I will try and answer some of the questions from the original poster and and others prior to this thread going into the garbage.
1. How did you feel it made the car look as far as gloss/depth/wetness go?
Even on a new car it will add gloss to the paint. Silver shows the most improvement. If your polished finish looks wet it will look slightly wetter after application.
2. Was it really that hard to apply?
No. You do have to pay attention and do one panel at a time. As stated wipe it on, watch it flash and knock it down. you can tell it's there because your towel will become dragey.
3. What method did you use to apply it, hand or spray?
We have used foam, cloth, paper towel, and spray application. Anthony and I have found that the best application for us is to use a foam applicator wrapped inside a latex glove and then covered with a thin flat MF or cotton towel. This method will place more of the product on the paint not in the applicator. The spray method is nice as well but uses quite a bit of product.
Anthony has done a few applications with an air brush it uses alot more product this way and can be tricky if you happen to lay too much in one area. Conditions must be clam. The best method to date is still by hand.
5. How long ago did you apply it, and how is it holding up?
We started applying it over 4 years ago during testing. We couldn't tell you how many applications we have done since then but it';s quite a bit. I applied it to my wife's black Expedition 3 years ago? Her car looks great even after a tunnel wash. It will not prevent scratches from brushes as I found this out after looking at the back of her car. Seams the boys at this tunnel wash have a brush on a stick and use it to pre scrub the backs and lower parts of the car prior to entering the tunnel.
She did rear end someone two years ago and had to have the hood repainted. The new paint hasn't pealed off. This is due to proper prep by the body shop. Not special prep just proper prep.
6. How easily is it cleaned? Specifically, if there's bugs, tar, and even just ordinary every day dirt on it, how easily does it release these contaminants, ie, does it need a mitt, or could you just spray it off with a pressure washer?
Cars clean up really easy especially the wheels. Brake dust can almost be entirely blasted off with a pressure washer the rest can be knocked off with a soft brush and a little apc.
7. What determines whether or not Optimum will sell it to you?
Attitude says alot. If your going to talk out of you butt lift one check so Dr. G can completely understand what it is your saying.
I'm sure if you call him directly and show him your a competent, level headed and willingness to sign the release he might sell it to you. If you detail for a living it will be much easier.
At the shop we like to apply two coats of the product. Your probably thinking that I read it cant be layered. It can as long as you do it right away. We have never done more then two coats. What we do is coat the entire car then apply the second coat from the original starting point. After the cure time if you apply the coating it will become cloudy. I learned this first hand with a BMW. Anthony and I applied the coating to one quarter panel on the car. The customer liked it so much that two weeks later he wanted the entire car done. When I got to this quarter it started to become hazy and cloudy.
I called Dr. G right away and he explained to me what was going on.
We top all applications with Optimum Spray Wax. The coating doesn't feel slick after it's applied so we do this to give the customer that physical reward when they touch the paint.
Types of vehicles we have applied this product to. Porsche, Aston Martin, Maserati, Ferrari, BMW, Ford, Chevy, Nissan, Chrysler, Dodge, Acura and an old 55 or 56 speedster. All with out any negative side affects.
The only negative experience we have ever had was a couple of months ago. We had a black Mercedes in the shop. We did paint correction, applied a clear bra to the front then the coating. The problem was the clear bra was cut wrong for the hood. and needed to be replaced when I pulled it off there was a line where the coating stopped and the old clear bra started. This line was difficult to remove.
As far as the smell of the product if you put it straight to your nose yeah it smells but when your applying it you really cant tell. Or maybe I'm just used to it.
Hope this helps.
