opticoat failing

[2old2change]

This is from Dr.G to a member on a fb discussion group with a little insight to installing a Optimum coating. A very informative read IMO.


Seeing all of the questions here, and some of the answers, I decided to have a Q&A session with our favorite Dr. today, here is the result.

David

There is a lot of information circulating around about OCP, and I want to
have the real information on hand.

>Hi Yvan

I have added my comments within your email. In most cases the prep depends
on the condition of paint. For instance after using non-opt polishes they
have to use alcohol or other cleaners till paint is squeaky clean. If it
feels like there is any residue left they will need to continue cleaning.
Let me know if I can help with anything else. Thank you.

Is an ONR wash recommended prior to application?
> Depends.

If using Hyper Polish to prepare the surface, is an IPA or solvent wipe
down required, or not recommended?
> IPA is not needed.

If polishing with another brand of polish, what needs to be done to insure
optimal bonding?
> Depends on how clean the paint is.

Would the following scenario constitute a proper installation?
-wash with ONR
-Polish the paint with Optimum Hyper Polish
-remove polish residue with a dry MF towel, or an ONR wash
-dry and coat
> Yes.

Is OCP moisture or heat cured?
> Moisture cured but heat can expedite the curing process.

Does the use of IR lamps aid/speed curing?
> See above.

Is the use of IR lamps necessary?
> No.

Does wetting the surface after application aid/hinder curing?

> This can cause problems by overloading the resin with water and hinder
> curing. No water should come in contact for one hour after application.

What is the recommended application method, wipe on or spray?
> Wipe on.

Does a thicker coating or double application have any benefits?
> Not much

Is flash curing with compressed air recommended, offer any advantages?
> It helps with thicker application or spray application.

How long after application does the car have to remain dry?
> One hour.

Can the coated surface be topped with Instant Detailer, Optimum Spray
Wax, or Opti Seal?
> Yes. After one hour.
How long after application must one wait before topping with the above?
>See above.

Any other suggestions or recommendations?

> We have tried to simplify the process so my advice to everyone is not to
> try to over engineer. Additionally stick to the instructions and stay
> within the Optimum brand. Thanks.

 

[Hoytman]

Nice info, P.

 

[garmz]

If you polish with hyper polish does this remove the lsp ( wax and sealants)?

And wiping it off with onr is to just remove the Polish residues right?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

 

[KneeDragr]

I probably would have used eraser after the dawn wash, or that new prep polish by DP.

 

[garmz]

I probably would have used eraser after the dawn wash, or that new prep polish by DP.

Interesting product doesn't IPA wipes do the same thing after polishing?

Polishing gets rid of the lsp right?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

 

[zmcgovern45]

Interesting product doesn't IPA wipes do the same thing after polishing?

Polishing gets rid of the lsp right?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

Yes - IPA and Eraser serve the same purpose.

Yes - Polishing will remove any sealant or wax that was on the surface.

 

[Romans5.8]

why are you people useing Dawn? Really?
All that other crud is crud, as your finding out.

Another example of taking something simple and messing it all up.
KISS - Keep It Simple Silly

polish wipe with IPA, install Opti, done.

Even some of the 'greats' recommend dawn before polishing to remove wax and stuff. I suppose it's easier than an IPA if you're going to be polishing. However I think the goal here is a cheap/easy way to get rid of most of your surface stuff, and your polisher will eliminate any dawn film. Before doing something pricey like OC though, an IPA seems to be the way to go.

 

[garmz]

Even some of the 'greats' recommend dawn before polishing to remove wax and stuff. I suppose it's easier than an IPA if you're going to be polishing. However I think the goal here is a cheap/easy way to get rid of most of your surface stuff, and your polisher will eliminate any dawn film. Before doing something pricey like OC though, an IPA seems to be the way to go.

Here's the thing I don't get... Aren't you going to be polishing before Opti coat anyways?

Why bother with the dawn wash?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

 

[KneeDragr]

Interesting product doesn't IPA wipes do the same thing after polishing?

Polishing gets rid of the lsp right?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

I havent had good luck with IPA directly after polishing. Seems like it smeared the polishing oils around a lot unless you used large amounts of it and went through a lot of towels.

 

[RaskyR1]

If you polish with hyper polish does this remove the lsp ( wax and sealants)?

And wiping it off with onr is to just remove the Polish residues right?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

Hyper Polish, or just about any polish for that matter, should remove traditional waxes or sealants with ease, assuming you've properly worked it into the panel. Just wiping it on and off likely won't cut it.

However, a freshly applied sealant may cause a polish to hydroplane over the surface, which may hinder it's ability to do it's job. For this reason, many detailers will start with a strong wash to help break down the previous protection, though I don't believe it fully removes them. Any remaining LSP would be removed with claying and polishing.

Yes, wiping the car down with ONR after using Hyper Polish helps remove any remaining residue or carrier oils, but it will also make Opti-Coat go on smoother and you'll have less of the "grab" effect with the applicator.

Rasky

 

[Romans5.8]

Here's the thing I don't get... Aren't you going to be polishing before Opti coat anyways?

Why bother with the dawn wash?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

Well I barely know a swirl from a squirrel (Swirls are the furry things right?).

I just know that I've seen people like Larry from AmmoNYC use and recommend a Dawn wash to remove waxes/sealants before polishing. Polishing will remove it too I guess, and my ASSUMPTION (which is nothing more than just that- an assumption) was that the waxes and sealants could build up on your pad and make it dirtier faster, or even waste product as it cut through or mixed with those products. But it's just a GUESS. I just know that a dawn wash has been recommended by reputable people as an alternative to an IPA wipe.

 

[zmcgovern45]

Here's the thing I don't get... Aren't you going to be polishing before Opti coat anyways?

Why bother with the dawn wash?

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk 2

^The initial wash/decontamination steps are important in that you want to completely cleanse the surface of any remaining dirt, contamination, chemicals etc that may be masking the true condition of the paint. You want to be able to see exactly how the paint looks so that you can choose the best correction process.

After compounding/polishing, many people will rewash the vehicle, followed by an IPA or Eraser wipedown to ensure that any residual polishing oils have been removed. These oils have a tendency to interfere (so they say) with coatings and can potentially fill in some minor surface defects that you had originally thought were being removed. This is why many people will do a full IPA wipedown on their test spots to be completely sure they are in fact removing the defects.

I havent had good luck with IPA directly after polishing. Seems like it smeared the polishing oils around a lot unless you used large amounts of it and went through a lot of towels.

^IME Eraser is less finicky to work with... what dilution are you using the IPA at? I have noticed that the more water that is used, the more it tends to want to 'smear' because it does not immediately evaporate like pure alcohol will.

 

[garmz]

Hyper Polish, or just about any polish for that matter, should remove traditional waxes or sealants with ease, assuming you've properly worked it into the panel. Just wiping it on and off likely won't cut it.

However, a freshly applied sealant may cause a polish to hydroplane over the surface, which may hinder it's ability to do it's job. For this reason, many detailers will start with a strong wash to help break down the previous protection, though I don't believe it fully removes them. Any remaining LSP would be removed with claying and polishing.

Yes, wiping the car down with ONR after using Hyper Polish helps remove any remaining residue or carrier oils, but it will also make Opti-Coat go on smoother and you'll have less of the "grab" effect with the applicator.

Rasky

Thanks for the clarifications. Too bad I bought onrww now I have to pick up a bottle of Onr!

 

[ZeroSP]

How long are there coating suppose to last anyway?

4.5 years, you be the judge

 

[The Critic]

From my limited experience, an IPA wipe alone is usually not enough to remove polishing oils. If you're not using Hyper Polish or Primer, you should really consider a wash with Optimum Power Clean (2:1) to remove all polishing oils.

However, if you do that, the paint will become very grabby --which makes application more difficult. So you're really just better off using an Optimum polish.