Keeping a black car looking good?

[stanw]

I want to buy a black 2011 Audi Q5. I am really concerned about swirls, dirt and water spots showing. I live in an apartment an can not wash it all the time because I am very busy with work.

1. Is there anything I can put on it to minimize the build up of water spots, dust dirt from showing?
2. I will buy a brush to dust it off during the week. Is there anything else I can do for simple maintenance?

Thanks.

[Brook]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

Being the owner of a very dark-colored car (and it's not even black), I have not found anything to do to keep the dust/dirt from showing. I can drive on a lovely, calm, clear day and return home with a coat of dust. Basically, I use Original No-Rinse a lot (I've never let it get really dirty), sometimes daily. I usually spend 20-30 minutes each day I drive the car (two-three times a week) to keep it clean and looking nice. That doesn't sound like a lot, but it wears thin after a year or so.

Also, when you say you are going to buy a "brush" I hope you mean a California Duster. Any other kind of brush will add more swirls than you ever dreamed of.

Unless you really, really love this particular car and its color and are willing to put in a lot of work to keep the dust and swirls off, think twice about it. Now I know why there are so many light-colored cars on the road.

Having said all of that, I don't regret one minute buying the car. I love the car and its color. Would I buy another dark car that I was willing to maintain to this level? At this point, no.

[k3ith]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

Black is by far one of the best looking colors when maintained and can be detailed to look spectacular. If it is not regularly maintained however it can be one of the worst looking cars on the road. When buying black you are making a time commitment to keeping it looking good. If you have some time to spend on it every day or every other day, we can certainly steer you towards the right products. If you don't have this time, consider another color. Audi grey / silver looks really nice and will require less time to look decent.

[Murr1525]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

What do you mean by a 'brush' to dust with?

[Amature Detailing]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

What do you mean by a 'brush' to dust with?

He means the California Duster I think. Which if used properly wont damage anything and is a great product to remove dust when followed by Meguiar's quick detailer

[Shawn T.]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

A12 Cleaner/Wax can be your best friend. It does a great job of hiding light swirls and bringing out the flake (if there is any). Top that with NXT, GC+, DC3, or M26 and your paint will shine bright.

[The Wash Doc]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

I would recommend that optimum no rinse car wash soap like stated above because all you need is a bucket and the product, wash one panel at a time and dry it off, no rinsing with clean water. I'm def. looking into getting it for the winter time coming up. Also if you get your car a good detailing with a layer or two of wax, and touch up every other day with Quick detailer, you should be in good shape. Just watch what you touch that black paint with, alot of brushes and towels will leave scratches. Good luck!

[Blueline]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

If you buy a black car, you do not own it...it owns you. They are beautiful, like the Unicorn, but elusive. Buy silver...enjoy a silver the car...wax..polish... have fun and YOU own it. My black car is about to get a surprise..on the lot as a used vehicle..and after all of my tender care.. no more of a value...The book is the value...but coming home as a new SILVER Buick Regal.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

California Duster,ONR, your choice of quik detailer. These items should be a big help to keeping a black car relatively swirl and scratch free.

[HealthyCivic]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

You say you "can not wash it all the time." But that doesn't really tell me how often you can wash it. How often can you wash it? If the car is going to be sitting out in the elements 24/7, you're definitely going to need to wash it once a week. This also depends on the environment you live in (how many trees/how much brush is around your car, air quality, etc...). If your car is in a garage, or covered, you won't have to wash it as often but will still need to wash it every 2-3 weeks for sure.

That said: don't buy black if you're going to want it to look pefect but it'll be sitting out in the weather 24/7 and you only have time to wash it once a month or less. Do buy black if it'll be in a garage or you have time to wash it once a week.

I have a black Civic and I've kept it looking pretty good, so I consider myself a good source. Everyone's always complaining about how hard black is to maintain, but if you enjoy detailing and have time for it, it's not hard, it's just fun. What I like about black is that yes, it does show the problems, but it also shows my work. It's harder to see my detailing work on a car that problems hardly showed up on to begin with.

[Shawn T.]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

You say you "can not wash it all the time." But that doesn't really tell me how often you can wash it. How often can you wash it? If the car is going to be sitting out in the elements 24/7, you're definitely going to need to wash it once a week. This also depends on the environment you live in (how many trees/how much brush is around your car, air quality, etc...). If your car is in a garage, or covered, you won't have to wash it as often but will still need to wash it every 2-3 weeks for sure.

That said: don't buy black if you're going to want it to look pefect but it'll be sitting out in the weather 24/7 and you only have time to wash it once a month or less. Do buy black if it'll be in a garage or you have time to wash it once a week.

I have a black Civic and I've kept it looking pretty good, so I consider myself a good source. Everyone's always complaining about how hard black is to maintain, but if you enjoy detailing and have time for it, it's not hard, it's just fun. What I like about black is that yes, it does show the problems, but it also shows my work. It's harder to see my detailing work on a car that problems hardly showed up on to begin with.

Black Civics are great. Especially when they have some flake...........

Yes, black is hard to keep perfect but I have always said that I am very happy with 75%. If I develop a few swirls, it's not a big deal. I do a ful blown detail once a year and maintain with A12 Cleaner/Wax. That's also the schedule of all my family's cars which happen to be black.

[WXman]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

It really depends on what you want "your car" to look like. If you like a clean, swirl-free, shiny car, you will need to put time and effort into a black car. Other colors (i.e. silver, lighter shades of grey, etc) will not require as much time and effort to look clean and shiny.

I have a black Accord and I go no more than 2 weeks without a wash and my car is garaged at night. I use UQD 3-5 times per week depending on what my car looks like after driving back from work where it is outside, exposed to the elements.

Another posted already mentioned this - a black car that's detailed looks absolutely spectacular while one that is not taken care of looks like #$#$%%! - it really comes down to what you want your car to look like based on the amount of time and effort you are willing to put in.

[greg0303]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

Regular washing and maintenance between them should do the trick.

I always use car duster before quick detailer to prevent swirls on my black BMW. I also use at least two microfiber towels: one to spread QD and another to dry the surface. You may use two more for lower parts of the vehicle which tend to be dirtier.

Natural wax will give you more shine, like Gold Class Carnauba Plus or M26. Synthetics however offer longer lasting protection, like Next Tech Wax 2.0 or M21. Many dark colored car owners apply two coats of wax: synthetic as a base and then natural carnauba on top. I think once Ultimate Wax becomes available it's gonna solve that need as it offers long protection with super shine 2 in 1.

You may also spray your car with Ultimate Quik Wax, after you wash it, for adding extra protection.

Enjoy your Q5 rides !!!

[stamford]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

Well I think you should buy the black one. Its not that difficult to maintain a black car. And if you are stuck with the color then I say just go for it. You dont need to wash the car everyday right? Just wax once in 2-3 months and a quik detailer/wax job takes merely 10-15 min.

[akimel]

Re: Keeping a black car looking good?

Black, black, black ... it will bring you joy ... it will break your heart.

If you finally decide on your black Audi, then be prepared to commit yourself to a vigorous maintenance program, especially if your car is exposed to the elements 24/7.

1) Wash the car weekly. I know you are worried whether you will have sufficient time within your busy schedule for regular washing, and the fact that you live in an apartment house complex makes it even more difficult. Solution: Optimum No Rinse. ONR eliminates the need for a hose, and it cuts down the wash time considerably.

2) Regular use of a California Duster and Ultimate Quik Detailer. While Meguiar's has not yet invented a force field to prevent dust and dirt from attaching itself to your vehicle, you can reduce buildup by lightly dusting your car daily with your California Duster. The regular use of UQD will also help to keep your car looking good. Dusting only requires two minutes of your time; a quick detail of the car, ten to fifteen.

There is a trade-off here: every time you touch your car, you risk putting swirls into the paint finish. Here's a tip to maintain your sanity: don't look at the swirls!

3) Keep the car protected with a good wax/sealant. How often you will need to wax will be determined by your choice of protectant and by the environmental forces impacting your car. Two to three months sounds about right. Meguiar's will be releasing a new synthetic sealant in early 2011, Ultimate Wax. Given its promised durability, this will be a product you will want to consider using. You will also find it beneficial to use ColorX or Cleaner Wax two or three times a year. A cleaner wax will remove embedded contaminants and stains and restore clarity to the black color.

In one sense, maintaining a black car is no different than maintaining any other colored vehicle, but it does require greater diligence. Check out this article: Your Daily Driver: A Simple Wash & Wax Regimen.