Some ignorant opti-coat questions

Discussion in 'Last Steps: Waxes, Sealants, and Coatings' started by amercour, Feb 6, 2013.

  1. amercour

    amercour Birth of a Detailer

    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)?
     
  2. amercour

    amercour Birth of a Detailer

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

    Thanks!
     
  3. SDMDChris

    SDMDChris Birth of a Detailer

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

    Yes to everything.

    I think you can top it after one week.
     
  4. amercour

    amercour Birth of a Detailer

    Awesome. Thanks for the input!

    How long would you wait to drive after opti-coat?
     
  5. Bmer89

    Bmer89 DB Forum Supporter

    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.
     
  6. SDMDChris

    SDMDChris Birth of a Detailer

    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.
     
  7. Mr. Sparkle

    Mr. Sparkle DB Pro Supporter

    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
     
  8. wong05tsx

    wong05tsx DB Forum Supporter

    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
     
  9. amercour

    amercour Birth of a Detailer

    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.
     
  10. Merlin

    Merlin Virgin Detailer

    A lot of folks have had better results using Car Pro Eraser rather than IPA or mineral spirits to remove polishing oils.
     
  11. 911Fanatic

    911Fanatic DB Pro Supporter

    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.
     
  12. amercour

    amercour Birth of a Detailer

    Thank you for your detailed response!
     
  13. RaskyR1

    RaskyR1 Jedi Nuba

    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.
     
  14. Perfections

    Perfections Birth of a Detailer

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

    amercour Birth of a Detailer

    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?
     
  16. Perfections

    Perfections Birth of a Detailer

    It'll be worth your wait, and I'm a magician, at least that's what I've been told.
     
  17. LIM3

    LIM3 Any Rag Vehicle Washer

    Let me get this straight.

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

    What's IpA stand for ?
     
  18. 911Fanatic

    911Fanatic DB Pro Supporter

    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
     
  19. GloomyX

    GloomyX Birth of a Detailer

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

    Woob Jedi Nuba

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

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