Product Guide: What do you need after Opti Coat/Guard
 

This guide is for everyone who had their cars opti coated/guarded. If your detailer suggested different products, no worries. This guide should be loosely followed as it includes products I use on a regular basis.

Let me start out by saying that opti coat/guard is NOT an invincible product, so don't attempt anything you normally wouldn't with your paint otherwise. It is considered to be very hard clear coat, and should be maintained as such. That means weekly washes, and claying of the coating when necessary.

If you wash your car weekly, soap and water + a good set of brushes is all you'll ever need:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...l-brushes.html
You could rinse the brushes as you are done with each wheel, or have a bucket handy.

If you are as OCD as me, you'll want to scrub the tires and fender well as well, for that, use this:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/d10332.html

Use the short handle brush for wheels, and the long handle brush for fender well:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/85-808.html
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/85-637.html

Use #0000 steel wool to clean exhaust tip (Alongside Meguiar's APC+), you can find this steel wool @ Home depot or the likes.

To polish exhaust tips, use this:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...lish-8-oz.html

Now we're down to the actual wash,

Have two 5 gallon buckets handy (Again, from home depot or whatever), and get two of these:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/grit-guard.html

For proper two bucket method, go on youtube and search "2 bucket method", watch the video made by "Auto Lavish".

Get this for wash mitt:
http://www.microfibertech.com/Autofi...itt_p_268.html

Or if you prefer wool, wool mitt of your choice.

Use this for soap:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/d11001.html

And this to aid drying:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...nr-gallon.html

Get one of these to dry:
http://www.microfibertech.com/25-x-3...ack_p_253.html

Use this as tire shine if you prefer a semi gloss finish:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...ant-32-oz.html

Use whatever you got handy as applicator for tire shine

For clay, use this:
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/c2000.html

I know you're all thinking, I just spent good money for the opti coat/guard process, and now you're telling me I have to spend all these extra money to maintain it? Well yes, spend the money and you will have a perfect/near perfect finish YEAR AFTER YEAR, plus you'll save tons by doing this yourself instead of going to the car wash week after week.

to go along with what mike said, you should be washing your car weekly regardless if your car is opticoated or not.

when the paint has been opticoated, i noticed that washing was very easy. nothing seems to want to stick to the paint once it has been coated with opticoat.

good stuff!

but some links dont work

I think it's because I copied and pasted the links over from another forum I'm on. I'll fix it later when I have access to internet on my laptop again. Current don't have internet/TV at the new house I just bought

http://www.microfibertech.com/25-x-3...ack_p_253.html

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...nr-gallon.html

http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...ant-32-oz.html

Could be wrong, but I think those are the broken links.

not sure about this one: http://www.autodetailingsolutions.ne...lish-8-oz.html

Nice list! I actually bought that wash mitt, drying towel, and a pack of microfiber towels from microfiber tech. Some good stuff. Also bought some ONR and the Optimum car wash.

Hey Mike,

What is your suggested regiment for people without opticoat? (between the detailing I hope to have you do on my car when I get it)

Might be a good idea to make a separate thread for this as I am sure many are interested.

You would maintain your paint the same way even without opti-coat. Proper washing techniques and quality products will go a long way.

Following Opti-Coat:

Weekly commercial wand foam and rinse, dry and application of Opti-Guard Instant Detailer is the trick: Use of microfiber waffle towels for drying and microfiber pads for application is essential.

Invisible Glass is a good product, particularly in the foaming can. Cleaning the glass first with a paper towel, then again with a pad and/or towel is quick and gives best results. For the difficult lower part of the rear window try wrapping a double layer of microfiber towel over the end of a nylon spatula, holding the excess material in your hand against the handle while working to the bottom of the glass.

Tire/wheel cleaner and dresser is just a once a month thing for me, but I'm a low mileage driver.

Make sure you don't get the invisible glass on the paint. Strips wax right off. I would imagine it cuts into opti-coat too.

Thanks! The one you are unsure of is optimum metal polish in 8oz size

Prima makes the best window cleaner I've tried, but I can't remember the name of it for the life of me lol. The trick to have streak free window is to use 2 towels, one for the initial wipe and the other for final buffing.

I haven't tested this myself, but nothing should remove the opticoat if it has been bonded properly with the paint. The only way to remove is to polish it off.

I don't think anyone wants to try it but it's not a good idea. From what I've seen (accidently getting invisible glass on the interior and exterior) it seems to strip any dressing or LSP immediately. I'd assume it wouldn't be healthy for the Opti-Coat.

Prima Clarity...good stuff, I got it too.

:party0030:

actually, the proper method is the three (3) bucket method. this prevents any dirt/grime from the wheels, which are always the dirtiest parts of the car, from getting onto your paint.

1. strictly for wheels
2. shampoo only
3. rinse water

if you can get past the blatant product promotion, this video is quite helpful

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Sqi1lAj1A&list=PL96D52AF54166C886&index= 1&feature=plpp_video"]Audi R8 BLACKBIRD: Basic Car Wash Techniques - DRIVE CLEAN - YouTube[/ame]

No it should be safe on opti coat, the worst thing that could happen is it would leave a smear which you would have to clean up with a Microfiber.

I never understood the 3 bucket method... you're using a wheel brush to clean the wheels.... and most likely rinsing the brush after each wheel, if it doesn't touch paint then why? I see it as a scheme to suck out more money from consumers/hobbyists/enthusiasts. If that was the case you might as well have a 4th bucket for the lower panels of the car too... and triple grit guard it while you're using a 4th bucket... lol. I have seen people use double grit guard though, I suppose for the peace of mind

Have you ever heard of Ammo NYC mike, there's so many new products...Aero Products, Ammo, Garry Dean's....

Ahh. Good to know. Not something I'd attempt for no reason.

I haven't had the chance to read up on it. I just moved into a new house and currenry have no internet, so I tend to be selective when it comes to reading threads on my phone lol

Any suggestions on alternatives for the Meguiars Hyper Wash? I dont want to buy such a large amount in case I'm not happy with it.

you can get sample sizes from online retailers.

Meg's Hyper Wash dilutes 1 oz to 5 gallons or something along that line.

very very little is needed to wash the vehicle. it is a gentle soap as well.

You can try Optimum Car Wash Soap.

Bump back to the top, please sticky!

Gave in and ordered a few of these items. I currently have a microfiber mitt but its not quite of the same style (much less pronounced, smaller little extensions coming out of it). If that makes sense at all.

How big of a deal is this? Probably looking to wash my car again in the next 1-1.5 weeks. Just like it shiny!

It should be fine to be honest. I honestly don't see the big deal about specific mitts, but then again some people are.
Oh and don't forget I cheat by using a pressure washer and foam cannon, lol.

I think my 3000 psi pressure washer may be a bit much.

What sort of pressure washer and foam cannon do you use?

I use an electric one, Karcher 5.85M, it's one of the higher end consumer units that comes with a metal pump. I can't be using a gas powered unit after all, my neighbors would hate me if I did every other morning at 7am, lol.

Foam cannon I use this one called Auto Glos, forum member and fellow detailer autoaesthetica is the one who carries it.

Please note* that all products that Mike has listed above can be purchased at autoaesthetica, he is a user on this forum. Please PM him, he ships throughout the US and in Canada.

Would I need to get any special adapters to connect the foam cannon to the Karcher?

Thanks.

Yup, you'll need an adapter, here it is
http://www.pwmall.com/p-139832-bay_k...ing-brass.aspx
You'll need this as well
http://www.pwmall.com/p-133176-14075...ple-brass.aspx

What type of liquid did he use to dry the car off? Some kind cax?

Using separate wheel materials is not new practice and should otherwise be observed by everyone. I would recommend a lighter colored bucket and materals over a black one for the simple purpose that even though it will darken over time, being able to tell if a rock or jagged tar glob gets stuck in your brush or mitts is priceless when you consider the damage of scratching a rim.


The faux sheepskin mitt he uses marrs the snot out of medium and soft paints - its acrylic, but I would be willing to bet he sells this with this line.

The other thing not mentioned is the fact that regular sealant wax users will probably have a shorter life of protection with the foam gun. Think about it, soaps are designed to remove dirt and oil. Wax is a lipid by nature. Constant hand washing over time removes body oil and dries your hands - same idea but with non living things.



Its not a new practice to use a QD or a spray wax to avoid water spotting - OC/OG coated or not, you guys should be using a quality QD to add slickness to the paint while drying. Though I would be very carefull driving around the block after drying, you will be rewiping a street dusted car which in some ways may not be the best idea...

how do you cheat - how do you use the pressure washer and foam cannon in the cleaning process? I'm only now learning about proper cleaning and I've read threads about foam cannons and threads about 2-bucket method but I haven't come across a discussion that puts the two together.

The whole reason detailers use pressure washer and foam cannon is because this combo will produce foam so thick it's similar to shaving creme.

What this does is it knocks loose and takes down majority of the dirt, thus reducing the chance of marring and swirling up the paint during the actual 2 bucket method (It also allows me to get a little sloppier with my 2BM technique), that's why I said I "cheat"

Mike, car was scratched (see thread http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12827 )

Any recommendations. It does not look too deep and perhaps didn't mess up the full depth of the opticoat.

Mike, new respect for you! I just picked up a Karcher 5.85m off craigslist for a great price. I didn't expect that thing to weigh as much as it does. I commend you for lugging that thing around. Luckily it works great and hopefully will for a long time from now.

Thanks for the terrific list, Mike. Will be trying this after I get my opticoat installed

Would you guys like me to just build maintenance product kits that WE KNOW work perfectly with subaru and toyota vehicles for your aftercare?(Both coated and non coated)


Interior and Exterior Kits?

Say the word - and I can build them for you guys.