Originally Posted by picus (Post 347308)

The idea of a set package for Opti Coat is absurd. Applying OC over any kind of marring is a waste of time, imo. Even new cars run the gamut from "mostly ok" paint condition to "stupid terrible". Unless it's a previous client I always ask to see the car before OC or leave the quote open ended until I see the car.

Check out this new cars... imagine alcohol wash (whatever that is) then opti coating them....hah.

http://gtaindetail.com/mclaren/

Originally Posted by Dadhawk (Post 347569)

Here's my question on all the ^above^.

First, a disclaimer. I get the desire by some for a flawless execution of the install, and even the desire for all the meticulous paint correction and the elimination of every possible real or perceived defect. I also understand the knowledge and skill that goes into getting to that level of "show quality" shine. You guys earn whatever folks are willing to pay for your expertise.

But here's the question I have not seen an answer to, and would like to know.

I realize that you can pull out all the blacklights and UV lights and probably show me defects, but I don't drive or examine my car normally under those conditions. I'm sure a "pro" could find defects in it, and I would probably see them if pointed out to me, but I'd be perfectly fine if my car looked the same forever as it does right now.

So taking that into consideration, if I wash and detail my car and examine it and am perfectly happy with the way it looks, and I would apply wax to it, is applying Opticoat (properly) instead going to make it look worse? That's my question.

Again, not trying to discount all the above, or that someone else could make this much better, but there is a cost/benefit to everything for me, and this is no different. Opticoat at a couple hundred dollars makes sense, approaching $1000, not so much since I would probably never pay for that level of a detail job anyway.

Originally Posted by David-Fermani.com (Post 347745)

You guys who insist on only installing OC/G on perfect paint are leaving $$$ on the table. I'll explain in more detail later (I'm driving). :)

Originally Posted by Mirror Detailing (Post 346749)

I was here first...therefore we let you in. :burnrubber::mad0260:



Yeah, but one thing that you messed up on Hamza is not letting everyone know that you cannot just apply Opti-Coat without doing anything to the paint. Washing or Alcohol Wash, as one GA detailer is selling it too a lot of these br-z/fr-s owners. I have spoken with a number of owners and my only recommendation is that the vehicle at minimum have a new car prep. As you have been selling this as simply a $300 upsale...almost all of the owners I have talked with, were not expecting me to tell them they need a few hundred more worth of work to give them the full potential of the Opti-Coat.

Just washing and applying is a sham and hack job that the owner would receive. Doing a full decon wash/clay of the vehicle and polishing the paint to remove any scratches/swirls/holograms left from the dealership/factory with also giving the added benefit of glossing the paint up so that the Opti-Coat will keep in that freshly detailed look for a much longer time. Then after polishing, doing a type of alcohol wash to remove the residues/oils so that the surface is perfectly prepped so that the Opti-Coat will bond better, look better and last longer.

Any detailer who tells the owners that its just a simple wash and apply, is a hack, plain and simple. Or they are someone who simply lacks any experience with applying Opti-Coat. I know that just over the last month alone, doing 7 Opti-Coat jobs, nothing beats the shine, protection and potential that correctly prepping, polishing and Opti-Coat can bring to a vehicle.

Originally Posted by David-Fermani.com (Post 348107)

Charlie (and anyone else that is interested in giving their answer w/o jeopordizing their reputation) - I have 30-35 vehicles lined up for OC/Ging. They are 1-2 years old, white in color and are company cars that go through the tunnel wash on a regular basis. They are willing to pay $350 per car to wash, decon and apply coating to the paint only. Oh, and maybe squirt some dressing on the tires. :) That's an easy $10,000+ in revenue for a client who has ZERO confirmed interest in the swirls in their paint. They only want clean and protected paint.

AS A PROFESSIONAL BUSINESSMAN & DETAILER: Do you say "YES" or "NO"????

Originally Posted by Dadhawk (Post 347569)

So taking that into consideration, if I wash and detail my car and examine it and am perfectly happy with the way it looks, and I would apply wax to it, is applying Opticoat (properly) instead going to make it look worse? That's my question.

Originally Posted by Dadhawk (Post 347569)

Again, not trying to discount all the above, or that someone else could make this much better, but there is a cost/benefit to everything for me, and this is no different. Opticoat at a couple hundred dollars makes sense, approaching $1000, not so much since I would probably never pay for that level of a detail job anyway.

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses (Post 348339)

Worse? I wouldn't think so. Whatever the paint looks like underneath, it will (semi) permanently look like; hence the desire to have LESS flawed paint before application.

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses (Post 348339)

TLC Dave quoted me a REASONABLE price for the application, new car prep, interior detail, and debadging. Not near $1000, but closer to a hood and fender clear-bra install. Is it worth it to me? Yes. Not only does my actual paint get corrected, but it gets a coating that allows me to wash (which I hate doing!) and maintain that finish with far less maintenance if I didn't have the coating.

I also bought a car cover because I park outside, along with a sunshade. So I might be a tad OCD. I just want this car to stay looking fresh, unlike my WRX, which I inherited with the paint flawed.

Originally Posted by Dadhawk (Post 348479)

And to me, if I was going to spend the money for one or the other, I'd rather spend it on something that will protect from chipping rather than something that protects the shine. If I paid the same for Opticoat I'd regret it the first time a stone takes a chip out of the paint.

Honestly, I've never had a car with either, and don't feel I've really suffered because of it. I realize I'll probably live to regret that statement...

Different strokes... :happy0180: