At what point do I try to detail black paint?

[Golden]

Ok so my Dad has a black 06 Silverado (never been waxed). It has swirls, some RIDs, and water spots. I am tired of looking at the neglected paint, but have never detailed black before. So to say the least, I am very intimidated. Now I don't have a G110 or anything, but just an orbital buffer. Are there any reasons as to why I should be intimidated? I was thinking if I do detail it, my test spot was going to be on the roof that way it is out of sight.

Products I do have-
Smooth Surface Clay
Meg's DC Cleaner Wax
DC Polish
M9 Swirl Remover 2.0
M26 Liquid
NXT 2.0

I am thinking about picking up Meg's Ultimate Compound after jlb85 recommended it to me.

When I wax with my orbital buffer, I do not use any pressure on the paint, just the weight of the buffer itself. When using the UC, do I actually use pressure?

[Tuck91]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

I would do something like this:

Wash
Clay
ColorX
NXT 2.0

I would wait to get the G110 to remove the swirls but if you want to go at it by hand then get some Ultimate Compound or SwirlX.

The Orbita buffer will not remove that many swirls or scratches, it just dosent have enough power.

[Golden]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

Yeah, that's what I figured. How aggressive is Colorx?

[Tuck91]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

It can remove light oxidation, and light swirls and scratches.

heres the order of aggressiveness for AIO's

least to most aggressive:

A12 Cleaner Wax
M20
ColorX
M06
M66
D151

[Murr1525]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

ColorX will be pretty mild as far as remioving swirls goes, but it will shine things up.

If you want to remove swirls, you will have to get into SwirlX, UC.

So, its just up to you how far you want to go.

1986 Ford Bronco II - Extreme Makeover

[Eddie6th]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

Hi Golden. The good thing with black is you can see it all without a lot of artificial lighting.So you should be able to see a lot as you're working.

I would look for an underside surface to test on,rather than the roof.Even a door sill or jam.I think you'll find you'll get on okay with one of the above products..swirlx or UC etc.

[Golden]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

Ok thanks. I am not looking for a full correction either, just to make it look like it's maintained, rather than swirled and spotted. I'd say a 75-80% improvement would serve it well.

I still have 3 weeks or so before I even have time to do it.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

Since you are going to be doing this all by hand. May I suggest you tackle it over a period of a few days? After your test spot determines what works best. Tackle the truck in sections. You would be saving your arms a lot of wear and tear.

[Golden]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

Yeah it will be a friday night, saturday, and sunday detail.

[indigo s10]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

I think you'll be fine with the products you've suggested. I have a black truck(3rd black truck, 5th dark truck), and they **** to maintain. Nothin' looks like a freshly cleaned black ride though. I highly recommend some Ultimate Detailer for between waxing.

[dvtldav]

Re: At what point do I try to detail black paint?

As someone on this forum once said (I think it was Nick Chapman), you detail a black vehicle just like you do a white vehicle.

Dave