Help understanding coatings

Tex Star Detail

Tex Star Detail

Formerly TexasTB
Ok, so I feel like a complete beginner all over again..:redface:
Apparently I have been out of detailing longer than I thought, as last time I checked a looooong time ago, Menzerna Power Lock was the good stuff. Now all this talk about coatings that last for an eternity...ok. Maybe a little shorter.

Where can I read up on this info as I need to do ton of research I see. Haha
 
Two second lowdown:

Opticoat is the only "permanent" coating, only something that strips or abrades paint can take this off.

Cquartz coatings are semi permanent, lasting two years but can certainly last longer. Cquartz assumes you will polish your car at least once every two years so that's why they say two years. Certain chemicals as well as anything that can take off opticoat will remove this.
 
Basically it's an extreme LSP? To get it straight, it has no filling at all, basically just what it says, a coating? All paint work must be flawless before applying or the light scratches, marring will be visible under it?
 
Tex Star Detail said:
Basically it's an extreme LSP? To get it straight, it has no filling at all, basically just what it says, a coating? All paint work must be flawless before applying or the light scratches, marring will be visible under it?
Click to expand...

Well kind of, but it's not really in the same class as LSP. I wouldn't call any coating an LSP.

Yeah coatings have no filling properties or abrasive properties. Opticoat is almost like a "second" clearcoat. Cquartz is I'm told very similar.

I have Opticoat on my car, and I have tested it's durability with shooting straight APC at it... rinsed off like it was nothing. It simply does not go away unless you are trying to get rid of it.
 
Many of these new coatings are very similar to the actual clear coat applied at the factory or paint shop but they are applied with a foam pad. These coatings are classified as "permanent" because unlike sealants and waxes they won't evaporate in a few weeks or months.

A major difference in these coating when compared to the clear coat paint is they're much, much thinner, microns thin...

Like anything else, if you want your finish to glow then proper paint preparation and correction are a must otherwise these coating will actually lock in the swirls and like defects...

Take a look at this video by Optimum

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yyo_-UA8yM4"]Optimum Opti-Coat[/ame]
 
It sure would be nice to see a chart comparing the various aspects of all the coatings available today.
 
BobbyG said:
Many of these new coatings are very similar to the actual clear coat applied at the factory or paint shop but they are applied with a foam pad. These coatings are classified as "permanent" because unlike sealants and waxes they won't evaporate in a few weeks or months.

A major difference in these coating when compared to the clear coat paint is they're much, much thinner, microns thin...

Like anything else, if you want your finish to glow then proper paint preparation and correction are a must otherwise these coating will actually lock in the swirls and like defects...

Take a look at this video by Optimum

Optimum Opti-Coat
Click to expand...

Interesting video, I'm surprised that the blue shop towel doesn't create any small scratches since it's not microfiber...
 
ihaveacamaro said:
Interesting video, I'm surprised that the blue shop towel doesn't create any small scratches since it's not microfiber...
Click to expand...

Keep in mind that the finish is hard and freshly polished.

If a soft shop towel were to scratch the finish by merely gliding over it then imagine what a driving rain with airborne particles would do to it..

We've been "taught" that microfiber is the way but in reality any soft towel works..
 
BobbyG said:
Keep in mind that the finish is hard and freshly polished.

If a soft shop towel were to scratch the finish by merely gliding over it then imagine what a driving rain with airborne particles would do to it..

We've been "taught" that microfiber is the way but in reality any soft towel works..
Click to expand...

Great point Bobby and thanks for the clarification :bigups
 
BobbyG said:
Many of these new coatings are very similar to the actual clear coat applied at the factory or paint shop but they are applied with a foam pad. These coatings are classified as "permanent" because unlike sealants and waxes they won't evaporate in a few weeks or months.

A major difference in these coating when compared to the clear coat paint is they're much, much thinner, microns thin...

Like anything else, if you want your finish to glow then proper paint preparation and correction are a must otherwise these coating will actually lock in the swirls and like defects...

Take a look at this video by Optimum

Optimum Opti-Coat
Click to expand...

that was interesting to see the opticoat being air sprayed on. :bigups
 
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