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Black Paint Maintenance
I am venturing somewhere that I swore I would never go. I am getting another black car. GASP! Nothing looks better that a clean black car. Nothing looks worse than a poorly maintained black car. What is the best way to keep a black paint job looking fresh?
Jeff
Jeff
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I have tried them all and Zaino not only a great shine but outlasts them all.
Swirls are not easy to diagnose w/o seeing the car. Bad ones need some serious work. Most swirls can be removed using swirl mark remover products from 3M or Meguiar's. This is an area where buffers and polishers really come in handy. Many people remove swirls by hand but it can be tedious.
The only reason that I'm unsure if they still make it is because the last time I bought it, I bought a gallon, and still have some from that jug.
1. Wash the car often. Always use cool-cold water, wash in the shade, and use a premium wash cleaner that is very mild. Meguiars and Mothers both make great ones. I also use very "soft" water which goes a long way toward preventing spotting along with the premium cleaner.
2. Use a premium chamois to dry (no towel has ever touched the car). Don't have to worry about lint or swirl marks this way.
3. The only "wax" used was a 3M spray for the "deep" gloss. Lightly buff it off with 100% cotton padded diapers and make sure you keep the diaper clean.
It has been 3 1/2 years and every where I go people leave cards wanting to buy the car, wanting to know where it was painted or how I get such a deep reflection.
I too use a Calif water blade and follow up with a microfiber towel. Very effective and quick.
Using a three bucket system with either a sheepskin mitt or 100% cotton toweling and a great car soap: wash the car from the top down, between soap loads rinse the mitt or towel in fresh water before putting the mitt or towel back into the soap.
Use a separate mitt or towel, soap, bucket and rise for non body (non paint) parts.
While this is true for all paints, the less that you touch your black paint the better. So when you wash with your sheepskin mitt, blow dry your paint with a leaf blower. If you have to conventionally dry it, use 100% cotton toweling washed only in liquid soap.
Some folks also use the CA car DUSTER between washings. If you get any water on your paint do not use the CA car duster.
be very useful, but I went out after a rain &
used it to dry the car. BIG MISTAKE! Got lots of swirls & scratches. Ruking1 is right: touch your paint as little as possible & never touch your car with anything unless it has just been washed.
Black shows just how much dust & dirt is in the air & what "clean" water leaves behind. All this
stuff is what causes the swirls & scratches. Only
soap & water will remove this stuff safely.
At the advice of others in Edmunds I tried the
Zymol wax, (the one in price club, $15.00). It
works great, goes on easy & off easy, no wait to
dry. Makes the car look wet. The best part is if
you get it on any plastic trim it comes right off
with no white residue.
It's alot of work, but nothing looks better when
you get it right!
I also bought a car wash brush... it sure makes washing quick and easy, but is it ok for the finish? (I can't recall the make of hand). I keep it very clean while using it, and wash it in the dishwasher between uses.
Z1 followed by Z5 (swirl mark remover) then finished with Z6 gloss enhancer. After 1 michigan winter and noticing a few swirl marks from when i had to wash car at auto car wash i must say my car looked practically perfect. swirl marks gone and i no water spots.
PS lasted for 1 friggin day until a bird crapped on it but zaino makes it easy to wash off.
On my black Buick I use two products that have kept it looking great for the past year. The Zaino Polish (stuff really does work and extremely durable) as well as Collinite carnuba wax. Mostly Zaino on hood, roof and trunk and I use the carnuba on the sides. Why, flat surfaces get more abuse and that is where the Zaino excels. I also use the water blade after washing in lieu of chamois etc. after water blade a cotten towel gets the rest and it looks great.
I have my doubts, however, just in case I'd missed a spot when washing. I'd hate to drag some grit across the car.
small & a large for $20.00. That's the price for
one blade in Wal Mart or K-Mart.
Like armtdm says, it's fantastic. I can squeegee off my whole Yukon XL before any water dries to
leave water spots. Try it!
Nothing protects (defined as long term durability) like Zaino, the Collinite gives a great shine as does # 26 but only lasts 2-3 months. NuFinish, for the price, not a bad deal. CR did rate it # 1 for a while years ago.
What it comes down to is what you think works for you, really have to form own opinion.
Please tell us more about your statement in post #27. How can this be proven? I have used Mequire's Cleaner Wax for several years and have found it to work very well. Water beads up just like with other waxes.
What information can you share?
Also, there is a thread on this same board for this products
As to the cleaner wax. I have this in my stockpile as well and use it for areas that have hard to remove stains. It also can be used to rub out some scuffs as it does have "abrasives" that is why it is a cleaner wax. Yes, it can be used in place of a regular wax/polish but if the car finish is clean you are using an abrasive everyime you use it and are removing some of the finish on the car. Only should be used fro cleaning purposes, not routine waxing.
One steps are OK if you are more concerned with ease of use and low cost and are willing to sacrifice duarability and looks. Some one steps polish better, some protect better, no product truly does it all.
For black paint (or any dark color for that matter) you really need to use two products, one product a polish to remove swirls, scratches, oxidation, and any surface defects, and another product to protect the paint. That can be a wax or a polymer sealant.
I've owned several black cars and have detailed many. My current car is dark green. I can tell you from personal experience that black can look wonderful but it needs a good amount of work compared to light colors.
Zaino is a polymer sealant product that can provide a terrific gloss. But you really need to have your paint in excellent condition. Any swirls or scratches will be highlighted by Zaino, not removed or hidden. Z5 is not really a swirl mark remover like 3M or Meguiar's produces (please note the correct spelling of Meguiar's). If you car is fresh from the showroom then Z5 will be fine to hide the most minute of swirls. But if your paint looks a tad dull and feels rough to the touch, you need to polish it prior to applying any Zaino product.
When I used a cleaner wax, even when followed up later by a pure wax it lasted only half of that time. I found I actually saved time and protected the finish better by taking the longer route initially.
With Bret I found that durability is not as good wtih one step products and won't use them any more.
Thanks.
I've got a matching touch up paint GM8555.
If you want you can try the wax you have and see what it does. Most cleaner waxes include a chemical cleaner that might dissolve some of the paint specks. At any rate, once you are done claying you should apply a coat of that wax so ya might as well get started with it
Also spend some time reading the posts over in "Store Bought Waxes" thread. Tons of great info there that applies to all colors, not just black.
bretfraz, I have read most of the previous 44 mesgs, but still not sure the BEST way, since I already created many small scratches.
First, hose off as much poop as possible, as soon as possible. Blot dry gently, then use a claybar to take off whatever remains, so that all that's left is a 'ghost image' of the stain in the clearcoat. Now put a dab (dime-sized) of Meguiar's Body Scrub on a soft buffing cloth, and gently (bear down about like shaving or toothbrushing) polish the ghost out. I use a circular motion only in this case, because it's going to leave a swirlfree surface. When you see the ghost is gone, buff dry, and you're done. You may need to polish again with less pressure if you see any swirls/ scratches. Start to finish for one spot 5 minutes, tops. The towels I use for spot drying & buffing are yellow nappy cotton ones, about $5 for three, I think; the claybar is $10; BodyScrub about $8. All from AutoZone.
Finally, as a general rule, wash your car with a soft 'no scratch' mitt or cotton-covered sponge, and don't use a circular motion; wipe in a straight motion back & forth along the lines of the car. Rinse mitt between dips in the soapy water. Dry with a chamois (I use a synthetic one now), again along the lines of the car. Same is true for waxing & buffing: back & forth, no circles.
This technique works, and it's easy. I can send you a scan of my 13 year old black Firebird which I photographed the day I sold it in April; it looks brand new.