Ceramic Coating: CQuartz or Opti-Coat

[Southern4]

Have contacted installers doing both. I have read mixed reviews on both products and was wondering if anyone had personal experience with it.

Thanks

[b8audis4]

Opti Coat is a little more tried and true. It is a longer lasting product and is a bit harder I believe than C Quartz. C Quartz however is going to provide a better look. Depends if you want durability, go with Opticoat. If you want a better look go with C Quartz.

[14S4GWM]

I got C Quartz because that's what my detailer uses. Very impressed with it so far. It's so easy to wash the car. Make sure they do your wheels and pretty much the whole exterior of the car.

[Maitre Absolut]

I got C quartz earlier this summer and never though it would work this well. car is always clean and looks freshly detailed.

just hope it lasts the advertised 2 years

[EuroA4]

Also consider Modesta...

https://www.detailersdomain.com/page...glass-coatings

https://www.detailersdomain.com/blog...s-coating-bc04

[grovlet]

You can also ask for CQuartz UK - Which is designed for a little durability in colder climates - Supposedly it's got a similar look to the CQ Finest but much better durability

[firstars]

Opti-coat is good stuff.

[torinalth]

I have an appointment for C.Quartz just due to availability. opticoat is farther from me and the guys as a prick, C.Quartz guy has been exceptional to deal with so he earned my business. if both people are perfect in your eyes then flip a coin.

[sirsycott]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V1VXmfBOc0


look into these guys CS-II titanium

you can douse lighter fluid and set it on fire and the coating will survive and won't lose any of it's properties


so far i've yet to see opticoat, cquarts do this, Modesta comes close, but CS-II is still superior due to easier install process


skip to the 1 minute mark and watch

[speed_racer]

Ceramic Pro FTW....

Drove 4k miles cross country... Front of our Wk2 coated in a deep layer of baked on weeks old dead bugs... All came off with a foam sprayer, 5 minute soak, and a single sponge wipe.

[speed_racer]

Ceramic Pro FTW....

Drove 4k miles cross country... Front of our Wk2 coated in a deep layer of baked on weeks old dead bugs... All came off with a foam sprayer, 5 minute soak, and a single sponge wipe.

[b8audis4]

My opinion is go with something that is tried and true. Both Opticoat and CQuartz is tried and true. Either way you won't loose. Just different types of coatings. Like a lot of people have said go with the installer that is better and has done better work and will take the time out to do it. If you get a crappy installer, then it isn't good.

[Brother Owl]

Subbed - car will be out of shop with fresh paint in the next couple days.
Any idea on how long to wait after painting to apply ceramic coating?

[14S4GWM]

Subbed - car will be out of shop with fresh paint in the next couple days.
Any idea on how long to wait after painting to apply ceramic coating?

I would wait atleast 30 days for the paint to gas off. Just like waxing it.

[b8audis4]

Subbed - car will be out of shop with fresh paint in the next couple days.
Any idea on how long to wait after painting to apply ceramic coating?

Yeah 30 days for any sort of wax, sealant, or coating. 60 days for clear film.

[Brother Owl]

I would wait atleast 30 days for the paint to gas off. Just like waxing it.

Yeah 30 days for any sort of wax, sealant, or coating. 60 days for clear film.

Thanks. 60 days for clear film(bra)? I take it the best process then would be to get the clear bra 1st and ceramic coat 2nd? Or vice versa?

[14S4GWM]

Thanks. 60 days for clear film(bra)? I take it the best process then would be to get the clear bra 1st and ceramic coat 2nd? Or vice versa?

Get the bra first then have them coat the whole car including the bra.

[Brother Owl]

Get the bra first then have them coat the whole car including the bra.

That seems more logical thanks.
Looking at CQuartz: differences between CQuartz and CQuartz Finest? Worth the extra $?

[14S4GWM]

I think the finest is only distributed to authorized installers. The other is for DIY'ers I believe. Go for the finer. I got it and it's great.

[Brother Owl]

Nice. Only 1 authorized CQuartz finest installer in Colorado and he's got good reviews. Guess I know what I'll be doing in a couple months

[MattACK]

I have opti-coat on my Ford Lightning since 2010. I've never put a coat of wax on it and it always looks amazing. Washing is super easy and not much road grime sticks to it. It looks like it needs to be reapplied to the roof and hood, but everything else still beads water. Very little to no scratches or swirls anywhere either. Plastics still look great to. Not bad for 4-5 years. A coat of wax-as-you-dry really helps make it pop also!

[jran76]

I heard Optimum has discontinued the the Opti-Coat 2.0, and has replaced it with a new product called "Gloss-Coat" that also only lasts for about 2 years like some of the other mentioned "nano" coatings. At the end of the day, they all do about the same thing. Like others have said, it probably comes down to availability and your installer (and prep!!!). 10ml of the Gloss-Coat is $60. 30ml of the CQuartz is about $50 (UK version). However, if you're paying someone to do the work, labor is probably the big hit.

I'm going to try the 22ple Signature Vx3 or Pro2 on my next detail as I've had good luck with their stuff. The Vx3 is new, and I've read good things about it. The Vx3 lasts two years where the Pro2 lasts about 3 years. Vx3 is also about $60 for 30ml whereas the Pro2 is almost double that and a little trickier to apply.

I personally like the look of the 22ple and CQuartz products over Opti-Coat 2.0, but I have not seen the new Optimum Gloss-Coat in person yet.

[lexcruiser]

How much have you guys been quoted for doing either the Opti or CQuartz?

[AKPS4]

Anyone apply opti coat on their own? I plan to do so in 2-3 weeks. Full clean polish and then opticoat. Videos seem straight forward. Key seems to be adequate lighting.

[NC_Detail_Garage]

Anyone apply opti coat on their own? I plan to do so in 2-3 weeks. Full clean polish and then opticoat. Videos seem straight forward. Key seems to be adequate lighting.

I've applied opticoat gloss coat myself on both our vehicles. It's pretty straightforward and only took an hour or so each. The full polish, wax, and prep work took the most time. It's still a solid full days work but can easily be done by a diy-er.

I took it a step further and added sonax net shield as a 'topper' for added measure. I was my car once and sometimes 2x a week and noticed the hood and rood not beading up as much as it did during the first couple months, now five months later. For this reason I've reapplied the sonax and it's beading like it used to. I'll likely try the cquartz or modesto line next year as I like to detail.

[torinalth]

How much have you guys been quoted for doing either the Opti or CQuartz?

C. Quartz Finest from my shop was quoted at 1400 for the S4, up to 1700 if he really needs to work the paint before application. Though he does wash, 3 step decontamination, one pass with compound, before application. not sure if this is the mandated method or his.

[Southern4]

CQuartz quote was $495 which included a full wash, clay bar, and application

Opti-Coat quote was $895 which included a full wash, and application to car body and windows

Rather a large difference. The Opti-Coat guy will come to my house to do it, which is an added bonus.

[14S4GWM]

C. Quartz Finest from my shop was quoted at 1400 for the S4, up to 1700 if he really needs to work the paint before application. Though he does wash, 3 step decontamination, one pass with compound, before application. not sure if this is the mandated method or his.

I had all that considering my car was in the elements for over a year and cost me $750 to do the whole exterior of the vehicle and wheels. Crazy how prices fluctuate.

[torinalth]

I had all that considering my car was in the elements for over a year and cost me $750 to do the whole exterior of the vehicle and wheels. Crazy how prices fluctuate.

something I found interesting is that my guy will be keeping my car for 3 days for the entire process. it's not like he is behind because he is appointment only and the Cquartz UK states he only keeps the car for 2 days. So I'm not sure what all he is doing in total, but he has to be doing something to warrant the extra time vs (as above showed) they just come to your house to apply it.

EDIT: forgot to mention that this is for the entire exterior: Paint, plastics, glass, wheels not just the paint.

[14S4GWM]

Guy had mine for 2.5 days and that was expected. Not a surprise so I was ready and that didn't sway the price. Either your paint is terrible or hes getting one over on you. That price is ridiculous in my book. Just my .02 though. If you're not sure what he's doing you should find out quick to warrent that price. Just looked and you're a 2015, he's crazy.

[NC_Detail_Garage]

3 days and $1400 is a bit hilarious.

Seriously, do it yourself.

[jran76]

3 days and $1400 is a bit hilarious.

Seriously, do it yourself.

I agree on the DIY, but that's not an option for a lot of people. You really need a good place to do it, the right tools, and supplies.

I personally wouldn't do it without doing a full paint correction first; even on a new car. For me, that's two days of work and several steps (wash, clay/decontaminate, tape off trim, 1-2 step polish, wash again, etc.). While $1400 is high, it shouldn't be cheap if you are paying someone to do it the right way. I'd be worried about someone charging $400 as there's no way that could include a good paint correction.

[tyler180]

I've been quoted $1,050 for mine. It's a "new car package", which includes full paint correction and the full detailing along with the C.Quartz Finest. I was told they keep the car two days too. The place I'm looking at gets a lot of exotic cars, so I trust them to handle my S4.

[ThatOneDude]

I considered CQuartz, but ended up ordering Dr Beasley's Nano Resin, which is a DIY product with same type of results for $49. Lasts 2-3 years.

I have this coming Sunday blocked off so I can spend the whole day prepping the paint and then applying the Nano coating.

We'll see how it goes :)

[NC_Detail_Garage]

Good for you! It's straightforward but time consuming. Are you planning to polish first?

I'm a big believer of these products (gloss coat, cquartz, etc.) as it really brings the shine out of the cars. Just wait till you wash it after applying, the dirt just sheets off the car.

I considered CQuartz, but ended up ordering Dr Beasley's Nano Resin, which is a DIY product with same type of results for $49. Lasts 2-3 years.

I have this coming Sunday blocked off so I can spend the whole day prepping the paint and then applying the Nano coating.

We'll see how it goes :)

[ThatOneDude]

Good for you! It's straightforward but time consuming. Are you planning to polish first?

I'm a big believer of these products (gloss coat, cquartz, etc.) as it really brings the shine out of the cars. Just wait till you wash it after applying, the dirt just sheets off the car.

I bought the Dr Beasley's Polish and Finishing Glaze, but I'm hearing conflicting suggestions. Some say polish, then IPA wipe, then coat. Others say don't polish since the IPA wipe will negate the polishing efforts.

[timzcat]

I am happy with the Opti-coat pro. I feel like the Optimum instant detailer and gloss enhancer really helps with the shine, just makes it more glossy.
I rubbed a mailbox and it left white paint on the car that was difficult to remove but had no paint damage at all.

[NC_Detail_Garage]

I bought the Dr Beasley's Polish and Finishing Glaze, but I'm hearing conflicting suggestions. Some say polish, then IPA wipe, then coat. Others say don't polish since the IPA wipe will negate the polishing efforts.

What sources are providing the conflicting info? Detailers Domain and Auto Geek have pro tutorials that I referenced before starting. The whole point of the polish is to remove any imperfections in the clear. The idea being get the car in the best possible shape, then seal it in w/ the gloss coat/cquartz etc. The IPA cleanse is used to remove any excess residue but def won't negate any polishing. I simply used a microfiber towel for the IPA.

[GundamS4]

I had all that considering my car was in the elements for over a year and cost me $750 to do the whole exterior of the vehicle and wheels. Crazy how prices fluctuate.

I'm in MD as well and was looking at getting this done, could you pm me the place you used. thx

[BigBluu]

I have opti-coat on my Ford Lightning since 2010. I've never put a coat of wax on it and it always looks amazing. Washing is super easy and not much road grime sticks to it. It looks like it needs to be reapplied to the roof and hood, but everything else still beads water. Very little to no scratches or swirls anywhere either. Plastics still look great to. Not bad for 4-5 years. A coat of wax-as-you-dry really helps make it pop also!

I have very similar experience, although it's only been about 9 months on mine. My car has never touched wax and it always looks great, seems to repel dirt/dust, and beads water like a mofo. Very easy to wash, even with ONR. Only my windshield gets dirty, as it's not applied to glass (not supposed to). I'm the only one who touches it and zero swirl marks so far. It has exceeded my expectations and definitely worth the price of not having to wax it every 6 months!

I heard Optimum has discontinued the the Opti-Coat 2.0, and has replaced it with a new product called "Gloss-Coat" that also only lasts for about 2 years like some of the other mentioned "nano" coatings. At the end of the day, they all do about the same thing. Like others have said, it probably comes down to availability and your installer (and prep!!!). 10ml of the Gloss-Coat is $60. 30ml of the CQuartz is about $50 (UK version). However, if you're paying someone to do the work, labor is probably the big hit.

I had the Opti-Coat Pro applied to mine, from a certified installer, which comes with a 5-year warranty (used to be lifetime I think). But installer told me it should last the life of the vehicle with proper care. The Pro is only available through their professional certified installer network. The Gloss-Coat (formerly Opti-Coat 2.0) is the consumer version and comes with 2-year warranty only.