Easy way to shine A6?
#21
AudiWorld Super User
Maverick, we've discussed this in the past but as you are skeptical that Opti-Coat will last as long as advertised without needing "rejuvenating", I'm equally skeptical that the shine won't prove to last as long as the application (which so far on mine has for over a year). Also, it's not just another OEM clearcoat but is a ceramic shell and much more durable. I guess in another year or two we can compare how both of these two very good products have held up and if Optimum is on track to meet its longevity claims.
From Optimum (italics are mine):
Opti-Coat is a hard wearing, aftermarket, ceramic clear coat for superior resistance to scratching (9H) and chemical etching from environmental impacts. It provides permanent protection for all factory paints, and can also be applied to exterior glass, metal and hard plastic surfaces.
Opti-Coat is not a wax or sealant like other products on the market. It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. A layer of Opti-Coat measures approx. 2 microns in thickness, or about 100 times thicker than your typical wax or sealant. Unlike paint protection sealants such as PTFE, Nano Sealants, GlassPlexin that degrade over time and are easily removed through washing with water or chemicals, Opti-Coat does not degrade and cannot be removed by chemicals such as heavy duty truck wash or even caustic degreasers. It is totally resistant to these chemicals and produces a permanent film that is chemically bonded with the factory paint layers. Opti-Coat is effectively the vehicles new outer clear coat. It is far more resistant to chemical etching than factory clear coats and far more resistant than competing paint protection sealants. The 2 micron layer also provides a thick buffer between any damage and the factory paintwork.
From Optimum (italics are mine):
Opti-Coat is a hard wearing, aftermarket, ceramic clear coat for superior resistance to scratching (9H) and chemical etching from environmental impacts. It provides permanent protection for all factory paints, and can also be applied to exterior glass, metal and hard plastic surfaces.
Opti-Coat is not a wax or sealant like other products on the market. It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. A layer of Opti-Coat measures approx. 2 microns in thickness, or about 100 times thicker than your typical wax or sealant. Unlike paint protection sealants such as PTFE, Nano Sealants, GlassPlexin that degrade over time and are easily removed through washing with water or chemicals, Opti-Coat does not degrade and cannot be removed by chemicals such as heavy duty truck wash or even caustic degreasers. It is totally resistant to these chemicals and produces a permanent film that is chemically bonded with the factory paint layers. Opti-Coat is effectively the vehicles new outer clear coat. It is far more resistant to chemical etching than factory clear coats and far more resistant than competing paint protection sealants. The 2 micron layer also provides a thick buffer between any damage and the factory paintwork.
#22
Overlap on the A-pillar and other areas with the Quick Detailer spray from Optimum will be fine. A carnauba/yellow/white wax will be a bad idea.
I wouldn't go with a Turtle wax or anything of the sort without doing a full decontamination, clay, polish, and wax. The main reason being that waxing without proper decontamination because 1) it's a waste of time; and 2) all you'll do is seal the fallout under a fresh coat of wax.
The ONR will work wonders and the quick detailer will last between washes.
I wouldn't go with a Turtle wax or anything of the sort without doing a full decontamination, clay, polish, and wax. The main reason being that waxing without proper decontamination because 1) it's a waste of time; and 2) all you'll do is seal the fallout under a fresh coat of wax.
The ONR will work wonders and the quick detailer will last between washes.
The Kit comes with Optimum Car Wax. Are you saying don't do even spray wax but just do detailer?
I also got http://www.detailedimage.com/Free/ free cray bar kit for free. I thought I need them sooner or later. :-)
Thanks.
#23
Pro Kits 60 minute Optimum Wash & Wax Kit came today!! I washed towels first today and looking forward to weekend. :-)
The Kit comes with Optimum Car Wax. Are you saying don't do even spray wax but just do detailer?
I also got http://www.detailedimage.com/Free/ free cray bar kit for free. I thought I need them sooner or later. :-)
Thanks.
The Kit comes with Optimum Car Wax. Are you saying don't do even spray wax but just do detailer?
I also got http://www.detailedimage.com/Free/ free cray bar kit for free. I thought I need them sooner or later. :-)
Thanks.
The Optimum stuff you have should last you for at least a year before you need to replenish your stock. Have fun!
#24
Audiworld Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
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Maverick, we've discussed this in the past but as you are skeptical that Opti-Coat will last as long as advertised without needing "rejuvenating", I'm equally skeptical that the shine won't prove to last as long as the application (which so far on mine has for over a year). Also, it's not just another OEM clearcoat but is a ceramic shell and much more durable. I guess in another year or two we can compare how both of these two very good products have held up and if Optimum is on track to meet its longevity claims.
From Optimum (italics are mine):
Opti-Coat is a hard wearing, aftermarket, ceramic clear coat for superior resistance to scratching (9H) and chemical etching from environmental impacts. It provides permanent protection for all factory paints, and can also be applied to exterior glass, metal and hard plastic surfaces.
Opti-Coat is not a wax or sealant like other products on the market. It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. A layer of Opti-Coat measures approx. 2 microns in thickness, or about 100 times thicker than your typical wax or sealant. Unlike paint protection sealants such as PTFE, Nano Sealants, GlassPlexin that degrade over time and are easily removed through washing with water or chemicals, Opti-Coat does not degrade and cannot be removed by chemicals such as heavy duty truck wash or even caustic degreasers. It is totally resistant to these chemicals and produces a permanent film that is chemically bonded with the factory paint layers. Opti-Coat is effectively the vehicles new outer clear coat. It is far more resistant to chemical etching than factory clear coats and far more resistant than competing paint protection sealants. The 2 micron layer also provides a thick buffer between any damage and the factory paintwork.
From Optimum (italics are mine):
Opti-Coat is a hard wearing, aftermarket, ceramic clear coat for superior resistance to scratching (9H) and chemical etching from environmental impacts. It provides permanent protection for all factory paints, and can also be applied to exterior glass, metal and hard plastic surfaces.
Opti-Coat is not a wax or sealant like other products on the market. It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. A layer of Opti-Coat measures approx. 2 microns in thickness, or about 100 times thicker than your typical wax or sealant. Unlike paint protection sealants such as PTFE, Nano Sealants, GlassPlexin that degrade over time and are easily removed through washing with water or chemicals, Opti-Coat does not degrade and cannot be removed by chemicals such as heavy duty truck wash or even caustic degreasers. It is totally resistant to these chemicals and produces a permanent film that is chemically bonded with the factory paint layers. Opti-Coat is effectively the vehicles new outer clear coat. It is far more resistant to chemical etching than factory clear coats and far more resistant than competing paint protection sealants. The 2 micron layer also provides a thick buffer between any damage and the factory paintwork.
#25
Maverick, we've discussed this in the past but as you are skeptical that Opti-Coat will last as long as advertised without needing "rejuvenating", I'm equally skeptical that the shine won't prove to last as long as the application (which so far on mine has for over a year). Also, it's not just another OEM clearcoat but is a ceramic shell and much more durable. I guess in another year or two we can compare how both of these two very good products have held up and if Optimum is on track to meet its longevity claims.
From Optimum (italics are mine):
Opti-Coat is a hard wearing, aftermarket, ceramic clear coat for superior resistance to scratching (9H) and chemical etching from environmental impacts. It provides permanent protection for all factory paints, and can also be applied to exterior glass, metal and hard plastic surfaces.
Opti-Coat is not a wax or sealant like other products on the market. It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. A layer of Opti-Coat measures approx. 2 microns in thickness, or about 100 times thicker than your typical wax or sealant. Unlike paint protection sealants such as PTFE, Nano Sealants, GlassPlexin that degrade over time and are easily removed through washing with water or chemicals, Opti-Coat does not degrade and cannot be removed by chemicals such as heavy duty truck wash or even caustic degreasers. It is totally resistant to these chemicals and produces a permanent film that is chemically bonded with the factory paint layers. Opti-Coat is effectively the vehicles new outer clear coat. It is far more resistant to chemical etching than factory clear coats and far more resistant than competing paint protection sealants. The 2 micron layer also provides a thick buffer between any damage and the factory paintwork.
From Optimum (italics are mine):
Opti-Coat is a hard wearing, aftermarket, ceramic clear coat for superior resistance to scratching (9H) and chemical etching from environmental impacts. It provides permanent protection for all factory paints, and can also be applied to exterior glass, metal and hard plastic surfaces.
Opti-Coat is not a wax or sealant like other products on the market. It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. A layer of Opti-Coat measures approx. 2 microns in thickness, or about 100 times thicker than your typical wax or sealant. Unlike paint protection sealants such as PTFE, Nano Sealants, GlassPlexin that degrade over time and are easily removed through washing with water or chemicals, Opti-Coat does not degrade and cannot be removed by chemicals such as heavy duty truck wash or even caustic degreasers. It is totally resistant to these chemicals and produces a permanent film that is chemically bonded with the factory paint layers. Opti-Coat is effectively the vehicles new outer clear coat. It is far more resistant to chemical etching than factory clear coats and far more resistant than competing paint protection sealants. The 2 micron layer also provides a thick buffer between any damage and the factory paintwork.
Once you use something like Opti-Coat, it's worth noting that a wax/sealant/glaze will not bond to the surface. The best bonding agent as far as a wax is the Optimum Quick Detailer, Chemical Guys Hybrid V7, or the Optimum Spray Wax. I have not tried too many other products since I've invested a lot of money and time over the years and I feel I've dialed it in well and I'm happy.
#26
AudiWorld Super User
Per my discussion with Optimum, you can wax the Opti-Coat. It just won't last as long and in any case, is unnecessary unless you want a fingered, slippery feel to the surface. There's no need for a sealant on top of its cured, ceramic shell - it's a paint and clearcoat sealant unto itself.
#27
AudiWorld Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
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Maverick, we've discussed this in the past but as you are skeptical that Opti-Coat will last as long as advertised without needing "rejuvenating", I'm equally skeptical that the shine won't prove to last as long as the application (which so far on mine has for over a year). Also, it's not just another OEM clearcoat but is a ceramic shell and much more durable. I guess in another year or two we can compare how both of these two very good products have held up and if Optimum is on track to meet its longevity claims.
From Optimum (italics are mine):
Opti-Coat is a hard wearing, aftermarket, ceramic clear coat for superior resistance to scratching (9H) and chemical etching from environmental impacts. It provides permanent protection for all factory paints, and can also be applied to exterior glass, metal and hard plastic surfaces.
Opti-Coat is not a wax or sealant like other products on the market. It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. A layer of Opti-Coat measures approx. 2 microns in thickness, or about 100 times thicker than your typical wax or sealant. Unlike paint protection sealants such as PTFE, Nano Sealants, GlassPlexin that degrade over time and are easily removed through washing with water or chemicals, Opti-Coat does not degrade and cannot be removed by chemicals such as heavy duty truck wash or even caustic degreasers. It is totally resistant to these chemicals and produces a permanent film that is chemically bonded with the factory paint layers. Opti-Coat is effectively the vehicles new outer clear coat. It is far more resistant to chemical etching than factory clear coats and far more resistant than competing paint protection sealants. The 2 micron layer also provides a thick buffer between any damage and the factory paintwork.
From Optimum (italics are mine):
Opti-Coat is a hard wearing, aftermarket, ceramic clear coat for superior resistance to scratching (9H) and chemical etching from environmental impacts. It provides permanent protection for all factory paints, and can also be applied to exterior glass, metal and hard plastic surfaces.
Opti-Coat is not a wax or sealant like other products on the market. It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. A layer of Opti-Coat measures approx. 2 microns in thickness, or about 100 times thicker than your typical wax or sealant. Unlike paint protection sealants such as PTFE, Nano Sealants, GlassPlexin that degrade over time and are easily removed through washing with water or chemicals, Opti-Coat does not degrade and cannot be removed by chemicals such as heavy duty truck wash or even caustic degreasers. It is totally resistant to these chemicals and produces a permanent film that is chemically bonded with the factory paint layers. Opti-Coat is effectively the vehicles new outer clear coat. It is far more resistant to chemical etching than factory clear coats and far more resistant than competing paint protection sealants. The 2 micron layer also provides a thick buffer between any damage and the factory paintwork.
But more importantly, the shine aspect over time. I am sorry, but there is no way that shine will hold up over time (and you yourself say you are skeptical about this). To those who may think otherwise, ponder this.
As Optimum notes, Opti-coat is It is a ceramic clear coating very similar to factory type clear coats. Now, what happens over time on any cars surface. Dirt, iron particles, etc accumulate and stick to and start to degrade the look / feel / shine of the surface (aka the clear coat). The same thing will happen over time with Opti-Coat. No way around that.
So while the opti-Coat may be there after two, three or four years, it will not look like it did when new. The surface will be contaminated, the shine will be degraded.
Typically the way to restore a car's surface to a showroom finish is to polish the paint / clearcoat. You strip the contaminants, the use a random orbital polisher with various polishing creams to take off a very small sliver of the clear coat. So if in a few years, you want your car to have that showroom finish, and you do this, you are removing the Opti-Coat product. No way around it.
So that is why I am saying there are better alternatives - IF you want that showroom finish and plan to polish your car every one or two years.
Now if you don't care about that, and just want a one time protection added, Opti-Coat will work (although it will be interesting to see what a vehicle with this looks like in 4 or 5 years)
#30
Now I did my first 2 bucket method wash. Now I'm thinking that I can do more :-) what about some waxing? Maybe with some power tool? (My wife thinks I'm going crazy). I got cray kit. Can anyone recommend good wax and polish stuff?
Thanks!
Thanks!