Is it me or is everyone having issues with the paint

[20valvewynn83]

Originally Posted by C. Charles Hahn

Mistake #1.... don't ask body shops about detailing.

Your friend is uninformed, and it sounds like he doesn't know what this product actually is. I have NEVER heard a single report of OptiCoat causing delamination issues, and especially not on factory paint.

Opti-Coat has only been around since 2004-2005 and in the early years its distribution was highly controlled. Only qualified professional installers, and pretty much only detailers had it, so I HIGHLY doubt your friend's shop "used to use it."

Opti-Coat/Opti-Guard has proven itself to be a perfectly safe product about which you should have zero concerns of this sort whatsoever.

maybe your right about him not knowing but i know i have no clue because i have never used it. I just talked to a detailer the other day and he cleared things up.

[bimmerboy]

this car also sits extremely low to the ground, the front nose is going to get tons of road debris from other cars in DD situations...

[20valvewynn83]

yeah thats true are cars will take every rock on the ground bouncing around.

[BRaZinDave]

Originally Posted by stalon320

Great.. this is not something I want to hear.. So now after spending what will be like $26K for my car next year I will have to worry about the paint?? So how much will this opti-coat cost me? I doubt I will have the ability to do this stuff myself as I don't have all that time on my hands..lol.
Seriously though, what are some of the costs involved in these processes and will they help keep the paint ok and protect it from chips and scratches??

I am getting my BRZ done later this week by Presidential Details in Manheim, PA for $300 plus 'maybe $0-200 more for prep'. Doubt much prep since car was not touched by sponge, towel or anything.

[rusty959]

My clear bra only cost me $130. Seems like an easy no-brainer solution. Will be getting opticoat this weekend, hopefully I can continue to ward off rocks until then. 750 miles in and no rock chips yet.

[rusty959]

Originally Posted by Mirror Detailing

What clear bra did you get for $130? I install Paint Protection Film and a FR-S kit, material cost is more than $130. That is using the Xpel Film as well.

It was some 3m stuff. Got it off ebay. If I remember right, 8.5 mil, 24"x96", plenty to do more than the entire front bumper. Was something like $126 shipped.

[rusty959]

Either way, will do a good job of protecting :happy0180:

[autoaesthetica]

Originally Posted by Mirror Detailing

Seeing as how Opti-Coat has not been around long enough to create problems down the road...pretty sure his body shop guy had no idea what he was talking about. Opti-Coat has only been pushing heavily on the market for just over a year.

Opticoat was first out for eval by a select group in 2008.

[Hamza7]

Originally Posted by rusty959

My clear bra only cost me $130. Seems like an easy no-brainer solution. Will be getting opticoat this weekend, hopefully I can continue to ward off rocks until then. 750 miles in and no rock chips yet.

That is a good rate, seems you've proved me wrong. Around here it costs $1000 for a pro to do a 3M just for the front bumper.

[Bonburner]

Originally Posted by rusty959

My clear bra only cost me $130. Seems like an easy no-brainer solution. Will be getting opticoat this weekend, hopefully I can continue to ward off rocks until then. 750 miles in and no rock chips yet.

wth, where is this $130 clear bra O.o

[rice_classic]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

wth, where is this $130 clear bra O.o

No kidding.

[rusty959]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

wth, where is this $130 clear bra O.o

Originally Posted by rice_classic

No kidding.

As stated, I got it on ebay. Just a 24x96 sheet. Just takes patience to install. You have several hours of working time as long as you keep it wet with your solution. Even if it isn't perfect, a couple small imperfections in a clear bra that you can remove later is better than imperfections in your paint you can't fix.

[Bonburner]

Originally Posted by rusty959

As stated, I got it on ebay. Just a 24x96 sheet. Just takes patience to install. You have several hours of working time as long as you keep it wet with your solution. Even if it isn't perfect, a couple small imperfections in a clear bra that you can remove later is better than imperfections in your paint you can't fix.

ah thanks, I must have missed the ebay part :X

[WingsofWar]

im glad much of this forum is already very knowledgeable in the dealings of Subaru. I don't have to keep rolling my eyes at threads like this popping up.

Like most people have said, Subaru Factory painted both 86 and BRZ and Subaru paint quality is pretty bad for being factory paint compared to other makers.

Makes no difference if you buy today or 3 years from now. As long as the vehicle is painted by Subaru, be sure to have some expected outright dissatisfaction.