I've been driving, tracking, racing and detailing Porsches for 39 years. I have always followed conventional wisdom on detailing best-practices and am a believer in polishing the bare paint for maximum gloss. And then protecting it with an LSP (last step product) sealant, glaze or wax.

For about the last 10 years I have used Zaino with a high degree of success. I usually finish it with either their version of quick detailer or a coat of P21S 100% Pure Carnuba wax to bump up the gloss.

I was happy with that process.

But, during the 2 month wait for my '13 C2S to travel between the assembly werk in Stuttgart and my Porsche dealer I did a lot of research into what was new in detailing. Turns out, a lot. Something called Nanotechnology and it is available in a couple of forms.

Good reading here: http://www.autopia.org/forum/autopia...ml#post1448634

Note the discussion about reflection vs. refraction. It will help you understand the below results photos better.

After talking with a lot of knowledgeable people, I decided to go with OptiCoat 2.0 from Optimum Polymer Technologies. Developed by a former chemist at PPG automotive paint division. It apparently chemically cross-links with, and attaches to, the paint in a way that it fills in the low spots and makes a smooth finish to reflect more light.


I asked my dealer not to prep the car's paint, to just pull the protective film off the car and do a very light wash. Once I got it home, I double-washed the car with a heavy concentration of Dawn dish soap & water to remove any remaining silicones or airborne contaminants while in transit. Then completely clayed the car with an ample dose of Dawn/water in a spray bottle lubricant to remove anything else still attached to the bare paint. And a final water rinse & dry to be 99% certain all I had was bare, new Porsche paint. All that took about 6 hours and most of a 6-pack of Grolsch.

The next morning I applied the OptiCoat 2.0. There is a learning curve to do it right and because I was being very careful, it took about 2 hours. When I do it next time (in a year or maybe longer) it will only take about 45 minutes once I re-prep the paint like above).

The car has to sit in your garage afterwards for about 12 hours while leveling and curing. The next morning it looked like a clear, hard-candy shell on the car!


I was a skeptic about the technology and the products and I'm sure others will be, too. But I decided to take a chance and am glad I did.

A couple of observations:

1). The gloss is incredible, best I've ever seen. (Again, note the refraction vs. reflection discussion in the above-linked article).

2). But it is not slick. There is actually a pretty good drag to the hand touch. However, applying their Instant Detailer (chemically compatible) does create slickness and even higher gloss. The ID lasts until the next wash.

3). The car stays cleaner longer. It seems that dirt does not attach itself to the car as easily, especially after being in the rain. Most dirt hoses off easily.

4). This makes it easier and less worrisome to use their Instant Detailer in between washes ..... which may take 10 minutes max.


Anyway, I didn't know I was unhappy with the old way, but I sure am happier now.


I did all of the above in mid-March. Then this morning, I washed the car for only the 2nd time. Dried it off with a leaf-blower and then microfiber towels, followed by a 5 minute wipe/buff with Optimum Instant Detailer. The results:

 

Great write up ttcarrera. Any comments on visible swirl marks

 

Looks amazing! I would love to see the results of the process completed on say a 10 year old vehicle that has not had a wax job in some time.

 

Well, my car doesn't have any. The developer claims that the OptiCoat 2.0 is harder than the clear coat on the car and therefore is more resistant to swirl marks. Don't know if it's true or if I'm just a careful washer, but so far my car is pretty perfect.

 

It won't fix paint. You have to get the bare paint fixed before you put this...or any other sealant, glaze or wax on top of the paint.

 

Great write up! going to have to try this. Is the application process the same as regular wax?

 

Cquartz Finest is also awesome! 30% better than Cquartz UK!

 

Your car looks fantastic. Do you feel the finish is hard enough to help prevent some minor chipping?

 

A bit more complicated than waxing.

I followed this video and it turned out to be pretty easy. You probably want to have an airline from a compressor handy, but you should have one anyway and you can buy one for under $100 these days.



Again, it seals the paint. Make sure you're happy with your paint before you use this or you will seal in the impurities.

 

Uhmmmm, maybe. Hard to know.

 

I have about 2 year experience with OC in the harsher Canadian climate. The stuff really works, it protects the paint, makes cleaning the car much faster, its much more resistant to swirls and scratches then the OEM finish and clear.

Apply it to your wheels as well, makes getting brake dust off much easier.

As you said, its all about prepping the paint to perfection before you apply the product.

My detailer claims with proper care, meaning you wash it properly, OC should last 3-5 years.

 

From what I have read, it does not last as along and is not as "protective" as OC.

 

thanks for the info !

this is something different and definitely worth looking into.

wish i knew this before since i just recently restocked with Klasse AIO, Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant, and Pinnacle Souveran Caruba Wax..

Is is easy to apply evenly ? and does it cure smoothly by itself ? even on the door/side panels ?

also, if its applied incorrectly, can u remove it ?

thx

 

I have used Opti Coat for several years now and have had it on my wife's Acura for three years now. I have applied it to dozens of my clients cars.

Maintenance? Dead simple. I clay the car twice a year and that's it. It acts as new after claying. Like paint, contaminants will bind to it.

Scratch resistant yes but not as good as CQuartz for that. With any coating, a proper wash/dry regime is critical.

Since modern clear coats are thinner than a Post It Note (literally, I measured), if you do get scratches or micro marring, it will be in the coating and not the valuable clear coat.

So glad to hear of yet another Nano convert! Well done sir.

 

I put Opti-Coat on my 991 a few days after I bought it and couldn't be happier. The key is making sure the finish is perfect before applying, as any imperfections will be sealed under the Opti-Coat and visible. I also applied it to my wheels and makes cleaning off the brake dust a breeze. It's a permanent coating and will not come off unless you polishing it off.
PS - your 991 looks amazing!!