Just Finished Opti-Coat 2.0 - Have Some Questions

The Critic

New member
I applied Opti-Coat 2.0 to my daily driver today and have some questions that I could use some help with.



Prior to application, I washed/nanoskin mitt med/iron-x paste and did a 1-step polish with HD Polish using an Uber green pad. After polishing, I sprayed and wiped down the car with a 50/50 mix of Optimum Power Clean (and rinsed), and was able to confirm that all beading was gone.



Here are some events which occurred during application that I would like some feedback on:



- During application, I applied OC 2.0 and waited 5-7 min (per the OC 2.0 label) before attacking the high spots. After waiting the prescribed amount of time, the high spots were no longer of a rainbow color -- they had become mere smudges. However, these smudges removed easily with a no/light pressure wipe using a MF towel. I also went back after another 30-45 min and wiped a couple more spots as-needed (but with more pressure). Was this correct?



- On the first two panels I did, I had wiped down the high spots with a MF towel while the spots were still a "rainbow." I became concerned so I went back 30 min later and decided to recoat those panels. Is this okay? I remember reading a post from Chris@Optimum that you can do two back-to-back coats of OC within an hour.



- I decided to do the right-side and the roof of the car on the driveway (due to better lighting). After finishing the right side and doing 3/4 of the roof, a couple drops (literally) of rain came down. I sped the car into the garage and blotted up the few drops that had contacted the side panels. However, the roof got a couple bunch of drops on the area that was still flashing.



So, I waited for the OC 2.0 that was still flashing on the roof (which now had a few drops of water on it) to finish, and I wiped down the roof and re-coated the whole roof altogether. Therefore, I expect the roof to turn out okay.



My question is: the side panels that got a few drops had been done for 15 minutes and were dry to the touch. I understand that Optimum says you need to wait 1 hr before the coated panels can contact water, but I cannot imagine that 5-10 drops on a coated panel (that were wiped up within a min) would cause major issues. Has anyone else ran into a similar situation?





Thanks in advance for your help and your responses. The car is sitting in the garage right now so tomorrow's sunlight will be the real test - I really hope that there aren't any high spots remaining.
 
The Critic said:
I applied Opti-Coat 2.0 to my daily driver today and have some questions that I could use some help with.



Prior to application, I washed/nanoskin mitt med/iron-x paste and did a 1-step polish with HD Polish using an Uber green pad. After polishing, I sprayed and wiped down the car with a 50/50 mix of Optimum Power Clean (and rinsed), and was able to confirm that all beading was gone.





Proper prep work prior applying opti coat: CHECK





Here are some events which occurred during application that I would like some feedback on:



- During application, I applied OC 2.0 and waited 5-7 min (per the OC 2.0 label) before attacking the high spots. After waiting the prescribed amount of time, the high spots were no longer of a rainbow color -- they had become mere smudges. However, these smudges removed easily with a no/light pressure wipe using a MF towel. I also went back after another 30-45 min and wiped a couple more spots as-needed (but with more pressure). Was this correct?





Opti coat 2.0 will start solvent flashing within 2 minutes which results seeing the rainbow/oil color. By 3-5 minute mark, most of the film will disappear/bond to the surface, and that's when I usually go over the entire panel with a quality MF towel and wipe lightly to level off the high spots. After 15-30 minutes the paint will become tacky and during this time you do not want to touch it because it will smear/smudge, which you can't wipe it away/off. I tried doing this on a test panel when I was practicing how to apply Opti coat 2.0. When it reaches 1 hr, you can get it wet, but don't let it get contaminated by taking the car outside.





- On the first two panels I did, I had wiped down the high spots with a MF towel while the spots were still a "rainbow." I became concerned so I went back 30 min later and decided to recoat those panels. Is this okay? I remember reading a post from Chris@Optimum that you can do two back-to-back coats of OC within an hour.





As long as most of the rainbow dissipates within the 2-5 minute mark you can go over it with a MF towel. I would personally wait 24 hrs to apply the 2nd coat while the paint is still clean.





- I decided to do the right-side and the roof of the car on the driveway (due to better lighting). After finishing the right side and doing 3/4 of the roof, a couple drops (literally) of rain came down. I sped the car into the garage and blotted up the few drops that had contacted the side panels. However, the roof got a couple bunch of drops on the area that was still flashing.



So, I waited for the OC 2.0 that was still flashing on the roof (which now had a few drops of water on it) to finish, and I wiped down the roof and re-coated the whole roof altogether. Therefore, I expect the roof to turn out okay.



My question is: the side panels that got a few drops had been done for 15 minutes and were dry to the touch. I understand that Optimum says you need to wait 1 hr before the coated panels can contact water, but I cannot imagine that 5-10 drops on a coated panel (that were wiped up within a min) would cause major issues. Has anyone else ran into a similar situation?





I have not tested this part of the application yet, so I can't help you on this part.





Thanks in advance for your help and your responses. The car is sitting in the garage right now so tomorrow's sunlight will be the real test - I really hope that there aren't any high spots remaining.





I hope this will help you to figuring out how to apply Opti coat 2.0 a bit better.
 
Thanks, I appreciate your assistance.



I also checked with Chris @ Optimum and his answers were almost identical to yours. In regards to the premature water exposure, he said that the only effect would be smearing, but I have not seen any to-date.
 
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