Opti-Coat 2.0 Comments/Questions from an "Old Guy"

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tguil

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I have been washing, waxing, detailing cars and trucks for over 50 years. I have always tried to use quality supplies from reputable manufacturers. I've pretty much stuck with Megs products since the early 1970's. I appreciate the new washes, compounds, polishes and waxes/sealants as well as the modern means of applying them.

OK....now about Opti-Coat 2.0. A big part of me says that if something seems too good to be true, it quite likely is just that. How can this stuff applied with a sponge and or micro-fiber applicator so strongly enhance factory clear coat? Does it really stand the test of time? Will it yellow, haze, or even worse crack over a period of time? When there is a major "oops" and your car ends up in the body shop, how will Opti-Coat affect the repair/repaint process? (Heck, for years I'd use nothing but Meguiar's #16 because it was relatively "body shop safe"...no silicone)

I do like Optimum's ONR. I was pretty much surprised how well it works on a vehicle that is moderately dirty. So I am open to new products, but Opti-Coat seems like a bit much.

If this product works as it claims, why is it not offered as an option to cars as they come off the assembly line or as a dealer applied product? Many vehicles are now coming from the factory with interior fabric protection.

Just few comments and questions. Nothing negative meant at all. For now, I'll stick with the more traditional products offered by Meguiars. But I am open to this new product if it truly works as advertised and is safe to use over a period of time.

Tom :cool:
 
I can only tell you that I sanded, polished and applied OC 2.0 to my friend Jr's headlights 8 months ago (granted we're only getting to the worst UV weather now) but they still look perfectly clear, no yellowing.

As far as why it's not factory applied, I'd say it's too time consuming at the factory, they are set in their (paint) ways, and what does it do for them? An interior stain is something people are embarrassed about and might make their car smell bad, from what I can tell not too many people are concerned about "dirt release" or how much UV protection their paint has, if the car is dirty they take it to the scratch n' swirl and they are done--clean swirls.
 
Tom, OC is all it is claimed to be! It has been around over 6 years as I recall. It is as good at what it does as ONR is at what it does. By all means I believe it isnt for everyone but it is for me!
 
fenderpicks said:
Hey Jim so uhh what's the difference between CQ and OC.....?
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Ivan, I havent used CQ. I know you have some. IMO only OC adds functional clearcoat. I think you will be thrilled with CQ and it is very durable. Nothing is as durable as OC/OG IME. CQ is the only coating that applies like a sealant. It will be easy to apply and remove. No high spots!
 
Jim,

So you really use this stuff on your Expedition and Audi? What a leap of faith! Absolutely no problems with application? Any trips to the body shop after application?

Right now both of our vehicles are in very good shape...a 2011 Tacoma and a 2012 Ram, both white. Both are driven quite a bit they also have a ton of time in the garage. Durability is not an issue...at least not now but because I leveled/removed a bunch of dust nibs in the new Ram's factory paint, it may be an issue in the future.

Tom :cool:
 
tguil...although I don't agree with Old Tiger's assertion that it's been around for 6 years (OC 2.0 tweak is about a year) the basic product idea has been in use for (I guess) 6 years, but over time it's slipped out that OC 2.0 is not really that close to what was being used 6 years ago.

But it IS easy to use and no big deal if you have some WOWA polish experience like Z-CS, UPGP, or Opti-Seal.
 
I don't have long term info, but in December my Opti-coated Audi was scraped in the parking lot (fender and front bumper). I mentioned to the body shop that it was Opti-coated. They said that everything is sanded before painting so it shouldn't matter. So far so good. I re-coated recently and everything looks great.

As far as the rest of the car OC is doing everything as advertised (applied 1 year ago) People keep asking me if it is a new car.
 
All this makes me wanting to get the OC 2.0 asap.
 
tguil said:
How can this stuff applied with a sponge and or micro-fiber applicator so strongly enhance factory clear coat? Does it really stand the test of time? Will it yellow, haze, or even worse crack over a period of time? When there is a major "oops" and your car ends up in the body shop, how will Opti-Coat affect the repair/repaint process?

If this product works as it claims, why is it not offered as an option to cars as they come off the assembly line or as a dealer applied product? Many vehicles are now coming from the factory with interior fabric protection.

Nothing negative meant at all. For now, I'll stick with the more traditional products offered by Meguiars. But I am open to this new product if it truly works as advertised and is safe to use over a period of time.

Tom :cool:
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It is an advanced clear coat so that is why it works so well with and enhances factory clear. The chemist who invented it worked for PPG for a number of years...he's kind of a big deal. Yes, it will stand the test of time. It will not haze, yellow or crack over time. It also doesn't oxidize and releases contaminants very easily which means less car wash induced scratches from having to scrub. Body shops just need to scuff and shoot as usual. I have had my car repainted after applying the coating and as long as they don't skip a step (prep like they should), it's no problem at all.

It's most likely cost and patents. We do work directly with a number of manufacturers for our other products and have pitched the coating to BMW as a factory coating for their rims. Given enough time and reduced cost of production, it may end up on cars from the factory in the future. The protection you speak of that is offered now is a joke/upsale.

Meguiar's is a great car care company and has had many innovations, but notice their lineup (non US) has a rinseless wash and a coating because they see the futture and want to remain a leader. Mike Phillips often advises to find a product you like and use it often. I certainly agree, but one company is not likely to be the best in every category...so stay open and ask around. Optimum's coating is the real deal.

Setec Astronomy said:
tguil...although I don't agree with Old Tiger's assertion that it's been around for 6 years (OC 2.0 tweak is about a year) the basic product idea has been in use for (I guess) 6 years, but over time it's slipped out that OC 2.0 is not really that close to what was being used 6 years ago.
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It's been around longer. It's been sold for at least 6, first to professionals...then as a modified consumer version. The professional version was tweaked to have a longer cure time to make it easier to repair/apply. The product has never been completely reformulated and the consumer version is only a less concentrated version so that non pros can work with it easier not having machines and various products that were needed to remove/repair it originally.

Your comment about it slipping out that OC 2.0 is not really that close to the original offering is a bit paranoid. The only variation is a longer cure/hardening time and two concetrations available to repective markets. When Opti Coat, Opti Coat 2.0, or Opti Guard are cured/hardened, they all have the same attributes and properties.
 
Chris@Optimum said:
The product has never been completely reformulated and the consumer version is only a less concentrated version.

Your comment about it slipping out that OC 2.0 is not really that close to the original offering is a bit paranoid. The only variation is a longer cure/hardening time and two concetrations available to repective markets. When Opti Coat, Opti Coat 2.0, or Opti Guard are cured/hardened, they all have the same attributes and properties.
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I'm not paranoid, and I don't want to argue. We get different explanations over time. Since you say the "product has never been completely reformulated" that means it's seen some tweaks/reformulation over the years. When OC 2.0 first came out we were told the only difference was a slower drying solvent was used (same resin). Then later we were told it was actually the same solvent, but that OC 2.0 was more dilute than OG, meaning that there were more solvents to evaporate (more time) which lead some to speculate about whether the film build was different, but at that time we were still told that the flash time was the only difference. Just within the last day or two you stated that the time to full cure for OG is 2-3 days while OC 2.0 is up to 90 days, which is kind of big difference.

Look, I'm a fan of the product, I've used it and as I stated earlier in the thread it's been great. It's just from my perspective you folks could have been a lot more up front about the differences when OC 2.0 came out, although I'd be the first to admit you were likely to get a lot of backlash for what might be perceived as a "watered-down" version. Like most people on these forums, I'm just looking for the facts, which to be fair, we rarely get with much specificity about any product. Dr. G is still the most down to earth no marketing BS guy in the biz.
 
tguil said:
Jim,

So you really use this stuff on your Expedition and Audi? What a leap of faith! Absolutely no problems with application? Any trips to the body shop after application?

Right now both of our vehicles are in very good shape...a 2011 Tacoma and a 2012 Ram, both white. Both are driven quite a bit they also have a ton of time in the garage. Durability is not an issue...at least not now but because I leveled/removed a bunch of dust nibs in the new Ram's factory paint, it may be an issue in the future.

Tom :cool:
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Tom, Pick your choice of applications. Take your time and you wont have any issues. If you find a high spot, hand polish it with a fine polish. MY black Ford looks amazing. You will add the clear you lost on the Ram. 1 app adds 1 micron!
 
Setec Astronomy said:
tguil...although I don't agree with Old Tiger's assertion that it's been around for 6 years (OC 2.0 tweak is about a year) the basic product idea has been in use for (I guess) 6 years, but over time it's slipped out that OC 2.0 is not really that close to what was being used 6 years ago.

But it IS easy to use and no big deal if you have some WOWA polish experience like Z-CS, UPGP, or Opti-Seal.
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OOps I meant original Opti Coat which was a pro only product,. I think Im right about time including extensive Beta Testing. I havent tried OC 2.0. I am able to get Opti Guard. It is much easier than original OC IME!
 
Sure am glad I posted this thread. Good answers/suggestions all in one place. One more ...to remove Optic-Coat 2.0 what polish is suggested and do you use a pc?

Tom :cool:
 
Setec Astronomy said:
I'm not paranoid, and I don't want to argue. We get different explanations over time. Since you say the "product has never been completely reformulated" that means it's seen some tweaks/reformulation over the years. When OC 2.0 first came out we were told the only difference was a slower drying solvent was used (same resin). Then later we were told it was actually the same solvent, but that OC 2.0 was more dilute than OG, meaning that there were more solvents to evaporate (more time) which lead some to speculate about whether the film build was different, but at that time we were still told that the flash time was the only difference. Just within the last day or two you stated that the time to full cure for OG is 2-3 days while OC 2.0 is up to 90 days, which is kind of big difference.

Look, I'm a fan of the product, I've used it and as I stated earlier in the thread it's been great. It's just from my perspective you folks could have been a lot more up front about the differences when OC 2.0 came out, although I'd be the first to admit you were likely to get a lot of backlash for what might be perceived as a "watered-down" version. Like most people on these forums, I'm just looking for the facts, which to be fair, we rarely get with much specificity about any product. Dr. G is still the most down to earth no marketing BS guy in the biz.
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Sorry Setec, I didn't mean to offend you. It's just the way you're coming off with words like "slipped out" and "watered down." Those have a very negative and shady conotation to them and nothing could be farther from the truth when regarding Dr. G, Optimum, or the product line. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt that you didn't mean them that way since you mention that you don't want to argue.

You're pretty accurate about the series of information releases that I/Optimum have given out in replies on the various forums, but you're failing to connect all the dots as they show a product maturing in oposition to the retarding/dumbing down/watering down that you are portraying.

Those involved with the original testing will remember a strong ammonia smell that the current versions lack. That was the original carrier/solvent and that is what has changed, not the resins that actually stay and bond to the paint. Changing the carrier was a decision Dr. G made as we got feedback from installers to give a little more time for curing and or correcting mistakes. It also has very little (if any) to do with the performance of the product. It is only the means of getting the product to its intended purpose. That's evolving a product to suit the needs of it's users, not making it weaker.

Then with very much demand from vendors, part time detailers, and enthusiests we made a lower concentration version that offers exactly the same protection, but is easier to apply and easier to fix. It doesn't matter how thick or thin the coating is to see the attributes and reap the benefits, so offering a "retail version" by request is hardly watering down anything. We make two versions for two different markets. That's pretty common with many lines of chemicals.

You're a good egg, buddy! I don't want any hard feelings from my comments...I just didn't care for your choice of words. You know how easy it is for people to get the wrong idea on forums. Am I right? :props:
 
Chris@Optimum said:
You're a good egg, buddy! I don't want any hard feelings from my comments...I just didn't care for your choice of words. You know how easy it is for people to get the wrong idea on forums. Am I right? :props:
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I've had a really rough few days I meant no disrespect. Peace, brother, we're cool.
 
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