Opti-Coat 2.0 longevity on my Buick

[Zelfiris]

Yes, I think the first 30 days, specially the first hours (water contact) are critical.
The one that took the road for 30 days without being washed was incredible contaminated after this period, the paint seemed to have absorbed sand and I could feel it on the clay. In fact if I had decided to clay the entire car I'm quite sure I would have trashed a couple of clays on it. This one failed within 5 months.

My prep has varied in a numerous way:
- IPA 10% only (as instructions) - One from the 2 years test had this prep
- Wash + IPA 10% - The other one from the 2 years had this prep
- IPA 20%
- Wash + IPA 30% - This was done on the two honda civic I've checked within 11 months
- Wash + Mineral Spirits - One of the honda civic (the one better maintained) had half from the hood prepared this way.

IPA 10% or 20% only doesn't seems to be a good option.

There was no difference (11 months check) between wash + IPA and Wash + Mineral spirits on the honda civic hood. Comparing to a panel I left untreated, the difference was brutal, the untreated panel was clearly LSPless getting it wet would make water sit on it.

I would say washing before IPA is also very important although it's not specified on opticoat instructions.
I guess this test I recorded is enough to support this idea.

Ultima Paint Guard Wash Shampo - YouTube

Although its not very economical, I use CarPro Eraser for all my Opticoat applications and it has worked amazing. I used opticoat on my sink as well (it got clogged 4 months ago) and its still beading strongly.. plus it has stayed very clean ever since

I get a feeling using iron X or tar remover may be a solution to the paint condition as a possibility of opticoat not lasting as long

 

[DaC]

Although its not very economical, I use CarPro Eraser for all my Opticoat applications and it has worked amazing. I used opticoat on my sink as well (it got clogged 4 months ago) and its still beading strongly.. plus it has stayed very clean ever since

I get a feeling using iron X or tar remover may be a solution to the paint condition as a possibility of opticoat not lasting as long

Eraser is a great product, but like you said it can be quite expensive, specially when you live in Brazil.

But I don't think after cutting the paint there would be much left to ironx work on... so it could make a difference with proper coat bonding.