*Batman*

Was talking with a friend who told me he was experimenting with this stuff called CQuartz which apparently provides a fairly scratch resistant finish which lasts 1-2 years. Ideal for Florida where there is a lot of salt and dust, and the heat melts Carnauba pretty quickly.

Read a review here which makes it seem like it may be quite effective - especially for us struggling Obsidian owners.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/...0-cquartz.html

Anyone have any experience with this stuff? Any of our sponsors selling it?

PaPaHoFF

iTrader: (19)

Autogeek sells this. I just tried their IronX on stubborn brakedust and it works amazing. I do however recommend wearing gloves and making sure to wet the ground before. Ironx smells HORRIBLE and has a lasting smell but it does amazing work on the wheels.

OutlawTita

iTrader: (1)

They are similar products to Optimum OptiCoat. I can tell you from personal experience that OptiCoat definitely works. It has been on my daily driver for 9+ months and doesn't show any remote sign of going away. I am fully expecting at least 2+ years of protection and quite possibly much longer.

*Batman*

It turns out one of our local detailers has been experimenting with this stuff and has some amazing results:
http://www.autopia.org/forum/car-det...st-review.html

But the thing I wonder is whether it really hardens the surface, making a black car safer to wash at a local handwash place.

97-SC300

iTrader: (17)

Opti-Coat is an actual permanent coating whereas Cquartz is a nano coating that never promises to be permanent.

embolism

I've been reading about people having water spotting issues with C quartz.

I also don't think it's ever advisable to go to the handwash places even if you have opticoat. Remember, if you scratch your clearcoat or opticoat, it will still look bad...

*Batman*

So what is the value proposition of this stuff? If it doesn't provide any extra protection, but it just lasts longer than wax, then why not stick with wax.

OutlawTita

iTrader: (1)

That is like asking the value of clear coat over a paint job. Yes, clearcoat will scratch but is certainly protecting the paint. OptiCoat doesn't marr nearly as easy as a wax or sealant, it is MUCH easier to clean, doesn't require reapplication every month or even every few months, and looks as good after 9+ months (I imagine this will become a much longer time frame but I have only had it for 9+ months) as it does after one day.

I have tried many, many high end waxes and sealants but this is by far the most maintenance free of the bunch.

*Batman*

But the question is whether it is harder than the clearcoat. If it isn't, then I am looking at polishing every 6 months and clearcoat is easier to polish than opticoat.

embolism

It is not harder than clearcoat but it is harder than sealants and waxes. Basically, you are putting a tougher sacrificial layer on your car than wax or sealant. Some ppl won't do it b/c they like to play with different waxes and sealants. Some ppl just put it on the front of their car/truck so it is easier to wash bugs off since nothing sticks to these coatings (including waxes and sealants to a certain extent).

Sometimes it is the only option if you have a car that is on the verge of clear coat failure. It's good to have options but each person has to decide what is best for them.

Todd@ProperAutoCare

David, who wrote that post, is a good friend of mine. I have seen his car in person 20-30 times in the last year and each time we fall over laughing.

Yes, Opti-Coat will leave a surface that is harder than the clear coat itself, but only marginally. I would not take the car to a local hand wash and expect it to stay perfect.

*Batman*

Todd,

What do you suggest for someone like me? I have a black Lexus. Very soft clear coat. I pay Avi from Luxury Royal Detailing a $100 a month to hand wash using the 2 bucket method, and even then I need a 1 stage correction every 4 months.

I'm looking for a lower cost more durable solution, without having to regularly paint correct.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

You got your car polished 4 times already? Wonder how much clear coat you got left...

*Batman*

Plenty. A DA polishing session probably takes off 0.2 microns. The car has 12-15 microns of clearcoat.

OutlawTita

iTrader: (1)

Batman
If you had OptiCoat on a properly polished and swirl free surface there would be no need to polish for at least a year and quite possibly 2 or 3 years. Yes the surface can be marred but with proper washing and drying techniques what makes you think there would be any issues requiring constant corrections?