Premium for applying Opti Coat?

9

911fanatic

New member
I am looking at offering Opti Coat to my customers and was wondering if / what you guys are charging extra for this product? I know there is a bit more prep involved, but how much on top of a normal sealant do you charge?
 
It's a premium product, requires premium skill to work with and a premium should be charged to apply it. I charge $400 more to apply it to paint that will warrant it & $100 more for Wheels & Glass. This is on average sized vehicles. I really feel we need to preserve the uniqueness of this product. Especially when doing this for dealers as they are already charging conderably more then this for just a basic paint sealant.
 
On a new car, I will typically have to do at least a one step polish and on others a multi step polish, so I charge as a starting point, $300 on new cars and $450 on cars that require more correction. If someone came to me and wanted me to just apply it with no other prep work done I would charge $200 but obviously would try to talk them out of that route.
 
David Fermani said:
$100 more for Wheels & Glass.
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Your not concerned about applying it to the glass? I have it on my own personal car glass, and its great. Isn't there a Liability issue as the product does say not for glass?
 
Highrev1 said:
Your not concerned about applying it to the glass? I have it on my own personal car glass, and its great. Isn't there a Liability issue as the product does say not for glass?
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Not in any way. I'm not concerned about liability because I know I'm going to do it right! That's the big issue people are missing and why this coating shouldn't be given to just anyone. There's more to this product then just slathering some clear liquid all over the surface. Besides meticulously inspecting the paint prior to applying the coating, there should be similar inspection done during and after the application. That's why I believe in charging a premium. :)



The only exposure to liability I see is for Optimum or their reseller. If they sell the product to some yahoo and they slop in all over the glass and it interferes with their vision and they end up crashing and killing someone the shiiit is going to hit the fan for someone. It's not going to be me because I make 100% certain that the glass it perfect before it gets turned over to a client.
 
David Fermani said:
Not in any way. I'm not concerned about liability because I know I'm going to do it right! That's the big issue people are missing and why this coating shouldn't be given to just anyone. There's more to this product then just slathering some clear liquid all over the surface. Besides meticulously inspecting the paint prior to applying the coating, there should be similar inspection done during and after the application. That's why I believe in charging a premium. :)



The only exposure to liability I see is for Optimum or their reseller. If they sell the product to some yahoo and they slop in all over the glass and it interferes with their vision and they end up crashing and killing someone the shiiit is going to hit the fan for someone. It's not going to be me because I make 100% certain that the glass it perfect before it gets turned over to a client.
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I charge a premium also...I just feel that I almost lose the opportunity to correct the paint again after they brin their cars through the swirl o matic...But then I realize its just going into the coating and it can be removed and re-applied.



I won't do glass though for fear of night glare maybee. I don't have any on my own windows, but I just wouldn't ever want it coming back to me. I remeber using rainx and getting horrible "rainbowing" at night from headlights, and that was made for glass.



I guess my wuestion is if applied incorrectly and they did get some distortion, would the liability be the detailers? Probably right.
 
Future correction could be extended considerably, but shouldn't mean that you can't/shouldn't be continuing to service these coated clients. The coating can/should be inspected and possibly cleaned (light clay/wsr) semi or annually. At that time you can decide if the coating needs cleaning, correction, reapplication and even an upsell on the interior as well or other services as well.



AS far as the glass, if boils down to what you comfortable doing. Nobody can blame you for taking the side of caution. Good point about night glare. I'm assuming that OC is optically clear, so not sure if that would affect anything? Good question for Dr. G actually.



Liability can go a couple different ways. 1 for Optimum if they sell it to the end user (customer) and they don't warn them of the precautions. 2 for the installer if they do not apply the coating properly which is why they request confirmation of insurance.
 
David Fermani said:
At that time you can decide if the coating needs cleaning, correction, reapplication and even an upsell on the interior as well or other services as well.



AS far as the glass, if boils down to what you comfortable doing. Nobody can blame you for taking the side of caution. Good point about night glare. I'm assuming that OC is optically clear, so not sure if that would affect anything? Good question for Dr. G actually.



for the installer if they do not apply the coating properly which is why they request confirmation of insurance.
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Why would it need re-application if its permanent? I know it can be layered...so upselling layers may be an option...



I just remember How BAD I would get the "haze" from rainx with the defroster on and would just dred it...I always looked for a solution, and for ME opti-coat works :D



Insurance? I buy it without an insurance policy number....:)



David good convo...Thanks
 
I'd recommend reapplication after doing any kind of sustantial correction because I feel it's way too tedious to check and see if the coating is still there after polishing. You'd be better off by just applying another coat then and there. Even a light polish like 85rd will scuff the surface enough for another layer to adhere to.
 
I charge $250 dollars for the Opticoat upsell IF they are a regular customer I do maintenance washes on. For new customers its $300.



However, I only offer it for multi step correction details on used cars. On new cars I offer it after a minimum 1 step detail. I explain to customers there is no point to applying it unless the surface is as defect free as is possible first.



The reason I charge cheaper for regular customers is it makes my job just that much easier and there is no waxing/sealant involved once I am done washing the vehicle. I realize some may disagree with it, but thats what I do.



p.s. Same deal goes for Cquartz application.



edit: I should mention this is for painted surfaces only. I dont apply it to glass, trim, etc. Just personal preference.
 
Lotuseffect said:
I charge $250 dollars for the Opticoat upsell IF they are a regular customer I do maintenance washes on. For new customers its $300.



However, I only offer it for multi step correction details on used cars. On new cars I offer it after a minimum 1 step detail. I explain to customers there is no point to applying it unless the surface is as defect free as is possible first.



The reason I charge cheaper for regular customers is it makes my job just that much easier and there is no waxing/sealant involved once I am done washing the vehicle. I realize some may disagree with it, but thats what I do.



p.s. Same deal goes for Cquartz application.



edit: I should mention this is for painted surfaces only. I dont apply it to glass, trim, etc. Just personal preference.
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I'm in the same general price point as you and I agree with the 1-step polishing minimum on new cars.



I've applied it to the glass on many cars without issue, but I've also had a few were it clouded up after a few minutes and had to be removed I'm not sure what caused this but I've since stopped offering it unless they specifically ask for it...just not worth the headache IMO.
 
David Fermani said:
Even a light polish like 85rd will scuff the surface enough for another layer to adhere to.
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I thought it could be layered as long as the second appilcation was applied right after flashing of the first coat. But it didnt help with any additional properites to the product.



RaskyR1 said:
had to be removed.
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How did you remove it from the glass? :) Just wondering.
 
Highrev1 said:
I thought it could be layered as long as the second appilcation was applied right after flashing of the first coat. But it didnt help with any additional properites to the product.







How did you remove it from the glass? :) Just wondering.
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The latest version is supposed to be layer-able, but after 3-4 layers Chris said it will start to get cloudy.



Same as paint....polish away! ;)
 
I wasn't aware that they updated the formula for this layering characteristic. I remember Dr. G telling me that once OC cured, it would reject any other layers unless you scuffed the surface for adhesion. You only had a short window of opportunity to apply a 2nd coat immediatley after the 1st one was applied. I wonder if this is actually a revision or just a new discovery?
 
David Fermani said:
I wasn't aware that they updated the formula for this layering characteristic. I remember Dr. G telling me that once OC cured, it would reject any other layers unless you scuffed the surface for adhesion. You only had a short window of opportunity to apply a 2nd coat immediatley after the 1st one was applied. I wonder if this is actually a revision or just a new discovery?
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It was updated but they layering ability was not planned and I believe it was discovered at SEMA when Chris kept applying it to the Lambo hood in their booth. ;)
 
detailfanatic said:
Thanks for all the replies guys. :)
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So what's the verdict Ken? Are you going to start Opti-Coating cars? With the nice vehicles you're working on, I bet it would be an easy upsell.
 
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