Scratches through Opti-Coat

[sc0urge]

I had my BRZ (CBS) Opti-Coated a couple weeks ago (~5 or 6 weeks now) and have been washing the car using the 2-bucket method every week to two weeks. I'm using ONR + warm water for the buckets and a MF bone sponge to do the washing. I'm using another, larger waffle weave microfiber towel to do the light drying (i.e. lightly running the towel over the panel) and a smaller microfiber towel to finish drying. Week after week however, I find my car is accumulating minor scratches along the body and hood. It looks like the scratches are from improper washing but I'm being mindful of how dirty my towels are getting (using grit guards, thoroughly wringing out the sponge, etc). I've used two new sets of MF towels now and am still seeing scratches show up. I understand black is difficult to keep clean and to hide scratches but I thought the Opti-Coat would guard against some of that. Am I doing something wrong?

[abutterman]

unfortunately the opticoat will scratch and swirl just the same. i'm in the same boat... had some ice slide off the trunk/roof/hood maybe 2 weeks after i had it done and it left some nice super light scratches in it's trail. As soon as we have a nice warm weekend i plan on taking out my new Griots polisher and some optimum poli-seal with a light cutting pad and hope for the best. Hopefully i won't have to cut through the whole layer of opticoat but if i do, worst case i either order a tube of it for 60 bucks and just go over the areas i polish or i'll just have the detailer put a new coat on while i'm there with the spoiler i have on order

[*KID*]

Same here. But then again I put a thin layer of opticoat since it was my first time, and wasnt cured. The same night it rained and next day was windy and had my car covered in dirt.

[tuckdaddy]

Could be the microfibers depending on which ones your using either that or the grit is staying in the mit and your essentially just rubbing it in. those are my first two thoughts. Opti-coat scratches just as easy as regular clear coat.

Also black is a pain to keep looking nice and is a labor of love

[aceangel]

How do you remove the light scratches present on the opticoat/optiguard? I use a porter cable 7424xp and I'm not sure what kind of polish is light enough to cut the optiguard but keep it on without reapplication.

[abutterman]

Originally Posted by aceangel

How do you remove the light scratches present on the opticoat/optiguard? I use a porter cable 7424xp and I'm not sure what kind of polish is light enough to cut the optiguard but keep it on without reapplication.

From what i hear optimum poli-seal should be good. It has a very light abrasive and if used with a good soft pad that won't cut too much it should be ok. I'm going to be trying this one of these days with my Griots polisher. The only way it could end up being a problem is if the scratches/swirls are deeper than the opticoat.