Ferrari SP Triple8 Coating History To OPTIX OP888
This Ferrari SP page is part of AutoFX WA’s early coating history.
The original article was written during the early days of our paint protection and glass coating journey, when Triple8 was one of the first systems we worked with seriously.
Triple8 was not just an old coating name for AutoFX WA. It was the beginning of the path that later evolved into OPTIX OP888.
That history matters because it shows how long AutoFX WA has been involved with ceramic coating, water behaviour, gloss, coating application and realistic paint protection advice.
Today, our current coating direction is built around OPTIX coating options, including OPTIX OP888, FMJ Graphene and OP1.
Triple8 Was The Beginning
Before ceramic coatings became common in the Perth detailing market, products like Triple8 helped introduce customers to the idea of longer-term paint protection.
At the time, many customers were still used to waxes, sealants and traditional detailing products.
Triple8 helped move the conversation forward.
It showed what a coating could do in terms of water behaviour, gloss, surface slickness and easier maintenance when applied to a properly prepared vehicle.
For AutoFX WA, it was an important starting point.
It gave us early real-world experience with coating application, wipe-off timing, surface preparation and customer expectations.
That experience eventually helped shape the direction that became OPTIX OP888.
The Ferrari SP And Early Coating Work
This Ferrari SP was a special vehicle and a strong example of why coating work needs to be approached carefully.
A Ferrari is not the sort of car where the process should be rushed or treated like a basic wash-and-shine job.
The paint condition, panel shape, value of the car and owner expectations all matter.
The original post mentioned that this Ferrari was featured at Top Gear Live Perth, which adds to its history and makes the car a memorable part of the AutoFX WA story.
For a vehicle like this, the aim was not just to create water beading for a video.
The aim was to present the car properly, protect the paint as well as possible for the system being used at the time, and continue building our understanding of coating work on higher-end vehicles.
How Triple8 Helped Shape OPTIX OP888
Triple8 was the beginning of our coating path, but it was not the end of it.
Over time, AutoFX WA’s understanding of coatings continued to grow.
We learnt more about how coatings behave on different paints, how important surface preparation is, how application timing changes with weather, and why customer expectations need to be explained properly.
That evolution helped lead toward OPTIX OP888.
OP888 became part of the next stage of that coating journey.
It gave AutoFX WA a coating direction that was more closely connected to our own product development, training, application process and customer advice.
That is why this page should now be seen as part of the history behind OPTIX OP888.
Coating Technology Has Changed
The coating industry has changed a lot since this Ferrari SP article was first written.
In the early days, coatings were often described as glass coatings, long-life protection or high-tech paint protection.
Some of the wording used across the industry was very strong.
Over time, we have become more careful with how we explain coatings.
Ceramic coating can be very useful, but it is not magic.
It does not make paint scratch-proof.
It does not stop stone chips.
It does not remove the need for safe washing.
It does not fix poor paint underneath.
A coating should be explained honestly, applied carefully and maintained properly.
That is still how we approach ceramic coating in Perth today.
Preparation Still Matters Most
One thing has not changed since the early Triple8 days: preparation matters.
A coating can only protect and enhance the surface it is applied to.
If the paint is contaminated, swirled, hazy or poorly prepared, the coating will not magically correct those issues.
This is why preparation before coating is so important.
Depending on the vehicle, that preparation may include washing, chemical decontamination, clay treatment, inspection and machine polishing.
On some vehicles, paint correction may be needed before coating.
That is especially true on darker colours, prestige cars, older vehicles or cars that have been washed incorrectly over time.
The coating adds protection and gloss, but the clarity comes from the preparation.
Why Water Behaviour Was Such A Big Part Of Early Coating Videos
The original Ferrari SP article mentioned the water behaviour of the coating.
That made sense at the time.
Water beading and sheeting were some of the easiest ways to show customers that the surface had changed.
Even today, water behaviour is something customers notice quickly.
But water behaviour is only part of the story.
A coating should also be judged by how it helps with washing, drying, surface slickness, gloss and long-term maintenance.
Strong water behaviour looks good, but the coating still needs to be maintained correctly.
Poor washing can still create swirl marks.
Hard water can still leave spots.
Harsh chemicals can still affect the surface.
This is why we now explain coatings in a more balanced way.
From Early Glass Coatings To Current OPTIX Coatings
This Ferrari SP page is useful because it shows where AutoFX WA came from.
Triple8 was part of the early coating stage.
OPTIX OP888 became part of the next stage.
Today, AutoFX WA’s coating direction includes OP888, FMJ Graphene and OP1.
Each coating has its place depending on the vehicle, the surface, the customer’s expectations and how the car will be used.
The right coating is not always the most expensive one.
The right coating is the one that suits the car.
For some customers, OP888 may be the right fit.
For others, FMJ Graphene may be more suitable.
For some vehicles, OP1 may make more sense.
The product choice should always be matched to the vehicle and the owner.
Where FMJ Graphene Fits Now
Although this page is mainly about the Triple8 to OP888 history, FMJ Graphene is also part of the current AutoFX WA coating range.
FMJ Graphene gives us another strong coating option for customers wanting gloss, slickness and easier maintenance.
It sits alongside OP888 and OP1 as part of our current coating direction.
This is important because the AutoFX WA coating story did not stop with Triple8.
It evolved.
Triple8 helped start the journey.
OP888 became a major part of the OPTIX direction.
FMJ Graphene and OP1 are now also part of the current protection options we can recommend where suitable.
Ceramic Coating Compared With Paint Protection Film
Ceramic coating and paint protection film are not the same thing.
Ceramic coating is mainly about gloss, slickness, easier cleaning and surface protection from general environmental contamination.
Paint protection film is different because it creates a physical barrier over the paint.
PPF is the better option when the main concern is stone chips, road rash and higher-impact protection.
For some vehicles, the best result may be ceramic coating only.
For others, it may be PPF on high-impact areas and ceramic coating over the remaining painted surfaces.
The right answer depends on the vehicle and how it is used.
Why This Ferrari SP Page Still Has Value
This page still has value because it shows AutoFX WA was involved in coating work long before ceramic coatings became as common as they are now.
It also shows that our coating direction has not appeared overnight.
There is a history behind it.
Triple8 was part of the beginning.
That experience helped lead toward OPTIX OP888.
OP888 then became part of the wider OPTIX coating story.
That is useful for customers because it shows experience, learning and evolution.
It also helps explain why AutoFX WA now gives more realistic coating advice than many of the old coating claims that were common years ago.
Related AutoFX WA Coating History
For more on the coating that evolved from this early direction, see our OPTIX OP888 ceramic coating page.
For a real vehicle example using OP888, see our Mercedes-AMG GT S OP888 ceramic coating history article.
For current coating options, visit our Ceramic Coating Perth page.
If the paint needs polishing or defect removal before coating, our Paint Correction Perth service may be recommended first.
Current AutoFX WA Ceramic Coating Approach
AutoFX WA now operates from O’Connor, Western Australia, providing ceramic coating, paint correction, paint protection film and detailing services for Perth customers.
Our current approach is much more refined than the early coating days.
We now focus on:
- proper preparation
- realistic customer advice
- correct product choice
- careful application
- good wipe-down technique
- aftercare education
- matching protection to how the car is used
That approach is what matters most.
A coating should not be sold as a miracle product.
It should be applied properly and explained honestly.
Final Thoughts
This Ferrari SP Triple8 coating page is part of the beginning of AutoFX WA’s coating story.
Triple8 helped start the journey.
The experience gained from those early coating systems helped shape the direction that later evolved into OPTIX OP888.
Today, AutoFX WA’s ceramic coating range has continued to develop, with OP888, FMJ Graphene and OP1 all playing a role in our current protection options.
The products have changed.
The process has improved.
The advice has become more realistic.
But the goal is still the same.
Prepare the paint properly.
Protect it with the right system.
And give the customer a finish that suits the vehicle and how it will actually be used.
