Glass-like finish on black car

[ghost_florian]

Hi guys, nice seeing such a big community passionate about how their cars look!

Being young and new to the detailing world(and to this forum), I have a couple of questions about how to achieve a specific finish on my car.

I drive a Panther Black 2007 Ford Mondeo (the European version), which has only done about 40.000 km and has been kept in the garage a lot, so looks pretty OK for its age. I want to give it a nice finish, but don't know exactly what product to use.

The finish I'm interested in achieving is that similar to a black piece of glass, something like the back of the iPhone 4. I don't want it to be too glossy, if you know what I mean.

I currently have the following products: a zymol natural concentrate shampoo, which is wax-friendly, a Meguiar's quick clay kit and a turtle wax black box kit ( I know, I know...). The black box is from a friend who has achieved spectacular results with his black bmw (I helped him apply it), and who has agreed to lend it to me. I liked glass-like finish he got, so I thought it would work for me as well.

My question is: do you think this sort of black glass finish is achievable and what products and technique do you recommend?

I don't have a polishing machine, and don't have the time or budget to get it polished, so this method is not feasible for me.

My dad also drives this car a lot, and he doesn't really like to spend much time detailing, so I would also be interested in a product he can apply quickly, which maintains the finish and protects the paint(waxed or not), until I come home and detail it properly.

Hope I haven't overwhelmed you with questions

Looking forward to hearing your opinions !

[greg0303]

Re: Glass-like finish on black car

Welcome to Meguiar's Online.

When you look at car paint under magnifying glass it has hills and valleys, it's not flat. That prevents its perfect reflection which will give you a maximum gloss.

For that perfect, show car shine you needed to perform Meguiar's 5-step paint correction cycle:

1. Wash
2. Clean/ Prep
3. Polish
4. Protect/ Wax
5. Maintain

Claying your vehicle, after washing it, will also provide better results in achieving that glossy wet paint.

I would strongly recommend a dual action polisher for your project. It is possible to get good results working by hand but car buffer will help you obtain even better results faster and with less fatigue.

We always respect other brand products therefore I'll just say that Turtle Wax Black Box contains fillers (which hide defects) and offers just a temporary results. Using Meguiar's chemicals will result in permanent defect removal.

My recommendations for you: Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish and Ultimate Wax. Just perform a test spot with UC, at the beginning after washing and claying your vehicle, as it's quite aggressive paint cleaner.

[juliom2]

Re: Glass-like finish on black car

Welcome to Meguiars Online!!!!
5 step maintenance is the to go.....
check out Meguiars Paint Restoration Kit
it will be a great package to start....

[ffboy]

Re: Glass-like finish on black car

+1 on the clay bar.. It'll make all succeeding cleaners/polish/wax easier to apply. Polishing will bring out the rich black look you want.

As for wax, Choices are NXT 2, Gold class, and ultimate wax. For durability and brighter hues, ultimate wax and NXT is the way to go. FOr the deeper, black, wet look go gold class.

Maintenance, Ultimate detailer and ultimate quik wax. Choose whatever wax, you'll be pleased with it. HOwever,you will love the UQD and UQW. You have to try it to see why.

Man, you are one lucky person. We have the euro focus mk2 here, but not the mondeo. I love its looks inside and out, plus that excellent ride/handling balance, and the tech for a car priced much lower than german cars..

[wifpd4]

Re: Glass-like finish on black car

Ghost,

You have received some excellent advice already and after turning over my iPhone and looking at the back, I would like to echo some of that advice to get that "iPhone finish".

A smooth, flat surface is key to building a final glossy finish. So start with really washing the car thoroughly using an automotive soap, such as Gold Class. Next carefully clay the car using a good lubricant.

Greg mentioned using a dual action buffer and I whole heartedly agree; although your first time out or depending on the funding available, you may need to work by hand. Either way do a test spot before attacking the whole car. Read about test spots discussed many times on the Meguiar's forum.

After you get the car so it looks like your phone, then you worry about waxing. You've been given some fine recommendations, but you mention you wish for some longevity and Ultimate Wax has the reputation as being one of the longest lasting wax/sealant Meguiar's makes. If you want to worry less about longevity and more about a softer reflection Gold Class Plus would fit the ticket. Although the back of the phone is actually very reflective like the finish Ultimate Wax would give you.

Two coats are often recommended to insure fully coverage with any wax you use. Please be aware that with Ultimate Wax you should wait 8 to 12 hours between coats. Although less time may also be okay, if longer is not possible.

Good luck and post some pictures as time permits.

[ghost_florian]

Re: Glass-like finish on black car

Thanks guys for your advice ! I'll be going home in several weeks, and will try and do what you have suggested. I think I'll try to polish it by hand, doing a fix number of passes on each section. This should even the results.

I guess I'll use the Ultimate Quik Wax. How long should I wait before applying over the waxed paint if I want to deepen the finish ? Will it eat into the existing wax, or just layer itself over it? And is it worth using more layers of the stuff?

@wifpd4 I will of course post pictures of the car once I'm finished, but they will probably be in another topic, and probably another section.

@ffboy Thanks ! The car is still one of the best in its class! I have a 125Hp engine which averages about 5L / 100 km (47 miles per US gallon and 57 mpg), and which can reach 220 km/h no problem. It's more spacious inside than a BMW 5 series

[ffboy]

Re: Glass-like finish on black car

I'd use it maybe 12 hours after applying NXT or ultimate wax. It will just to put a "finishing touch" to the waxed surface, to clean up any (if any) residue left by the waxing/buffing step, not to add a significant amount of gloss. It won't eat into the applied wax, no worries there.

I wouldn't layer it too much. Again its like applying 2 coats of wax.. its more to ensure complete coverage. Intead of layering and layering the UQW, i'd rather take more time applying this wax per panel to ensure a nicer and more complete look and feel (both to the paint and the person waxing the car).