To Coat Or Not Coat - That's The Question

[addysdaddy]

I've been thinking of experimenting with one of the newer coatings but honestly I don't think it's the right type of product for me-so I need some guidance before making a decision. I two bucket wash weekly and seem to be apply a new LSP at least every other week and probably polish or paint cleanse monthly. Like many "geeks", I enjoy the process and experimenting with new products is part of the fun. If I laid down a coating, than it's my understanding that I'm "done" (except for washing the paint) for somewhere between several months to a couple of years. Hey, that would shoot my hobby in the head, than what would I do over the weekend? To my way of thinking a coating makes sense for those who don't regularly detail their cars or a service that is professionally offered to their clientele. Perhaps I'm missing some of the finer details but...I would appreciate a little help in sorting this out as it's a bit confusing at this point.

 

[Evan.J]

Go with the DP coating. You can apply any waxes to it and not have any issues.

 

[zmcgovern45]

Coatings = Premium Protection... I still wash my vehicle weekly, but the ease of maintenance is great with a coated vehicle. The car stays cleaner for longer periods of time, it is simple to wash, water spots don't etch my paint in a matter of hours, etc etc... you can technically apply whatever you want to whatever coating you use, but it just might last very long... but if you are already applying a new lsp twice a month that doesn't seem to bother you.

 

[addysdaddy]

Coatings = Premium Protection... I still wash my vehicle weekly, but the ease of maintenance is great with a coated vehicle. The car stays cleaner for longer periods of time, it is simple to wash, water spots don't etch my paint in a matter of hours, etc etc... you can technically apply whatever you want to whatever coating you use, but it just might last very long... but if you are already applying a new lsp twice a month that doesn't seem to bother you.

Right, just didn't really think there would be much benefit to the coating since I'm doing all this other work. But the points you make are duly noted. Thanks for the input. And as Evan suggested, was thinking along the lines of trying DP Coating since it's designed to be "topped" with another LSP.

 

[oldmodman]

I got both the Opti Coat 2.0 and Cquartz.

I use them on friend's cars since none of them take care of them. Unless I shame them into it, and do it for them for free their cars just get sent through the Tunnel of Doom once a month.

So one lady's car got Cquartz with reload once a month or so, while the other got the Opti Coat 2.0 since it could be months of sitting outside without a wash.

After a year they both look great. The Cquartz is slicker feeling since it get's treated with Reload fairly frequently.

For my own cars I love fiddling with them and nothing looks better than a nice clean car with corrected paint and Fuzion.

 

[addysdaddy]

I would have to agree, just got my first sample jar of Fuzion and love it. Like you think I'm going to relegate the coatings to friends cars that are neglected. Guess they're going to have to be really good friends. haha

 

[KillaCam]

I'm thinking of coating certain areas of my DD like the roof and rear spoiler. These are more prone to water spotting and the lsp never seems to last long at all on these areas compared to the others on the car. Maybe you could cost certain panels that you don't like waxing like the roof and experiment with other waxes/sealants on the other panels.

 

[Lexi65]

Coatings = Premium Protection... I still wash my vehicle weekly, but the ease of maintenance is great with a coated vehicle. The car stays cleaner for longer periods of time, it is simple to wash, water spots don't etch my paint in a matter of hours, etc etc... you can technically apply whatever you want to whatever coating you use, but it just might last very long... but if you are already applying a new lsp twice a month that doesn't seem to bother you.

I know from your many previous posts about the coatings
issue that you are very knowledgeable about this. My question
is what about a black Lexus and the possibility of a wet look result. My detail guy is intimating the coating route. Feed back please

 

[addysdaddy]

I'm thinking of coating certain areas of my DD like the roof and rear spoiler. These are more prone to water spotting and the lsp never seems to last long at all on these areas compared to the others on the car. Maybe you could cost certain panels that you don't like waxing like the roof and experiment with other waxes/sealants on the other panels.

An interesting thought. I have such an assortment of products on the paint at this point that I'm afraid that might just add to my confusion.

 

[zmcgovern45]

I know from your many previous posts about the coatings
issue that you are very knowledgeable about this. My question
is what about a black Lexus and the possibility of a wet look result. My detail guy is intimating the coating route. Feed back please

Are you asking if a coating will give you a wet look? If so - YES. Coatings are insanely glossy. See my most recent thread in the Show N Shine forum of a black Toyota coated with 22ple VX1 Pro.

 

[Lexi65]

Are you asking if a coating will give you a wet look? If so - YES. Coatings are insanely glossy. See my most recent thread in the Show N Shine forum of a black Toyota coated with 22ple VX1 Pro.

Could you please provide the link? Thanks!

 

[zmcgovern45]

Could you please provide the link? Thanks!

Here are some of my threads featuring coating products as well as a sample pic of a car with each type of coating:

CQuartz Finest
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-edition-paint-correction-cquartz-finest.html

22ple VX1 Pro
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...a-trashed-toyota-avalon-corrected-coated.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...oduct-game-changer-22ple-vx1-pro-coating.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ce-wash-is250-featuring-onr-22ple-vx1-v7.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ion-22ple-application-my-dad-s-acura-tsx.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...ation-paint-correction-22ple-application.html

Opti-Coat 2.0
http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...e-step-correction-opti-coat-installation.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-s6-correction-opti-coat-interior-detail.html

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...rashed-f150-correction-oc2-0-application.html

...I think you'll agree that gloss is definitely not an issue...

 

[flatlinerz]

I say coating

I did for the first time a couple of weeks ago and it was quite easy to apply

 

[Christopher.Brown]

TO COAT

A coating is front time loaded.. meaning all the time is in the prep...

afterward it saves a TEMENDOUS amount of time[washing,waxing,correcting etc].. not to mention offers protection, gloss, and peace of mind that paint is DONE DEAL!

you wont regret it rops:

 

[flatlinerz]

TO COAT

A coating is front time loaded.. meaning all the time is in the prep...

afterward it saves a TEMENDOUS amount of time[washing,waxing,correcting etc].. not to mention offers protection, gloss, and peace of mind that paint is DONE DEAL!

you wont regret it rops:

what this man said! :xyxthumbs:

 

[BradsDetailing]

To me if you are going to coat, you go with something that will last.

I personally would choose opticoat due to a thread on here where it was applied 50/50 and 2-3 years later it showed it was still there and the difference it made. That would be my choice, because it protects.

Someone mentioned dp coating. The description says it will last 2 years, so normally that mean a little bit less than that from experience with any sealant or wax that has a durability rating.

It's nice you can throw a wax or something on it but it's gone in less than two years and you have to repolish to make sure it's totally gone and then re-apply it. But on the other hand it is cheap.

But I would still go with opticoat because to me a coating is chosen over a wax for protection and over a sealant for durability.

I can't wait to coat my car because I on;t like worrying about itall the time and if it's protected or not. With a coating it's just good for a really long time.

And from the pics I have seen, as long as you prep the paint right, it looks real good too.

 

[addysdaddy]

TO COAT

A coating is front time loaded.. meaning all the time is in the prep...

afterward it saves a TEMENDOUS amount of time[washing,waxing,correcting etc].. not to mention offers protection, gloss, and peace of mind that paint is DONE DEAL!

you wont regret it rops:

I understand that and in most cases I would agree with you. But because this is my hobby, I enjoy the time and in fact look forward to it. Still thinking coatings are more to the "set it and forget camp." If and when I stop playing with my paint every weekend, I probably would dive right in with one of these great coating products.

 

[KillaCam]

I understand that and in most cases I would agree with you. But because this is my hobby, I enjoy the time and in fact look forward to it. Still thinking coatings are more to the "set it and forget camp." If and when I stop playing with my paint every weekend, I probably would dive right in with one of these great coating products.

Sounds like to me that you've already made up your mind not to coat.

 

[Christopher.Brown]

I understand that and in most cases I would agree with you. But because this is my hobby, I enjoy the time and in fact look forward to it. Still thinking coatings are more to the "set it and forget camp." If and when I stop playing with my paint every weekend, I probably would dive right in with one of these great coating products.

Ahhhh i totally respect that.. in that case lay down some Collinite 845 on that baby [for lighter colors - 915 for darker].. you wont regret it.... not sure where you live, but it makes one hell of a "winter protection" barrier as well...

Sounds like to me that you've already made up your mind not to coat.

Hey a man needs his hobbies for rest, relaxation, zoning out from wife and kids..... :work:

I dont hate, every car is a little project for me and i get in a zone and almost meditate when im working [unless its like the furnace of hell in summer].. so i can completely relate

:buffing: :autowash: :surrender:

 

[hernandez.art13]

I saw Christopher's work on his grey Honda. It looked really good. rops:

Have you tried layering it with a sealant or wax? Just for kicks Christopher?