So I bought my car in Nov (Chicago) and I had refused a car from my dealer b/c the porters has scratched the hell out of the black- which was replaced for me with an identical black loaded RLX.
That replacement car had only a few hairline scratches on it, but nothings perfect.
We've had a horrible winter here- and since the day I took delivery I never washed this car. I have almost 3000 miles. This car was CAKED with salt, dirt, road slush and you name it. My detailer told me NOT TO WASH the car no matter how dirty it was until I could get it in to him for the Opticoat that I wanted. Basically he said that no matter how dirty the car was, it wasnt getting scratched from bad car washes or washers.
I finally got it to him a couple of days ago.
I got it back yesterday after it was washed, paint corrected and Opticoated all the way around and the rims too.
There wasnt a single hairline for me to find on the car.
It never looked that good ever- probably not even when it was assembled either.
I tried to create a swirl mark with my finger and the Opticoat is hard. This stuff is the real deal if you want to seal your car. It is hydrophobic and when your car is paint corrected and sealed- it really pops.
I like black, but black has always been a pain in the A.. because it shows every damn swirl. Not any more.
When I get a chance to post pics I will.
But I'm recommending to those that are finicky about finishes (like I am) that you should strongly consider doing an Opticoat Pro on your car.

 

Price?

 

$895 all in. Paint correction, Rims and full car with glass coating.
Rims were $100 extra, and paint correction was $200 extra. Thats all in the $895.
Worth every penny as I would routinely spend at least 300 a year for full clean and wax. Opticoat is supposed to last years (they say lifetime- I figure at least 4 years)
I've never had a car come back looking that good ever from a detailer.

 

very good advice NOT to wash your car in winter.

a poor wash will bring the scratches.

 

Black is not a color - it is a commitment.

 

I had Optiguard done to my RL about a year and a half ago. It is amazing stuff. Since I had it done, aside from blemishes already on the car, I have had no swirls, etching from bugs or birds and the finish looks amazing. I paid close to what you did and it was worth every dime.

Now I do not use car washes, do not have salt, snow or ice and my RL is garaged, but I still can tell you it holds up well over time.

One thing you will note is that wax will not stay on the finish very long. After a rain or two the slick feel of wax is gone. I wash and use a simple detail spray and the car looks amazing. The RLs hand finished / sanded paint helps with that liquid glass look.,

Optiguard can be used on trim, wheels and glass (although not recommended for the windscreen as the wipers will wear it down over time).

My next new car will get this treatment imediately. Good stuff.

This product was developed by the scientist who developed clearcoat paint used by most auto manufacturers. It is claimed to be harder than OEM clearcoats (which I think Honda's paint is very soft). There are varying grades of Opti products. Optiguard is usually available to detailer pros and Opticoat is consumer available.

https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...ight=optiguard

 

'which I think Honda's paint is very soft'

Thats what my detailer told me as they were correcting my RLX, they said it was one of the softest paints they've worked with.
My Stingray is with them now. I took delivery of that car in Dec, and that came from the dealer with almost no hairline scratches on it.
The detailer isnt charging me for any paint correction on my Stingray.
What up with that- GM paints now easier to work with than Jap?

 

Honda was one of the 1st major manufacturers to adopt 'green(er) paint' technology and water based finishes. Less impact to the environment results in compromise in paint finish durability.

Most paint process for cars now involves electrostatic application. A Corvette body being mostly fiberglass, carbon fiber and polymer based, I would expect has to use a different paint process. Perhaps that results in a more durage paint product as well?

 

Soft paint or not, our last half-dozen Acura products have held up amazingly well.

I used to always get rock chips on the leading edge of the hoods of my cars from flying gravel and other debris, but I haven't seen one of those chips in years now.

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That would explain most of it. I dont think there is one panel of fiberglass on the new Stingray, its either CF or other composite. I know that there were problems with paint runs and other paint issues with them initially. I actually toured the factory floor and saw how its done. The issue with paint is whether its metallic or non metallic. Metallic seems to have less orange peel and less likely to have streaks or runs.
As with the RLX, I've got some orange peel, far less than I saw in white (which isnt a color) but there is a lot more orange peel in this new gen of RLX than in my 06 RL.
With the Opticoat, I dont see any orange peel. I see the black pop out and I see the metallic sparkle in it.

 

The Opticoat is basically an additional clear coat layer, so it will add depth to the paint finish.

Remember the RL was hand wet sanded at the factory which gives that smooth look and luster. I noticed the orange peel on the RLX SHAWD I tested. It is one of the few details the RL never got recognition for, and subsequently was chopped in the RLX.

Another is the flush mounted side glass (although the RLX Advance gets side accoustic glass in addition to the accoustic glass windscreen). The RL has full engine bay covers, dropped from the RLX and the real wood (even if veneer) is gone.

Minor details, but attributes I appreciate in the RL. The RLX adds much new technology and features.

 

In 2005 the RL/Legend was cutting edge...it was truly unique and beautiful in a way that is rare for mass produced automobiles. Certainly rare for Honda, anyway. Cutting edge with looks and cutting edge with technology, both.

In 2014 the RL/Legend is not as clearly cutting edge as 2005. In 2014, it also has a pretty cheap headliner. :-)

 

I did the self-applied Opticoat 2.0 on my Carbon Grey TSX. I polished it as best I could with my DA polisher, not like a pro could do but good enough for me. I swear the car looked darker after the Opti-coat. It might be just the reduced reflection from the paint after the Opti-coat. It looked almost wet. This will be the first thing I do with me new car as soon as it is home from the dealer. Its a no-brainer.

 

What will be your new car Rocket Man?

 

 

I'm hoping it will be a TLX.... just need those folding rear seats! lol

 

These pics are after I applied Opticoat 2.0 to my 2006 TSX. I had removed an old clear bra and corrected the paint with a DA polisher. I took these pics to show the application of the 3M spray on clear bra, but they also show what OptiCoat can do on a 7 year old car.