Opti-Guard paint sealant?

Hey guys... Ive been looking into having Opti-guard 2.0 applied to my jet black F10. The authorized detailer is charging me 500 for a one step correction and applying the opti guard. My question is can all swirl marks be removed in one step? Also he wants to prep the car with opti no rinse... But he can do a traditional wash if I want. What do you guys think?

CT

opti coat 2.0? I used it on my E-class, also black. Looks amazing and beads water like crazy. No rinse wash might be fine since he is buffing the car anyway, but why create more work for yourself (imo). 1 buffer pass may be fine depending on the level of swirls you have, if you use an automatic car wash or use a sponge to wash your car forget it.

So light to moderate swirls one pass is enough? Can 4 hours really get it all done?

$500 is a bit steep for a coat of polymer wax that can be bought for about $12 a bottle (that will do several cars). The steps are the same for any wax btw. Do some home work on products like Zaino, Rejex etc (but don't buy into all the layering). I can get the exact same results by washing my car with Dawn detergent, then clay bar the car (takes about ten minutes), then putting on one coat of Zaino All-In-One with an orbital buffer, then one coat of Zaino Z2. This whole process takes about two hours at the most and will cost me maybe $40 in products that will do several vehicles.

I've heard this product is amazing and am also considering having this done by a detailer soon after taking delivery. I was hated $250 + correction time, so am assuming this will be in the ballpark of your quote (hoping that it will be a bit less, as my paint should be pristine).

My understanding is that this is a very long-lasting coat, but that care must be taken to ensure the car is in great shape before application. The detailer I contacted advised not letting the dealer touch the paint, including their standard wash and prep.

Originally Posted by jjsC6

$500 is a bit steep for a coat of polymer wax that can be bought for about $12 a bottle (that will do several cars). The steps are the same for any wax btw. Do some home work on products like Zaino, Rejex etc (but don't buy into all the layering). I can get the exact same results by washing my car with Dawn detergent, then clay bar the car (takes about ten minutes), then putting on one coat of Zaino All-In-One with an orbital buffer, then one coat of Zaino Z2. This whole process takes about two hours at the most and will cost me maybe $40 in products that will do several vehicles.

Opti-coat is a coating not a wax. The problem is that is creates a layer similar to a clear coat and that it is no filling ability. Thus, you need to polish the car properly prior to sealing.

Originally Posted by jjsC6

$500 is a bit steep for a coat of polymer wax that can be bought for about $12 a bottle (that will do several cars). The steps are the same for any wax btw. Do some home work on products like Zaino, Rejex etc (but don't buy into all the layering). I can get the exact same results by washing my car with Dawn detergent, then clay bar the car (takes about ten minutes), then putting on one coat of Zaino All-In-One with an orbital buffer, then one coat of Zaino Z2. This whole process takes about two hours at the most and will cost me maybe $40 in products that will do several vehicles.

Opti-coat is 60 bucks for a small syringe and will put Zaino to absolute SHAME. Keep in mind I was a huge Zaino fan circa 2000-2008.

You will definitely NOT get the same result from the process you listed. Paint polishing is needed on a black car with swirls and Zaino has no protection/hydrophobic properties compared to opticoat. Proper paint correction takes a LOT of work and $500 is about what I would charge one of my friends to do their car.

Here is my Black E350 after light polishing (1 pass) and 1 coat of opti-coat (can't layer opti-coat). As you can see no swirls and fantastic shine.

You guys can say what you want, but I'm willing on betting it is nothing more than a polymer wax like Zaino. This paint sealant "scam" has been going on for 25 years that I know of, and that is all they have turned out to be. But if ya'll want to pay the price for it knock yourself out.

Originally Posted by jjsC6

You guys can say what you want, but I'm willing on betting it is nothing more than a polymer wax like Zaino. This paint sealant "scam" has been going on for 25 years that I know of, and that is all they have turned out to be. But if ya'll want to pay the price for it knock yourself out.

Def not a scam, if you don't want to believe it that's too bad for you. Like I said I used Zaino for over 8 years and I will never look back.

Originally Posted by Kar Don

Def not a scam, if you don't want to believe it that's too bad for you. Like I said I used Zaino for over 8 years and I will never look back.

Well, I guess technically none of them are really scams, they are just way over priced. Wax threads on forums get to be pretty humorous in that some folks get way too serious about them. I'll bow out.

Originally Posted by jjsC6

Well, I guess technically none of them are really scams, they are just way over priced. Wax threads on forums get to be pretty humorous in that some folks get way too serious about them. I'll bow out.

Ha, ok... I don't think anyone is getting way too serious about them. Just want you to know where I'm coming from.

Opticoat is proven to work. I looked into it extensively and there are numerous reviews about this stuff going 2 years + and got nothing but usual car washes and water still beaded on the paint like day one.

Alan

Originally Posted by jjsC6

You guys can say what you want, but I'm willing on betting it is nothing more than a polymer wax like Zaino. This paint sealant "scam" has been going on for 25 years that I know of, and that is all they have turned out to be. But if ya'll want to pay the price for it knock yourself out.

You're right, this is a long time scam. However, this product does work well and gets a bad rap because of the "dealer snake oil" tag, but there are many high end detailers who swear by it.

Originally Posted by Kar Don

Ha, ok... I don't think anyone is getting way too serious about them. Just want you to know where I'm coming from.

I admit you have not been over the top and I apologize if my comments were out of line.

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

You're right, this is a long time scam. However, this product does work well and gets a bad rap because of the "dealer snake oil" tag, but there are many high end detailers who swear by it.

I have more to say about the matter, but I think I'll refrain for now. Maybe later. But I appreciate your input.

I had poly steel paintrotection applied to my X5 for $595 in 2011. It shines like new after every car wash. Is this the same as opti guard?

Check out this guys review if you haven't already. Pretty damn amazing stuff. http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...st-review.html

Alan

Originally Posted by F10inSD

Hey guys... Ive been looking into having Opti-guard 2.0 applied to my jet black F10. The authorized detailer is charging me 500 for a one step correction and applying the opti guard. My question is can all swirl marks be removed in one step? Also he wants to prep the car with opti no rinse... But he can do a traditional wash if I want. What do you guys think?

CT

You are in San Diego? Call Steve at his shop Detail Works for his opinion. He uses a Teflon coating process for half the price.

Originally Posted by Kar Don

Here is my Black E350 after light polishing (1 pass) and 1 coat of opti-coat (can't layer opti-coat). As you can see no swirls and fantastic shine.

Kar Don, I've recently learned that you can indeed layer OC, according to a number of pro detailers at Autopia who were relaying info given to them directly by Optimum. First 30 days, no problem, after the first 30, a light polish first then relayer. But, please confirm with Optimum for yourself. (edit: I should say it hasn't always been like this, but I think for year(s) now; I read they fiddled with the "resin binder" or something like that, and I think this goes for Opti Guard too.)

I've never used OC, and before I used to desire putting it on my wheels, but when I get around to a "permanent" type of coating on my wheels, I'm going to try Meguiar's BDB following TJPark's guidelines. (Lot cheaper Not for paint of course.)

Originally Posted by Ilovemycar

Kar Don, I've recently learned that you can indeed layer OC, according to a number of pro detailers at Autopia who were relaying info given to them directly by Optimum. First 30 days, no problem, after the first 30, a light polish first then relayer. But, please confirm with Optimum for yourself. (edit: I should say it hasn't always been like this, but I think for year(s) now; I read they fiddled with the "resin binder" or something like that, and I think this goes for Opti Guard too.)

I've never used OC, and before I used to desire putting it on my wheels, but when I get around to a "permanent" type of coating on my wheels, I'm going to try Meguiar's BDB following TJPark's guidelines. (Lot cheaper Not for paint of course.)

If it's not for paint, do you not think that the wheels are painted?

Originally Posted by jjsC6

If it's not for paint, do you not think that the wheels are painted?

Brake dust barrier is for painted surfaces on wheels. You could technically use it on your paint if you wanted i guess but you will lose some gloss as it is not a transparent coating but on silver wheels you can't really tell.

Hi Alan,

I have been following your posts for a while and got my car at the same time as you did! I am interested in applying opticoat to my car as well - could you please tell me where you got it done. Assuming you live in NY/NJ area. Thank you

Originally Posted by Kar Don

Brake dust barrier is for painted surfaces on wheels. You could technically use it on your paint if you wanted i guess but you will lose some gloss as it is not a transparent coating but on silver wheels you can't really tell.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by jjsC6

If it's not for paint, do you not think that the wheels are painted?

Apparently, I should have worded that better! To answer your question, definitely not, as I've personally applied paint to my wheels with DIY wheel repair. (For those who might think of trying this in the future, be warned that just because everyone in your chassis subforum mentions Wurth paint, or that your first page of google results show Wurth paint, does not make it the best choice! In my case the proper OEM match would've been Felgensilber Metallic 144. Ask me how I know, well ok I'll tell you, a wheel repair pro in the detailing dept taught me that, but after it was too late!)

Originally Posted by naveenp

Hi Alan,

I have been following your posts for a while and got my car at the same time as you did! I am interested in applying opticoat to my car as well - could you please tell me where you got it done. Assuming you live in NY/NJ area. Thank you

I'm not Alan, and I've never had it done, but I should mention that our sponsor, Detailer's Domain (aka Phil) out of NJ, has done more OC's than you can shake a stick at. If you search his threads in the detailing dept here, you are bound to find photos, possibly even hundreds of photos. There are instances where he does just OC the wheels only.

Originally Posted by Ilovemycar

I'm not Alan, and I've never had it done, but I should mention that our sponsor, Detailer's Domain (aka Phil) out of NJ, has done more OC's than you can shake a stick at. If you search his threads in the detailing dept here, you are bound to find photos, possibly even hundreds of photos. There are instances where he does just OC the wheels only.

Yes. Phil at Detailers Domain does AMAZING work. I met him a few times and I ordered my OC from him.

I did the OC myself but if i had to let someone touch my car it would be Phil.

Alan

Does anyone know a mobile detailer in Atlanta who can do this? I would like to have the detailing done at the dealer instead of dealer prep.

Originally Posted by Alan L.

Yes. Phil at Detailers Domain does AMAZING work. I met him a few times and I ordered my OC from him.

I did the OC myself but if i had to let someone touch my car it would be Phil.

Alan

How hard was it to put on the OC? I have looked at some of the instructions and it does not seem too hard. I just need to get a polisher to clean up the finish before!