[metrathon]

So you might know by now that I had someone apply OC on my Dec 2012 Jet Black and it seems that the prep was insufficient so it locked in some web, swirls and light scratches. Nothing that cannot be corrected so far.

However, now it seems the OC doesn't really work for Jet Black. After 3 manual washes (two-buckets method and ONR), I have even more swirls and webbing, just like I would have had with only the original clear coat. Moreover, the water spots (rain & windshield fluid drops) and the insects / bird droppings are as difficult to remove as ever.

So, why pay $700? Anyone happy with OC on Jet Black? Common ppl, I need some good news here

[GuiltyNL]

It is not the color, it is or the coat or the way it has been applied. Look for C.Quartz Finest as a coat next time.

[dinonz]

I have opti-coat on my Jet Black (Jet Black 2 if it makes a difference ) and it's great. I had it done about 5 days after getting the car, and they performed a full prep before-hand (cost twice what the actual opti-coat did!).

I'm not seeing the problem you are.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by dinonz

I have opti-coat on my Jet Black (Jet Black 2 if it makes a difference ) and it's great. I had it done about 5 days after getting the car, and they performed a full prep before-hand (cost twice what the actual opti-coat did!).

I'm not seeing the problem you are.

It would be great if you could take some pics in the sun (with the sun shining on the car) so I can have a frame of reference. I'm a bit lost now, as you can see ...

[dinonz]

Originally Posted by metrathon

It would be great if you could take some pics in the sun (with the sun shining on the car) so I can have a frame of reference. I'm a bit lost now, as you can see ...

Will do when I get a chance. It's due for a wash so will wait till after that, which might be a few days.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by dinonz

Will do when I get a chance. It's due for a wash so will wait till after that, which might be a few days.

Thank you Siree, I will remind you if you forget

[bananachipz]

Originally Posted by metrathon

So you might know by now that I had someone apply OC on my Dec 2012 Jet Black and it seems that the prep was insufficient so it locked in some web, swirls and light scratches. Nothing that cannot be corrected so far.

However, now it seems the OC doesn't really work for Jet Black. After 3 manual washes (two-buckets method and ONR), I have even more swirls and webbing, just like I would have had with only the original clear coat. Moreover, the water spots (rain & windshield fluid drops) and the insects / bird droppings are as difficult to remove as ever.

So, why pay $700? Anyone happy with OC on Jet Black? Common ppl, I need some good news here

Sorry to hear you're having problems. I've seen Jet Black cars with great Opti-Coat applications.

In all honesty, based on the shoddy prep work you had, I wouldn't be surprised if they didn't apply it properly.

[finaloption]

mine was perfect for about 2 months.. then after a service visit, the dealership f'ed up and washed my car after i specifically told them not to.. you guessed it, swirl city USA, they offered a free detail, which i took, but that was a shit job as well.. now i got swirls and holograms.. never going back there again

i'll have to get the OC removed and re-done or maybe explore other options
$700 down the drain

so, OP, to answer your question, it's all in the prep work and obviously washing/drying properly

[mcalc55]

I've been in contact with a detailed near me who recommended the C quartz finest route for a sapphire metallic f30 as the OC may have the same problems your experiencing. Not sure how informed he is. Certified in both and charges about $650 for either application if I have it done immediately after accepting delivery with no dealer prep

[metrathon]

My calculations were simple: I pay $35 every two weeks for a wash and a manual wax. Nothing fancy, but keeps the car look stunning by covering the swirls.
But I said, ok, I'll pay $700 for OC and I will wash the car myself: I will be saving money, make some aerobics and keep the car marr free by the virtues of the OC.

Well, it didn't work out that way. From what I gather here, even if the prep is perfect, the Black Jet will never stay swirl free. I cannot risk that a imperfect wash (at the dealer, or wash tunnel, etc) will screw up everything.

I mean, gimme a break, what, is it made of sugar? It puts down swirls even with the two buckets method? This is stupid. I could clearly see how just a bit of rubbing to try and get off a bird drop, would scratch the OC like there's no tomorrow. I thought was supposed to resist better than the original clear coat.

So what did we learn today? If you have Jet Black, don't waste your money on OC.

[Presario]

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say the install was probably not done correctly. Everyone knows that BMW jet black is really soft. That's is exactly why a coating like Opticoat will help. I'd demand the detailer redo it for you or find someone that can do it properly.

I had my car done and I'm really happy with it, although my car is white. Opticoat has to dry out to fully "cure" and this process can take up to 30 days. Did you wash it soon after it was applied? Some say the first week, it's only as protective as the factory clear and then continues to harden over the next few weeks. If you're not satisfied with Opticoat, I'd try Optiguard.

[PTek Will]

Originally Posted by TimAD

I specialize in both Opti Coat and CQuartz so I can comment on both. First, BMW Jet Black paint is some of the softest paint out there. Meaning it will scratch and marr very easily. Your other detailer was simply covering his butt by saying the clear coat was too hard, there's no such thing. If Lamborghini clear coat which is 12 separate layers and as hard as a diamond can be corrected then Jet Black BMW paint will be no problem.

Where the problem occurs is in proper wash and maintenance. Because the CC is so soft there is a much higher risk of marring the finish. I'd highly recommend to stay away from ONR as your wash process and invest in a foamer to reduce any wash marring you may have.

Sending you a PM, I'm local to you. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hey Tim.. I just spent too much time correcting my friends jet black 335. when I apply opticoat and remove.. i scratch the paint. Like you said.. this paint is "I cannot believe it is not butter" soft. How do I apply and remove opticoat without damaging the CC?

[kakeuter]

Originally Posted by PTek Will

Hey Tim.. I just spent too much time correcting my friends jet black 335. when I apply opticoat and remove.. i scratch the paint. Like you said.. this paint is "I cannot believe it is not butter" soft. How do I apply and remove opticoat without damaging the CC?

This is an ongoing issue with this paint (Subaru is another PITA). There's a few ways of applying the coating, depending on your supplies/environment.

Assuming the paint has been properly prepped:
- make sure your applicator is clean (i know, but you'd be surprised)
- once applied, using compressed air or metro blower can help the OC cure a little faster and eliminate some of the high spots
- once the product has flashed remove with a clean MF towel
- when removing with the towel, use no pressure to avoid instilling swirls
- once the product has fully cured (next day) you may see some high spots since you really don't want to wipe too much when removing the first time given the paint in question
- an easy way to remove the high spots without causing swirls is use a little bit of paint cleaner (CG Blacklight works well) to carefully remove any high spots
- CG Blacklight is not abrasive enough to remove the opti-coat, it just has enough cleaning ability to remove the high spot

I've had to use this method when humidity was an issue and I was having a hard time getting the coating to properly cure in the NORMAL timeframe.