we were told they would be valid in comparison to OC 2.0, but I'm not sure if that's really the case. I'm also not clear whether the layering of the OC 2.0 needs to be done during that cure time, or if it could be done a year down the road, etc.

I guess it's a moot point if you are an enthusiast, because you can only buy the consumer version. But it may be that some people who would apply OC 2.0 themselves might take it to a pro to get the OG (now OC Pro with a warranty).
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Just think about what you've said and then relate that to other products that are offered in both Pro and Consumer versions. I have stated that the "active" part of the products are the same and that the solvent is different. But that doesn't necessarily mean a "different solvent". Other manufacturers Pro vs. Consumer offerings vary in strength or concentration and that is the case here, too. That is why Opti Coat Pro cures faster and goes on thicker...it's more concentrated! The Pro product is harder to work with, harder to repair, and we just wouldn't sell it to someone without reconditioning experience...but, it is superior to Opti Coat 2.0 and that is why we are willing to offer a lifetime warranty.
 
Chris, I'm not really that up on the other coatings, so I'm not familiar with their consumer/pro differences. Are there any numbers available for how thick OG is, vs. a layer of OC 2.0? Are the subsequent layers of 2.0 the same thickness? Or does it lay out thinner or thicker when you layer it?
 
So you can layer either after it's full cure time? It was said that after curing, opti coat would not even bond to itself.
 
Chris@Optimum said:
My point is that 5 years is not the limit. We are soon offering an optional lifetime warranty for Opti Coat Pro applied to new cars and 5 years on used cars available at authorized Optimum Professional Coatings Installers.
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How is this going to work?
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I was thinking of the portal for pro purchase, but that link redirects the regular store now so I didn't want to post it once I found it.
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OK, I wasn't aware of any re-direct. I just saw a worldwide map for installers.
 
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