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Opticoat 2 years in

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There are alot of misconceptions out there regarding various coatings, their expectations and really at the end of the day what you get for your money. Yes, some products will perform better than others, but its important to invest more time and money in the Shop or Person installing XYZ product. The right professional will know what is best for you and for your car AND educate you on the benefits, expectations and how to maintain the finish when the services are performed.

Paint coatings WILL NOT prevent swirl marks over time, PROPER maintenance will. A coatings job is to make that maintenance both easier and quicker resulting in time and cost savings over your ownership experience.

A coatings job is to seal the paint on a molecular level from the outside. There are many claims about increased scratch resistance, coating hardness and now some manufacturers claiming their coatings are "Self healing". I can tell you that if you rely on these claims you will be severely disappointed in your coatings performance.

Its VERY important to know what your getting yourself into, paint coatings are not for everyone or every vehicle. Unfortunately alot of products and companies have rushed onto the scene in recent years without the proper experience to know exactly what they are offering to their clients. In good faith they may believe that their product will prevent swirl marks or "help reduce" swirl marks and scratches over time, but then don't take the proper time to educate you on how to maintain their services. This then results to disappointment or unmatched expectations.

This is the real void in the market, and where awareness is severely lacking. We have clients on both sides of the spectrum, and get honest and consistent feedback from every client that walks through our doors. 99.9% of the time our clients that receive one of our coatings on their first car, get it installed on the next.

Agreed. The installer is probably more important than the product. Xpel's lengthy warranty also gives me the assurance that this is probably among the best options available today, and that it is a product that will continue to meet my expectations well into the future.
 
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here is what works for me in south florida after a lot of trial and error with many, many other products.

Weekly
Wash with: Optimum (NR2010Q) No Rinse Wash & Shine - 32 oz
then spray this on (while the car is damp): Meguiar's D15601 Synthetic X-Press Spray Wax
Dry with waffle microfiber: Meguiar's X2000 Water Magnet Drying Towel
If it is date night, use this as well: Meguiar's D15501 Last Touch Spray Detailer

Every 6 months or so:
Start with this: Meguiar's M205 Mirror Glaze Ultra Finishing Polish (using PORTER-CABLE 7424XP 6-Inch Variable-Speed Polisher) w/ chemical guys pads
Then this: Meguiar's M21 Mirror Glaze Synthetic Sealant 2.0
or this: Meguiar's G18216 Ultimate Liquid Wax
Done

Wheels:
Weekly: Meguiar's Hot Rims All Wheel Cleaner
Quarterly: remove wheels, detail wheel wells and brake calipers

39K on the 70
12K on the 90
 
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I guess maybe I had modest expectations, but I've been really happy with my OCP. A have a few swirls here and there, but didn't really think OCP would prevent that.

What is has done is made it so I don't have to wax the thing. I have never waxed it. I'll have 4 years on mine this November, and water still beads up like it was freshly waxed. This is nice, because it seems like when I have it pressure washed (no brushes) the dirt all slides off easily. I literally hand washed it myself for the first time ever (Tesla had done it twice, I think - the likely source of the swirls) about two weeks ago.

Still looks fantastic clean. I'll definitely try a coating again in the future. It's saved me so much time.
 
Data point--my multi-coat red was OptiCoated by Joe @ OCDetailing (a real pro) in 2013 after careful paint prep. I park outside all day, garaged at night. Car is washed 2x/week at a commercial 'off line' car wash (pressure spray, then hand wash with mitts, pressure rinse, high pressure air dry, hand wipe with towels). After 2 years, I could see some fine scratches, rubs, holograms. Went back to Joe for a 'tune-up'. He did some minor re-prep and applied a new coat of OCP. Now 2 more years in, and looks great. Water still beads up. Never been waxed. Sheds dirt. All good. FWIW, he used cQuartz on my wife's 2015 Obsidian black (his choice for her car color)--also looks great 2 years in. Will probably bring it in for his magic tune up in a few months.
 
@Gizmo17 - mind sharing a close up picture with a light shining on it?
BTW - I agree that Tesla's washes are terrible for the paint. I ask them not to wash my car.
I assume you meant me. Sure. It's dirty now having just rained here yesterday, but I want to wash it again this weekend. Will take a few photos.

Data point--my multi-coat red was OptiCoated by Joe @ OCDetailing (a real pro) in 2013 after careful paint prep. I park outside all day, garaged at night. Car is washed 2x/week at a commercial 'off line' car wash (pressure spray, then hand wash with mitts, pressure rinse, high pressure air dry, hand wipe with towels). After 2 years, I could see some fine scratches, rubs, holograms. Went back to Joe for a 'tune-up'. He did some minor re-prep and applied a new coat of OCP. Now 2 more years in, and looks great. Water still beads up. Never been waxed. Sheds dirt. All good. FWIW, he used cQuartz on my wife's 2015 Obsidian black (his choice for her car color)--also looks great 2 years in. Will probably bring it in for his magic tune up in a few months.
Out of curiosity, was the re-coat of OCP about the same price, or was it more of a touch-up kind of thing? Was thinking about getting my car back to Joe for a detailing anyway.
 
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Out of curiosity, was the re-coat of OCP about the same price, or was it more of a touch-up kind of thing? Was thinking about getting my car back to Joe for a detailing anyway.

My recollection is that it was a discounted rate--less paint prep/perfection since he took care of the original factory problems. But Joe is so busy/successful, that his pricing is likely 'subject to change without notice'.
 
I wrote a few articles to educate owners about the subjects discussed in this thread.

There are concerns with what causes defects, how to minimize those surface defects, how coatings are supposed to perform, what is required on your end to get the most value and expectations. If you find yourself a bit lost on those topics, take the time to read these pieces and I think you'll come away much better prepared to make your own choices with coatings.

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The Paint Coating Triangle: A Necessity for Owner Satisfation - Detailed Designs Auto Spa (not to be confused with the "conjoined triangles of success"...)

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What causes swirl marks and other defects in modern car paint? -The Clear Bra Installation Specialists of Atlanta-
 
I had Opticoat Pro Plus installed on my car 2 years ago when it was brand new. The coating did help for almost a year at keeping swirl marks down and made the car easier to clean. I don't think it's doing anything for me now.. For the cost I would not recommend it. Spend your money getting the car professionally detailed once or twice a year instead, it would be cheaper and probably better in the long run.
 
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