What's with all this Opti-Coat/Guard discussion???

[brianc]

One of my past FR-S customers also told me that he got the same quote I gave him from another guy in my area for an Opti-Coat application. He showed me the email from the guy and he said that the procedure was as follows:

Wash Car
Alcohol Decontamination
Opti-Coat Application

LOL! 3 STEPS!

Am I the only one who has like a 20+ step list.

For most of the cars I've done I haven't needed to really use any compounds. None of the scratches were deep enough. Been using 205 then following with SF4500.

[picus]

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/

[C. Charles Hahn]

Originally Posted by picus

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/

I usually tell people there's a base price that includes one polishing step, but if the car turns out to need more correction extra charges will apply as determined at the time of the appointment (or ahead of time if they request a consultation first).

[Dadhawk]

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.

[David-Fermani.com]

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).

[C. Charles Hahn]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

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.

No, it won't make the vehicle look worse.

Originally Posted by David-Fermani.com

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).

Texting/posting and driving

Obviously, there are times and circumstances in which "perfect" paint simply isn't affordable or feasible for clients (or even in some cases is not possible to attain), however as a professional I cannot and will not stake my reputation and integrity on applying a coating product to a vehicle that is very obviously swirled without at least performing some degree of a correction detail first (based on the inspected condition of the vehicle, and a discussion of outcome desires and budget constraints with the client).

[David-Fermani.com]

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"????

[gmblack3]

Originally Posted by Mirror Detailing

I was here first...therefore we let you in.



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.

Well said Mike! Once a client is educated, it becomes all too clear that the quote that the hack gave them seems humorous at best.

I also love the part about requiring a deposit, if a detailer does not have the means to cover product cost, he is not someone you want working on your car.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by David-Fermani.com

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"????

I'm obviously not the person you are looking for an answer from, but as a consumer, I see no reason for you to turn this down. All businesses provide some level of varying services to their clientel. As long as you present the full range of options, believe you are providing the customer with the full value you can for what they are willing to pay, you are doing your job and will have happy, repeat clients. This is not the level of service you might be willing to provide say to me as a single car owner, but as a commercial fleet service, why not?

Perhaps what you should do is ask for one example car, do it, then ask based on the respite to get the clients signoff on it. Bottom line like I said above its a cost/benefit decision for the client.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

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.

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 Dadhawk

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.

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.

[jurjurson]

WHAT IS Opti-Coat????!!!!

[Barry Theal]

If I were a consumer looking to have Opticoat applied to my personal vehicle. I would look for someone who has a reputable name, with pricing I was comfortable with. What it boils down to is how much are you willing to put into your investment? Do you want the car perfect or is the finish acceptable. Keep in mind as a detailer I don't charge servcies based upon what the going rate is or what someone wants to pay me.. My prices are based on what I feel I'm worth.

[Dadhawk]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

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.

Understood, and like I said, I totally understand why some folks would want it done to perfection, but wanted to make sure I'm not missing something. I guess my point is that given, to me, my paint is not flawed and I'm quite happy with it, what is the harm doing it without all the extra dollars to get to some state that I don't see a need for? Could it look better, probably. Is it worth the cost to me to get it there, probably not given I'm satisfied now.

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

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.

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:

[Hamza7]

Originally Posted by Dadhawk

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:

Well opti coat isn't really for protecting the shine, the shine is just a by product of excellent chemical engineering. The best reason to have opti coat installed is because your paint will be more resistant to water and bird etching (which sometimes look as bad as chips on the front). Basically your protecting your paint, giving it a longer lease on life if you will. Just thought I would point that out.