I just wanted to mention that Opti-Coat Pro+ is the only SiC (silicon carbide) coating on the market, whereas the rest are SiO2 (silicon dioxide.) SiC doesn't wear away over time like SiO2 does. Additionally, Opti-Coat Pro is mentioned specifically on websites such as XPEL as being safe to apply over top of your PPF. Opti-Coat Pro+ is warrantied for 7 years, but the first stage of that two stage coating is a permanent coating - it can only be removed by polishing.Originally posted by rlim891
Putting SI02 coatings on film. You have to be careful with that.
Many PPF manufacturer will actually void the warranty of their film if they know you put a hard coating on it.
Let's put it this way. PPF expands and contract and they stretch. This is how they are able to stop impact from rocks. Putting a SI02 coating on it will sometimes affect the film.
Coatings do not last very long on ppf. Expect hydrophobic to last about 1-2 years. Now there are films now with infused hydrophobic top coat so coating them is sometimes not necessary.
Regarding any lessening of the hydrophobic effect of any long-term coating: it is usually the result of contamination build up over the coating. Coatings reduce the amount of bonded contaminants but do not prevent them, so often a decontamination service (either chemical decon or clay/nano towel) will improve the hydrophobic effect.