New to black paint

[lytefall]

Ok, so I have washed and waxed all my cars in the past but they have all been what I consider "easy" paint colors (white, silver, grey, red).

I just brought home a brand new car with a black finish ("brilliant black crystal pearl" is the paint color name to be exact) I have always wanted black but just never ended up buying one. I know black is one of those paint colours that can be a nightmare. I want to get on top of things early. How soon, and with what methods do you recommend for a new car? I have a load of Meguiars already but I am not sure if it's the best for black?

Thanks in advance

[Murr1525]

Re: New to black paint

Are the any swirls, defects, etc already?

Nothing is so much "best for black". It is more that black will show what you were doing wrong with the other colors. If your washing techniques were not perfect, and that sort of thing.

[ffboy]

Re: New to black paint

Most products will work well on black or any other color. With black, it is really important to practice extra care in anything you do to any other color. The only thing with black is that it shows a lot more imperfections, but get it right and it will look amazing. Meguiar's doesn't really make any wax/sealant for any specific color.

[lytefall]

Re: New to black paint

Thanks. I won't profess to be a pro at detailing either. I am the basic every guy waxy ties to keep his vehicles looking good (which is difficult with kids, a wife who just sees a car as a means of transport and a Canadian winter!). I am looking to get more precise with it though especially now that I own a black vehicle. What I have on hand now:

Meguires gold class wash
Meguiars gold class liquid wax
ScratchX 2.0
Applicator sponges
Meguires quick detailer
Meguires hot rims brake dust barrier
Water magnet towels
Sheepskin wash mitt
Multiple sheepskin chamois
Multiple detailing clothes( both MF and MF with waffle weave)
Protectant 303 for plastic/rubber trim
Turtle wax wet n black tire dressing (once this is gone I want to try a Meguiars product)
Auto glym bird dropping wipes


Plus a whole slew of interior stuff from various manufacturers such as Black magic, invisible glass, auto glym leather cleaner and conditioner, armor all etc. I am loving all the Meguires interior product I have found that I never knew were out there so I will probably trying them as I run out of interior stuff too.

I am trying to find grit guards locally for my buckets but is proving difficult so I will probably have to order online. I am also looking for a good clay bar system to have on hand (never used one and am a little apprehensive especially with the black paint)

Any product endorsements for what I already have or recommendations for what I should change to would be more than welcome

[lytefall]

Re: New to black paint

I forgot to add, the paint is about 98% perfect. No major defects that I can find except a few small scratches on the pass rear fender and a couple scratches under the passenger window. I didn't see them when I took possession of the car because of the way the light was falling at the time. I was going to ask dealer to take care of it but I figure they would probably just try to get their in house detailer to do it and in that circumstance I would be more comfortable doing it myself or finding a 3rd party detailer. (I haven't been overly impressed with their detailing skill in the past).

[Murr1525]

Re: New to black paint

Thanks. I won't profess to be a pro at detailing either. I am the basic every guy waxy ties to keep his vehicles looking good (which is difficult with kids, a wife who just sees a car as a means of transport and a Canadian winter!). I am looking to get more precise with it though especially now that I own a black vehicle.

If you want to keep it pretty simple, you can look at this:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. ColorX
4. Wax

You can work your ScratchX on the scratches a bit after the clay step to see if they improve.

I prefer the smooth foam type applicator pads, as they are the most gentle.

You can also give your wheels a good cleaning, also can use a paint cleaner if they are painted wheels, to clean them up really well before the Brake Dust barrier.

I am trying to find grit guards locally for my buckets but is proving difficult so I will probably have to order online. I am also looking for a good clay bar system to have on hand (never used one and am a little apprehensive especially with the black paint)

Yeah, pretty much online for Grit Guards.

The Meguiars Smooth Surface Clay is one of the milder ones that is made. If you use plenty of clay lube, you'll be ok.

[chevy]

ALWAYS use a grit guard and preferably the two bucket method. With black paint you want your washing and maintaining process to be as clean as possible. As far as a wax. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. M26 is a long time favorite of mine. Good luck

[lytefall]

Re: New to black paint

Thanks for all the replies! Should a new car be clay barred as well? I have run my hand over every body panel on the car and it seems smooth. Should I still be claying it just as precaution even though the car seems free of surface contaminants?

[andytsang]

Re: New to black paint

Thanks for all the replies! Should a new car be clay barred as well? I have run my hand over every body panel on the car and it seems smooth. Should I still be claying it just as precaution even though the car seems free of surface contaminants?

I would recommend you still clay. It is pretty easy task and you might be surprise what the clay pull out even the surface feel smooth.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to black paint

Esp if you never have clayed before, you should. I certainly had no idea what smooth was before I clayed.

[ghaines]

Re: New to black paint

Check out this post on my black paint regiment. I have had black cars for the last 10 yrs. I hope this helps.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?47362-Washing-amp-Caring-Tips-for-Black-Paint&p=504368&highlight=#post504368

[ffboy]

Re: New to black paint

Claying is recommended, almost a standard step for anyone with a brand new car and who plans to wax/sealant their cars. Even minor compounding/cleaning/polishing is often needed since many "detailers" from the dealership or hired by them inflict more swirls into the paint more than add shine to the paint. Quick detailers (UQD or Gold Class) will also help in keeping that newly waxed/detailed look and will definitely shorten one's maintenance steps

[lytefall]

Re: New to black paint

What is the recommended process for claying a new car? Or any car for that matter? I have searched here and found many different recommendations. Wash, clay, polish, wax and I have seen wash, clay, polish wax or wash, clay, wax and no polish step. Also people discussing using scratchX or swirlX or colorX in the process as well.

I looked for a tutorial on the process from start to finish as I am not sure what steps I need to do with a new car and what to change as the car ages.

Thanks

[goldenlight]

Re: New to black paint

Pop your self some popcorn pull up a chair and start watching videos. Junk man and Adam videos are good to start with. Autogeek has many videos as well.

Claying once a yr is highly recommended. The wax goes on so much better.

Tape the rubber and plastic trimming.

Recommend

Wash
Clay
Ultimate Polish Make sure you tape up rubber and plastic this will stain. (Only do this if you own a Dual Action Polisher. Takes too long to do it by hand) This step really makes Dark Colors Pop!
wax( You can get this stuff on all surfaces and will not stain. Stuff dries clear.
wax

Use Meguiars Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium quik Wax between Waxing.

[lytefall]

Re: New to black paint

Ok. Thanks for letting me know about the ultimate polish. I don't have a DA polisher and won't be getting one soon donuts nice to know about how time consuming the polish would be.

So to sum it up if I am not using the polish then it's just

Wash
Clay
Wax

That's it that's all?