Opti Seal Cure Time

S

sirgounder

New member
How long do I have to wait until I can top Opti Seal with something else? I was thinking of topping Opti Seal with 845IW, or should it be the other way around with 845IW first?
 
I usually wait atleast 30 minutes before layering Opti-Seal, but I like to wash the car before I top it with another product.
 
OS first, I've waited as little as 15 minutes between coats of OS, and 45 minutes before topping with a 'nuba, with no ill effects. I think the official word from Optimum is a bit longer though.



You can go both ways with the topping, but 845 over OS is generally preferred. To use OS over 845, its necessary to wash first, or the oily nature of 845 will streak the heck out of OS.



I would think about the look you want before topping - on a black car, 845 improves the look a lot, however on metallic or pearl cars I find that 845 really knocks down the flake pop, while bringing out the color and wetness of the basecoat.
 
Opti-seal seriously can be layered so soon? With upgp the recommended wait is 12 hours. Even with a free weekend and a clean car, I can only get in 2 layers trying to avoid the evening dew.
 
12 hours is what I'd do and I'd top with 845 after Opti-Seal not the other way around... I'm sure you could do it both ways but the solvents in 845 could affect the Opti-Seal if you only wait 30 mins



I'm not too sure but remember reading 12 hours is what the suggested curing time
 
I read on the Optimum forum it's 12 hours. Someone from Optimum wrote that one could layer it sooner, but that would make it more like putting on a thick coat, not 2 coats.
 
I'd think that applying another layer of any polymer product over one that hadn't fully cured would at least partially remove the uncured layer. If the solvents in the bottle are strong enough to keep the product liquid why wouldn't those same solvents reliquify uncured polymers on a car?
 
kaval said:
I've layered 5 coats of Opti-seal 25 minutes apart. No apparent issues.
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That's what I mean. What you really have is 1 layer but 5 times thicker.



That being said, what would be the difference in looks or durability if you did that, or let each layer cure 12 hours before putting on another layer?



I don't know.
 
I usually put on 2 coats of OS about 15 minutes apart to ensure complete coverage. OS seems at least partially cured at that point, the paint is noticably slicker and the second coat literally glides on. I'd wait a full 24 hours before applying a wax over it.
 
Scottwax said:
I usually put on 2 coats of OS about 15 minutes apart to ensure complete coverage. OS seems at least partially cured at that point, the paint is noticably slicker and the second coat literally glides on. I'd wait a full 24 hours before applying a wax over it.
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Scott,

I'm assuming we're talking of a customer's car. With the 2 coats 15 minutes apart, it looks good? Looks fantastic? What about durability?

I ask because I bought a bottle and haven't used it yet. I've used UPGP for customers, but I've kept their car for long enough between layers (12 hours) to put at least 2 layers on.
 
Heatgain said:
Scott,

I'm assuming we're talking of a customer's car. With the 2 coats 15 minutes apart, it looks good? Looks fantastic? What about durability?

I ask because I bought a bottle and haven't used it yet. I've used UPGP for customers, but I've kept their car for long enough between layers (12 hours) to put at least 2 layers on.
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My own and customer's cars. Looks very wet, has held up on customer's cars 6-8 months. These are cars my customers wash, either by hand, tunnel wash or touchless. I feel it is best to reapply about every 4 months for maximum protection. Just like with any product, even if it still there after several months, it probably isn't protecting as well as a fresh coat.
 
Would it be bad to top it with a wax with some cleaner in it (NXT). If it is, in this case, what would be the recommended wait time as oppose to 30min.
 
shadow85 said:
Would it be bad to top it with a wax with some cleaner in it (NXT). If it is, in this case, what would be the recommended wait time as oppose to 30min.
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Top NXT with OS instead. Works very well.
 
quick question...been using upgp and doing the 12 hr long cure wait. if its true that opti-seal needs < 30 minute cure time then i'm very interested.



regarding application though i do one spray of upgp on the provided mf brick and apply. looks like you spray opti-seal directly onto the paint. i'm guessing its a sweeping one spray on each panel and then spread with applicator?



thanks much.
 
ricka said:
quick question...been using upgp and doing the 12 hr long cure wait. if its true that opti-seal needs < 30 minute cure time then i'm very interested.



regarding application though i do one spray of upgp on the provided mf brick and apply. looks like you spray opti-seal directly onto the paint. i'm guessing its a sweeping one spray on each panel and then spread with applicator?



thanks much.
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No, don't spray Opti-Seal on the paint. Not sure why that is even on the label. Lightly spritz the supplied foam pad, or even better, get one of the Meguiars foam hand pads to apply it.
 
Scottwax said:
No, don't spray Opti-Seal on the paint. Not sure why that is even on the label. Lightly spritz the supplied foam pad, or even better, get one of the Meguiars foam hand pads to apply it.
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thanks scott. i definitely trust you and your knowledge. so essentially its the same application as upgp. good to know as i've got that down.



i too am not sure why the directions say spray the paint...wierd :nixweiss



appreciate the heads up. hope it helps everyone else as well.
 
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