Opti gloss coat issues.

Newdetailer1

Newdetailer1

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Hey guys, I’ve been having issues with Opti gloss coat. I’m sure it’s self inflected but can someone tell me what I’m doing wrong here? I notice haze marks similar to a spot of wax you might of missed. I’ve also seen a silhouette of the arrow or the tip of the applicator on the paint.
Here is my current process. I’ll skip all the obvious andsay I use Menzerna PG 400 for my compound and Menzerna SF 4500 as my micropolish. After all the correction is done I use optimum ceramic coat prep towipe everything down before applying the coating. The applicator I’m using isthe one with two piece Velcro (has the arrow shape) and a blue micro fibersquare. I’ve really got comfortable with using this applicator but if there isa better way to go about it let me know. The blue one they provide I don’t feelmoves the product s well. Maybe my applicator is getting too much product butwhats happen is after I’m done
I can see the productgoing on well and I see if “flash” and remove the high spots (rainbow colorspots).
I’ve tried letting the product sit longer and I’ve triedwiping it off about 1 min after I applied it. I use good micro fiber towels towipe it all down. Temps have ranged from 65-85 and the humidity wasn’t higherthan 50-55%. This is being done in my garage and not in the sun. I’ve also doneit under a fan and no fan. I’m using good light and it looks to me like I’mwiping everything down good but still I’ll get the occasional haze? Lastly, I just wanted to mention that I've used two different 20cc tubes just to rule out a bad batch.
Can anyone see what I’m doing wrong or offer a bettersuggestion? Thanks
 
Sounds to me like you are simply using too much product. You say after it flashes you can see the oily rainbow spots--are you wiping those with your MF towel? I would go over again with your applicator to redistribute the product. Those "rainbow" areas are where you have too much product, so you want to spread that out a little more, but you want to do it right after it flashes, and then wait, I dunno, 30 more seconds to do your microfiber wipe. You don't want anything to have gotten sticky before you wipe.
 
I tend to agree, when I use Gloss Coat I would say about 90-95% of the product flashes clear without need to wipe/level, and when I have high spots I typically spread them again with the applicator, once the whole car is done I then take a last look for high spots and lightly wipe/level with my towel as Gloss-Coat is pretty forgiving temperature providing...even then you can typically re-wet the applicator and spread any high spots that have been sitting for awhile. Most of the time I follow up a Gloss-Coat application with Opti-seal..which will also help spread any high spots you may have missed....
 
Ok, I'll be more aware about how much product I'm using. What are you guys using for your applicator?
 
I agree with applying too much product. When I'm Coating I Always use 2 towels to "level" the high spots. First towel is a CarPro suede followed by a short/medium nap MF for the second towel.
 
Newdetailer1 said:
Ok, I'll be more aware about how much product I'm using. What are you guys using for your applicator?
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I've tried the suede applicators and the included blue foam applicator. I've found the included blue foam applicator works best. There are a few videos on youtube showing how to prime the foam applicator.
 
I've only done two vehicles with gloss-coat, but I wasn't doing much wiping off. I really have to concentrate though to minimize how much goes on. I would do one test panel with a bare minimum amount and see if that is successful.

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Where can I get more of the applicators that come with the product? I might give the blue foam pad a go again or just apply far less than what I am now on those suede squares. It's a shame because I like the control with those.
 
You could also have some polishing oils still on the paint. Menzerna polishes can be pretty oily IMO and I don't find Opti-Prep to be the best at removing oils when compared to some others like Panel Wipe.
 
It sounds like a combination of too much product and too much oil left on the paint. I try to use Hyperpolish or Reflect before coating since they're not very oily and easy to remove their residue. You might want to wipe three times around the car and then wait 20 minutes for all the solvents to de-gas on the paint before you coat as well. On the included applicator, you only need to draw a V on one quarter of the blue foam applicator and a few dots to re-prime it after each panel. The 20 cc should be enough to coat 5 regular sedans.
 
Not sure if I can walk away from the Menzerna SF 4500 for my follow up after a compound. I know we are supposed to be flexible with our products but I've got such a comfortable (working) system with the Menzerna line. I'm also ok with Megs 101 and 205. So in addition to using less product who else makes a really good ceramic coat prep? I see someone mention Panel Wipe? Is there any others that people have had success? Should I try my own stronger mix of diluted alcohol? Also, does anyone know where I can get more of the blue pads that come with the kit? Thanks
 
The blue foam applicator that comes with it is re-usable and reversable, (and the one I prefer) after a use I typically spay mine with APC or ONR at Quick Detailer dilution then thoroughly rinse with water. Per Optimum a 15% IPA prep wipe is fine.....but if you want to reduce the potential for marring during IPA prep wipe Optimum has Paint Prep....
 
With coatings, I would generally go with manufacturer recommendations just because their application process will always be more finicky then wax or sealants, especially because of the molecular level bonding behind them. That being said, I would suggest I'd you like menzerna 4500, to really saturate each panel with paint prep and wipe it off more then once to make sure you get everything before you coat, and use less on each panel.
 
Sounds good guys, I'll start using less product and do a 2nd prep wipe down and see how it goes. Thanks again!
 
Menzerna is oily, most likely you didn't get it off the paint...
I use bodyshop wax oil grease removers.
None of the other stuff is really strong enough.
Also, I learned this from Fiuza Detailing...
once done with panel, take a new towel and run your DA at speed 4 over the paint...this will clean it more...
also check your wiping with flash light...you will see right away when you have oil residue left behind.
If you like using Menzerna, buy the new Jescar Micropolish.
It is better than Menzerna 4000 or 4500, but less oily.
And it comes from same company...
 
That was going to be the next question...if there is a finishing polish that's on par with Menzerna that has less oils in it? I agree that the SF has a lot of oils but it produces such a nice gloss.
 
That's why something like hyperpolish and reflect is recommended.
 
Newdetailer1 said:
That was going to be the next question...if there is a finishing polish that's on par with Menzerna that has less oils in it? I agree that the SF has a lot of oils but it produces such a nice gloss.
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Jescar Micropolish is kind of like improved Menzerna...but better...still oily but less oily...
Haven't used my Menzerna products, since I picked up Jescar.
Compound is like improved fg400 and Micropolish like their best fine polish. Less smell and better.

WillSports3 said:
That's why something like hyperpolish and reflect is recommended.
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Jescar Micropolish won't leave marring on soft paints like Reflect is doing...(try black Porsche).
Depends on the paint, but when it really matters, Jescar is one of the top finishing products.
 
On soft paints, I use carpro essence and an orange cutting pad as a one step before a coating. I find sometimes with softer paint, a stiffer pad and a finishing polish works well. Regardless, menzerna is too oily of a polish without going to a body shop prep product in many ways.
 
WillSports3 said:
On soft paints, I use carpro essence and an orange cutting pad as a one step before a coating. I find sometimes with softer paint, a stiffer pad and a finishing polish works well. Regardless, menzerna is too oily of a polish without going to a body shop prep product in many ways.
Click to expand...

One way to go, yes stiffer pad sometimes gives you advantage, but depends what coating you use...also I use only body shop cleaners to make sure that paint is clean...Gtechniq coating will pick up any residue left behind...
I am using Jescar and white pad with PC, on a 31 year old, extremely soft and extremely thin, single stage Ferrari...works beautiful...it will receive no coating...so these oils actaully make it very easy on that paint...reflect or 205 would cut too much...I don't use Jescar with every paint, but when it really matters, it will make your life real easy.
 
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