How the hell do I keep a black car clean
#61
Black takes work but does look the best when it's clean. My first car was black and well....I had to wash it every week basically. And I would try to always get home before it rained. Shoot if I was out on the weekend, and it looked like rain was coming I would drive home to get in the garage.
When I had black I'd always do a walk around after parking somewhere, and spot detail. Would always do the same filling up at the gas station.
With black you just have to realize it takes a little more work.
When I had black I'd always do a walk around after parking somewhere, and spot detail. Would always do the same filling up at the gas station.
With black you just have to realize it takes a little more work.
#64
Wash more often, wax more often, in the shade and cool. Drive it around the block after washing to get the water out of the mirrors/grille if you don't have a blower. Use a quick detailer after waxing to remove streaks. Use a nice/clean chamois to dry, microfiber towels on the paint. Don't rub/buff parts too hard. Never use quick detailer to "wipe off the dust", that just spreads dirt all over the paint and in to your towel. Claybar won't do anything to keep it cleaner and if not done properly or use of a cheap bar, will scratch/haze your paint. Really the same method for any color paint.
#65
I said the same thing, said I wouldn't buy a black car...then look where I ended up! Last car was torch red and was one of my least favorite colors in 05-09's. Money and the deal always tends to override color for me. Time to learn to use the PC!
For weekly maintenance, learn to wash the car without swirling it (Two bucket method with grit guard and quality mitt) Dry with a blower then use a quality quick detailer with a quality microfiber.
For weekly maintenance, learn to wash the car without swirling it (Two bucket method with grit guard and quality mitt) Dry with a blower then use a quality quick detailer with a quality microfiber.
#67
I wax in straight lines to. not circular. Just incase you catch a bit of dirt you didnt see and it might put a hairline scratch in the paint. if you go in straight lines then the scratch will only be visible in certain light and direction. if you go circular it will catch light in every direction and be much more visible.
#68
I don't think you do keep a black car clean. I wash mine twice a week and wax at least one or two times a month with Meguiar's Ultimate Liquid Wax. After driving it a few times, I am sad because of all of the bugs we have in TN this time of the year.
#69
Black is the best possible color, period. The blacker the better!
Of course, I love detailing, so I guess it works for me, haha.
The gravel drive way is a killer for sure, but I'll give you at least one tip since you seemed to have trouble getting a spot free dry. When you do your final rinse, take any attachment off your hose and use your other hand to squeeze the hose and control the flow. Let it flow only so much that it doesn't splash when it hits the paint, just sheets right off. Spot free rinse. Grab 2 or 3 microfibers and dry what few spots are left. Top if off with a quick detail if you still have trouble clearing away spots.
Edit: How did I just manage to reply after page one of that and not see it was a 7 page thread with the original post being about a year ago, haha. Oh well, tip still applies. I find it especially helpful to non-metallic black paints that spot easy.
Of course, I love detailing, so I guess it works for me, haha.
The gravel drive way is a killer for sure, but I'll give you at least one tip since you seemed to have trouble getting a spot free dry. When you do your final rinse, take any attachment off your hose and use your other hand to squeeze the hose and control the flow. Let it flow only so much that it doesn't splash when it hits the paint, just sheets right off. Spot free rinse. Grab 2 or 3 microfibers and dry what few spots are left. Top if off with a quick detail if you still have trouble clearing away spots.
Edit: How did I just manage to reply after page one of that and not see it was a 7 page thread with the original post being about a year ago, haha. Oh well, tip still applies. I find it especially helpful to non-metallic black paints that spot easy.
Last edited by AJ06GT; 06-10-2013 at 04:48 PM.
#70
Do you mean "keep it clean", or do you mean get it clean? A perfect pro detail will set you back 100/125 bucks. Don't get that until you have a "California Car Cover", and the nice big round California Duster. That's what has worked for me with 5 Black cars. Once a year fix!.....oh, all 5 are trophy winners!