2011 Prius - Replaced Opti-Coat with CQuartz UK 2014 Edition - Holy Gloss!

[The Critic]

It has been about 10 months since I last gave my personal car any kind of exterior detailing.

While the Opti-Coat 2.0 was still working fairly well, I felt that I had greatly improved my paint correction skills since my car was last worked on (thanks JSmooth), and as a result - I think I could get my car`s finish to a much higher level.

In addition, when the car was last coated, I only did a light polish using a very light finishing polish, so there were still defects leftover from my tunnel carwash days.

So here we go...

Tools used:
Rupes LHR21ES - correction step
Rupes LHR12E - finishing step
Rupes LHR75E - used for the correction and finishing steps on the liftgate
Rupes Swirl Finder Pen Light

Products used:
Wash: Meguiars D110 Hyper Wash
Decontamination: Meguiars C2000 Fine Grade Detailing Clay
Clay Lube: Optimum No Rinse - Diluted 1:16
Correction Step: Meguiars M100 with Meguiars DMF6 Microfiber Finishing Discs (to remove Opti-Coat 2.0 and remove most defects)
Refinement Step: Meguiars M205 with Rupes Yellow Foam Polishing Pads
Pre-Coating Wipe-down: CarPro Eraser
Paint Protection: CarPro CQuartz UK, 2014 Edition. Two coats on the roof, one coat on the rest of the car.

Note: Also wiped down the car with CarPro Reload as per the application instructions.

Here`s a picture of the paint after the compounding step.

DSC_1119 by thecritic89, on Flickr

I used light pressure, speed 3 and a total of 3 passes in approx 16"x16" sections; I think the total work time was about 2 minutes per section. There`s a minimal amount of DA haze and some light to moderate micro-marring from the Meguiars microfiber finishing disc. I was getting 90% + correction with this combo and approach.

(For what it`s worth, I later used M100 with the new-style Meguiars MF Finishing Discs and found that there`s almost zero micro marring using the same approach, hmm...)

I did not take any additional pictures during the correction process, but I should mention that I tested multiple combos for the finishing step. HD Adapt wasn`t working too well with the heat and humidity, but M205 was. This is somewhat unfortunate since Adapt finished out a hair better than 205, but we`re splitting hairs here.

Anyway, here are some final pictures. My photography skills really do not capture the gloss and darkening effect that CQuartz UK added to the finish:

DSC_1141 by thecritic89, on Flickr

DSC_1139 by thecritic89, on Flickr

DSC_1147 by thecritic89, on Flickr


DSC_1142 by thecritic89, on Flickr

DSC_1127 by thecritic89, on Flickr

DSC_1131 by thecritic89, on Flickr



- Critic

[tedj101]

It has been about 10 months since I last gave my personal car any kind of exterior detailing.

While the Opti-Coat 2.0 was still working fairly well, I felt that I had greatly improved my paint correction skills since my car was last worked on (thanks JSmooth), and as a result - I think I could get my car`s finish to a much higher level.


Anyway, here are some final pictures. My photography skills really do not capture the gloss and darkening effect that CQuartz UK added to the finish:



- Critic

That looks beautiful! Great job!

[Klock]

It looks very nice!

[Orinda Auto Detail]

That is the best looking Prius on the road! To bad its a Prius... Just kidding! Killed it Mike! Great job!

[silverfox]

I ended up polishing CQUK off because it darkened my red jewel tint coat to the point of making it look like single stage paint. For some darkened paint is a plus but not in every case.

[RaysWay]

Wow very nice!! Two coats on the roof is a great idea too. Now you a perfect candidate to try CarPro Reset Shampoo (if you ever finish the gallon of D110).

[512detail]

Now thats a great looking prius.

All that money you`re saving on gas you should be able to afford some Reset.

[The Critic]

Now thats a great looking prius.

All that money you`re saving on gas you should be able to afford some Reset.

Considering the ongoing drought right now, I may have to ONR it!

[Orinda Auto Detail]

Considering the ongoing drought right now, I may have to ONR it!

I know a place where you can use a full wash bay that is very compliant with drought laws. Oh there is also 5 gallons of Reset on hand, a gallon of reload, 2 gallons of hydro, and some help to scratch you car up

[Ronkh]

Looks great

can you describe the look differences of op and uk please........

and as time goes on, the ruggedness of uk v. op

[iamalexander408]

Amazing job! It`s awesome you got a paint color like that to shine so much.

[The Critic]

Looks great

can you describe the look differences of op and uk please........

and as time goes on, the ruggedness of uk v. op

The gloss of UK is a bit higher, and UK has a significant darkening effect if you apply at least 2 coats.

I have no doubt that 2.0 would outlast UK, but so far, I am a bit more satisfied with the attributes of UK. And since UK is a glass coating, I do expect its properties to deteriorate in a linear fashion, so I would not be surprised if the gloss and/or darkening effects are linearly reduced as time goes on.

[Woob]

Boring =)