Which comes first? Opti coat or clear bra - Toyota GR86, 86, FR-S and Subaru BRZ Forum & Owners Community

Raven23 · 10-24-2013, 06:46 AM

I plan on getting both opti coat and a clear bra for my brz. With that said, which one should come first? I figured opti coat first, but then the coat would be pretty useless in the front end where I plan to get it clear bra'ed. So should I opticoat the clear bra? Would that work or do anything? I read that you could OC a clear bra. Anyone done this? Suggestion?

slicktop · 10-24-2013, 08:37 AM

Bra then opticoat.

Cjymiller · 10-24-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slicktop

Bra then opticoat.

I believe this is incorrect. You should Opticoat, then Clearbra.

Opticoat is a second clearcoat that should not be applied to a clearbra.

By opticoating the whole car, you have a completely sealed car for when you decide to remove, replace the clear bra.

spitfire481 · 10-24-2013, 02:41 PM

when they alcohol wipe the panels down prior to applying the clear bra, you pretty much strip off the opticoat. kinda useless to have it done first.

Cjymiller · 10-24-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spitfire481

when they alcohol wipe the panels down prior to applying the clear bra, you pretty much strip off the opticoat. kinda useless to have it done first.

I had opticoat installed and as far as I'm aware of the only way to remove it is by polishing it down. Naturally it will deteriorate and become less effective as the years go on so I will eventually have it reapplied.

Saying the prep for installing a clear bra would dissolve opticoat is like saying that an alcohol rub down would strip the factory clear coat.

Have you had first hand experience with your claim?

slicktop · 10-24-2013, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cjymiller

I believe this is incorrect. You should Opticoat, then Clearbra.

Opticoat is a second clearcoat that should not be applied to a clearbra.

By opticoating the whole car, you have a completely sealed car for when you decide to remove, replace the clear bra.

When you opticoat then bra, you have essentially rendered the opticoat worthless. If you do it this way, any imperfections on the bra show up and you're back to square one.

Bra, then opticoat.

slicktop · 10-24-2013, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spitfire481

when they alcohol wipe the panels down prior to applying the clear bra, you pretty much strip off the opticoat. kinda useless to have it done first.

As far as I know, you have to abrade the opticoat off. I don't think alcohol wipes will take it off.

spitfire481 · 10-24-2013, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cjymiller

I had opticoat installed and as far as I'm aware of the only way to remove it is by polishing it down. Naturally it will deteriorate and become less effective as the years go on so I will eventually have it reapplied.

Saying the prep for installing a clear bra would dissolve opticoat is like saying that an alcohol rub down would strip the factory clear coat.

Have you had first hand experience with your claim?

People don't understand it's nothing like a clear coat. It is in no way comparable to a legitimate clear coat. It's basically a super thin, longer lasting wax. If an alcohol wash down does not take it off or break it down severely I would be very impressed. My experience is that I do body/paint for a living, and we do Xpel clear bra films as well

But, even if heavy alcohol prep doesn't remove the opticoat, what's the point in having it under clear bra film anyway?

Burrcold · 10-24-2013, 05:47 PM

I had opti-coat done first, then decided on a clearbra so the detailer opti-coated again over the clearbra. Made perfect sense to me.

ExtremeAutowerks · 10-24-2013, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raven23

I plan on getting both opti coat and a clear bra for my brz. With that said, which one should come first? I figured opti coat first, but then the coat would be pretty useless in the front end where I plan to get it clear bra'ed. So should I opticoat the clear bra? Would that work or do anything? I read that you could OC a clear bra. Anyone done this? Suggestion?

It is possible to opticoat your whole car, clearbra it, then opticoat the clear bra

Doesnt hurt to protect that clearbra as well.

David-Fermani.com · 10-24-2013, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cjymiller

Opticoat is a second clearcoat that should not be applied to a clearbra.

There is nothing wrong with Opti-Coating your PPF. It's actually encouraged because it will provide additional protection to the film.

Ideal situation would be to coat > bra > correct swirls from installer > coat.

Raven23 · 10-24-2013, 08:24 PM

unfortunately, ill be going to 2 different installers for each product. Cant seem to find a reputable installer in san diego that does both. So OC , CB , then OCing again wouldnt be the best move financially.

Myv · 10-24-2013, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burrcold

I had opti-coat done first, then decided on a clearbra so the detailer opti-coated again over the clearbra. Made perfect sense to me.

^ This.

KSpider · 01-22-2014, 02:58 AM

I have 2500 miles on my black BRZ, is opticoat definitely something I should look into?

10-24-2013, 06:46 AM	#1
Raven23 Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: San Diego Posts: 54 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Which comes first? Opti coat or clear bra I plan on getting both opti coat and a clear bra for my brz. With that said, which one should come first? I figured opti coat first, but then the coat would be pretty useless in the front end where I plan to get it clear bra'ed. So should I opticoat the clear bra? Would that work or do anything? I read that you could OC a clear bra. Anyone done this? Suggestion?

10-24-2013, 08:37 AM	#2
slicktop Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2013 Raven FRS 2JZ-GTE/V160 swapped Location: Hampton, VA Posts: 960 Thanks: 376 Thanked 623 Times in 315 Posts Mentioned: 18 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	Bra then opticoat. __________________ -slicktop 2013 Scion FRS 2JZ-GTE/V160 Swap Build Thread

10-24-2013, 05:47 PM	#9
Burrcold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Drives: Subaru BRZ Limited Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 2,624 Thanks: 763 Thanked 1,586 Times in 776 Posts Mentioned: 10 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I had opti-coat done first, then decided on a clearbra so the detailer opti-coated again over the clearbra. Made perfect sense to me. __________________

01-22-2014, 02:58 AM	#14
KSpider Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: '14 S4 Location: San Marcos, CA Posts: 267 Thanks: 58 Thanked 93 Times in 54 Posts Mentioned: 4 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	I have 2500 miles on my black BRZ, is opticoat definitely something I should look into? __________________ 2014 Audi S4 · 2010 xTerra Off-Road · 2014 Fiat 500e

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10-24-2013, 02:41 PM	#4
spitfire481 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Drives: 2JZ FRS Location: Pure Automotive Performance Posts: 1,378 Thanks: 97 Thanked 1,354 Times in 621 Posts Mentioned: 27 Post(s) Tagged: 2 Thread(s)	when they alcohol wipe the panels down prior to applying the clear bra, you pretty much strip off the opticoat. kinda useless to have it done first.

10-24-2013, 08:24 PM	#12
Raven23 Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Drives: BRZ Location: San Diego Posts: 54 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Mentioned: 0 Post(s) Tagged: 0 Thread(s)	unfortunately, ill be going to 2 different installers for each product. Cant seem to find a reputable installer in san diego that does both. So OC , CB , then OCing again wouldnt be the best move financially.

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