Taking care of a black car?

[Legend]

I've used Zaino on my indigo metallic paint for 3 or 4 years now...never had a problem with it!!

This paint color may be as hard to keep clean and shiney as black is...but when it is clean...she can shine!!

[fldrummer]

Originally Posted by frank99ta

OK, here you go.. First off, all microfiber towels, sponges, rags, etc.. 1)Wash the car with Dawn and rinse it well 2) clay bar the whole car to get rid of all contaminants 3) polish the paint. This is what makes the difference. When you have a black car, you use a good polish like Menzerna intensive polish with an orange pad followed by Menzerna's final polish with a yellow pad to REMOVE, not fill in any swirls, etchings, or other imperfections in the clear coat. In order to properly use these polishes, you have to invest in a porter cable. This is available at Home depot, Lowes, or any detailers site. Trying to remove swirls in the paint by hand is virtually impossible and you will end up putting more scratches in then you take out. Once you've completed this step, your car will look like wet black paint and smoothe as silk. Now you're ready for step 4) apply a sealant. This will protect your car in the long term like 6 months or so depending on if your car is in the garage or exsposed to the elements. The sealant will help protect the clear coat you just polished. You can stop after the sealant, but I usually follow up with a nice carnuba wax. The carnuba gives that final wet look. I would add a coat of carnuba every month or so. There is the recipe for a show quality black car. Maintenance will be washing once a week and plan on doing this whole process 2 to 3 times a year or less depending on if its a daily driver. For more detailed info, I would go over to autopia.org. Those guys over there know their stuff and that is where I learned. When people see my black Trans Am, they just stare in amazement because there is no swirls or spider webbing in the paint. So basically, black is a PITA. Its a love hate kind of relationship. I ordered a black 2ss/rs and there are days that I'm thinking about changing to cyber gray. Hope this helps..

I've seen pics of some jobs done by a pro detailer using this Menzerna stuff--incredible results, even with limited time used! I just want to know where you can get this stuff. Anybody know?

[ljustin293]

wow..revival thread..

[LSP2010]

all i do is go through a laser wash i say a year later when the paint starts to wearoff ill be doin that

[World of Wheels]

I have had 6 balck cars and currently own 3 and have painted/ buffed a countless number of cars. If you are talking about a new car a clay bar should not be neccessary yet. DO NOT take a buffer to that car unless you know what you are doing, If you do always use 3m products in a 4 step process. As for drying I use a shammy followed by a microfiber towel and no "fuzzys" are ever left behind. For wax use old cotton tee shirts followed by a quick pass with micro fiber towel. You might want to try meguiers (miss-spelled) show car glaze (great stuff). To keep clean use detailers mist w/microfiber every cupple days (as long as the car is not too dirty). I'm shure I am forgetting something but if the thread is too long nobody will read it. Don't use dawn, spend the 7 dollars and get a good wash with wax in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!