black is driving me nuts

[manuels_madness]

The worst thing about the black Lexus is they tend to be a single stage non clear coat paint. It's rough to maintain. I struggle. I'm getting to the point where I don't have the time to QD my car everday. I'd rather just wash it once a week.

This is my hood after a nice polish of PO106FF/RMG mix



and this is my white LC Pad:



Sweet results but single stage is rough to maintain. I'm thinking about repainting my car and getting the clear coat done to it.

[RAG]

[quote=manuels_madness]The worst thing about the black Lexus is they tend to be a single stage non clear coat paint. It's rough to maintain. I struggle. I'm getting to the point where I don't have the time to QD my car everday. I'd rather just wash it once a week.

Do you know how many of the recent models are SS paint? I've encountered some black Lexus' that gave off some color on the pads...but no where near as much as traditional SS paints typically do...so I was a bit baffled. This is why some of us were thinking that maybe some models utilize a tinted clear coat. Also, on the aforementioned vehicles where I did pull some black off, they did not feel/behave like SS paint through the rotary. And the last confusing piece to the puzzle is that paintscratch.com shows all the black onyx painted vehicles as being CC/BC (though it doesn't mean that they are right).

[RAG]

I have several Lexus customers with black paint and I haven't noticed any more difficulty - maintenance-wise that is...I find all black vehicles are extremely hard to maintain.

Sweet results but single stage is rough to maintain. I'm thinking about repainting my car and getting the clear coat done to it.[/quote]

[SVR]

My best advice is to apply as many coats of sealant and wax as possible, carnuaba wax of course because it will put to an end any water spot damage possibilites

Black is so lovely, I will be doing a brand spanking new astra very soon, not even the dealership detailers will be allowed to touch it

[racingbeat]

Originally Posted by bcgreen

May I ask what is FK 146 stand for? I may want to buy some. I do wash my black G35 and use AW and I am real happy with that, but the anti-static abilities is what intrigues me.

Ha! I've been trying to talk my friend out of buying a black G35 and getting a silver or red one instead. He's not the autopian type at all. But then I saw a black g35 last night and thought I should get one!

FK 146 does several things. After the No Rinse wash it clears away the water spots and any remaining soil you migh have missed, its got allot of cleaning bite. 2nd It leaves the surface slick and smooth. Third it has anti static dust repelling ingredients if you choose not to follow up with your favorite wax either acylic or carnauba. If you do top it with a bling bling wax, most don't have anti static ingredients and most actually ATTRACT dust so I would highly recommend topping the wax with FK 425 which is the same as 146 without the cleaning ingredients which might remove some wax. Most people use as a quick detailer but I use more as a "preserver". FK 146/Aqua Wax/ 425 is my three step after a no rinse wash. Seems silly to use three sprays but each has a different function and sprays are much quicker and easier on paint than rubbing on the paint with a paste wax.

[lucaszcpm3]

Originally Posted by Accumulator

silversx- I know just how you feel. I used to say I'd never own anything but black cars but then I realized that a) life is short and b) I can't just lower my standards and let it go. I sometimes toy with the idea of getting another black car, but I spend (more than) enough time keeping the silver ones acceptable and, did I mention....life is short

Accumulators, anything in the current Mercedes line take your fancy? CeramiClear paint may be your answer over to the dark side

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by lucaszcpm3

Accumulators, anything in the current Mercedes line take your fancy? CeramiClear paint may be your answer over to the dark side

Yeah, I'd like to have a car with really hard paint. Combined with my washing techniques I bet I could go a *long* time with no problems.

I've actually toyed with the idea of getting black again, just to get away from all the silver.

But no, *nothing* on the new car market appeals to me other than Bentleys I know that sounds awfully jaded, but I can't stand electro-brakes/steering/etc. or the i-drive-type stuff that all the high end cars have these days (or the looks of most new cars). At least the Bentleys are still "analog"/mechanical, but *sheesh* they cost more than my first house! That's why I've kept my deered '01 S8, even though its repaired-wreck cosmetics are a constant downer (can't stand the new ones that I waited so long for).

[Scottwax]

I have my first and last black car. Love it when it is clean-which means I love it 5 minutes at a time.

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by racingbeat

Ha! I've been trying to talk my friend out of buying a black G35 and getting a silver or red one instead. He's not the autopian type at all. But then I saw a black g35 last night and thought I should get one!

FK 146 does several things. After the No Rinse wash it clears away the water spots and any remaining soil you migh have missed, its got allot of cleaning bite. 2nd It leaves the surface slick and smooth. Third it has anti static dust repelling ingredients if you choose not to follow up with your favorite wax either acylic or carnauba. If you do top it with a bling bling wax, most don't have anti static ingredients and most actually ATTRACT dust so I would highly recommend topping the wax with FK 425 which is the same as 146 without the cleaning ingredients which might remove some wax. Most people use as a quick detailer but I use more as a "preserver". FK 146/Aqua Wax/ 425 is my three step after a no rinse wash. Seems silly to use three sprays but each has a different function and sprays are much quicker and easier on paint than rubbing on the paint with a paste wax.

Since you use AW, how often do you use it?

[MorBid]

With me and my Black Audi I've learned to let somethings go. I was washing it like everyday (even in the winter) then after I detailed it I wouldn't want to drive it, just leave it garaged and go out and look at it.

Then the car notes that come every month got me to realize that I brought the damn thing to enjoy. If your obsessive/complusive (throw in a little anal) about your whips (like many of us are) then your life is over with Black Paint (if you let it)

Now I don't mean I let the thing go to hell. I still wash it two or three times a week (with a very deatiled routine ) but keep the polishing to what needs to removed right away (scratches. water spots, etc) until it's time for the regular full detail session.

I mean what the fvck can you do about dust?

[bcgreen]

Originally Posted by MorBid

With me and my Black Audi I've learned to let somethings go. I was washing it like everyday (even in the winter) then after I detailed it I wouldn't want to drive it, just leave it garaged and go out and look at it.

Then the car notes that come every month got me to realize that I brought the damn thing to enjoy. If your obsessive/complusive (throw in a little anal) about your whips (like many of us are) then your life is over with Black Paint (if you let it)

Now I don't mean I let the thing go to hell. I still wash it two or three times a week (with a very deatiled routine ) but keep the polishing to what needs to removed right away (scratches. water spots, etc) until it's time for the regular full detail session.

I mean what the fvck can you do about dust?

Why don't you just use a quick detailer everyday instead of washing?

[daschrier]

I'm never buying black again. My 04 sentra is driving me nuts....swirls, water spots, bird crap, etc. Living in Boston doesn't help either, as I have no place to wash the car, allowing sap and crap to sit there for ages.