Where do I go from here....

[JSFM35X]

I had optic oat 2.0 applied to my son`s Subaru in August of 2012. It has been a great coating, and very durable and easy cleaning for 2 years and month.

See write up form 8/2012:

http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums/...ial-guest.html

Car is still swirl free and although it is washed carefully, the finish is in great shape. I washed it this weekend and the car was a PITA to wash and dry. Why because the water was flat on the paint and the master blaster was much less effective. Now I need to scramble to get the car protected for winter.

Post wash PICs (yes, I washed and dried them, and then it poured)









Questions to be answered:

What to use to revive, and clean the existing optic oat?

WEhat to do to prep the surface for the next coating?

Should I try the new opticlat product or stick with what has worked?

I could also polish all the way down and try the c quartz?


Love to hear opinions

Thanks,

Jeff

[Docpeanut]

I like carpro reset soap for coatings, ONR is another favorite (the plain, no wax). As far as coatings, I`ve tried pbl and cquartz uk, cquartz uk is not quite as user friendly (still easy though) but it`s the winner for me every time

[Stokdgs]

Jeff -
The Opti-Coat 2.0 might just be really dirty with embedded stuff you cant see..

I would also try washing it with that CarPro product - Reset, and wash it really hard a couple of times and see how it works after that.

When I read the history of how this car was worked on by my good friend David, I just cant see how the Coating would just have disappeared so early...

Have you reached out to him ? He is I believe, somewhere out here in Southern California..

I dont really think its just gone.. You take too good care of your cars and that coating is really good..

Dan F

[JSFM35X]

I must have slept through reset? I will look into it.

I like carpro reset soap for coatings, ONR is another favorite (the plain, no wax). As far as coatings, I`ve tried pbl and cquartz uk, cquartz uk is not quite as user friendly (still easy though) but it`s the winner for me every time

[JSFM35X]

This post is in no way a knock at David`s work in any way. He really did a stellar job on the car. The Opticoat performed very will, even to date as there are no swirls and the car is easy to clean. It is just not beading anymore.

Do you guys really keep such good beading in a car for more than 2 years with anything?

This car sits outside 24x7 and last winter was the worst we have seen in a long while.

I will iron X it, and reset it if that is what you guys suggest. Then I will report back.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff -
The Opti-Coat 2.0 might just be really dirty with embedded stuff you cant see..

I would also try washing it with that CarPro product - Reset, and wash it really hard a couple of times and see how it works after that.

When I read the history of how this car was worked on by my good friend David, I just cant see how the Coating would just have disappeared so early...

Have you reached out to him ? He is I believe, somewhere out here in Southern California..

I dont really think its just gone.. You take too good care of your cars and that coating is really good..

Dan F

[RaysWay]

The coating may just have contaminants that make it look like it`s no longer on the surface. I would try chemically decontaminating it first. Try CarPro Iron X Snow Soap, or an application of Iron X. If it bleeds a lot, use a second application or use a mild clay bar.

Or polish the paint to remove the coating and apply the new Gloss-Coat
As long as you don`t mind the car being much glossier

[JSFM35X]

I think I will give the decon a try and if not I would give the gloss coat a try.

The coating may just have contaminants that make it look like it`s no longer on the surface. I would try chemically decontaminating it first. Try CarPro Iron X Snow Soap, or an application of Iron X. If it bleeds a lot, use a second application or use a mild clay bar.

Or polish the paint to remove the coating and apply the new Gloss-Coat
As long as you don`t mind the car being much glossier

[mustangmike]

I had a similar experience with my wife`s focus, 2 years and hardly any beading left with the OC 2.0., car sits outside 24/7. Sometimes claying will bring the beading back, it worked on my son`s focus with OC 2.0. My Escape, which is garage kept, has OC 2.0 and fared much better beading wise after 2 years. I recoated her car with 2.0 and all was good for a while. Recently I applied Reload to her Focus, the beading now is excellent. You might want to look into Reload, easy to apply and reported to last 3 or more months.

[TroyScherer]

IronX is a option. But personally I would use TRIX first. It will show if there is any major iron to remove but will also help with the other bonded stuff better that plain IronX will.

IronX snow soap or Reset are other good options as well. reset really surprised me the first time but IronX snow soap is a little better IMO for a decon wash.

I have noticed other detailers suggesting very strong APC washes as well especially for OC.

[JSFM35X]

Thanks Mike,

I actually own reload and while 3 months seems good, I am spoiled and I have had a good 2 year run with OC 2.0 and GTECH EXO. Seems to me that at the 2 year make, they are due for some maintenance.

I am not sure what I will use to revive it, but I will. If it bounces back I will be sure to tell you all about it. I would be surprised as it is looking pretty gone to me right now.

Products On my short list are:
1. Iron X (Have it)
2. TAW (Total Auto Wash Also Have it)
3. Reset (Would need to buy)
4. Trix (Would need to buy)

Processes I will try first:
1. Clay
2. Nano Skin Decon Pad
3. Fine finish polish after the above.

Then if all else fails I will recoat it. Might try the new OC Glossit or something else.

I am chasing GTECH Slickness and Beading with the Max Durability, in an easy to use product. Not asking too much right?

Thanks,

Jeff

I had a similar experience with my wife`s focus, 2 years and hardly any beading left with the OC 2.0., car sits outside 24/7. Sometimes claying will bring the beading back, it worked on my son`s focus with OC 2.0. My Escape, which is garage kept, has OC 2.0 and fared much better beading wise after 2 years. I recoated her car with 2.0 and all was good for a while. Recently I applied Reload to her Focus, the beading now is excellent. You might want to look into Reload, easy to apply and reported to last 3 or more months.

[JSFM35X]

Thanks for your suggestions Troy.

I will most likely try the things on your list I already own, and move up from there.

Thanks.

Jeff

IronX is a option. But personally I would use TRIX first. It will show if there is any major iron to remove but will also help with the other bonded stuff better that plain IronX will.

IronX snow soap or Reset are other good options as well. reset really surprised me the first time but IronX snow soap is a little better IMO for a decon wash.

I have noticed other detailers suggesting very strong APC washes as well especially for OC.

[RaysWay]

Keep us updated!

[tropicsteve]

I think a mild claying will do the trick. I recently did a friend`s and gave it a quick coat of bfcs and the results were very nice.

[Stokdgs]

This post is in no way a knock at David`s work in any way. He really did a stellar job on the car. The Opticoat performed very will, even to date as there are no swirls and the car is easy to clean. It is just not beading anymore.

Do you guys really keep such good beading in a car for more than 2 years with anything?

This car sits outside 24x7 and last winter was the worst we have seen in a long while.

I will iron X it, and reset it if that is what you guys suggest. Then I will report back.

Thanks,

Jeff

Jeff,
I was just thinking that with the level (highest) of expertise you had on the preparation and application of the Opti-Coat, there could not have been any room for error..

All I have ever done to my Black Grand Cherokee at year-3 is wash it, and sometimes go over it with Optimum Instant Gloss Enhancer, so I actually did something else to the flawless paint.
Not really sure it makes a difference, but like everyone else pretty much, I enjoy doing things to my car for many reasons..

I have never wanted to use a Claybar on the top of it, because I dont want to find out it can be scratched/marred/etc., by it..

The best thing that ever happened to my Paintwork was to start using CarPro Reset on it, when it first came out...

If you want to start over, you will have to remove all the product and then wipe it down a few times and go with the new or same family of product, etc..

I have not read of any "Renewal" Optimum product for their coatings..

All I can say that tells me my coating is doing fine at year-3, is that -
- It doesn`t get as dirty as everyone else`s car..
- It is really easy to wash when I ever do wash it..
- I have no scratches,swirls, etc., on the perfectly clear black metallic paint.
- It shines like crazy..
Dan F