Black car owner questions

[DIB5.0]

How hard is it to keep a black car clean and looking good? This is not a daily driver but i know just dust alone can keep it looking dirty. Worried about swirl marks also.

 

[HellsBells]

My previous two cars were red and this is my first black car. It will be my last black car. The swirls are horrendous.

 

[*JZ*]

It's tough. I did basic detailing, but when it came to it's 3 month maintenance detail, I'd let a professional do it. I found a guy that was awesome! It was a $200 detail, but it was also 20+ hours of work. He taped off moldings, took off the wheels, did touch up work...etc... He was freakin tits!

 

[John@Lethal]

Although black is a giant PITA, when it looks good, nothing beats it.

With that being said, you're best bet is to seriously consider a synthetic sealant. If it's your daily driver, then you're going to want something that will offer great protection for more than just a few weeks.

Removing the swirls is one thing, which I can touch up on for you if you're unsure how to use a dual action polisher.

Once the car has been washed, clayed, and polished, you're ready for your wax or sealant. If you want something that will look great on black, and last about 3-4 months (that time can vary, i've seen sealants last 2-3 months, and i've seen sealants last 4-6 months. People can tell you otherwise.) take a look at this http://www.lethalperformance.com/ca...7/blackfire-wet-diamond-sealant-16-oz-p-37469

Another favorite but a little more expensive is the Wolfgang Deep Gloss Paint Sealant 3.0
http://www.lethalperformance.com/ca...wolfgang-deep-gloss-paint-sealant-3-0-p-37216

Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks

John

 

[BAKnBLK2010]

I've just kind of given up on my black GT. I wash it, dry it then walk away and say fuck it until the next wash job. This will be my last black car.

 

[HellsBells]

I've just kind of given up on my black GT. I wash it, dry it then walk away and say fuck it until the next wash job. This will be my last black car.

This is exactly how I feel except I still use sealant.

 

[BAKnBLK2010]

This is exactly how I feel except I still use sealant.

Back in the summer I washed, clayed and then applied the Blackfire Wet Diamond sealant. The car did have a better gloss to it but the swirl marks were still there. I'm not spending a ton of money on all the shit it takes according to the experts here to have a show quality finish. After all my car isn't a show car it's my DD.

 

[HitandRunDriver]

You don't need all that much to at least maintain your paint and remove some swirls. Really just a decent orbital, pads, compound, sealant/wax. That paired with careful washing/drying methods will work wonders.

 

[Riptide]

I would never buy black again.


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[Godzirra]

I buff my black probably twice a year and do wax every 3 months. I enjoy using my portercable. It's alot of work but it's by far the best looking thing hands down when clean and done right.

 

[Steedman07]

Its a love/hate thing..It is a giant PIA to keep it looking good. You have to be very careful using dirty microfiber towels, etc. But when its cleaned, polished and waxed, no other color looks better..

 

[GallopingFord]

I agree with everyone. I originally wanted a green Builltt because the metallic clearcoat hides the scratches, but ended up with black and I love it when it is clean and sealed but it just looks horrible when its dirty in the sunlight. I haven't even cleaned the car since January 5th and it's killing me to look at it right now. My brother keeps getting lazy on sending my my shit from home to clean it.

I will most likely never get a black vehicle again. Way too many ways to screw up the paint.

 

[D'prived]

My previous two cars were red and this is my first black car. It will be my last black car. The swirls are horrendous.

Same here... had one black vehicle in my life. Never again.

 

[28ONE]

It's almost like having a second job keeping my car clean. I wash it once a week then wax maybe every other month. I am however going to invest in a porter cable and try out the BFWD product. Sometimes in between washes I use this product:

http://www.internationalaeroproducts.com/finale-1.html

It is expensive but I had to try it and I must say I am impressed. Definitely gonna be ordering a gallon of this stuff. Clean microfiber towels are essential and seperating towels used for cleaning wheels/engine vs towels used on painted surfaces.

 

[Bud]

I will never own another black vehicle either. Nothing looks better than black when clean but I am admittedly too lazy to keep up on it. My past two black mustangs were washed only with a wand sprayer at a car wash, then air dryed by compressed air/leaf blower/90mph drives. Every few months then pay for a professional quality detail as mentioned above to cut down on any buildup and then seal things up again.

Swirl marks are the devil. I'd never touch anything to the paint surface to dry it no matter how soft I thought it was.

 

[KITT]

I have no swirls on my 08GT that I bought new! I NEVER wash it with nothing but my soft wash mit and rinse it down for extremely well before I scrub on it, so that I dont grind dirt into the paint scratching it. Hardest part is getting it dried from water spots in the summer. I find my self washing one panel at a time and wetting the entire car down to keep it wet. My car spent the first 2 years of its life outside and Ive only waxed it twice since May of 08! It is still swirl free. I bought my car to drive and race not sit around and take pics so I feel its a waste of time spending to much time waxing it. After one drive its dirty and a whole Sat of work is un-noticed! Id rather spend my Sat slinging tire rubber on the rocker panels! LOL

Ive had 5 Black cars and said Id never have another one everytime but I just cant say no.

 

[Turbostangs90]

I take mine to a pro every 6 months. $300 a year and it looks better than when I bought it. Plus she stays in the garage.

 

[DDTCM]

I have no swirls on my 08GT that I bought new! I NEVER wash it with nothing but my soft wash mit and rinse it down for extremely well before I scrub on it, so that I dont grind dirt into the paint scratching it. Hardest part is getting it dried from water spots in the summer. I find my self washing one panel at a time and wetting the entire car down to keep it wet. My car spent the first 2 years of its life outside and Ive only waxed it twice since May of 08! It is still swirl free. I bought my car to drive and race not sit around and take pics so I feel its a waste of time spending to much time waxing it. After one drive its dirty and a whole Sat of work is un-noticed! Id rather spend my Sat slinging tire rubber on the rocker panels! LOL

Ive had 5 Black cars and said Id never have another one everytime but I just cant say no.

I'm on my 4th black car and said I would never own another but here I am again,back in black. I tried hard to pick up a Kona but they didn't have my color combo so I went withnthe black again.

 

[shark tales]

i should post a write up of some of my details. its seems all i detail is black cars due to the fact ppl dont have the time or know how to deal with them.

if youre worried about paint maintenance and upkeep then i suggest silver or gunmetal colors. good luck

 

[Unklbuck62]

Ive had 5 Black cars and said Id never have another one everytime but I just cant say no.

Me too...What is it with these things...

I originally wanted the Performance White, but mama said it was too girly looking...now, I spend all day shining, go for a 30 minute drive and have to do it all over again the net day....