My New Black Car needs?

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

This is MY opinion on Quick Detailing clean ups. If the car is garaged, and reletivly dust free, its completely ok to clean up the car in between washes. I always use a Cali Duster and works fine, Then Ultimate Quick Detailer the car down. Works great when driving to shows and I need to refreshen.

If the car sees any weather, or environmental contaminations, there is a fine line between a QD and a re wash. Every situation is different. I used to in the past actual swirl a car up because I tried to cut corners as I was pressed for time.

A quick wash should take you maybe 10 minutes and that from prep, rinse, wash, rinse, blade, MF towel off the rest and put stuff away. Also consider hitting the car everytime with some Ult Quick Wax. To boost it.

[akimel]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

Thank you so much. Brilliant link and write-up. And yes, I'm quite excited of maintaining it and keep my ride shining forever. And are there any substitutes for applicator pads for waxing,etc? And is it necessary to use different and new pads for different steps like polishing,finishing,etc?

I would recommend that you purchase eight or more foam applicators. Unfortunately, you will not find them at local auto stores (at least I never have). Auto Detailing Solutions has them, as well as almost all of the rest of Meguiar's products. And yes, always switch to a fresh applicator for a different product.

As far as choosing a wax, you have lots of good choices. NXT will offer you longer durability but M26 will darken the paint a bit, which can be lovely on a black car. And the new Gold Class Carnauba Plus has been getting lots of good reviews, too. So feel free to have fun and experiment. Nobody can tell you which protectant is best for your vehicle, for in this case beauty is truly in the eyes of the beholder. I'd probably start off with GC or NXT. And do use a cleaner wax (Cleaner Wax or ColorX) two or three times a year . A cleaner wax will remove contaminants and old wax and deep clean the paint.

[stamford]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

Which ones are better? Soft foam or MF applicator pads?

[akimel]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

Which ones are better? Soft foam or MF applicator pads?

I only use the foam applicators. I have experienced marring with MF applicators.

[Murr1525]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

As a side note.... there is always the chance that touching the paint can cause marring.

Some blacks are extra senstive, so you may find you are safer to just wash properly once a week, and not worry about a little dust on the surface.

[stamford]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

I only use the foam applicators. I have experienced marring with MF applicators.

So you suggest foam applicators for waxing and polishing both? And I have already ordered for MF towels. But do you still think I should also go for Water magnet MF towels?

[stamford]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

As a side note.... there is always the chance that touching the paint can cause marring.

Some blacks are extra senstive, so you may find you are safer to just wash properly once a week, and not worry about a little dust on the surface.

Oh yes my car already has lots of shine. Just needs proper and regular detailing so that shine is well maintained. And can you please elaborate about the 'extra sensitive' black you are talking about. Because I used to think that to keep it shining and clean, one should regularly wash the vehicle with soap at least 3-4 times a week. I drive my car everyday and get stuck in traffic most of times. So the car does have fair amount of dust and some foreign particles on it. So I think regular wash is essential. Correct me if I'm wrong. Cheers

[the_mighty_bucket]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

And what about washing the car with soap? Should that be done everyday? I have to wash my car everyday coz of the dust. So is it ok if I wash it with regular water and use the soap twice/thrice a week?

Don't use the soap as it can remove the wax layer. Use a mild car wash shampoo instead. it all depends on how dirty the car or how obsessed you are. but in my case, i wash the cars every 10-14 days . Remember, it's a black car, so no matter how careful you wash the car, it can still pick up easily noticable swirls and fine scratches in the process.

Learn to live with an acceptable amount of swirls and scratches and admire the beaty from, say 3 foot away any closer, you'll see the swirls that u simply cant get rid of.

[stamford]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

Don't use the soap as it can remove the wax layer. Use a mild car wash shampoo instead. it all depends on how dirty the car or how obsessed you are. but in my case, i wash the cars every 10-14 days . Remember, it's a black car, so no matter how careful you wash the car, it can still pick up easily noticable swirls and fine scratches in the process.

Learn to live with an acceptable amount of swirls and scratches and admire the beaty from, say 3 foot away any closer, you'll see the swirls that u simply cant get rid of.

Sorry. I actually meant a car shampoo Gold Class. But is it ok that I am obsessed and wash it with GC car wash atleast twice a week then?
Or I should take it easy and just go for a coat of Ultimate Quik Detailer?

[the_mighty_bucket]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

im still playing with the ultimate quick detailer, well it sure can clean things properly and enhance the shine, but im not sure that you can spray over dust and wipe instantly, because we all know that a towel over a layer of dust can easily mess up the paint.

i'd recommend wash by hand, or go to those hand washing shops and ask them to use your own sponge and towels

btw, im driving dark cars aswell, one of which is quite new(less than 8 months old), and i already spent countless sweaty afternoons inspecting, waxing and polishing small defects. I wish those smart japanese or germans can come up with some super hard carbon-daimond-tanium clear coat that simply can not be scratched or catch swirls... lol

[sailorfrank]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

you can also typically get the foam applicator pads at marine stores

[gjohn28]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

I only use the foam applicators. I have experienced marring with MF applicators.

^x2

I use MF applications only on the interior and, rarely, a stubborn scratch on the exterior.

[the_mighty_bucket]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

^x2

I use MF applications only on the interior and, rarely, a stubborn scratch on the exterior.

quick question,John: did you damp the foam applicator before use? And, is the MF pad more aggressive than the yellow foam one? Or it's less aggressive?

Because while working on my merc, several passes of SwirlX usually manages to remove most light scratch/swirls but will also make the clearcoat kind of dull and i need to follow up with several passes of mild polishing wax to cure it... i heard honda/acura paint is even softer than merc's, there must be sth i done wrong...

[gjohn28]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

quick question,John: did you damp the foam applicator before use?

No, I do not dampen my hand applicator pads, but I do prime (w/Last Touch) my DA pads. I just apply the product sparingly to the hand applicator and start polishing/waxing.

And, is the MF pad more aggressive than the yellow foam one? Or it's less aggressive?

On my cars, based on my experience, the MF pad will, as Al said, tend to mar the paint. Please understand, this is based only on my experience with my cars' black paint.

...i heard honda/acura paint is even softer than merc's, there must be sth i done wrong...

Be very careful of generalizing paint reaction by brand or color. Each vehicle, even within the same brand/same color can vary significantly. (My cars' paint only seems to be "soft" as far as acquiring swirls, not removing them...). Further, there is even a difference in how my black MDX's paint reacts to a product/technique vs my black TL. ALWAYS do small test spot first. Never rely solely on someone else's experience with a particular make/model/color.

[the_mighty_bucket]

Re: My New Black Car needs?

thanks alot John!

Last night i spent 4 hours in the garage polishing out a small scratch, now my wife say i should worship the cars on a fluffy feather bed and never drive them... i think im trapped in an enternal struggle ... The more careful i treat the cars, the more defects i discover over time.. last night, i found two tiny(less than 1mm) defects on my windscreen possibly caused by sand blast or some really tough bugs on the highway...