Within a week I'll be done touching up the paints chips and deeps scratches,finishing it with a flawless paint detail.

1. My concern- I've detailed my car before and found within two weeks light swirls and scratches (from the OEM car cover to very few carwash) I do the car wash properly from double bucket to top to bottom little to no pressure on mitts, same goes to drying. So it isn't my lack of knowledge screwing things up.

2. Solution- Opticoat the whole vehicle to eliminate/reduce the swirls cause by daily occurrences (car cover).

3. Question- Is it worth the time and money to opticoat the whole vehicle? I've heard great things about this product but unsure if it will meet up to its hype.

4.You- advices, experiences, concerns, question (maybe I wasn't descripted enough), techniques and so for.

 

tell us about your paint correction process. If you are washing the car correctly I am guessing that you are just filling the swirls and not removing them. Most polishes contain fillers that will only fill in swirls and not remove them. After a couple washes the swirls will return. If the paint is not corrected properly before you apply opti coat you are not going to achieve the results you are looking for I am afraid.

 

My 370Z is opti-coated and has been for 2 years. To me it is everything it is hyped to be. If you like to tinker and wax all the time, it's probably not for you. If you want to apply it and forget it, it's awesome. Make sure you take the time to prep your car. I put about 10-12 hours into my paint before application.

 

Another option for long term protection is 22PLE VX1, it's pricey as well but offers a hard layer of protection. I may try it myself later, but right know I'm very happy with multiple coats of a quality sealant.

 

Thats highly probable, I hadn't quite thought about it being a possibility. I use the pinnacle XMT products paired with a porter cable. The paint is in fantastic condition to begin with. I'll seek a professional to examine if indeed it is me just covering the scratches, before coating it of course.

Thanks for the advice.

 

It's more for protection from the daily driving elements, bird droppings and bugs.
I do plan on waxing it even with opticoat on for added definition. And yes prepping the paint before opticoat application is undoubtedly crucial, or else you won't get a good bond.

 

You weren't joking on the price, but seems like a very good investment.

 

what you want to do an IPA (isopropyl alcohol) wipe down after your paint correction. Take a spray bottle a with IPA mixed 50/50 with distilled water in a spray bottle. Wipe down a panel at a time with the 50/50 mixture and a soft clean mirofiber towel. Use a halogen work light or direct sunlight to inspect your work. You need to do this anyway before you apply any type of coating. The paint surface needs to be as clean as possible for proper bonding. If you still see swirls go with a more aggressive pad/polish/compound.

22ple will give you more gloss then opti coat but opti coat is a permanent coating. 22ple will last you about 2 years. If you wax over opti coat you are just wasting your time. The wax will come right off the surface.

 

Even if products say no fillers you still need to use IPA like he mentioned, after compounding to make sure the area is corrected and also after polishing to make sure the coating bonds with the paint.
and theres some products out there that also do this as well.

Carpro Eraser is their version of IPA
carpro Cquartz or Cquartz UK edition are your other Coating options other than Opti coat

theres also Gteching they have a coating C1 laquer and exov2
and their version of IPA is panel wipe

Also there are products that work with the coating but unfortunately wax or sealants arent them
Carpro has Reload and hydro2 (hydro2 is a game changer)
Gtech has Silo and also has a maintenance shampoo for coated cars.

i personally havent use 22ple but have heard and seen great results from that brand.


Heres a great chart someone made to see the differences in them
Also coating does swirl an also scratch. and can be lightly polished and re coated

http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...comparison.png


the reason OC pro is so much better is because only license installers are able to attain this product, just like C quartz Finest

 

I just applied Gtechniqa c1 and exo2. It' gives it a great shine and a more hard glass look than waxes and sealants. Perfect for GPW IMO. I'm hooked