First Black Car

[SchultzTrain65]

I'm sure there are numerous threads under this topic but I have a whole bunch of questions for those who know how to deal with black paint. I went from a beige vehicle that showed no dirt or defects to a brand new black Silverado. I do not want to cause any types of swirl marks, scratches or defects of any kind as I am incredibly anal and have extreme OCD when it comes to a vehicles cleanliness and appearance.

As soon as I knew I was getting the truck I just looked into the basics for black cars. I read somewhere to use wool to wash the truck so I got my self a synthetic wool wash mitt. I bought the turtle wax black box and the guy at auto zone said it was a must have for black cars when I bought it; problem is its a HUGE pain because I'm sure it was meant for cars not trucks. I adopted the 2 bucket method as well.

Now in the midst of winter I wanna prepare myself for the spring and washing season. Here are my questions.

1. I know it's a little late now but should I use a snow brush? I have been using one the foam push shovel things to gently push the snow off.
2. Currently I'm doing everything by hand. Is a buffer any better? How much pressure do I apply?
3. Does a grit guard for the bucket actually make a difference?
4. Will a pressure washer damage the paint at all? What is a safe psi to use?

Thats all I got for now but the most pressing at the moment is the snow brush question.

Thanks

[Blueline]

Re: First Black Car

Congrats on the new black beauty.
I have an 06 black car bought new, and it is mainly swirl free. My new car is the same.
1. I use a snow brush, but it is soft to the touch, not those hard bristle kind. Even so, I brush VERY gently.
2. I use an inexpensive 6 inch random orbital buffer to apply wax, and remove by hand.
3. In my opinion the Grit Guard is a gimmick and a waste of money if you are using the two bucket system. I don't have one.
4. I only use my pressure washer to wash out horse stalls and the trailer truck when it gets muddy.. I wouldn't put a pressure washer near any of my black beauties.

[Top Gear]

Re: First Black Car

Addressing your questions...

...I am incredibly anal and have extreme OCD when it comes to a vehicles cleanliness and appearance.

In that case, you have found your hobby match. Black paint, particularly for a daily driver, will reward any level of work you want to put into it, but contrary to a lot of comments, doesn't actually require significantly more work.

...I read somewhere to use wool to wash the truck...

I seriously doubt that. Use a micro-fiber mit commonly found at the auto stores.

...I bought the turtle wax black box and the guy at auto zone said it was a must have for black cars...

Be careful what you listen to from employees who work at auto stores. Unless you see a perfectly detailed car sitting outside and it belongs to that employee. They rarely know what they are talking about, in my experience.

...I'm sure it was meant for cars not trucks.

You're kidding right? We're talking about paint (and really, clear coats), not vehicles, per se. Your paint job is the same as all the other Chevy vehicles made that year.

...I adopted the 2 bucket method as well.

Good, that helps a lot to rinse grit building up in your mitt/rag, etc.

...1. I know it's a little late now but should I use a snow brush?

I would not! You'll "swirl" or scratch the paint/clear. Just warm up the vehicle and push the snow off by hand, once there's a film of melt between the snow and anything the ice crystals might scratch.

...2. Currently I'm doing everything by hand. Is a buffer any better? How much pressure do I apply?

Doing what by hand? If you mean waxing, then yes, hand-waxing (and washing too much) is not wise. Watch the videos here on the main Meg's site to learn about the multi-step "correction" process with washing and claying by hand, then with a dual-action polisher, compounding, polishing, and waxing. You do that twice a year (or so) and wash only when the vehicle is actually dirty. Otherwise, you detail or waterless wash, etc, using "quik" products. Step up from Turtle Wax to Meguiar's as well, the only brand with a huge muli-line array of products. Again, if you're OCD (as I am), these steps will reward your attention to detail without tying up your whole life in hand-waxing, which will only make your paint look worse over time.

... 3. Does a grit guard for the bucket actually make a difference?

No, the difference is the second bucket, which you use to dip and rinse out the mitt/rag after you've washed one panel (or so). This way, if you pick up a sharp sand/glass or other grit grain from one area, you won't be dragging that grain over your whole paint job (thus creating fine scratches called "swirls" or "spiderwebs"). The method is not guaranteed, so think of it as more likely to help than to hurt.

...4. Will a pressure washer damage the paint at all? What is a safe psi to use?

No, you can't really hurt things if you keep a decent distance. I occassionally use a coin-op pressure washer to lightly rinse or wash the car - but DO NOT use the brush!!

Anyway, since you're new to black paint, you'll go through a stage or two of realizing that there will be no absolute perfection. From rock chips to random scratches to damage you may create yourself from doing too much by hand, black cars can be very troubling, but also very rewarding. Again, watch the videos here, as there are lessons to be learned, particularly the concept that "less is more". The biggest mistake you can make right now is bucket washing too often and hand-waxing every week or month. Might look great the first time, but after a year of that, you'll have a grey vehicle, not a black one

[SchultzTrain65]

I did not literally mean the black box was specifically for cars. What I meant was that they probably had smaller vehicles in mind because it's **** a pain in the *** surface area wise compared for a full size truck compared to a car. And the whole box is gone after 2 or 3 uses.

[Daniel Kinder]

Re: First Black Car

to MOL Schultz

You've come to the right place!

1. I know it's a little late now but should I use a snow brush? I have been using one the foam push shovel things to gently push the snow off. I haven't used a sno brum but will be getting one for next year, as of right now I just use a 12'' window washer squeegee and use to clear off my windshield and the snow on my hood,but on a nice new Black vehicl like yours I would do as top gear suggested. Here's the sno brum. http://www.autogeek.net/snobrum-snow-mover.html

2. Currently I'm doing everything by hand. Is a buffer any better? How much pressure do I apply? A night and day difference, machine is so much faster and better and the results are amazing! The shine, clarity, depth, gloss, reflection and the dripping wet look your after for that new Black truck is what you will get with a DA rather the Meguiars G110V2 or porter cables 7424 there are some great deals going on with pads included.

3. Does a grit guard for the bucket actually make a difference? In my opinion and the 11 years of owning my Black single stage mustang, YES!! and have been using the 2 bucket system with grit guards in both and using nothing but chenille wash mitts. Also have an extra bucket just for the rims & tires as well with a form of a grit guard. I'm not going to spend all this time polishing my vehicles and customers vehicles and not do as best a job I can knowing that with what I see in my rinse bucket everytime when I'm done and pure out the water to see all the dirt particles in the buttom of the bucket under the grit gaurd that could be introduced back to the paint thier the wash solution and rubbing in circular motions that you see today on all the paint finishes out their.

4. Will a pressure washer damage the paint at all? What is a safe psi to use? I've been using a electric pressure washer for years and would hate to go back to just the old garden hose. Just keep moving and don't hold to close and inspect the condition of paint before each use to check for any chips and/or cracks.

I know just starting out is tough and wanting to keep that new ride as good as you got it from the dealer but do some reading and watching these great how to's and learn from the many great DIY'er's and weekend warrior's and the many great professionals on here will have your vehicle looking better then you could have ever thought!
Read this articles.
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?33-How-To-Articles

Watch these great how to video's.
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?134-How-To-Videos

[1994Gen1L]

Re: First Black Car

The Grit Guard is supposed to aid in removing some of the dirt from the wash mitt or sponge. I do not see it making a difference with a sponge, but comes in handy with a MF Mitt. You scrub the mitt on the Grit Guard in the bucket prior to dunking it in the soapy water.