Best Wax for Black Paint

[brarei200]

Hey, I'm new from PA. I have a 1995 Trans Am, looking for the deepest black possible. I'm not concerned about durability as the car see's about 500 miles a year. My plan is to use Meguiars Show Car Glaze #7 and Gold Class Wax working by hand (I do have a DA Power System if needed). I used Ultimate Polish + Ultimate Wax last year but I read that Gold Class will give you a deeper color? My car has been repainted and fully wetsanded so the reflection is great even without wax on.

What is the best method for giving a black car the deepest color? Car has minimal swirls but I really don't want to correct it since it was wetsanded and I don't wanna go through the clearcoat.

Thanks, and here's some eye candy

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

Welcome to MOL! That's definitely one of the best looking 4th gen F bodies we've ever seen!

With this quality of paint job it would be a shame to allow any swirls to remain and prevent the paint from showing it's maximum. We would not hesitate to go over this beauty with M205 on a foam polishing pad, at medium speed and light to moderate pressure to remove the last of the swirls, increase the gloss and clarity and really give the paint a deep, rich, wet look before even waxing it. At that point, we'd most likely go with Gold Class as well, or even M26.

But wax alone isn't going to really maximize the finish, that's all in the prep work. But there is another option if you prefer to not machine polish the car, and that's our Black Wax. This has light cleaners but a pretty high polish load (similar to M07) and a very nice synthetic/carnauba blend that work in concert to give black paint a great look with little effort. As great a look as dedicated machine applied individual steps? No. But this baby deserves the sort of extra attention that will take it to the next level.

[The Guz]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

First off welcome to MOL. I have seen you over on LS1Tech unless I'm thinking of another black 4th gen that looks like yours. I'm in agreement with Michael on removing any swirls that are in the paint. It is possible to have some if the shop used a rotary on it to remove the sanding marks from wetsanding.

I also agree that M205 and M26 would look great on your car. These are two of my go to products that I highly recommend for everyone to have in their arsenal. Ultimate polish is derived from M205 and that followed by gold class will look good as well. I would look into getting a dual action polisher to have your car taken to the next level. Although the DA power system works well. Michael brings up black wax which is a nice all in one wax that offers a lot more polish which dark cars love.

If you really want to experiment, you can do what I did with my dad's 02 Z28. With this one I polished with M205, followed by a coat of ultimate wax, followed 12 hours late with a real thin coat of M7 and finally a coat of M26. Check out post #10 in my thread. With the prosucts you have the order would be ultimate polish, ultimate wax, 12 hour window for UW to cure, M7 and Gold Class.

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?59948-2002-Camaro-Z28

Best of all have fun. We will get your car to look even better.

[ffboy]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

No wax needed there! Kidding aside, I would M7, Ultimate Wax wait 8-12 hrs., then apply Gold Class or M26.

[brarei200]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

Welcome to MOL! That's definitely one of the best looking 4th gen F bodies we've ever seen!

With this quality of paint job it would be a shame to allow any swirls to remain and prevent the paint from showing it's maximum. We would not hesitate to go over this beauty with M205 on a foam polishing pad, at medium speed and light to moderate pressure to remove the last of the swirls, increase the gloss and clarity and really give the paint a deep, rich, wet look before even waxing it. At that point, we'd most likely go with Gold Class as well, or even M26.

But wax alone isn't going to really maximize the finish, that's all in the prep work. But there is another option if you prefer to not machine polish the car, and that's our Black Wax. This has light cleaners but a pretty high polish load (similar to M07) and a very nice synthetic/carnauba blend that work in concert to give black paint a great look with little effort. As great a look as dedicated machine applied individual steps? No. But this baby deserves the sort of extra attention that will take it to the next level.

Thank you!

I already have the Ultimate Polish. Is that just as good as the #205. I wanna try to use my DA Power System on this. Then top it off with Gold Class.

And yeah I go to LS1Tech lol

[The Guz]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

You will be fine with Ultimate polish. It's derived from M205 and it's a great product. You are actually good to go.

[dwg51357]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

I'll echo Michael's expert advice with personal experience. Gold Class will give you the deepest, richest black finish, IMO. I typically do my jet black Saab with UPW, followed a day later by a coat of Gold Class. The difference is noticeable. Also worth considering is using your random orbital for the Ultimate Polish work. I found that using my PC on this step provides way better results that doing it by hand.

[exploreco]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

I'll echo Michael's expert advice with personal experience. Gold Class will give you the deepest, richest black finish, IMO. I typically do my jet black Saab with UPW, followed a day later by a coat of Gold Class. The difference is noticeable. Also worth considering is using your random orbital for the Ultimate Polish work. I found that using my PC on this step provides way better results that doing it by hand.

I have seen you mention this before, maybe even in one of my post. I am still trying to learn how all of these different waxes and polishes work together. So, by adding the Gold Class, does that change the durability of the ULW that was applied? Could one intermix the UQW and GCQW to get that deep black look. Thanks

[tiSS'er]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

I have seen you mention this before, maybe even in one of my post. I am still trying to learn how all of these different waxes and polishes work together. So, by adding the Gold Class, does that change the durability of the ULW that was applied? Could one intermix the UQW and GCQW to get that deep black look. Thanks

Yes, adding GCCP will increase the durability of ULW as you are adding another protective layer above ULW. On darker cars, you will likely notice a difference in appearance as well, and a quality caranuba like GCCP will add depth, wetness, and glow to your paint.

I tend to use GCCP as a "maintenance" wax. I will wax the car every 4-6 weeks with GCCP and once every 3-4 months with UPW. Each wax has it's own characterisitics and appearance, and I like both, so I mix it up. With our hot summers, I always like to have a layer of UPW on the car for maximum protection.

Mix and match and see what you like, though it is very common to lay down a sealant like ULW before applying a caranuba like GCCP, therefore giving you the best of both worlds, protection and beauty. Though, in all fairness, UPW/ULW look exceptional on their own.

[dwg51357]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

Yep, like tiSS'er said.

[exploreco]

Thanks

[brarei200]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

I hit a small section of the hood with Ultimate Polish today on my DA Buffer with a new yellow polishing pad and a new microfiber towel to wipe the polish off all after washing the car with Ultimate Wash And Wax Spray (with 2 new towels as well).

I was disappointed. I had taped it off and after taking the tape off the side I had just buffed... it looked horrible. It had micro-mearing, swirls and looked awful.

Therefore I just waxed the car and it came out great. Kinda disappointed that UP did this? I don't have a picture as I was so mad. You can still see the micro mearing but the wax kinda helped hide it a little or maybe the Gold Class Wax helped remove the fine swirls there.

[RPPM]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

Some black paint is very delicate, try the Ultimate Polish with a black finishing pad. The erratic movement of a DA along with a polishing pad is what caused your micromarring.. Slow down the DA to say speed 3, nice slow arm movement, with just the machine weight, no additional pressure, black finishing pad, should be nice gloss, and no marring.

If that doesn't work, try maybe a cleaner wax such as Black Wax, you can then use ULW, or UPW over it, wait 12 hours and top with GCCP+.

[brarei200]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

Some black paint is very delicate, try the Ultimate Polish with a black finishing pad. The erratic movement of a DA along with a polishing pad is what caused your micromarring.. Slow down the DA to say speed 3, nice slow arm movement, with just the machine weight, no additional pressure, black finishing pad, should be nice gloss, and no marring.

If that doesn't work, try maybe a cleaner wax such as Black Wax, you can then use ULW, or UPW over it, wait 12 hours and top with GCCP+.

Thanks for the tip! I applied UP last year by hand and didn't have this problem. Good to know!

[RPPM]

Re: Best Wax for Black Paint

I have a black car that has the hood and front end repainted, it is super finicky. I can't ever waterless wash it, and can only QD after a wash.