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The Café Detailing Help Desk => Detailing Help => Topic started by: Too Stroked on July 19, 2017, 11:39:54 AM

Title: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Too Stroked on July 19, 2017, 11:39:54 AM
Ok guys and girls, I have a question for you. If water still beads up on the surface of a vehicle, is it really because of the LSP last applied? The reason I ask is that I applied C.A.R. Bullet Proof Coating to my 2006 Scion xB last fall after a full detail. My intent was to see if something would actually last through a whole Rochester winter.

Well, as much as I hate to admit it, I haven't been able to do much of anything other than wash the Toaster ever since then. No other LSP or quick detailer has been applied since then. Although the surface still looks great, it doesn't feel slippery anymore. But get this, it still beads water like no tomorrow - especially after a rain storm.

I'd be very tempted to say the Bullet Proof is still on there and protecting the surface, but 8 months? Holy crap Batman! That's gotta be some kind of world record for me. Your thoughts?
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Kitzy on July 19, 2017, 06:59:25 PM
I don't know but whatever is on my windshield from when I bought it is pretty awesome.  Been kicking the idea around of applying a coating.  Especially since I can't maintain it at this house right now like I'd like to.

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Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: sscully on July 19, 2017, 08:38:33 PM
The feeling of the paint, is it just surface contaminants on the C.A.R Coating ?

If I am recalling correctly, a paint that has been clayed and cleaned off will sheet water more than bead water.
- Am I recalling correctly ?

I would not be shocked that a coating is still on after 8 months.

I don't know if you clay towel the surface if it will remove the coating or if you are just going to remover the surface contaminants.

Until you have time to do a follow up ( if needed ), or can do a test area like the hood or roof only, I would not mess with trying a clay towel on it, not knowing what the C.A.R. coating is like 1st hand.
- I have done this with the OPT coating and not lost any thickness, that comes with compounding.
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Blown F-150 on July 20, 2017, 12:51:43 AM
My truck has the same coating on it although, not for the same amount of time. The real "slickness" of the paint wore off after a few washes, but it still beads very well. I'm inclined to say that the coating is still there and doing it's job.

I did 3 coats. Couldn't do that with OC 2.0.

Pretty happy with it so far. Hood, roof, bumpers and tailgate are all done with OC 2.0. Going to keep comparing the two over the long term and see how they hold up.
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: gipraw on July 20, 2017, 02:32:39 PM
I like the bulletproof a lot. 

I put three coats on initially, the will use topper on it every three months or so .. works great. 
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Too Stroked on July 20, 2017, 06:41:50 PM
Thanks for all of the replies and suggestions guys. Truth be told, I only put a single coat on when I applied it - which makes it even more amazing. I guess the Bullet Proof product actually lives up to its name! The next time I detail the car - hopefully soon - I'll try the multiple coats thing.
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Kitzy on July 20, 2017, 07:46:09 PM
So I'm seriously considering this.  I was looking at Justin's site and saw Bullet Proof but also Dr Beasley's Nano Resin.  I'd be curious how they compare.   

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Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Robby32 on July 20, 2017, 08:02:08 PM
Kitzy -

Don't know how the two compare - But absolutely love Bullet Proof exterior coating.

Went on easily and lasts - I get complements for shine on my Black truck all the time.

NO swirl marks. Not easy to do on black.   :ba:

Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: sscully on July 21, 2017, 09:25:02 AM
...<snip>...
I did 3 coats. Couldn't do that with OC 2.0. ...<snip>...

It is not so much a can't but more so why would you do 3 coats of Opti gloss coat.

The only reason to do two coats of Opti gloss coat is to enure coverage.
The 2nd coat needs to be applied after 12 hours but before the 1st coat cures.
- If the 1st coat cures fine compound work to rough up the surface so the 2nd coat will stick to the 1st.

This means taking the vehicle out of service for a few days or having to wash the still soft coating, which washing can introduce marring.

I have only done a '2nd coat' when I did not catch the 1st coat flashing incorrectly and found a defect that I did not get out of the paint.
- I went at it with Hyper Compound and a MF cutting pad to remove the 1st coat and defect and rough up the around around what I removed to over lap the coatings.

The 2006 still beads water on the roof and cap; just saw it not too long ago while in my dad's office while it was raining and got a good look at the roof and cap.

I have found if you have good lighting and using the air line to speed up the flash, and only touch it where it is too heavy and not flashing correctly, that one coat will do the trick.
- At ~ 100.00 / 20 ml, it is not something to be messing around with too much.
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Blown F-150 on July 21, 2017, 10:50:40 AM
...<snip>...
I did 3 coats. Couldn't do that with OC 2.0. ...<snip>...

It is not so much a can't but more so why would you do 3 coats of Opti gloss coat.

The only reason to do two coats of Opti gloss coat is to enure coverage.
The 2nd coat needs to be applied after 12 hours but before the 1st coat cures.
- If the 1st coat cures fine compound work to rough up the surface so the 2nd coat will stick to the 1st.

This means taking the vehicle out of service for a few days or having to wash the still soft coating, which washing can introduce marring.

I have only done a '2nd coat' when I did not catch the 1st coat flashing incorrectly and found a defect that I did not get out of the paint.
- I went at it with Hyper Compound and a MF cutting pad to remove the 1st coat and defect and rough up the around around what I removed to over lap the coatings.

The 2006 still beads water on the roof and cap; just saw it not too long ago while in my dad's office while it was raining and got a good look at the roof and cap.

I have found if you have good lighting and using the air line to speed up the flash, and only touch it where it is too heavy and not flashing correctly, that one coat will do the trick.
- At ~ 100.00 / 20 ml, it is not something to be messing around with too much.

That's exactly it, I don't trust that I had the best coverage on the first pass. Even paying pretty close attention, it can be difficult to determine coverage with such a "thin" product. 3rd coat was just because I had the time and it's super easy to apply.

I just honestly found that the BP coating was easier to apply and I could get done what I wanted in one session. I don't know if the new OC stuff is better, I heard they changed up the formula a bit.

Mike, be our test mule for the Dr. Beasley's stuff. Justin likes it, but I have no need to by any more coating for a while. Still have a bottle and a half of BP and half a syringe of OC (used half on the Jeep for Dad).
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Kitzy on July 21, 2017, 07:30:03 PM
I just might.  Would like to hear from Justin on the matter.  Hopefully he pops in.

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Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Too Stroked on July 21, 2017, 08:13:58 PM
You don't have to wait for a Dr. Beasley's test mule. My Tacoma got the stuff - based on Justin's recommendation & sale price - about 2 1/2 months ago. So far. I'd have to say it's pretty comparable. I do think the spray bottle that Bullet Proof comes in might be a bit easier to use than the glass bottle the good doctor's stuff comes in. (Besides, you can actually drop the BP bottle and not shatter it.) They both shine like crazy and bead water like no tomorrow. As for durability, I'm probably going to re-coat the truck before winter no matter how well the stuff holds up.
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Blown F-150 on July 21, 2017, 11:31:30 PM
Good to hear TS.

It's nice to have options!
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Kitzy on July 24, 2017, 12:30:59 PM
You don't have to wait for a Dr. Beasley's test mule. My Tacoma got the stuff - based on Justin's recommendation & sale price - about 2 1/2 months ago. So far. I'd have to say it's pretty comparable. I do think the spray bottle that Bullet Proof comes in might be a bit easier to use than the glass bottle the good doctor's stuff comes in. (Besides, you can actually drop the BP bottle and not shatter it.) They both shine like crazy and bead water like no tomorrow. As for durability, I'm probably going to re-coat the truck before winter no matter how well the stuff holds up.
Being lazy here, but never having used either of the two, what are the application processes?  You mention Bullet Proof is a spray bottle.  Similar to that of Opti-Seal?  What about Dr Beasley's?  My only coating experience was the original Opti-Coat.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Too Stroked on July 24, 2017, 03:14:31 PM
You don't have to wait for a Dr. Beasley's test mule. My Tacoma got the stuff - based on Justin's recommendation & sale price - about 2 1/2 months ago. So far. I'd have to say it's pretty comparable. I do think the spray bottle that Bullet Proof comes in might be a bit easier to use than the glass bottle the good doctor's stuff comes in. (Besides, you can actually drop the BP bottle and not shatter it.) They both shine like crazy and bead water like no tomorrow. As for durability, I'm probably going to re-coat the truck before winter no matter how well the stuff holds up.
Being lazy here, but never having used either of the two, what are the application processes?  You mention Bullet Proof is a spray bottle.  Similar to that of Opti-Seal?  What about Dr Beasley's?  My only coating experience was the original Opti-Coat.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

The application process for both products is pretty similar. After all of the usual prep work, you apply the coating. With the BP, you can either spray (it comes in small, metal spray bottle) it directly on the vehicle and then spread it around with a foam applicator pad or spray it on the applicator pad, then apply it to the vehicle. Once it hazes, you wipe it off. It's very, very easy to apply.

The Dr. Beasley's product comes in a small (breakable) glass bottle and they recommend that you put a few drops on a foam applicator, then apply it to the vehicle. (I over-simplified that slightly.) That said, it's just as easy to apply. The only problem I saw is that it's somewhat harder to control how much comes out of the bottle.
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Kitzy on July 25, 2017, 06:05:29 PM
You don't have to wait for a Dr. Beasley's test mule. My Tacoma got the stuff - based on Justin's recommendation & sale price - about 2 1/2 months ago. So far. I'd have to say it's pretty comparable. I do think the spray bottle that Bullet Proof comes in might be a bit easier to use than the glass bottle the good doctor's stuff comes in. (Besides, you can actually drop the BP bottle and not shatter it.) They both shine like crazy and bead water like no tomorrow. As for durability, I'm probably going to re-coat the truck before winter no matter how well the stuff holds up.
Being lazy here, but never having used either of the two, what are the application processes?  You mention Bullet Proof is a spray bottle.  Similar to that of Opti-Seal?  What about Dr Beasley's?  My only coating experience was the original Opti-Coat.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

The application process for both products is pretty similar. After all of the usual prep work, you apply the coating. With the BP, you can either spray (it comes in small, metal spray bottle) it directly on the vehicle and then spread it around with a foam applicator pad or spray it on the applicator pad, then apply it to the vehicle. Once it hazes, you wipe it off. It's very, very easy to apply.

The Dr. Beasley's product comes in a small (breakable) glass bottle and they recommend that you put a few drops on a foam applicator, then apply it to the vehicle. (I over-simplified that slightly.) That said, it's just as easy to apply. The only problem I saw is that it's somewhat harder to control how much comes out of the bottle.
So money aside.  Just going off using the product, the looks and the durability.  If you have both on the shelf, which one are you reaching for? 

If Stella told you to use the best one on her car...

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Too Stroked on July 25, 2017, 06:25:03 PM
You don't have to wait for a Dr. Beasley's test mule. My Tacoma got the stuff - based on Justin's recommendation & sale price - about 2 1/2 months ago. So far. I'd have to say it's pretty comparable. I do think the spray bottle that Bullet Proof comes in might be a bit easier to use than the glass bottle the good doctor's stuff comes in. (Besides, you can actually drop the BP bottle and not shatter it.) They both shine like crazy and bead water like no tomorrow. As for durability, I'm probably going to re-coat the truck before winter no matter how well the stuff holds up.
Being lazy here, but never having used either of the two, what are the application processes?  You mention Bullet Proof is a spray bottle.  Similar to that of Opti-Seal?  What about Dr Beasley's?  My only coating experience was the original Opti-Coat.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

The application process for both products is pretty similar. After all of the usual prep work, you apply the coating. With the BP, you can either spray (it comes in small, metal spray bottle) it directly on the vehicle and then spread it around with a foam applicator pad or spray it on the applicator pad, then apply it to the vehicle. Once it hazes, you wipe it off. It's very, very easy to apply.

The Dr. Beasley's product comes in a small (breakable) glass bottle and they recommend that you put a few drops on a foam applicator, then apply it to the vehicle. (I over-simplified that slightly.) That said, it's just as easy to apply. The only problem I saw is that it's somewhat harder to control how much comes out of the bottle.
So money aside.  Just going off using the product, the looks and the durability.  If you have both on the shelf, which one are you reaching for? 

If Stella told you to use the best one on her car...

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

I'd probably go with the Bullet Proof. It just seemed a bit easier to use. And if I remember correctly, it's a bit less expensive.

As for Stella, she wants a black Mercedes-Benz. After I buy that (maybe when I win the lottery), she can wax it herself!
Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: sscully on May 18, 2020, 11:26:24 AM
Zombie thread time, asking a question on the long term ( if anyone recalls ) testing of the BP coating.

I am looking at this and the GG version for the parents RV on the sides. 

The OPT GlossCoat on the front is still holding up all these years later.
- They are gone from the end of DEC to APR, putting 9K + miles on it each year, seeing TX, NM, AZ and FL after driving out of Chicago in the end of DEC.

Title: Re: Is Water Beading Really a Good Test of LSP Longevity?
Post by: Too Stroked on May 18, 2020, 02:49:30 PM
As much as I like BP coating for it's ease of use and nice gloss, unfortunately, I didn't find that it lasted all that long.
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