Hi Redline 2017, as a panel beater you would know all about polishing wouldn't you? If you've got access to a rupes (for example) polisher you could probably do just as good a job yourself with another off the self titanium/silica/whatever product. BTW, none of them last forever, they get abraded off through the same process that sandblasts your windscreen, headlights etc. Opticoat and Glasscoat sound like very similar processes though Opticoat is not available to the public. Both are a two part process with a primer (a diminishing polish) and the protective coat with must be kept dry for 24hrs to cure. You can apply a second coat to increase film thickness. Another advantage of these protective coatings is they are harder than the OEM clear making it harder to key the car. An advantage of Glasscoat is you can maintain the coating yourself, (which is recommended) with Opticoat you have to go back to the detailer to have it re-applied. The quality of the shine really comes down to the effort you put in to the preparation/paint correction/application of the primer. Opticoat looks like a great product but I'm going Glasscoat as I like doing this sort of stuff myself, it will be a "bonding" experience
It'll also stop the baby oil lifting those decals
Evening Martin, good job on the bonding pun lol, yes I have had quite alot to do with polishing over the years in my trade, it is certainly a skill all on its own. To bring a paint surface to its best means different techniques required for both fresh paint, and an older surface. That said, if someone was experienced enough on the buff and consistently got great results, fine go for it, however one buff through, cutting through on an edge, or burning the paint surface is going to require respraying and polishing commencing again, and all this before the ceramic coating goes on. (Sorry mate if this sounds lecture like, I am explaining in such detail for people on this forum that may be considering trying any of this stuff after heading down to SCA and having a crack.) You are correct in saying that I would be confident enough to attempt the paint correction on my new car, however with the full day of my time, maybe 2 invested into the completion of said paint correction, even on a new car, especially one that has been driven out here, (bugs, bugs and more bugs,) it would be a pure economic decision on my part, my earnings out way the money invested in a professional carrying out the service, and application of the coating, not only will they more than likely get it right first time, and to a quality I probably will not reach, (dust free environment etc) but will also rectify any problems or issues I may have on the spot if any, plus it comes with a 7 year warranty, not sure anything I do myself in my garage comes with that kind of cover lol. I certainly am one to do things myself at home, however in this case after some umming and ahhring, have decided that if I am going down the ceramic coating route (as opposed to other sorts of paint protection #scam) I will be leaving our brand new baby Redline in the hands of experienced pro. As I explained in a previous message, only to save us some work/heartache/money, down the road due to sap and wildlife crap, and road kill splatter on the highway some of that stuff sets like concrete BTW. I did look at Glass coat, amongst others, however Opticoat pro, is available to us in Canberra and has a warranty, that's what sold it to us. Best of luck mate. Ps. Rupes make great tools
