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

[CU2MIKE]

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.

[ayau]

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.

[86_ZN6]

good stuff!

but some links dont work

[CU2MIKE]

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

[Symbiont]

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

[Fish]

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.

[Username]

Originally Posted by CU2MIKE

This guide is for everyone who had their cars opti coated

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.

[brianc]

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

[ToxicSneakers]

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.

[brianc]

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.

[CU2MIKE]

Originally Posted by Symbiont

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

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

[CU2MIKE]

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.

[ayau]

Originally Posted by brianc

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.

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.

[brianc]

Originally Posted by ayau

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.