New to black paint

[rdockery_3]

My challenger has the exact same color and let me tell ya it's a full time job keeping it looking good but it's well worth it.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: New to black paint

You want a tutorial on the whole process and some videos to go along with it?

Check these out:

5 Step Paint Care Cycle

Introducing Meguiar's Quik Tips Video Series

[Daboy85]

I got my grit guard on Amazon. I think it was 8 bucks. I also got the NXT kit and it was super saver shipping!! I'd check out amazon. They have everything!!

[akimel]

Re: New to black paint

Proud slave of a black car.

You and me both!

Just spent the entire day detailing my S2K. My back is killing me, and I still have a couple more hours of work to do tomorrow. But the car is looking good, after being being polished with M205. Tomorrow I'm going to rub it down with M81 Hand Polish (which I've never used) and then apply one of my favorite carnauba waxes. The car will look great, I know.

And then in two weeks the car will look **** again. Such is black paint ...

[Blueline]

Re: New to black paint

You don't "own" a black vehicle, it "owns" you.

Proud slave of a black car.

[lytefall]

Oops. Thought I wrote that. Apparently i inserted waxed where i meant clayed. Yes...

Wash
Clay
Wax
Wax

Thanks for the correction

[Murr1525]

Re: New to black paint

And clay...

[lytefall]

Thanks for the tips.

I washed with gold class, dried then waxed and 2 coats of Ultimate liquid wax. Pretty happy with the result. Next time I plan on doing the ultimate polish as well as from what I have read it will give it a bit of a deeper shine. I was pretty happy and surprised not to find any swirls at all as I figured the dealership in house detailer would have put some in there.

[Murr1525]

Re: New to black paint

Really, if you are going to be doing any kind of work on the paint after washing, or even following up with a spray wax, then the UW&W would be a bit of a waste.

[lytefall]

Just another quick question. I have Meguiars gold class car wash and Meguiars gold class wax. After reading a lot of people recommending the gold class car wash I went out and bought some but I have been noticing in the videos that they always use the ultimate wash and wax.

Neither are open yet. Should I return for the ultimate line instead?

[lytefall]

Thanks for the advice. I have a product called "bird dropping wipes". They are individually packaged wipes (almost like a wet wipe for cars) made by auto glym. They work well but I haven't used them on black yet.

[goldenlight]

Re: New to black paint

**One more word of advice, You can start claying after your done Washing your car. Highly reccomend washing and claying in the morning to avoid WaterSpots.

You Should add this to your arsenal as well. comes in handy when you have the unexpected bird dropping..

[yrdln]

Re: New to black paint

I have a black vehicle and find even if you take care of it you still get door dings bird etchings and rock chips, actually all cars are subject to this kind of abuse just keep a close eye on it and clean it up often this will extend the beauty of your vehicle

[Murr1525]

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.

There are so many variables, it can be really hard to nail down perfectly. If you want really simple to get a shine and covering all the steps, this would be it:

1. Wash
2. Clay
3. Color or Cleaner/Wax - I like ColorX most
4. Wax

But some people like to do more. Or some people have defects to fix in the paint. Or both. Or other favorite products. Or whatever.

If you are brand new, then keep it simple. Nothing needs to be perfect the first time you do it. Just no drastic mistakes. Such as:

wax( You can get this stuff on all surfaces and will not stain. Stuff dries clear.
wax

Only Ult. Liquid Wax and Ult. Quick Wax dry clear (from Meguiars). Others will stain white.

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?

You certainly can. Just skipping a few steps. Up to you if that is important or not.

You cleaning step will always take longest of anything.

[lytefall]

I may just do the whole process the first time anyway. Protect the paint right from the start.

Thanks for all the advice. Much appreciated.