Some ignorant opti-coat questions

I just put in an order with Phil for a few things and I had some questions about opti coat that may sound strange. The car it will be applied to is a new white A4 daily driver that I would like to protect for my parents... so here it goes

1. Should I opti-coat the wheel wells?
2. Should I opti-coat the door jambs?
3. Should I opti-coat the lats in the grill?
4. Should I opti-coat the exhaust?
5. Should I apply opti-coat to the windows?

THANK YOU for your knowledge. I really appreciate it. I know it sounds like I want to just bathe in opti-coat, but I want to just do this once and never think about it again.

p.s. How long before one could top opti-coat with something (like Menz PL or Wolfs)?

 

Also... almost forgot! Can polish, IPA wipe twice and apply opti-coat, or should I wash the car after polishing?

Thanks!

 

Wash the car with Dawn, then IPA wipe down after drying.

Yes to everything.

I think you can top it after one week.

 

Awesome. Thanks for the input!

How long would you wait to drive after opti-coat?

 

I didn't think Opti-Coat was meant for glass? I'd also be interested in seeing now long is lasts on the exhaust. But yeah, do anything paint and hard plastic, wheels etc.

You should be safe to drive after the initial dry time. I forget exactly so don't quote me, but I think its 12 hours.

 

I usually apply it to glass, I have it on my vehicle and the gf's and it works amazing.

Not sure how long it lasts on the exhaust but I know of people who coat the tips/muffler once their polished. I'd figure the heat would wear away some of it's lifespan but I'm not sure.

I'd wait 12hours before driving unless you reallllly need too.

 

my opinion

yes to all except for the glass. I stay away from that. Some other glass coatings on the market you may want to look into

and I polish, wash, dry, eraser (IPA), then Opti-Coat

good luck and dont forget the gas cap area

 

I'm had great results with OC on windows on my car. Longevity on the front doesn't last long, especially when you use your wipers more and more. However, OC presense is still evident in all the other windows (and front where the wipers dont touch) for the past 5 months when I first applied it

 

Excellent! Thank you all for that info. I had not heard of anyone opti-coating the wheel wells, but it seems like it might be a good idea.

 

A lot of folks have had better results using Car Pro Eraser rather than IPA or mineral spirits to remove polishing oils.

 

Should I opti-coat the wheel wells?
If you can gain access to them, for sure. It'll make cleaning them very easy.

[*]Should I opti-coat the door jambs?
Of course, they're painted.

[*]Should I opti-coat the lats in the grill?
Yes.

[*]Should I opti-coat the exhaust?
Prep as with paint and have at it.

[*]Should I apply opti-coat to the windows?
Yes. I do all glass including the windshield. I've had it on my windshield for 4 months now and its still going strong. If you do the windshield, put new wipers on at the same time. You'll be amazed. With regular wiper use, you should get up to 6 months before wiper abrasion removes the Opti Coat.

How long before one could top opti-coat with something (like Menz PL or Wolfs)?
No point as it won't stick to it. Polish your paint before applying OC and there won't be any reason to add anything over top of the OC.

 

Thank you for your detailed response!

 

I coat the areas my clients ask me to do. Otherwise it's paint, headlights, wheel faces and trim. I charge extra to do wheel barrels and would probably charge extra for wheel wells too. If they want the door jambs done I'll do it and no extra change but I think it's one of those areas that doesn't really "need" to be coated but I have no problem doing it if they want it done.

 

Drew, I'd coat everything except windows. Optimum is close to releasing the glass coating!

 

This elusive Optimum glass product might keep me from coating the windshield. If I knew anything about a timeline or what it actually did it might make it easier to wait.

btw, how did you know my name?

 

It'll be worth your wait, and I'm a magician, at least that's what I've been told.

 

Let me get this straight.

Wash with dawn
Clay
Polish out any imperfections
Wash again.
Than apply OC ?

What's IpA stand for ?

 

Wash
Decontaminate paint
Polish
Wash (optional ) I do if there is a lot of dust
Wipe down with IPA ( isopropyl alcohol / water mixture ) or Carpro Eraser
Apply OC

 

How does the coating react if it doesn't bond with another coating/lsp? Does it just run off?

 

It should NEVER be applied over a coating/LSP. Polish, Apply OC. Done.