Protecting New Paint

[Rob_R]

Hey guys,

I finally picked up my car last week. Overall I was quite happy with the dealer experience. However, after specifically asking them not to do any detail work on the car pre-delivery, I found various scratches and marks. Some appeared to be small localised abrasions and some looked to me like brush marks. I thought for a few minutes before signing on the dotted line about digging my heels in, but eventually resigned myself to the reality that no high volume brand car is going to survive a trip half way around the world without some amount of marking. Also, I had refused the pre-delivery detail and a chance for them to clean up the paintwork so I didn't really have a leg to stand on.

The next morning I dropped the my R into Eurogloss Prestige to get opti-coat applied. As it turned out Mario said the marks were not too deep in the factory clear coat so it didn't take a major amount of prep work to get rid of them before applying the opti-coat, although I believe he did find some trouble areas. Apparently new cars from many other premium manufacturers turn up to his workshop in far worse condition than mine.

I cannot recommend Mario highly enough to anyone interested in a fastidious and professional job on their brand new investment. He invited me into the workshop and showed me a couple of examples of the finished product (including a Ferarri) and explained in detail the entire process before I left him with the keys.

Mario believes in applying two coats with a curing time of at least twelve hours after each application, so my car was in the shop for a few days including the weekend. Let me point out that after five months of waiting for my car, the few days it was in the shop was BY FAR the hardest wait because I got a little 40km taste of it before the opti-coat.

So I got to pick it up today and was VERY impressed with his work. The rising blue colour seems much deeper and the finish provided by the opti-coat gives off a near optically perfect mirror reflection when you look at it from an obtuse angle. This is without so much as a wax or sealant over top.

Expect to see some photos soon...

Hey alexkid, I was at Mario's workshop on the weekend. So that was your beast then. Spent couple of hours with him and the longer I stared at your car the more I thought choosing Silver over black wheels was a mistake. Duco came up a treat. Was amazed at the fine scratches on the black wheels. How did they come up? Mario was about to correct them when I was there. He is very thorough when checking his final work. He inspected every square inch of your duco. Nice to see someone so dedicated and passionate about his trade. Well you've got her back now so enjoy. No requirement for Viagra for you now!!!

[xordis]

My dealer just sent me an email offering me Interior/Fabric/Carpet Protection, Window tinting and Protecth Gold Paint protection for $1400.... Is that worth it? what does carpet protection even do? They claim with the paint protection I won't have to wax the car ever, is that true?

I have only had the initial offer from my dealer. Around the $1700 mark from memory.
Since ordering I have spoken to a guy who bought from the same dealer and he said they offered the same, and over the waiting period it dropped several times and ended up being around $400.

Personally I would read one of the many guides on here or from any detailing product seller and follow what they say.
It will take you a few hours one day to give it a good clean and wax, but it will be rewarding and you will know what is involved every 3-6 months to keep it looking new.
Initially it will cost you a few hundred dollars getting all the products, but they will last you a few years.

[alexkid]

Hey alexkid, I was at Mario's workshop on the weekend. So that was your beast then. Spent couple of hours with him and the longer I stared at your car the more I thought choosing Silver over black wheels was a mistake. Duco came up a treat. Was amazed at the fine scratches on the black wheels. How did they come up? Mario was about to correct them when I was there. He is very thorough when checking his final work. He inspected every square inch of your duco. Nice to see someone so dedicated and passionate about his trade. Well you've got her back now so enjoy. No requirement for Viagra for you now!!!

Hey Rob_R,

Yea that was mine. Mario did mention you had dropped in for a look around. How long have you got left now? Hope it's not too long. Apparently there is a grey R booked in next week too.

The wheels came up a treat! I also umm'd and aaah'd for the last few months about whether I made the right wheel choice. I really quite like silver headlight surrounds on a rising blue. In the end I think I got the right colour. I took it out for a nice long drive afterwards and got quite a few head turns from people of all ages, although I would suspect it was because of Mario's work rather than the big black wheels.

[Rob_R]

Hey Rob_R,

Yea that was mine. Mario did mention you had dropped in for a look around. How long have you got left now? Hope it's not too long. Apparently there is a grey R booked in next week too.

The wheels came up a treat! I also umm'd and aaah'd for the last few months about whether I made the right wheel choice. I really quite like silver headlight surrounds on a rising blue. In the end I think I got the right colour. I took it out for a nice long drive afterwards and got quite a few head turns from people of all ages, although I would suspect it was because of Mario's work rather than the big black wheels.

Yeh it was good to catch up with Mario. Mine is waiting for a ship to pick her up. So close but so far!! With 19" Silver's my headlight surrounds should be black. When I get mine we should do the dandenongs cruise. Be good to get some picks of both together at Sky High or something, what do you think?

[Sword_Dude]

Hi all,

I would love to hear from anyone who has had the Opticoat (or similar system) for a long time (at least 2-3 years).

A lot of the comments on this thread are from people who have only had it done recently or in the past 6 months. This product is supposed to be a “lifetime” treatment and I really want to see how it goes under the test of time. There is no denying that photos I have seen make the car look SPECTACULAR, but immediately after paint correction and treatment by a detailer (whether it be wax or whatever) the car ought to look great, but eventually the wax wears off (3-6 months), the sealant breaks down (9-12+ months) but what about Opticoat?

There are comments on this thread that don’t believe that Opticoat is a “lifetime” treatment and others who swear by it.

I really want to see some evidence that Opticoat really is long lasting before I make up my mind on a treatment (and I am sure there are plenty of others who are interested). So if anyone knows anyone who has had this done for a looong time could they please put up their opinions and photos before we spend our hard earned $$$$.

thanks

[Vaku]

who said its a lifetime treatment?

I was told my Dave @ Reflect Effect that it should last a min of 2 years, which is fine by me.

some more info here -- > http://www.ozmpsclub.com/forum/zen-a...opti-coat.html

[fuzion]

who said its a lifetime treatment?

I was told my Dave @ Reflect Effect that it should last a min of 2 years, which is fine by me.

im sure I seen some website in america where they tested it for several years on the bootlid of an accord or something and it held up fine.

GTechniq, Nanolex offer 2 years protection on nano based products which LET you wash your car with ANY ph neutral wash without the product "coming off" like in the warranty quoted earlier.

Polymer Sealants from Zaino, Opticoat, Duragloss, Swissvax, and many other brands are 1-2 years max. You can easily apply a polymer sealant to your car if it is new or nano sealant which will last 6-12 months easily for about $50-100.

Having a professional detail your car prior of course your car will be immac and look 110%. Dave is a very good detailer and will make any car look better than what it is even from new as he is a pro, and yes as mentioned of course it will look great as it was freshly detailed.

The end of the day, do it yourself, get someone else to do it. Choice is yours i suppose. For around $100 you can have your car done by yourself for 2 years easily.

Biggest thing people forget though i have to say. If you intend on taking your car to ANY cash wash, DO NOT bother spending your money getting any protection done as all washes like crystal and so forth use a very harsh/strong NON pH-Neutral wash which will eventually/and if or strip your protection very quickly shortening its life even to under a year.

Food for thought if you dont wash your car yourself.

[Corey_R]

I would love to hear from anyone who has had the Opticoat (or similar system) for a long time (at least 2-3 years).

A lot of the comments on this thread are from people who have only had it done recently or in the past 6 months. This product is supposed to be a “lifetime” treatment and I really want to see how it goes under the test of time.

Hey mate,

Unfortunately you'll need to wait a few years, as this product is too new.

About the longest anyone has had it is this guy from South Florida who has been testing it for the chemist who developed it. He coated the drivers side of his car only in it (glass, plastic, metal, wheels, everything) and then washes the car weekly with regular dishwashing detergent. The car is also never garaged and is used 8+ hours a day... the results after 6 months are impressive. The results after a year are positive, but unfortunately not much pictures.



As for the "optional warranty" with Opti-coat, the warranty is meant to protect you against bad workmanship during the application of the product which would lead to premature failure of the product. The warranty isn't meant to say that you can leave bird poop on the car for 5 months straight, or that you can wash the car with a horse brush and it'll be all fine - because it won't. Any product that claims it'll withstand that is well, flat out lying.

A benefit of the warranty though is that if you do manage to damage a panel, they can machine off the rest of the Opti-coat and reapply. You don't pay for the product, just for the labour.


Also, unlike the sealant products that fuzion mentioned, you CAN take your car with Opti-coat to these car washes. As Opti-coat isn't a sealant, the non-PH neutral washes won't remove the Opti-coat like it would a wax/sealant etc.

Also unlike a wax or a sealant, Opti-coat can actually be used on cars which have had factory clear-coat failure to restore the surface to "likey new". Check out the photos:


More here

[GTI JOE]

Man that is impressive!

[alexkid]

Yeh it was good to catch up with Mario. Mine is waiting for a ship to pick her up. So close but so far!! With 19" Silver's my headlight surrounds should be black. When I get mine we should do the dandenongs cruise. Be good to get some picks of both together at Sky High or something, what do you think?

Sounds great Rob_R. I'm due to move to Sydney at the end of June so hopefully you get your wheels before then. I'll stay tuned on your progress..