Applying Opti Coat In This Manner?

G

GeeReg

New member
Hi all. The more I read and watch videos about Opti Coat 2.0, the more intrigued I am. I'm dying to try it but I have a problem. I don't have the free time to do a wash, clay, full correction, prep, and Opti Coat application on the entire car in one day. Is it practical to do maybe 1-2 panels per wash considering how the Opti Coat application process works? I guess the biggest issue is the applicator and towels are usually disposed of, but I've read that you can wash these right away and reuse?



Please let me know your thoughts on this. Thanks in advance.



-Greg
 
I am not saying you shouldn't obey the directions, but I have immediately cleaned applicators and towels from OC use and had no trouble with re-using once dry, no marring or anything.



I think if you have to work panel by panel because of time, then just go ahead and get it started :). I personally see no issues at all doing a couple panels at a time each time you wash.
 
The main thing I would suggest is make sure you mask off the adjacent (already coated) panels really well when you go to correct the next panel when you next wash the vehicle -- otherwise if you hit it with polish and compromise a spot of the coating you'll have to redo that whole panel as well.
 
Garry Dean said:
I would recommend doing the whole car at the same time.
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Trust me, this is how I would prefer it but it's just not going to happen



autoaesthetica said:
I am not saying you shouldn't obey the directions, but I have immediately cleaned applicators and towels from OC use and had no trouble with re-using once dry, no marring or anything.
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Thanks, that's what I had read



C. Charles Hahn said:
The main thing I would suggest is make sure you mask off the adjacent (already coated) panels really well when you go to correct the next panel when you next wash the vehicle.
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Thanks, that was how I planned on doing it.
 
I did that with my large SUV. I did not have the time to do it all at once so I did it in a few sections. like others have said be sure to tape off an area so you do not hit it when cleaning up the panel next to it. the results were great for me so take your time and get you panel where you want it then apply your opticoat 2.0
 
I did this on my truck. I didn't have time to do the entire thing at once so I did the roof one day, front end another time...doors, then rear, then wheels; all over the course of like 6 months. Worked fine, just use a lot of tape. :)
 
lasthope05 said:
Why would it be necessary to tape adjacent panels if the current version is layerable?
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As far as I'm aware Opti-Coat is not layerable. Unless something has changed that I missed, that is.
 
IMO it has nothing to do with the lsp as much as the polishing. Especially if you are using a two or three step compounding and polishing. The edges are the thinest and you would be polishing these areas twice if you don't tape.
lasthope05 said:
Why would it be necessary to tape adjacent panels if the current version is layerable?
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If you're going to do everything in sections, why not just leave OC as the last step you do all at once? Polish each panel per night, then on your last night OC the whole vehicle. I think it's silly to put any LSP on adjacent panels that you're buffing.



Also, don't use the yellow foam applicator, use a Microfiber applicator, something like this: DI Microfiber Applicator Pad | Detailed Image



It's actually recommended by Optimum and cleans up very nicely afterward.
 
Thanks everyone for the input. I'm still debating this and I will probably wait till spring, as I've read you want to apply in above 50deg weather anyway.



tssdetailing said:
If you're going to do everything in sections, why not just leave OC as the last step you do all at once? Polish each panel per night, then on your last night OC the whole vehicle. I think it's silly to put any LSP on adjacent panels that you're buffing.
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This will take me weeks and possibly several washes to do, so I'd be worried about putting defects back onto the polished panels (it's black) and I'd want to get the Opti-Coat on there ASAP.
 
GeeReg said:
This will take me weeks and possibly several washes to do, so I'd be worried about putting defects back onto the polished panels (it's black) and I'd want to get the Opti-Coat on there ASAP.
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i'm sorry, i wasn't aware it was a DD! I had it in my head this car was sitting in the garage and was just a project.
 
tssdetailing said:
i'm sorry, i wasn't aware it was a DD! I had it in my head this car was sitting in the garage and was just a project.
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I wish! Just finding time to wash two cars properly (nevermind correction) hasn't been easy since our little one (4 months old now) was born.
 
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