The official I have ordered/received my new MKVI thread

[markwid]

Is it bad that I've had mine for 4 days now and have already done 1600kms?

No, not at all.

I was going to say "keep it up" but that could lead to (1600 * 365/4) = 146,000 km/year.

[Corey_R]

Cool. What do you think of this opti-coat business? Is it worth doing? How much? May consider it.

I am set to do window tinting but not sure about opti-coat.

aVex spent the morning waxing and then "opti-sealing" - that is not "Opti-coat". Whilst they're both made by the same company, Opti-seal is a sealant which can be applied by anyone. Opti-coat is a hard resin type clear-coat, similar to the car's clear coat, except tougher and more durable. It needs to be installed by a pro as if you stuff it up, it would require abraisive machine polishing to remove it. Those who have had it done have been very happy with it (only a few members I'm aware of so far).

As with any of these products - you're best to get them applied on the way home from the dealership to ensure they go on before any chance of stratches and swirls etc.

[markwid]

Thanks for clarifying Corey. Sounds like opticoat is worth doing. My doubts are because a lot of products don't live up to their marketing spiel.

Am looking at going to reflecteffect to do it.

[Corey_R]

No problems. I've been talking to the distributor of the product for Australia in the past few days.

Here is a link for information on Optimum Opti-coat
Here is a link with all the authorised "installers"

[Lucas_R]

About 10years ago I worked as a car detailer at a Holden dealership in Newcastle. We sold "paint protection" (Wax Guard brand) and couldn't believe what crap it was. Even worse was how many people forked out $800 for it. It's just a polish with a very high content of silicone in it. The high % of silicone makes the water "bead" for many months compared to normal polish-making the owners believe that their paint was "protected".

Polish you car once a year and wax every 2-3 months and your car will look fantastic.

Another tip....when you wash your car and you have finished washing your suds off - unclip your spray nozzle (so the water is coming straight out of the hose with no nozzle pressurizing it) and turn the pressure down a bit and then spray the car from the roof down........providing the car is regularly polished/waxed, the water will sheet off and vastly reduce your chamois time.

[SilvrFoxX]

I agree, I am one of those nutters that details his car every 4 -6 months and the paintwork is immaculate.. cant come paying for someone else to perform some magic

[Corey_R]

True... the paint protection from the dealers IS crap. But it doesn't mean that there are GREAT products from third party detailers which are FAR BETTER than the wax and sealants which you can 1) buy and 2) apply yourself.

As I've said before, Ventureshield/3M PPF is a pyhsical shield which will STOP stone chips and maybe even save you if you "brush" your car against a brick wall or concrete wall in a car park. G|Techniq is a sealant which will last about twice as long as Nanolex Nano-sealant. Opti-coat is a "harder clearcoat resin" which is hydrophobic, swirl resistant, and will last as long as any factory clear coat given proper care (i.e. putting sealants/waxes over the top of it and using non-abraisive polishes).

So in other words... just because dealers use cheap and nasty products in order to catch gullible customers and maximise profits, doesn't mean that there aren't some awesome products out there from specialist detailers

[Gregar]

Have to love it when something goes wrong, the dealer tried to change the Rego over yesterday into my name and guess what - Apparently my car doesn't exist, something about VW Australia not transferring over the paper work to Dept of Transport... Sooo it doesn't matter that I called up the dealership on Friday to which they where going to transfer over the Rego then, but the Sales person thought he would do me a favour and register it yesterday instead.. Now I have to wait until VW give the paper work to the Transport Department and then for the Dealer to change the Rego over... I guess you can say I'm pretty annoyed right now as I sit here waiting for the dealership to call me before 8am to see if they can deliver my car (it's now 8:10am)... Pretty much screwing up my whole week this is...

Speaking of Opti-Coat that's what I'm getting done to my car (when I get it), for new cars it has a unlimited warranty, just need to take it back to the car place to get machined off an reapplied once a year (only have to pay for labour not the reapplication of the opti-coat)

Opti-Coat (whole car - Wheels / Trims) - Window Tining - Interior Protection $649 for me up here in QLD.

[Tammorice]

Well I've just ordered my very first VW. It's a black 2011 Golf 118TSi MKII, 6 spd manual. It took me weeks to decide what to test drive but once I did there was no hesitation that the VW was better quality for the $$$. OR SO I THOUGHT! I am becoming increasingly nervous about the engine problems the 118 seems to be known for.

Would love to hear from anyone with a 2011 build 118.

[Corey_R]

Speaking of Opti-Coat that's what I'm getting done to my car (when I get it), for new cars it has a unlimited warranty, just need to take it back to the car place to get machined off an reapplied once a year (only have to pay for labour not the reapplication of the opti-coat)

Opti-Coat (whole car - Wheels / Trims) - Window Tining - Interior Protection $649 for me up here in QLD.

I think you may have misunderstood what was conveyed to you Gregar. You wouldn't get them to do that each year unless you really don't take care of your car...

From the Opti-coat information link I already posted on this page a few posts back:

How does the 5 year / Lifetime warranty work?

The Optimum warranty guarantees that the Opti-Coat film will not degrade and/or delaminate from the surface due to faults with application and/or the product. We also guarantee that the Opti-Coat film will not fade or oxidise and will prevent the factory paint from any fading or oxidation. The Optimum warranty requires the owner to submit the vehicle for an annual service, for removal of any contamination that has bonded to the surface of the coating. The owner may elect to have any damaged coating removed and reapplied at this time also.

So in other words, each year they use a clay bar or paint cleaner (non-abrasive polish) on the Opti-coat to ensure that no long term contamination is present which could damage the Opti-coat protection over time. Of course, the customer could do this, but as many customers don't properly look after their cars and Opti-coat provide a warranty, they want to do this to ensure that it continues to work correctly.

You would only get "damaged" areas of the Opti-coat machined off and reapplied. For example, if you left bird crap on your car for months and it left a permanent mark.

If you ACTUALLY had the entire Opti-coat machined off and reapplied each year, you'd end up with no factory clear-coat left to apply the Opti-coat to!