Opti-Coat 2.0 and Touchless Car Wash

jayshut11

jayshut11

New member
Joined
Jul 9, 2013
Messages
147
Reaction score
0
I helped my buddy Opti-Coat his car this past weekend. He's not much of a detailer himself, but he does understand proper wash technique etc. He's very accustomed to a weekly car wash, and is wondering if he can take his car through a touchless car wash since it doesn't physically touch the paint. Would there be any issue with him doing this?
 
There is one issue. You can't dry the car by hand after going through a touch-less, because it's not 100% clean. So, it will likely be wet when he drives down the road (somewhat). This will eventually leave water spots - something some OC dudes struggle with.

Since he isn't much of a detailer, I'm guessing he hasn't spent 3 bills for a Master Blaster. Also, by the time you get home - it's likely already dry.
 
swanicyouth said:
Since he isn't much of a detailer, I'm guessing he hasn't spent 3 bills for a Master Blaster. Also, by the time you get home - it's likely already dry.
Click to expand...

You would be correct. He was thinking of using touchless especially during the cold Michigan winter when he doesn't want to wash by hand. Since our cars sit outside at school they don't stay clean for long. :(

Would the harsh chemicals negatively affect the OC overtime?
 
jayshut11 said:
You would be correct. He was thinking of using touchless especially during the cold Michigan winter when he doesn't want to wash by hand. Since our cars sit outside at school they don't stay clean for long. :(

Would the harsh chemicals negatively affect the OC overtime?
Click to expand...

No. OC is very hearty.
 
Thanks! Would there be any length of time to wait before taking a car through due to OC curing?

His main goal is to get a lot of the salt and road grime off when the weather isn't so nice.
 
Be careful with some touchless washes. Make sure it has a vinyl guard over the guide bars for your wheels. I made that mistake and have a nice scuff on my rims thanks to bare metal guide bars.
 
jayshut11 said:
Thanks! Would there be any length of time to wait before taking a car through due to OC curing?

His main goal is to get a lot of the salt and road grime off when the weather isn't so nice.
Click to expand...

I think, don't quote me - you can get the car wet in an hour and wash it in a day (conventional soap). However, nobody knows what is in touch-less car wash soap. Probably not even the dude who sells it. pH neutral? Doubt it! APC like surfactants? Likely!

If it was me, I'd feel safe with 5-7 days of cure time.


DevilsNDetails said:
Be careful with some touchless washes. Make sure it has a vinyl guard over the guide bars for your wheels. I made that mistake and have a nice scuff on my rims thanks to bare metal guide bars.
Click to expand...

If I saw "guide bars", I'd be outta there so fast I'd probably get a ticket.
 
DevilsNDetails said:
Be careful with some touchless washes. Make sure it has a vinyl guard over the guide bars for your wheels. I made that mistake and have a nice scuff on my rims thanks to bare metal guide bars.
Click to expand...

Great tip! That's something I'm cognizant of, but something he probably isn't. He through a lift kit on just for looks this past fall...
 
swanicyouth said:
However, nobody knows what is in touch-less car wash soap. Probably not even the dude who sells it. pH neutral? Doubt it! APC like surfactants? Likely!
Click to expand...

Haha, good point. Thanks for the input. I'll pass the advice on to him. :xyxthumbs:
 
jayshut11 said:
I helped my buddy Opti-Coat his car this past weekend. He's not much of a detailer himself, but he does understand proper wash technique etc. He's very accustomed to a weekly car wash, and is wondering if he can take his car through a touchless car wash since it doesn't physically touch the paint. Would there be any issue with him doing this?
Click to expand...

The biggest issue is that touch-less washes don't get the car totally clean and what they leave behind will start to bond to the paint over time, especially with repeated touch-less washes. IMO you need some sort of agitation to get the paint totally clean. If he wants to do touch-less I'd suggest following it with ONR or some form of a water-less wash.

Spotting may also be an issue with touch-less.
 
RaskyR1 said:
The biggest issue is that touch-less washes don't get the car totally clean and what they leave behind will start to bond to the paint over time, especially with repeated touch-less washes. IMO you need some sort of agitation to get the paint totally clean. If he wants to do touch-less I'd suggest following it with ONR or some form of a water-less wash.

Spotting may also be an issue with touch-less.
Click to expand...


This. He would probably have to clay the car soon after if all he went to was touchless washes.
 
swanicyouth said:
If I saw "guide bars", I'd be outta there so fast I'd probably get a ticket.
Click to expand...

Worst of all it was within five days of owning my first brand new car. The next morning I found autogeek and haven't looked back!

Also what I do since I live in MI is take my two buckets full of hot water, one with soap, to a DIY powerwashing place and wash and dry my car there. That way I use MY soap and MY Towels and NO scratches. Plus the hot water keeps you from getting frostbite on the hands!
 
I have CQUK and use touchless frequently in winter. The one I go to has a huge air blaster dryer and yes it vibrates the car it's so powerful.

Its works great. I just take the car home and apply a waterless wash ( Poorboys spray and wipe ...which has no protection which is exactly what I want from a waterless wash) and in 5 minutes I'm done and the car looks spotless.

The touchless soap has no effect on the coating and I do not apply the wax option at the touchless wash...an added benefit ...it blasts the underneath of the car.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
swanicyouth said:
Probably more like 90 days. But I'd feel safe washing it in a touch less car wash in 5-7 days. Again, all my opinion.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the 'Cure' time is a week tops. 90 days for it to full dehydrate and 'harden'

IIRC


-Beach
 
30 days is the official cure time but it all depends on several factors from temperature and humidity. I would stay away from any harsh wash for the first two weeks in a cold climate. Although, to be honest just liked the previous poster it is unknown and is just opinion. Opti Coat is supposed to be non reactive to the harsh chemicals used the touchless washes so it is a good coating for him.
 
So, I wasn't going to go into this but maybe it will help someone. I have this painted ceramic plate I coated half with OC sometime around June. I let it cure 2 days and went at it with Dawn, 70% IPA, mineral spirits, and APC - it didn't effect the OC one bit. Still repelled water like crazy.

The other half I coated with Permanon Car Super Shine. Let's just say that didn't hold up as well.

I did this because I was trying to figure out exactly how durable the Permanon was and how it handles water compared to OC. Permanon's info makes it *seem* like it's a coating, however the reality is it doesn't seem as tough as most polymer sealants. While ease of application is high and water repellency is excellent, be prepared for frequent re-applications.

I've since tried all types of chemicals on the OC side of the plate and it remains unaffected. I like to see this stuff with me own 2 eyeballs - and not go by what the manufacturer of a product says.
 
RaskyR1 said:
The biggest issue is that touch-less washes don't get the car totally clean and what they leave behind will start to bond to the paint over time, especially with repeated touch-less washes. IMO you need some sort of agitation to get the paint totally clean. If he wants to do touch-less I'd suggest following it with ONR or some form of a water-less wash.

Spotting may also be an issue with touch-less.
Click to expand...
Agree 100%
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top