Review and Extreme Testing: Opti-Coat 2.0 and CQuartz

Hey Chris... Does the OC look anything like a wax/sealant finish on a car...?

Because i'd love to coat my car for the ultimate protection, but also at the same time i like how wax/sealant look... and i know i cant layer that or top it over OC...

So how does the finish feel/look like?
 
Perfections said:
That's weird, I've had nothing but good experiences with Chris and his answers on multiple forums. I'd have to give him some credit trying to stay up with so many forums/ questions, his detailing company, and online store. There's so many variables that come into play with chemicals, to be honest theres no right answer that's gonna be 100% correct for every situation and person because even the way I apply a product will differ from you even using the same equipment to apply it and the climate your in vs myself. Just my thoughts on it though.
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:iagree:
 
Chris has always been very helpful and a pleasure to deal with for me. Meeting him at DetailFest confirmed every encounter I remember having with him on line.

I think I want to do some controlled polish testing on OC as well. I have some opinion from previous experience and testing last year but I didn't control it much or record it so I'll abstain from comment until I do a controlled test.
 
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fenderpicks said:
Hey Chris... Does the OC look anything like a wax/sealant finish on a car...?

Because i'd love to coat my car for the ultimate protection, but also at the same time i like how wax/sealant look... and i know i cant layer that or top it over OC...

So how does the finish feel/look like?
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It looks very much like a sealant. I always tell those who seem a little apprehensive to try Opti Seal first. It applies and looks very similar to Opti Coat but with a shorter commitment. There will be a updated version of Opti Seal available within a week or so, too!

If you like a Nuba look, just use something like OCW to top and it won't matter that it only last a few weeks because it only took 10 minutes to apply.

I get a few complaints about the feel, but nothing really feels like wax...because it wax! Opti Coat feels like squeaky clean polished paint to me. Which is fine because I don't want anyone running their fingers over my paint anyway.

dougaross said:
:iagree:
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Thank you.
 
fenderpicks said:
Hey Chris... Does the OC look anything like a wax/sealant finish on a car...?

Because i'd love to coat my car for the ultimate protection, but also at the same time i like how wax/sealant look... and i know i cant layer that or top it over OC...

So how does the finish feel/look like?
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To me wax and sealant looks different :D Opti-Coat is going to be a sealant look in my book.

The best way I could describe the look you would get is hard candy, the reflection you get off a non metallic paint is amazing, my avatar is a vivid black with opti-coat. In the case of my TL, a dark metallic, the metallic really pops. I also did my sedona orange harley with opti-coat and that bike already had a hardy candy look, now it looks like it has a layer of glass over the paint. However, the metallic on my sedona orange doesn't pop half as much, difference in base color I suppose? (dark gray vs burnt orange).
 
I used Opti-Coat for the first time on my 2011 Audi S4 today. I washed (Zaino Z7), used IronX, and clayed (Meguiar's Smooth Surface with ONR for lube). I then used my GG polisher with orange hydro tech pads and Wolfgang TSR to polish. The paint was in good shape, just a few RIDS. I didn't get it 100% clear, but I am satisfied with it. I did all that in about 6 hours yesterday.

I started out this morning by cleaning everything with an IPA/water solution. I've used Zaino CS before, so was familiar with the WOWA products. The high spot issue worried me a little, but I watched several videos and read everything I could about it. I started on the roof and had issues with the foam applicator "grabbing". I finally made it over the whole car and experimented with using more and less product. I ended up using 5cc for the whole car.

After reading other posts, I thought I didn't use enough. I also wasn't confident I covered the first few panels fully. I have the newer version that can layer, so I decided to go over it again in about an hour. I used quite a bit more on the second coat so that the applicator would glide easier and so I could see better where I had been. I would do one panel, wait a minute or two and then very lightly go over the panel with a soft microfiber to even things out. This technique worked much better for me. I used a total of 12cc for both coats.

I did my wife's Infiniti G37 about a year ago with CQuartz. It felt more like doing a traditional wax/sealant. I do like the application of OC better though now that I am comfortable with the technique.

As for the permanence of both, I hope to be able to compare somewhat since I now have two cars completely covered with each. My wife's car has not yet had its spring wash/detail, so I am not sure how it is holding up yet. It is completely filthy right now. I will post an update on how the CQuartz is holding up on it in a day or two.

Thanks for all the great info in this thread. I agree, let's keep things civil on here and not lose all this great info to a locked thread.
 
It bothers me that you say that OCW will only last a few weeks. Granted it's so easy to apply, but when Optimum states that it could last up to 5 months, I'm a little shocked at your statement of a few weeks. I understand all the variables, but five months to a few weeks is a huge difference.


Chris@Optimum said:
If you like a Nuba look, just use something like OCW to top and it won't matter that it only last a few weeks because it only took 10 minutes to apply.
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Rsurfer said:
It bothers me that you say that OCW will only last a few weeks. Granted it's so easy to apply, but when Optimum states that it could last up to 5 months, I'm a little shocked at your statement of a few weeks. I understand all the variables, but five months to a few weeks is a huge difference.


Chris@Optimum said:
If you like a Nuba look, just use something like OCW to top and it won't matter that it only last a few weeks because it only took 10 minutes to apply.
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Maybe because anything top of OC wont bond....?
So u get a dramatic decrease in time?
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Rsurfer said:
It bothers me that you say that OCW will only last a few weeks. Granted it's so easy to apply, but when Optimum states that it could last up to 5 months, I'm a little shocked at your statement of a few weeks. I understand all the variables, but five months to a few weeks is a huge difference.
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OCW by itself will last longer than OCW over OC. Nothing will really bond with OC, so you will not get the longevity. That is the discrepancy.
 
Good answer. If so, why bother to top it.
fenderpicks said:
Rsurfer said:
It bothers me that you say that OCW will only last a few weeks. Granted it's so easy to apply, but when Optimum states that it could last up to 5 months, I'm a little shocked at your statement of a few weeks. I understand all the variables, but five months to a few weeks is a huge difference.




Maybe because anything top of OC wont bond....?
So u get a dramatic decrease in time?
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If you want a nuba look why not use a sealant that you can top with a wax? Blackfire come to mind (Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant and Midnight Sun). And it will last more then a few weeks.
fenderpicks said:
Just to give the nuba look like chris said?
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lol i want to coat my car... but i like the look of sealant and wax
So Chris said i can top it with OCW...

I already have cquartz in hand already... but i just wax'ed and seal it this weekened.... and i plan on using my gf's car to apply it first... since i never used it before lol
 
Let us know how it comes out, but at this point, looks like OC has the upper hand over CQ.:buffing:
fenderpicks said:
lol i want to coat my car... but i like the look of sealant and wax
So Chris said i can top it with OCW...

I already have cquartz in hand already... but i just wax'ed and seal it this weekened.... and i plan on using my gf's car to apply it first... since i never used it before lol
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Thats what im not LIKING!!!
Is like Carpro reps gave up on this thread....
But i like how Carpro has like a entire collection lined up for cquarts...
Like use Trix to wash ur car... clay it.... use fixer to get rid of scratches and what not.... eraser to wipe off whatever... and cquart it... and reload it once in a while...?
 
I think both Optimum and Car Pro have great products.
 
Rsurfer said:
Let us know how it comes out, but at this point, looks like OC has the upper hand over CQ.:buffing:
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fenderpicks said:
Thats what im not LIKING!!!
Is like Carpro reps gave up on this thread....
But i like how Carpro has like a entire collection lined up for cquarts...
Like use Trix to wash ur car... clay it.... use fixer to get rid of scratches and what not.... eraser to wipe off whatever... and cquart it... and reload it once in a while...?
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Great points guys! Ivan, Optimum also has a system. While they dont have a product like Iron X, they offer OPC. Optimum polishes are water based so Eraser isnt needed. I think Optimum needs a counterpart to ReLoad. OCW has a higher surface tension than ReLoad and doesnt release dust, pollen and dirt like ReLoad and Permanon. IMO this is the only chink in the Optimum armor! I have talked to Dr. G. about it. He said he will look into it. I hope he does soon.
 
But Corey stated that OC is easier to apply if u get used to it...
But CQ is more for beginner entry... wont leave high spots and what not...
that's the only reason i got the CQ over OC... but now seeing how OPT have like amazing customer support/service. I really regret getting the CQ in a way lol

Also does anyone know if a 30ml bottle CQ will be able to coat 2 cars?
 
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