Blackhawk

When I worked in 'detail and new car prep' for a big BMW, Caddy, Volvo dealership. We always used the 'Absorber' as well with very good results.

Bluestar

The BEST way to prevent water spots on a Black Car is this.........Just keep washing it, don't stop....you're gonna have to wash it again in twenty minutes anyway.

PiggySmallz

that's the truth too. As soon as I'm done washing it's covered in dust

One Bad Stang

+1000, that does suck. but thats also where a light use of the california car duster comes in. works great. or you could just do a top speed run really quick.

surfbum7190

whats claybar?

ThumperMX113

It's a piece of clay that you glide across the paint using a spray wax, quick detailer for lubrication purposes. The point is that the clay bar lifts and remove containments as well as the previous wax to leave you a clean surface for detailing. Clay baring leaves the paint much much smoother as well.

mynameismike65

I wash it in the morning when its cool and the suns not really hot....then I dry it very very fast in the shade. If any spots occur then I use a qwik spray detailer....which works very nicely BTW.

kenthicken

Just making sure!

06GT4RAD

Your probably scratching your car as you wash. What are you using to wash the car with? I use three lambs wool mitts for each wash. I have one i use for the upper half of the car one for the middle sections and then one for the rocker panels. You also need to be using a rinse bucket as well as the wash bucket and rinse the mitts in between each wash step.

Here is a great link with loads and loads of info to help you maintain that car and keep it looking it's best.

http://www.autogeek.net/detailingtips.html

exx1976

Wash (with dawn dish soap - first wash of season, otherwise, Blackfire soap - USE A DEBRIS FILTER IN THE BUCKET!!!)
Blackfire Poly Clay (beginning of each season)
Wash (Blackfire soap)
Blackfire Gloass Enhancing Polish (beginning of each season)
Blackfire All Finish Paint Protectant (beginning of each season)
Blackfire Ivory Carnauba Paste Wax (once a month)
Blackfire Ivory Carnauba aerosol spray detailer/wax

As you can tell, I'm pretty partial to the Blackfire line. It works. VERY WELL. No I don't work for them. LOL

This pic was taken after a clay and polish, no protectant or wax yet. http://mustang.dnsalias.com/pics/lis...d=wvcrlfdhqchqSame with this one. http://mustang.dnsalias.com/pics/lis...d=hanmuaetmyqq That's what my garage door looks like reflected in my hood.
After wax: http://mustang.dnsalias.com/pics/lis...d=keknimqrvlql

Sorry about the crappy pics, they were taken with my cell phone.

As for keeping water spots off the car, I use a California Jelly Blade, and then I have three (yes, three) Big Blue MF drying towels (http://www.properautocare.com/bigbludryint.html)

After drying it the best I can, I take it for a quick high-speed run, then when I get home I use a BARELY damp MF rag to get rid of the water spots, then commence with the rest of the process above.

It's a rather back-breaking process, and the first time going through it, top to bottom, takes an entire weekend (the clearcoat protectant needs to sit for 8 hours to bond to the paint). That first time through I usually do 2 coats of carnauba. Then once a month it gets another layer of carnauba.

I've been thinking about gettinga porter-cable though to make my life easier.. Who here has one? I've never used one before.. Rate the ease of use a for a newbie??