tenorplayer23
New member
- Jun 21, 2009
- 301
- 0
Nice test details.
Optimum Opti-Coating - Durability Test Review!!!
- Thread starter David Fermani
- Start date
David Fermani
New member
- Apr 19, 2007
- 703
- 0
- Thread starter
- #22
6 MONTH UPDATE
Well the 6 month mark has snuck up quickly and this product is outperforming my expectations by a mile!! I’ve been religiously washing my car with a weekly dose of Dawn dish soap as well as monthly trips to the Touchless Automatic and I can honestly say this product’s durability has gone unchanged from the day I 1st applied it. I’ve closely watched it’s characteristics on a regular basis under several environments and it is truly an amazing product. In all my years (decades) of car care, I have never seen another product or concept defy mainstream and unconventional properties like this product. It’s nothing like I originally thought it would be to say the least. In laymen’s terms; it’s basically like applying an additional layer of clearcoat that constantly beads water. In addition to this, it’s cleaning power and scratch resistancy is unparelled to any other. I look forward to continued testing and at this point have confidence that this product will most likely outlast my companionship with this vehicle (approximately 2 years). I’ll be updating this thread as needed and will be testing this coating against other mainstream sealants to compare their durability in regards to my wash methods employed.
Remember: Entire Driver’s side of vehicle has been coated (glass/paint/trim/wheels)
Basic shots of morning dew (surface is dirty too):
Rinsed off:
I took a trip across the state a few weeks ago and got slammed with Love Bugs! Here’s the results of the cleaning power this product has on bug guts that were left on for about 2 weeks.
I used the wipers and as you can see the coated side (driver) easily sheds the debris. The passenger doesn’t:
Uncoated/Bare (passenger):
Coated (driver):
I then used my pressure washer(~1500 psi) to pre-blast the bugs off the finish prior to hand washing:
Observe the beading strength on the coating:
After the initial bug blasting, I used a leaf blower to dry the front end (didn’t want to wipe a towel across the still dirty paint):
Here’s the results documenting the cleaning ability of this product after 6 months on a surface:
Coated:
Uncoated:
Additional Comparison:
Well the 6 month mark has snuck up quickly and this product is outperforming my expectations by a mile!! I’ve been religiously washing my car with a weekly dose of Dawn dish soap as well as monthly trips to the Touchless Automatic and I can honestly say this product’s durability has gone unchanged from the day I 1st applied it. I’ve closely watched it’s characteristics on a regular basis under several environments and it is truly an amazing product. In all my years (decades) of car care, I have never seen another product or concept defy mainstream and unconventional properties like this product. It’s nothing like I originally thought it would be to say the least. In laymen’s terms; it’s basically like applying an additional layer of clearcoat that constantly beads water. In addition to this, it’s cleaning power and scratch resistancy is unparelled to any other. I look forward to continued testing and at this point have confidence that this product will most likely outlast my companionship with this vehicle (approximately 2 years). I’ll be updating this thread as needed and will be testing this coating against other mainstream sealants to compare their durability in regards to my wash methods employed.
Remember: Entire Driver’s side of vehicle has been coated (glass/paint/trim/wheels)
Basic shots of morning dew (surface is dirty too):
Rinsed off:
I took a trip across the state a few weeks ago and got slammed with Love Bugs! Here’s the results of the cleaning power this product has on bug guts that were left on for about 2 weeks.
I used the wipers and as you can see the coated side (driver) easily sheds the debris. The passenger doesn’t:
Uncoated/Bare (passenger):
Coated (driver):
I then used my pressure washer(~1500 psi) to pre-blast the bugs off the finish prior to hand washing:
Observe the beading strength on the coating:
After the initial bug blasting, I used a leaf blower to dry the front end (didn’t want to wipe a towel across the still dirty paint):
Here’s the results documenting the cleaning ability of this product after 6 months on a surface:
Coated:
Uncoated:
Additional Comparison:
killrflake
New member
- Jan 25, 2007
- 1,153
- 0
The Optimum Opti-Coating is turning out to be quite a product. Your work in writting up your findings is also top drawer. Thanks for taking the time to conduct such an in depth testing of this product, I'll be considering the addition of Optimum Opti-Coating to my detailing supplies just because of your results.
rohnramirez
New member
- Feb 18, 2010
- 827
- 0
Holy cow..you have brought this product through the extremes and it is holding up as you've said as day1. Optimum Rocks!!!
Thanks for the update Dave..appreciate it. This would be the product i have searching for...maybe not acrylic but insanely protective!!!
Now since this is only offered to licensed detailers in your country; Is there a chance i can grab one of these? Do i also need a license or my certificate of registration is enough?
Thanks for the update Dave..appreciate it. This would be the product i have searching for...maybe not acrylic but insanely protective!!!
Now since this is only offered to licensed detailers in your country; Is there a chance i can grab one of these? Do i also need a license or my certificate of registration is enough?
Alex Boyce
New member
- Aug 19, 2009
- 346
- 0
wow, awesome comparison and great documenting everything, I'm sure glad a review like this is being done, great stuff!!
RaskyR1
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- Apr 14, 2008
- 3,733
- 0
Flash Gordon
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
- 11,440
- 457
Yea Ferminator, whats the deal :surrender:
Did something happen? I seem to remember there being an issue.
justin_murphy
New member
- May 7, 2006
- 2,852
- 0
This is freaking interesting.
Thanks for the test David.
Thanks for the test David.
rops:
David Fermani
New member
- Apr 19, 2007
- 703
- 0
- Thread starter
- #39
1 year update
1 YEAR UPDATE
Here is my 1 year observation on the Optimum Opti-Coating. The product is holding up incredibly well. Even after weekly hand washes with Dawn Dish soap and monthly Touchless car washing. As a refresher, the entire Driver’s side ½ of this vehicle has been treated with the coating. This includes paint, chrome, textured trim, plastic and glass. No Wax, Sealants, Waterless washes or Quick Detailers have ever been used anywhere on the exterior of this vehicle. There are no discernable differences or loss in protection, beading, shine, gloss with the product or vehicle thus far. It has outperformed my expectations in every aspect that I can imagine. The only section that has “failed” is the portion of the windshield where the wipers run over(due to friction). The areas around it have diminished quite a bit, but are still shedding water very differently than the uncoated passenger side. Bottom line, the product is sticking to the finish like a refrigerator magnet!! Still easy to clean, does not get heavy build up of road oils, even at it’s most dirtiest moment. Just a quick blast of the pressure washer removes 90% of any dirt buildup. Most conclusions are based on comparisons to the characteristics of the uncoated sides as well as past vehicles I’ve cared for throughout my 20+ years of reconditioning vehicles.
Here’s a quick video I filmed with my Smart phone to document some of the characteristics on the coating:
Click>>>
In addition to the coating testing, Dawn dish soap has not damaged any part of this vehicle thus far. Even bare metal components show no signs of corrosion like many people warned. The paint is as glossy on the untreated side as it is on the treated one. Rubber seals, weather stripping and belt moldings are still in like new condition. And this vehicle is not garage kept and can stay running for up to 8+ hours per day in the brutally hot S. Florida salty environment.
As a side note, because this vehicles has a tendency of spending up to 8+ hours per day at various Body Shops, there is a slight bit of overspray on it. This undoubtedly has effected the way the water beads as the water is beading on a surface speckled with paint overspray rather than a bare one. After discussing this issue with Dr. G, he supplied me with their Water Spot Remover. I will be testing this product, coupled with a fine grade clay bar to clean the coating. Even though the coating is still strongly on the surface, it may require additional topcoat cleaning as a maintenance type of service. This may vary based on climate and environmental surroundings.
1 YEAR UPDATE
Here is my 1 year observation on the Optimum Opti-Coating. The product is holding up incredibly well. Even after weekly hand washes with Dawn Dish soap and monthly Touchless car washing. As a refresher, the entire Driver’s side ½ of this vehicle has been treated with the coating. This includes paint, chrome, textured trim, plastic and glass. No Wax, Sealants, Waterless washes or Quick Detailers have ever been used anywhere on the exterior of this vehicle. There are no discernable differences or loss in protection, beading, shine, gloss with the product or vehicle thus far. It has outperformed my expectations in every aspect that I can imagine. The only section that has “failed” is the portion of the windshield where the wipers run over(due to friction). The areas around it have diminished quite a bit, but are still shedding water very differently than the uncoated passenger side. Bottom line, the product is sticking to the finish like a refrigerator magnet!! Still easy to clean, does not get heavy build up of road oils, even at it’s most dirtiest moment. Just a quick blast of the pressure washer removes 90% of any dirt buildup. Most conclusions are based on comparisons to the characteristics of the uncoated sides as well as past vehicles I’ve cared for throughout my 20+ years of reconditioning vehicles.
Here’s a quick video I filmed with my Smart phone to document some of the characteristics on the coating:
Click>>>
In addition to the coating testing, Dawn dish soap has not damaged any part of this vehicle thus far. Even bare metal components show no signs of corrosion like many people warned. The paint is as glossy on the untreated side as it is on the treated one. Rubber seals, weather stripping and belt moldings are still in like new condition. And this vehicle is not garage kept and can stay running for up to 8+ hours per day in the brutally hot S. Florida salty environment.
As a side note, because this vehicles has a tendency of spending up to 8+ hours per day at various Body Shops, there is a slight bit of overspray on it. This undoubtedly has effected the way the water beads as the water is beading on a surface speckled with paint overspray rather than a bare one. After discussing this issue with Dr. G, he supplied me with their Water Spot Remover. I will be testing this product, coupled with a fine grade clay bar to clean the coating. Even though the coating is still strongly on the surface, it may require additional topcoat cleaning as a maintenance type of service. This may vary based on climate and environmental surroundings.