Opti-coat users: Whaddya think?

Bence said:
Opti Coat just contains ammonia, that causes the strong odor and there are ammonia-based fruit coatings in existence.



What's the purpose of adding ammonia? I know ammonia is used to strip wax:confused:
 
I found some Sonax NS7 nano tech polymer at Ollies discount store for around $2. Their windshield washer concentrate is good stuff.



BTW, I've read a few posts on various automotive websites about bodyshops having issues painting over a few boutique and OTC waxes/sealants. I'm not sure what the root causes was/is but it is an issue that does occur and maybe it's because a body shop isn't using the right product to make sure the paint surface is clean.
 
i had a client and one of his cars has some type of paint coating on it , was a 09 mercedes mini-van he got it with coating from dealer, not sure what type of product they use.

the coating start pealing by handle on rear pass door. Ugly! the car wasn`t prep right or by the handle wasn`t bond ,anyway an 2inx3in "coating" pealing spot was visible, is same as clear coat failure

i think was sell from dealer as paint sealant, but look like a second coat of clear. around the damage area u can pull it with your nail. if i get back there i should take a pic.
 
There have been a lot of products out there that didn't live up to their claims, this isn't the case with the Optimum Opti Coat, this stuff is the real deal. I've applied this coating on at least 12 vehicles now and they are all holding up great with no issues. A few of the vehicles are still holding up well and I applied the coating on those back in October of 2009.
 
Here are some pictures I snapped earlier today, the coating was applied on this car back in October and is still beading like day 1.



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Impressive, no doubt the product works. But for some reason DR G is concerned about some liability issue. What happens if the paint isn't properly prepped-will the coating not adhere properly?



It's one thing to use a coating on a car with clear coat failure to bump the resale value and it's another to use a product on a new $100k supercar and for some reason have an issue a few years down the road. Theoretically, what happens if ANY product is applied to a limited production car and then a couple years down the road the only local approved dealership refuses to touch the car or warranty the paint because someone applied a permanent coating to the vehicle. Buyer beware.



I've seen people claim 9 or 10 months out of Zaino outside 24/7. There reaches a point where you have to ask how much durability does one need? After all, we've all seen the TV infomercials where the latest and greatest sealant was applied to a hood and then set on fire but really how many owners are gonna torch their cars:rofl
 
wannafbody said:
Impressive, no doubt the product works. But for some reason DR G is concerned about some liability issue. What happens if the paint isn't properly prepped-will the coating not adhere properly?



It is possible that not prepping the paint properly will reduce the durability. In addition, if you don't knock down any high spots before they dry, it will be visible and need to be polished off and reapplied.



Meguiars never offered #16 at the consumer level because it isn't "bubba-proof" meaning that if it isn't applied and removed properly, the car will look like crap with heavy splotches of wax that you pretty much need a belt sander to get off.
 
Scottwax said:
It is possible that not prepping the paint properly will reduce the durability. In addition, if you don't knock down any high spots before they dry, it will be visible and need to be polished off and reapplied.



Meguiars never offered #16 at the consumer level because it isn't "bubba-proof" meaning that if it isn't applied and removed properly, the car will look like crap with heavy splotches of wax that you pretty much need a belt sander to get off.



Please, #16 could be bought at any paint supply store by Average Joe without having to sign a waiver holding Megs blameless from liability. Same goes for #20 and #21. I'm not aware of any Megs product that you have to sign a waiver to get that releases them from liability.



Granted, I can think of a couple bulk products that one should have to sign a waiver to get but then again those manufacturers probably shouldn't be selling products to consumers that can cause damage if used improperly:eek:
 
wannafbody said:
Please, #16 could be bought at any paint supply store by Average Joe without having to sign a waiver holding Megs blameless from liability. Same goes for #20 and #21. I'm not aware of any Megs product that you have to sign a waiver to get that releases them from liability.



#16 wasn't sold at places like Pep Boys and Autozone because the average Joe doesn't read wax can directions. A can of #16 is $15, Opti-Coat is 6 times that. I can see how a growing company like Optimum can't absorb potential costs associated with improper ise vs a large company like Meguiar can over a $15 can of wax.
 
wannafbody said:
Impressive, no doubt the product works. But for some reason DR G is concerned about some liability issue. What happens if the paint isn't properly prepped-will the coating not adhere properly?



It's one thing to use a coating on a car with clear coat failure to bump the resale value and it's another to use a product on a new $100k supercar and for some reason have an issue a few years down the road. Theoretically, what happens if ANY product is applied to a limited production car and then a couple years down the road the only local approved dealership refuses to touch the car or warranty the paint because someone applied a permanent coating to the vehicle. Buyer beware.



I've seen people claim 9 or 10 months out of Zaino outside 24/7. There reaches a point where you have to ask how much durability does one need? After all, we've all seen the TV infomercials where the latest and greatest sealant was applied to a hood and then set on fire but really how many owners are gonna torch their cars:rofl



The reason Dr. G is concerned about the liability with Opti Coat is because there is a slight learning curve to the process. He doesn't want the average Joe that has no detailing experience to try and apply the product. If you apply it too thick you will be able to notice and difference and once it cures you are screwed, the only way to remove it would be to buff it off with a machine polisher and a compound. The paint does have to be properly prepped for the coating to get optimal performance.



You want to remove any scratches or swirls that are on the surface before the coating is applied, if not, you are just covering them up. Then after polishing it is recommended that you do an alchohol wipedown or use a wax remover to get the best possible surface to apply the coating, this way you will get the best bonding.



Some people don't want to mess with applying a wax or sealant and want that extra durability, this is where Opti Coat comes in, this product isn't for everyone, but for some people it is the perfect product that they have been looking for.
 
Obsessive said:
The reason Dr. G is concerned about the liability with Opti Coat is because there is a slight learning curve to the process. He doesn't want the average Joe that has no detailing experience to try and apply the product. If you apply it too thick you will be able to notice and difference and once it cures you are screwed, the only way to remove it would be to buff it off with a machine polisher and a compound. The paint does have to be properly prepped for the coating to get optimal performance.



You want to remove any scratches or swirls that are on the surface before the coating is applied, if not, you are just covering them up. Then after polishing it is recommended that you do an alchohol wipedown or use a wax remover to get the best possible surface to apply the coating, this way you will get the best bonding.



Some people don't want to mess with applying a wax or sealant and want that extra durability, this is where Opti Coat comes in, this product isn't for everyone, but for some people it is the perfect product that they have been looking for.



True, and that's all fine and good BUT wait until someone applies it to a new vehicle and the manufacturer voids the paint warranty. When Porsche and BMW start applying these type coatings on their cars at the factory and offer a 5 year warranty then I will probably change my mind.



Any detailer willing to shoulder the liability go ahead and use it to your hearts content. I can think of a couple potential applications for OptiCoat where it might prove to be beneficial.
 
wannafbody said:
True, and that's all fine and good BUT wait until someone applies it to a new vehicle and the manufacturer voids the paint warranty. When Porsche and BMW start applying these type coatings on their cars at the factory and offer a 5 year warranty then I will probably change my mind.



Any detailer willing to shoulder the liability go ahead and use it to your hearts content. I can think of a couple potential applications for OptiCoat where it might prove to be beneficial.



No, this doesn't void the factory warranty at all. Actually, a lot of dealers will be offering this as a protection package. Dealers have been offering protection packages for a long time, but most of the products don't work any better that most of the sealants we use. Now they have a product that actually lives up to what it is supposed to do. I have quite a few dealerships in my area that are going to start offering Opti Coat whenever they sell a new car.
 
Obsessive said:
No, this doesn't void the factory warranty at all. Actually, a lot of dealers will be offering this as a protection package. Dealers have been offering protection packages for a long time, but most of the products don't work any better that most of the sealants we use. Now they have a product that actually lives up to what it is supposed to do. I have quite a few dealerships in my area that are going to start offering Opti Coat whenever they sell a new car.



Don't try talking sense to him. He obviously knows what he is talking about, and if he says that the car manufacturer will void the paint warranty then dammit, they *will* void the paint warranty if you use Opti-Coat!!!! :rolleyes:
 
wannafbody said:
Impressive, no doubt the product works. But for some reason DR G is concerned about some liability issue. What happens if the paint isn't properly prepped-will the coating not adhere properly?



It's one thing to use a coating on a car with clear coat failure to bump the resale value and it's another to use a product on a new $100k supercar and for some reason have an issue a few years down the road. Theoretically, what happens if ANY product is applied to a limited production car and then a couple years down the road the only local approved dealership refuses to touch the car or warranty the paint because someone applied a permanent coating to the vehicle. Buyer beware.



I've seen people claim 9 or 10 months out of Zaino outside 24/7. There reaches a point where you have to ask how much durability does one need? After all, we've all seen the TV infomercials where the latest and greatest sealant was applied to a hood and then set on fire but really how many owners are gonna torch their cars:rofl



wannafbody said:
Please, #16 could be bought at any paint supply store by Average Joe without having to sign a waiver holding Megs blameless from liability. Same goes for #20 and #21. I'm not aware of any Megs product that you have to sign a waiver to get that releases them from liability.



Granted, I can think of a couple bulk products that one should have to sign a waiver to get but then again those manufacturers probably shouldn't be selling products to consumers that can cause damage if used improperly:eek:



wannafbody said:
True, and that's all fine and good BUT wait until someone applies it to a new vehicle and the manufacturer voids the paint warranty. When Porsche and BMW start applying these type coatings on their cars at the factory and offer a 5 year warranty then I will probably change my mind.



Any detailer willing to shoulder the liability go ahead and use it to your hearts content. I can think of a couple potential applications for OptiCoat where it might prove to be beneficial.



You may not be aware of it, but Dr. G developed clear coats when he was with PPG. I find it hard to conceive that he wouldn't know what would or wouldn't be detrimental to a finish. Your ridiculous speculations about a product you've never used and a waiver you've never read could very easily be cleared up by taking my advice posted earlier in the thread: POST YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COATING IN THE ASK DR.G SECTION ON OPTIMUM'S FORUM. I really can't see the point of all your contentious posts when you can ask the guy who designed, makes, and sells the stuff...that is unless you are just bashing.
 
integritydetail said:
You may not be aware of it, but Dr. G developed clear coats when he was with PPG. I find it hard to conceive that he wouldn't know what would or wouldn't be detrimental to a finish. Your ridiculous speculations about a product you've never used and a waiver you've never read could very easily be cleared up by taking my advice posted earlier in the thread: POST YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE COATING IN THE ASK DR.G SECTION ON OPTIMUM'S FORUM. I really can't see the point of all your contentious posts when you can ask the guy who designed, makes, and sells the stuff...that is unless you are just bashing.





Couldn't agree more on all counts.
 
If anyone puts anything permanent on paint then the manufacturer can void the paint warranty. The manufacturers void warranties on a regular basis when aftermarket parts are installed even thought it technically is illegal(Moss-Magnesson Act). They simply deny the claim-anyone who has been around GM forums is well aware of this occuring.



Since these are open forums DR G can respond and set the record straight.



Q1 Why does OptiCoat have a warning label on it if it is safe?

Q2 Why are you adding ammonia to Opti Coat?

Q3 Does OptiCoat have ingredients that would be considered "lung irritants"?

Q4 Is Opti-Coat made from paintable soy polymers and have you tested painting over it?

Q5 Why has it taken two years and you still don't have a warranty for Opticoat?

Q6 How is Optimum going to offer a warranty on OptiCoat if the installer has had to sign a waiver releasing Optimum from liability before being able to purchase OptiCoat?
 
wannafbody said:
If anyone puts anything permanent on paint then the manufacturer can void the paint warranty. The manufacturers void warranties on a regular basis when aftermarket parts are installed even thought it technically is illegal(Moss-Magnesson Act). They simply deny the claim-anyone who has been around GM forums is well aware of this occuring.



Since these are open forums DR G can respond and set the record straight.



Q1 Why does OptiCoat have a warning label on it if it is safe? Ever been to California? They have warning labels on everything. Plastic bags have warning labels on them. Does the inclusion of a warning label make you nervous for some reason?

Q2 Why are you adding ammonia to Opti Coat? Because it needs it. Why is Carnauba added to Meg's 16?

Q3 Does OptiCoat have ingredients that would be considered "lung irritants"? I think Ammonia would be considered an irritant. But it's a great bathroom cleaner anyway. I use it weekly. But if it's scary to you, don't.

Q4 Is Opti-Coat made from paintable soy polymers and have you tested painting over it?Who cares? it can be removed with a few minutes of buffing.

Q5 Why has it taken two years and you still don't have a warranty for Opticoat? I have yet to see an LSP with a warraty. why is a warranty needed?

Q6 How is Optimum going to offer a warranty on OptiCoat if the installer has had to sign a waiver releasing Optimum from liability before being able to purchase OptiCoat? Who says they are going to offer one? And what does it matter?



I'm not Dr. G, but those are my answers anyway.



And since asking questions seems to be the in thing to do.... Why do you have it out for this product so bad?
 
Placed my first order of this stuff the other day and talked to Dr G on the phone about it.



The people that are spraying it are doing it via air-gun



He also said the shelf life of the product should be quite long, so long as it stays in the syringe.

This keeps moisture from getting in the product, which will ruin its shelf life.



If you have any questions you could just call him...

He's a super helpful guy.
 
I have nothing against OptiCoat in and of itself. I'm questioning whether the current usage of the product is prudent. I think there is potential for the product but the current pricing is one limiting factor.
 
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