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how to maintain a black car??

6870 Views 15 Replies 15 Participants Last post by  chadster
i need some tips on how to maintain a black car??
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hate to tell you...but black sucks to maintain...after u wash and wax your ride...the spring pollen and shit will be right back on the surface...i suggest using a car duster for after u wash and wax...usually this does the job.

also u gotta watch out for the swirls marks...they show up real easily...use like a chamoie (sp?) or one of those absorbers to dry ur car...

peace
If you live anywhere that they put sand/salt on the roads you are going to get swirls. Don't use a duster, it will just lead to more swirls. Make sure you rinse the car off as best as you can before washing it. Get a micro fiber drying towel, make sure you clean it regularly(no fabric softener). And keep a good coat of wax on it at all times(you will still need to use a swirl remover from time to time though).
i was referring to using the duster after washing, as in to get those pollen particles off...i've never seen any swirling after using the car duster
tell me about it black sucks so bad when it comes to dirt... the parking lot at my job is next door to a huge ass lot where they process mulch and woodchips... WHAT A NIGHTMARE:mad: friday after work i wash and wax and wax and wax and monday by 3pm its friggin DOGGED
I must admit that Having a black car sucks sometimes cause it gets dirty too fast but when you do wash it it looks tight. :D Especially at night!...Just make sure to have a duster handy.
wash the car in the shade, the sun will make swirl marks on the finish. if you have swirl marks then rent a good buffer/polisher (not that wall mart crap), use rubbing compound followed by finish restorer, microfinishing glaze, and a good wax. i promise after that you'll either have that mirror shine seen in car shows or you buffed to long and your car finish will be ruined.
A black or dark colored vehicle is perhaps the most high maintenance when it comes to detailing. Perhaps the best way to minimize swirls is to use a buffer a DA (Dual Action) buffer. Remember the saying "Having the right tools is half the job" the same is true in washing and maintaining a spotless vehicle.

I use the following:

Dual Action Buffer (I use one made by Porter Cable)
Foam Pads
Swirl remover 2.0 #9 (I use this every other time I detail)
Meguiars show car glaze #7 (polish)
Meguiars Hi-tech yellow wax #26

* After the car has been carefully washed and dried (use a chamois) apply a light non abrasive polish/cleaner with a foam pad or a very fine terry cloth. Application can be done by hand or a buffer I personally use a dual action(DA) buffer and this is perhaps the best way to minimize swirls and its a lot less labor intense ;)

*True polish does not need to dry to a haze like wax so after spreading the polish evenly on the surfaces wipe off excess. On cars that have a clear coat you'll begin to notice a shining glaze as you wipe away the polish on older cars or cars that don't have a clear coat layer it will take more polish to bring out the shine.

*Wax, a lot of consumers mistaken wax as polish and vice versa. The truth is that wax is a protectant it protects the paint against UV rays and the polish from washing away. Rule of thumb, polish shines and wax protects.

*Applying wax should always be by hand with a foam pad. Use a carnuba wax and apply evenly (exactly like applying polish). After application wait approx 15-20 minutes until the wax has a hazing appearance and wipe off excess with a ultra fine polish cloth. This is necessary because any other type of cloth is abrasive enough to create more swirls as you're removing the wax.

This is just detailing a dark vehicle in a nutshell if you have questions feel free to ask. :)
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You can also try nxt wax for the final step. It should help repel dust so it needs less care and doesnt show up that pollen/dust as bad.
rinse and dry your car everyday in the shade, and follow that up with a spray wax 3-4 times a week. i have a black car, and this "maintains" it between waxings.
The ultimate drying tool..... the california water blade, i can dry my car in less than 2 mins with this thing. I would reccommend to anybody.
sKzoFrENiX said:
tell me about it black sucks so bad when it comes to dirt... the parking lot at my job is next door to a huge ass lot where they process mulch and woodchips... WHAT A NIGHTMARE:mad: friday after work i wash and wax and wax and wax and monday by 3pm its friggin DOGGED
why don't you get a car cover?
BPMagna said:
why don't you get a car cover?
He probably doesnt want to look like an anal douche bag...who covers their car at work??
The first thing you should do is clay your car so that when you do protect your finish, it is covering the cleanest surface possible.
Here's a great "How To" article:

http://www.bettercarcare.com/articles.php?articleId=14

There are alot of great products out there to choose from. I am biased toward polymer coatings (particularly 5 Star Shine since I am a rep) instead of wax. They both fill in existing swirl marks but polymers will last much much longer.
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