Need Help: Opti Coat or not?

[CL 19]

Hi guys. I was thinking to put opti coat on my car. Just for your information it is a jet black 135i coupe. I got a quote from auto shop in my area for $450 includes 2 or 3 stage polished, buffing etc and of course the opti coat itself. Does someone else try it before on their dark color car? I know for sure that it helps to clean bugs, water spot, etc easier. The detailer told me that it will last at least 3 to 4 years and he doesn't believe about the statement it will last for the lifetime of the car since it might be way more than 5 years.

Other than that, there are also some ceramic coating such as cquartz and aquartz. Just let me know your experience with it since I might do ceramic coating rather than opti coat.

Really need your opinion guys, whether good or bad. Pros and cons of doing opti coat itself. Appreciate your opinions and comments.

[code911]

I put opti coat on my 2012 aw 135i when we first got it, jun 2011. For me it seems to work, it kept the paint nice and shiny, made the finish seem "harder". We've put about 17000 miles on the car since then, just had a major detail done and the detailer said that I had very little swirling. He used a different sealer when he did the detail so I will see how that holds up over the winter. I think it took me about 45min to put on the opti coat but that's including windows too. Good luck

[Dackelone]

You should PM Phil from Detailer's Domain. He sells this product and has done many photos essays on it. From what I understand you have to apply it to PERFECT paint. SO first a full detail, then you can apply it. It will add some thickness to your clear coat paint. That is how it works. It somehow bonds to the clear coat.

[eclipsisNA]

If your paint is 100% perfect, then it is worth Opti-Coating it. Make sure the detailer you're using is capable of properly correcting your paint, that is a necessity.

[CL 19]

Yapp. That pre-opti coat detail is mandatory for me. I will make sure they are doing the perfect job. They said it will take about 7-8 hours for them to detail my car and apply opti coat. Any idea on pricing? The detail shop quoted me $450 includes any buffing and other necessary polish prior to applying opti-coat. $450 includes the opti-coat as well. Thanks