Opti Seal vs any other Polymer Sealant?

[cardaddy]

As for these WOWA's. like WGDGLS, UPGP, Opti-Seal, (which I have used) and I supect some other similar types which I haven't, I don't think that there's so much worry to be concerned about, in regards to dusts landing on the vehicle that's going to be any sort of problem playing havoc with the just applied finish.

That in fact, these products are basically dry to the touch, and in fact perhaps hold advantage over the more conventional Wipe On-Wipe Off Sealants, (Such as WGDGPS 3.0) in that with a WOWO, you usually apply, now have to allow a cure time before removal.
In that scenario, and if one's working outdoors with winds and dusts blowing around, I would think one would be more likely to cause micromarring with these products, versus the WOWA's.

I gather the "cure time", and it probably holds true with either WOWA, or WOWO, is to not wet the finish, nor do any follow-ups with other products on top until full curing (per manufacturer's suggestions) are reached.

It is pretty much agreed that none of these quick WOWA's listed above have the durability of EXO, Opti-Coat/Guard, CarPro CQuartz, and the like, but I do like them because they are easy to apply, and IMO are like a Spray Detailer, yet are better usually protection-wise.

I'm finding that I now usually grab a product like Opti-Seal, or WGDGLS, rather than a detailer spray after a wash.

They may not bond as well using such on top of a hodge podge of different products, but they seem to be more forgiveable in application.

Seems I need to get some WGDGLS or Blackfire then. (I do have a little sample bottle of DGPS 3.0 already.) It's my concern (over and above anything else) that the "hodge podge" is exactly what I want to avoid.

No big secret that I'm a Meg's guy, and likely can do anything I need with the extremely diverse product lineup. But I feel that having a secondary product (that is not just a boutique item) on hand is an asset to workflow. (Especially one that doesn't have the reputation of "bathtub guys".) Secondary to that, guys (IE customers that may or may not know the difference AT ALL) driving European cars (may) tend to think they need a product on their cars that at the very least SOUNDS (or is) European. :dunno:

AND.... BTW.....

Just met my new in-laws! My daughter got engaged Christmas and they've been looking for a new apartment in-town for a while now. No date set yet, but he needed to get out of his 1 room place for something larger. They found something last weekend and now that his landlord got wind he's told him he has to be out before the end of the month. (Even though he doesn't move in the new place till the 1st.) Any-who.... he moved all his stuff into our basement today for storage and will sleep on his floor at the old place till he has to get out. :laughing:

So today there's a knock at the door coming in from the garage. Go outside and it's his mom, dad, brother, old roomate, and DOG! Time to meet the family. :laughing: New bright red 4 door Chevy Silverado, new Mazda CX9. Time for me to turn on the charm, time for ME to sell them on Cquartz or at the VERY LEAST the entire Optimum line. Grabbed the ONR and ONRWW to show them how cool it was. Not hard to see the value in a plastic protectant that'll keep it black, keep it clean, provide UV protection AND last a year! :xyxthumbs:
I see a very expensive order in my not so distant future.

 

[Larry S]

Speaking of WOWA products, WGDGLS and Optiseal & BFCS & UPGP. The UPGP doesn't list in it's description to protect against UV. All of the others mention UV protection. Is this the case?

I know that UV protection is a good thing these days to protect our clear coats.

 

[vegas911gts]

Cquartz finest is the coating that guys I trust recommend the most. But you have to qualify with carpro usa to get it. I have no idea how big the difference is between that and the regular consumer version is. Keep reading reviews here and elsewhere and talk to those in the industry and you'll find something that will hopefully fit your needs.

 

[cardaddy]

I read that time between coats of Blackfire Crystal seal is like an hour and that Opti-Seal is 12-24 hours which is confusing because they are very similar products.

Yes, I was thinking that BF and WG would then take about the same amount of overall time as say M21. (Yes, M21 needs to be applied, buffed etc.) But... if you don't want the customer touching it during the 'dry' time then it'd be about the same.

(Although I also understand WOWA means you just SPEND less time on the car itself.) :dblthumb2:

 

[cardaddy]

I think you are simply over-thinking everything and getting yourself confused.


Nope... I just over think everything that way. :laughing:

Incorrect... The cure time I referenced is the same cure time that you get with M21. With 2 differences.

1. The cure time can be shorter.
2. The cure time with WOWA sealants starts as soon as it's applied. The cure time "standard" sealants start after you wipe off the haze...

I disagree...

With WOWA sealant once I apply it I am done. I can do a normal sized car in 20min and have everything perfect.

With a standard sealant I might apply it quicker but I have to wait and the come back and buff off the haze. This make it usually double the time for me. I usually use KSG, MPL, WG DGPS, BFWD when using regular sealants.

So, yes... Got it... time SPENT on the car is less, just don't let anyone F it up between point A & point B.

Either way, I'd not turn it loose till all was done.

"Find something you like and use it often" - Mike Phillips

Ahhhhh.... how soon we forget!

WOWA sealants are definitely NOT "permanent coatings liker OD, CQ.

Right, check.

I agree there are 3 "levels" of protection. But not in the way you listed them. IMO they are: Wax, Sealant, Coating. At the end of the day is is really measure in length of protection. Weeks, Months, Years.

Although it would seem that all sealants are not created "equal".

I hope this helps.

And you would be correct. :dblthumb2:

 

[cardaddy]

Cquartz finest is the coating that guys I trust recommend the most. But you have to qualify with carpro usa to get it. I have no idea how big the difference is between that and the regular consumer version is. Keep reading reviews here and elsewhere and talk to those in the industry and you'll find something that will hopefully fit your needs.

Seems it is the 'bees knees' about now. I've checked and there isn't but one other installer in the state of Georgia. Don't know why that is, and he's over an hour north of me. I'm going to call him and get his take on it perhaps. I know if it's what I've been reading it is, then I'd like to at least try it. OTOH I have no idea what their "standards" are that'd have to be met. :dunno:

 

[MarkD51]

I have used both the old and new version of Opti-Seal. I really them both.

You are correct in that Opti-Seal is a pure polymer sealant. It has no filling properties. I believe (Don't quote me on this) that M21 2.0 has some "Filling" properties to it.

The benefit of Opti-Seal over M21 2.0 is time savings. M21 is a conventional sealant that you have to apply, wait for it to haze, and buff it off.

Opti-Seal is a WOWA (Wipe on walk away) product that does not need to be buffed off (Although if you apply to thick it will streak and you will need to wipe off the excess with a microfiber). Even if it does not streak a "Final wipe" would be good idea.

Other WOWA products include Blackfire Crystal Seal, Wolfgang Deep Gloss Liquid Seal and the new Migliore Cima Sealant.

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I have heard the Blackfire and Wolfgang are less prone to streaking that Opti-Seal. I still use Opti-Seal over the other two because Optimum has been in the WOWA game for alot longer.

I had found like some others have, the Ultima Paint Guard Plus seemed a little more touchy in regards to some remnants of what appeared like oily streaks being left behind, but they were fairly easily eliminated by a simple follow up with a MF Towel, 15-20 minutes later.

In retrospect, I think some of this was due to my own inexperience, as I was just getting into the world of these unique WOWA type products.

Just yesterday, after a wash, I WOWA'ed my little beater Kia Spectra after a wash with Opti-Seal, and I think I'm getting quite savvy using these products though a better understanding of how to use them. I do find that these, like many other waxes-sealants, are best applied in the shade.

I used an MF applicator, and if I see any heavy spots that aren't drying so quickly, just a simple continuation of rubbing with the MF Applicator, and they are gone. That there is virtually no need to go back around the car later to remove any streaking.

At first, I thought I didn't like Opti-Seal, but as I'm nearing the end of my first 8oz bottle, I think I will be getting some more! I like it! What I didn't fully understand about such products, is they seem most ideally dedicated for paint, not so much for trim, wiper arms, and such.

Where I'm really loving all these WOWA's, are Door Jambs, inside Gas Tank Lids, Trunk Jambs, and under Hood. That if the paint is clean, and in acceptable shape, that no correction-polishing is needed, one can do just do a simple 15% IPA prep, and apply. No worry about powdery residues left behind in areas that can be sometimes almost impossible to get rid of-remove. Mark

 

[cardaddy]

Mark I just wanted to tell ya' I appreciate your input here. The last part about the benefits of WOWA in the hidden areas is something I've filed away as a 'keeper'.

One of the main reasons I want to add them at all is the ability to use on plastic areas. Coming from the old school days when you used a water based product, then later on it seemed darned near everything was silicone based. Now there is more grained plastic and vinyl on vehicles than ever before, and having a product that can SEAL rather than just put a temporary finish, while it may cost more up front, would be a lifesaver with a repeat customer.

There is always some sort of "black" (back to... whatever) product out there, but in my mind if you can get it clean, seal it, and KEEP it looking new that alone gives you an edge over anything that they've been paying for previously. Although I do really like 303 and even my wife likes it on her running boards. :dblthumb2: (At least it's not Armor All!) :laughing:

 

[MarkD51]

Mark I just wanted to tell ya' I appreciate your input here. The last part about the benefits of WOWA in the hidden areas is something I've filed away as a 'keeper'.

One of the main reasons I want to add them at all is the ability to use on plastic areas. Coming from the old school days when you used a water based product, then later on it seemed darned near everything was silicone based. Now there is more grained plastic and vinyl on vehicles than ever before, and having a product that can SEAL rather than just put a temporary finish, while it may cost more up front, would be a lifesaver with a repeat customer.

There is always some sort of "black" (back to... whatever) product out there, but in my mind if you can get it clean, seal it, and KEEP it looking new that alone gives you an edge over anything that they've been paying for previously. Although I do really like 303 and even my wife likes it on her running boards. :dblthumb2: (At least it's not Armor All!) :laughing:

Cardaddy,
I'm a relative newcomer to the group, and newcomer to the use of these WOWA Sealants, but I have noticed some particular qualities of Opti-Seal, Wolfgang Deep Gloss Liquid Seal, and Ultima Paint Guard Plus.

That these few particular Sealants I mention, and it probably holds true for some others, is that while they may offer protection on some other areas of the vehicle, like glass, plastic, metals, they don't seem to be ideally suited, nor offer much in the way of possessing restorative qualities.

Faded Wiper Arms, Wiper Cowls, Textured Plastic Trim, Rubber, will pretty much look the same after application with these products. They may arrest further damage from UV, and bead water, but that's about it.

For such materials, one would get much better results with a product specifically designed for such materials, such as CQuartz DLX, GTechniq C4, Wolfgang Exterior Trim Sealant, Solution Finish, and others like these.