Which comes first: Opti-Coat or clear bra?

[911fanatic]

Originally Posted by raul

I might be slightly mixed up on the order of the products, but I do believe Garry knows what he's talking about. The old packages of opti-coat/guard did not have any warnings about applying it on windows and trim. Now it says not to apply it on glass, and in the near future it'll include a disclaimer about trim items. Also, professional installs of opti-coat/guard will become more expensive in the future when the warranty plan gets introduced. It's still in the works, but there's talk about annual inspections of the car to preserve the warranty on the coating.

I'm sure Garry knows what he's talking about as well. I'm wondering if the trim was fading due to either some type of error in prepping/application or if its the amount of sun as Garry is in Florida, correct? I've been applying Opti Coat on clients cars here on the west coast for about 4 months now. We'll see if the trim holds up any better as we get way more rain than sun. As Dave said, seems to be doing fine where he is. Interesting.

[raul]

I would be inclined to think it's indeed the amount of sun we get here in Florida. The sun can be pretty mean down here. The only rainy/cloudy season is summer.

[picus]

FWIW, I work with a film installer. I always apply OC on top of film. I've been doing this for going on 3 years; in my anecdotal experience is that it seems to help with the ongoing maintenance of film. We have not seen it fail on film. Most film has a clear coat, but either way, I am just basing this on what I have tried and have seen work. I have OC on the film on both my cars; no issues, no failure, etc. I actually OC'd an install in October 2009; saw that car a few weeks ago - OC seemed as present on the film as the paint.

OC'ing before film is fine. It makes the surface a little tacky for the installer (and is a little wasteful since you're putting film on it), but if a client requested it I'd apply before and after film.

[@Art_Mighty]

Originally Posted by cnk

Not according to all the information I've read on all of the car detailing forums. OC chemically bonds to the clear coat and cures within 24 hours and continues to harden as the weeks go by. The only way to remove it is to polish it off.

I don't mean to resurrect this thread but i was thinking about something. When you apply a clear bra one of the spray bottles has an isopropyl alcohol solution. Wont that dissolve the cured Opti-Coat?

[cnk]

Originally Posted by @Art_Mighty

I don't mean to resurrect this thread but i was thinking about something. When you apply a clear bra one of the spray bottles has an isopropyl alcohol solution. Wont that dissolve the cured Opti-Coat?

No. The only way you're getting OC off is to take a DA to it and polish it off or to sand it down with some sandpaper.

[Oxyg3n]

Reviving this thread ;D

Why would you install ceramic pro over PPF when you can just put ceramic pro right over the paint? Is it mainly to prevent a rock to chip to get through to the paint in the event that it gets through the ceramic pro?

I plan to get ceramic pro right now and maybe get PPF over the ceramic pro in the future. Can't afford both lmao