Preserving Paint, Protecting Cars: Why I Work with Optimum and Opti-Coat

I’ve been working with Optimum products since 2014, and I keep coming back to the same reason: they just make sense to me. In this industry, a lot of products are based on strong alkaline or acidic formulas, or heavy solvents. Sure, they get fast results, but there’s always a downside. Over time they stress the clear coat, they dry out plastics and rubber, and they even break down coatings faster than most people realize. And on top of that, I don’t think they’re great for the person using them every day—or for the environment.

That’s why I chose Optimum. Dr. G designed products that are pH-neutral and VOC-safe, built on polymers and chelators instead of brute-force cleaners. They don’t always “feel” like the traditional products most detailers are used to, but once you understand how they work, the results are safer, more consistent, and they last longer.

And when a car is coated with Opti-Coat, the whole system really comes together. Washing with ONR is quick and safe, because the polymers encapsulate dirt instead of stripping the coating. Maintenance becomes simple, and the paint stays protected.

Today, I’m also proud to be the official distributor of Opti-Coat in Denmark, helping other professionals discover the same benefits I’ve experienced in my own work.

Ph-Neutral and VOC-Safe Products

When I use Decon Wash, ONR or TAR Remover to name a few, I know I’m not attacking the car with harsh chemistry. Most brands rely on high pH or solvents to break things down. Optimum does it differently—dirt and contaminants are lifted and encapsulated so they can be rinsed away without harming the surface.

This is especially clear on coated cars. With ONR, regular washing is not only faster but also safer for the coating. There are no strong chemicals eating away at it, which means the coating can perform for years without breaking down. Though Opti-Coat is not affected by harsh chemicals anyways.

It’s the same idea when it comes to polishing. Hyper Compound and Hyper Polish are both water-based, VOC-safe, and almost dust-free. They cut extremely well, but they don’t mask defects with oils or fillers. What you see is the true finish. I also like that I can cover a whole panel with just a couple of sprays—it’s efficient, clean, and saves the clear coat from unnecessary wear.

And for me personally, it makes a big difference that these products are healthier to work with. I don’t spend my day breathing in solvent fumes, and I don’t get harsh residues on my skin. Plus, I know I’m not sending aggressive chemicals down the drain. That matters to me, and it matters to a lot of my customers as well.

Paint Thickness and Polishing

Something I often explain—whether it’s to customers or even other professionals—is just how little paint we got to work with. On most modern cars, total paint thickness is around 100–140 microns. Out of that, the clear coat is only 30–50 microns. Every polish takes some of that away.

That’s why I don’t believe in polishing a car many times. If you don’t know the history of the car, you don’t know how much clear coat is left. My goal is always the same: remove as little as possible and leave as much original paint on the car as I can.

This is one of the reasons I trust the Optimum polishing system. Hyper Compound and Hyper Polish give me the cut I need, but without unnecessary removal. I’ve even learned that with the right technique, two sprays of Hyper Compound can cut an entire door effectively. That’s not something I could do with traditional compounds that dry out and dust everywhere.

Why Opti-Coat Matters

Because the clear coat is so limited, the best way to keep a car looking good isn’t endless polishing—it’s proper protection and wash technique.

That’s exactly where Opti-Coat coatings make sense. Opti-Coat Pro, Pro+ and Pro3 are all based on SiC chemistry. Unlike many SiO₂ coatings that sit as a resin layer on top of the paint, SiC bonds evenly and creates a chemically resistant layer that holds up to pH extremes. The protection is uniform, and it lasts for years.

For me, this means I don’t have to keep polishing the same car repeatedly. More original paint stays on the car, and my customers get true long-term protection. Paired with simple ONR washes and Hyper Seal maintenance or even without using Hyper Seal, the Opti-Coat ceramic coating system keeps a car looking great for years to come with very little effort.

Closing Thoughts

For me, Optimum and Opti-Coat have never been about flashy marketing or quick tricks. They’re about doing things the right way: safe chemistry, protecting the environment, making work healthier for detailers, and above all—preserving as much original paint as possible.

That’s why I’ve stuck with these products since 2014, and why I continue to recommend them today. And now, as the official distributor of Opti-Coat in Denmark, I’m proud to share the same philosophy with other professionals who want to protect cars the right way.

Written by Rune Jensen, Opti-Coat Installer since 2014. Rune operates The Detailing Center Denmark and serves as the Opti-Coat and Optimum Distributor in Denmark.