Some questions about polishing / opti-coat

M

Mostafa Abd-elbaset

New member
<p style="margin-left:40px;">Hey

~For opti-coat prepraretion; I should do what? can you tell me the steps in summery?


~If I polished and put some kind of cream like "Poorboy's SSR 2.5", to remove the scartchs/swirl makrs.
<div style="margin-left:40px;">then finished polishing, and removed the residues of polishing cream after. It will be like wax on the painted area or it will totally be removed by using microfiber towel? because they say Opti-coat must be applied on "bare" paint


~What's the difference from polishing pads? I see 7 colors they say everyone has its usage..

Pls, explain it to me and what's the perfect polishing steps?


~For Opti-coat, What's its cure time? If I cant wait long time.. Do I use infrared heat to reduce the curing time? If i drived the car after applying for 3 or 4 hours, it is bad for the coating?


Sorry for my noobish question, I wish to help and answer me..
 
 
I can't say "regardless what you use", but you always want to remove the residues or oils.  This is why they suggest doing a wipe down with IPA (IsoPropyl-Alcohol).  The polishing steps are going to depend on the car's individual gel coat toughness.  It also varies by total damage and user's skill.  The point to polishing before Opti-Coat, is that you won't be able to polish the original gel coat afterwards (without removing the entire Opti Coat). So, do a full repair of the paint.  Get it how you want it to STAY LOOKING.  Spend the time, make it purrty, then lock in that look for many many years with Opti Coat. 


 


I would not try reducing the cure time of Opti-Coat at all.  This is because during part of the cure time, the coating is going to be self-leveling. I am not an expert of Opti-Coat, and I apologize for saying this but - use the "search" function, and you will find everything that you want to know about Opti Coat installation.  I encourage you to read as much as you can, because different people have slightly different techniques.  Take what you know, and pair it with a strategy that you would like.  These guys explain why they make choices, just choose the one that sounds good to you.



We have a few opti-coat professionals here.  Chris Thomas even works for Optimum. 


 


The reason that I suggest to read the other threads, is that these guys are the true professionals.  That means that they are busy making cars gorgeous.  The little time that they have, is family and free time.  We are lucky enough that many of these guys spend some time with us.  If we make them repeat instructions over and over, it would be overly tedious for them. 


 


You asked about difference in polishing pads, the colors can vary by maker.  Find out what is the least aggressive, and 2 or 3 steps more coarse than the first one.  I have been using Microfiber polishing pads, and I am very impressed with the results.  You might look into these, as they are quite easier to clean (in my opinion), both during work and after work.


 


I see that you only have 4 posts.  Welcome to Autopia! 


I hope that you enjoy it here, and that you find the wealth of knowledge here useful. 


 


Good Luck with Opti Coat


May you be blessed with many sunny days and happy customers
 
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