What kind of car is it? Generally ya a two step correction and consumer coating will cost you around 700 in Toronto. Glosscoat on its own is over 110 dollars after taxes so the paint correction will be just over 500. With a budget of 400 and wanting a coating, you would have to do it yourself and even the to get a polisher, number of pads, and a coating it'll run you over 400 with the prices here. Maybe consider the one step and a coating to go with it. For 400 I would do a one step plus a coating but you'd only get a one step.
Well, to summarize what I went through so far:
1. Too lazy to detail my car this summer. Cleaning my room took 2 months (yes.. I'm ultra OCD), and I don't have any energy left to detail the car any way. This year will mark 7th anniversary of delivery of my car, so I decided to treat my special one to a very luxurious spa... From what I gathered, it would cost around $400. I've detailed my car religiously for the past 7 years, so no major paint correction would be needed.
2. I found a reputable detailer in Toronto after researching various car forums. I briefly met up with him. And I was informed he doesn't wax cars anymore, and he hasn't waxed a car in the past 5 years. He uses coating products only (during our conversation it was referred to as "Opti Coat"). He informed me that my car would need 2-step correction, which would cost $700. He said 1-step will only be 70% perfect for my paint... Due to my skeptical view towards "Opti Coat," I decided to do some research first
3. I created this thread to ask about shine, maintenance, etc regarding "Opti Coat."
4. I was still leaning towards conventional sealant + wax combo, but after reading many convincing comments and insights from several posters, I went from skeptic to believer.
5. After reading a poster's comment on expected longevity, I realize there is a difference between "Opti Coat" and "Opti Glass Coating," and the detailer was referring to "Opti Glass Coating" during our conversation.
6. I've done some research on the difference between the two. "Opti Glass Coating" is inferior in every way. Even Optimum's website proudly states it is inferior to actual "Opti Coat."
7. My detailer informed me 2-stage correction with Opti Coat would cost $1200.
8. I'm lost... Lol. Opti Coat sounds very tempting due to strong protection and reduced maintenance for the next 5 years or so... But that price though... Wax and sealant will give deep wet glossy shine I want. But I have to detail the car myself, and I am still recovering from cleaning my room... I haven't detailed my car since October 2016, so I really need to get my car detailed soon.
I guess I'll try 1-step with Opti Glass Coating. Even though it doesn't remove all the swirls, my car will look better. And even though I don't get the actual "Opti Coat," at least I won't have to invest too much time in detailing my car for the next 2 years. So I'll be able to spend my free time on something more valuable... like social life...
!!
. I was originally going to spend $400, but now that is way over budget