My first Opti-coat experience....

The Enforcer

The Enforcer

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...was terrible. I did very extensive research on this stuff before I ordered it and used it. I was very disappointed with the ease of application. I primed the pad just as directed (IMO this pad soaks up way too much product and makes it very grabby to apply). Once pad was primed I used MORE than the 3 dots per panel as recommended (after research I read where people are using 5-6 drops per panel and laying it on thick). Even with that much product on the pad, the pad was very grabby, it did not want to glide across the paint smoothly. It just kind of skipped across, which didn't allow me to put it on with 100% coverage I'm afraid. I tried my best to hit every inch on paint a few times so as much coverage would be achieved as possible.

I coated a C6 corvette (paint, windows, and all trim) and still only used 5 cc of product. This is with me using TWICE as much as directed per the directions on the tube that the experts at Optimum say to use. I was also told this should very very similar, almost identical to the way Opti-Seal is applied....which I have been using for YEARS with great results and easy application. Not the case here.

Where did I go wrong? Now, I'm afraid I used way too less, I cant go back and apply more now that is in the curing stages, and I basically wasted 5 cc since this coating is now more than likely to fail because it's too thin. As you can say, I'm very disappointed in this stuff, and I was so confident going into it that I read enough about it to make this very easy to use. I'm not a beginning or novice detailer, I have been doing high end paint correction for 5 years now. Thoughts? Tips? I have a 2011 ZR1 to coat next week that I have already performed 17 hours of correction on, and want this to be RIGHT!

Not knocking the product here, just seeing ### I did wrong?
 
IMO the yellow foam applicator is not ideal.

I use the CQuartz applicator block wrapped with 4x4" suede microfiber for all coatings as I feel it works best. It absorbs little to no product and makes it easy to apply a thin, even coat. You may consider purchasing some of these.

Also, I would estimate you would use 6-8cc for a vehicle that size, so you aren't terribly far off.

Keep us posted.
 
I think it might have been more user error maybe even the climate you were in :dunno:

I applied it on my whole car and it was fairly easy and I used the yellow pad that was included. The new black would have been a nice addition.

I actually can't comment on what you did wrong since i've only applied opti lens once and opti coat once also. So I'm still a newb to coatings :)

For the first couple of passes did feel "grabby" but I just adjusted my technique, I guess you can say.

Overall for me the hardest part of applying Opti Coat was dreading of dropping the yellow pad on the floor. Other than that it was all fairly easy...

I've been learning True Detailing since I found AGO other than that I just had body shop experience. So don't know the math in that. I do know I can do some fairly difficult things but I get stumped on things actual detailers would find fairly easy :laughing:

It's all in a days work :cruisin:

Also I could never find old threads, but maybe someone could find my thread of my first Opti Coating experience and maybe it can help you out some.

Either way good luck and just trying to help out...

Art
 
zmcgovern45 said:
IMO the yellow foam applicator is not ideal.

I use the CQuartz applicator block wrapped with 4x4" suede microfiber for all coatings as I feel it works best. It absorbs little to no product and makes it easy to apply a thin, even coat. You may consider purchasing some of these.

Also, I would estimate you would use 6-8cc for a vehicle that size, so you aren't terribly far off.

Keep us posted.
Click to expand...

I agree, I had the same "skipping" experience using a foam applicator when I applied Opti-Glass. I switched it up to using the CarPro block wrapped with suede MF and it made the application super easy. Been using this to apply Opti-Coat as well without effort.
 
I recall seeing in this forum or on YouTube a guy who modified his applicator to avoid the absorption issue. He put a latex glove over the foam part and then put a very thin microfiber layer on top of that. It made instant sense to me what he was doing.

The grabbiness may also be due to atmospheric conditions as well; dryer air means shorter dwell times. Are you applying OC in a climate controlled environment?
 
zmcgovern45 said:
IMO the yellow foam applicator is not ideal.

I use the CQuartz applicator block wrapped with 4x4" suede microfiber for all coatings as I feel it works best. It absorbs little to no product and makes it easy to apply a thin, even coat. You may consider purchasing some of these.

Also, I would estimate you would use 6-8cc for a vehicle that size, so you aren't terribly far off.

Keep us posted.
Click to expand...


:iagree:



Foam applicator pads waste to much product, and more important are not effective in providing an even coat :nomore:
 
mwoolfso said:
I recall seeing in this forum or on YouTube a guy who modified his applicator to avoid the absorption issue. He put a latex glove over the foam part and then put a very thin microfiber layer on top of that. It made instant sense to me what he was doing.

The grabbiness may also be due to atmospheric conditions as well; dryer air means shorter dwell times. Are you applying OC in a climate controlled environment?
Click to expand...

That was probably Anthony Orosco

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/41758-my-methods-applying-opti-coat.html
 
theblob640 said:
I agree, I had the same "skipping" experience using a foam applicator when I applied Opti-Glass. I switched it up to using the CarPro block wrapped with suede MF and it made the application super easy. Been using this to apply Opti-Coat as well without effort.[/QUOT

sorry im slightly confused. arent you supposed to buff off with suede MF?
Or can you do both, apply it with one and buff off with another?
Click to expand...
 
Thanks for all the speedy responses guys, next time I do this I will use the latex glove/disposable shop towel technique. I'm fairly certain this issue was with the yellow pad that was supplied and I'll mix it up and try the other method next time!
 
A073FE26-A2F7-4693-B4A7-D054B60D9A73-358-000000C3691696CF_zpsfa6af995.jpg


^ I still have this much left and I applied 2 thorough coats I believe

B1DBA7F6-F8AB-441D-8F98-FCCFED8552C1-358-000000C371177E87_zps46bde8bc.jpg


I also marked the back of the pad and I only applied product in the area to save product.

Seems like I did a good job for my first time and with only AGO Members to help me out..., thanks guys btw :)
 
asalesagent912 said:
theblob640 said:
I agree, I had the same "skipping" experience using a foam applicator when I applied Opti-Glass. I switched it up to using the CarPro block wrapped with suede MF and it made the application super easy. Been using this to apply Opti-Coat as well without effort.
Click to expand...

sorry im slightly confused. arent you supposed to buff off with suede MF?
Or can you do both, apply it with one and buff off with another?
Click to expand...

The CarPro Applicator Block is wrapped in a thin suede microfiber... this is NOT the same as the standard microfiber towels used to buff off excess product. See photo of me applying CQUK.


ATD | Benefits of Paint Coating by Detailed Image Auto Detailing, on Flickr

Notice the blue foam block with a thin, soft grey foam on the front. This is then wrapped in suede microfiber. This applicator absorbs almost no product and makes it easy to apply thin, even coats.
 
Why would one use a CarPro applicator to apply an Optimum product - when, Optimum makes an exact applicator designed for this purpose that costs like $7?

I dunno. No wonder why people have issues with coatings. Just get the right stuff designed for the right job. It's really the easiest way - in detailing - and in life in general.
 
swanicyouth said:
Why would one use a CarPro applicator to apply an Optimum product - when, Optimum makes an exact applicator designed for this purpose that costs like $7?

I dunno. No wonder why people have issues with coatings. Just get the right stuff designed for the right job. It's really the easiest way - in detailing - and in life in general.
Click to expand...

For the same reason people use products designed for rotaries with DAs... sometimes the "rules" are meant to be broken!

The CarPro applicators work great... most anyone who has used them will agree. Plus, I have a ton of these laying around so they are readily available.

I have never used the other OPT applicator... if it is so much better they should simply include it with the OC instead of the yellow foam pad that no one really likes.
 
I used the yellow foam and bought a few more yellow foam pads just because I wasn't able to find a retailer in Canada that sells the CarPro suede + block

It was always grabby for me and I applied it in room temperature when possible. I just do one section pass each time and opticoat is holding up well ever since

Note - I haven't tried the Optimum Black Applicator
 
zmcgovern45 said:
The CarPro Applicator Block is wrapped in a thin suede microfiber... this is NOT the same as the standard microfiber towels used to buff off excess product. See photo of me applying CQUK.


ATD | Benefits of Paint Coating by Detailed Image Auto Detailing, on Flickr

Notice the blue foam block with a thin, soft grey foam on the front. This is then wrapped in suede microfiber. This applicator absorbs almost no product and makes it easy to apply thin, even coats.
Click to expand...

Really like this idea, but how does this handle more intricate places like the front grill, where the bumper meets trunk, or a wheel application?
 
Legacykid said:
Really like this idea, but how does this handle more intricate places like the front grill, where the bumper meets trunk, or a wheel application?
Click to expand...

I do not use the block for wheel applications or other intricate areas, I simply use the cloth and it works great.

For tight areas like the grill, I use foam swabs.
 
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