New Honda Element with Black paint - best products money can buy?

**billskeen68** · 12-30-2006, 02:58 PM

I`ve never had a black paint job before and want to insure that it looks good for a long time. What`s the best products to use?

Bill

**yankees1** · 12-30-2006, 03:13 PM

I would hand wash using a quality wool mitt with a quality wash such as Griots, Mequiars , etc. Make sure and use Microfiber cloths to remove wax/polish. I use Klasse AIO and Pinnacle Souveran/Nattys Blue for protection/looks on my black Suburban.

**Setec Astronomy** · 12-30-2006, 03:27 PM

The first thing, before any products, is to use good technique to reduce any marring to a minimum. Try this thread: http://autopia.org/forum/hall-fame/3...technique.html

**Cleaning Fool** · 12-30-2006, 03:35 PM

What are your objectives for the future? Do you want durability so you won`t have to detail as often? Or are you the junkie type who can`t resist waxing once a month? Answer that and you will get a better prescription for your paint.

**sspeer** · 12-30-2006, 03:48 PM

Best is kind of a tough one..best looks, best durabilty?

Top of my head in my opinion I`d say..

Polish: Menzerna PO106FF/Blackfire SRC Finishing (Optimum, or Menzerna FPII for more budget consciencous)

LSP: Wax - Pinnacle Souveran is the gold standard for black. (Meg`s #26, Natty`s Blue also good),

LSP: Sealants - don`t have quite the pop on black, but some of the better ones would be the always popular Zaino, and I find Meguiar`s #21 looks good on black

**billskeen68** · 12-30-2006, 04:13 PM

In my recent past, I`ve always taken my vehicles to touchless car washes regularly and had them professionally detailed at least once a quarter. This was mostly due to having to travel a lot for work. But now I have more time on my hands and want to do the work myself. I`ve read a lot about problems with swirls and micro-scratches on black paint and want to avoid repeating other`s mistakes.

I`d like to achieve that deep finish look as seen on show cars and am willing to put in the effort it takes to get that result. So I guess that would qualify as a "junkie-in-training".

Also looking for suggestions on steps to take now, since it is only a week old.

Bill

**Cleaning Fool** · 12-30-2006, 04:51 PM

http://autopia.org/forum/detailing-p...=sealant+black

**Cleaning Fool** · 12-30-2006, 04:54 PM

Black Trans Am

**Cleaning Fool** · 12-30-2006, 04:55 PM

The black trans am is Zaino

**Accumulator** · 12-30-2006, 05:39 PM

Originally Posted by billskeen68

In my recent past, I`ve always taken my vehicles to touchless car washes regularly and had them professionally detailed at least once a quarter... But now I have more time on my hands and want to do the work myself. I`ve read a lot about problems with swirls and micro-scratches on black paint and want to avoid repeating other`s mistakes...

Noting that we all have stuff that we emphasize and stuff that we downplay, I`d concentrate on the wash/dry technique. The best LSP (Last Step Product, i.e., "wax") in the world won`t look good over marring and the best polish in the world still isn`t something you want to use all the time (or even four times a year). IMO it`s better to avoid messing up the paint in the first place

so...

Best investment *IMO* is a foamgun and good wash/dry media (and a fair bit of time spent thinking about this stuff

). Washing without inducing marring is usually more difficult than people expect.

Get some good lighting so you can see what`s what and avoid surprises when you pull it out of the garage and into the sun (or under parking lot lights at night).

And yeah, Souveran and Meg`s #26 look great on black, but the biggest factor in its appearance will be an absence of marring. If you already have some (even after just one week) you`ll have to polish it out using something mildly abrasive and there are a zillion choices for that (working by hand? If so I`d recommend polishes from 1Z).

Oh, and welcome to Autopia!

**imported_GregCavi** · 12-30-2006, 11:57 PM

You will get a million different suggestions, but my 0.02 is menzerna polishes and zaino

Greg

**gmblack3** · 12-31-2006, 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by GregCavi

You will get a million different suggestions, but my 0.02 is menzerna polishes and zaino

Greg

I agree with Greg. With zaino you have the best of both worlds: a rich deep finish and excellent durability.

Black Porsche

Black Lexus

Black vette

Black Infiniti

**DM101** · 12-31-2006, 09:12 AM

Originally Posted by sspeer

Best is kind of a tough one..best looks, best durabilty?

Top of my head in my opinion I`d say..

Polish: Menzerna PO106FF/Blackfire SRC Finishing (Optimum, or Menzerna FPII for more budget consciencous)

LSP: Wax - Pinnacle Souveran is the gold standard for black. (Meg`s #26, Natty`s Blue also good),

LSP: Sealants - don`t have quite the pop on black, but some of the better ones would be the always popular Zaino, and I find Meguiar`s #21 looks good on black

I agree but would add RED MOOSE GLAZE before applying the Pinnacle Souveran. Wait 24 hours add a second coat. And be sure to polish Men. PO106FF or if you can fin Men. PO85RD. PREP IS THE KEY!!!!!

**DM101** · 12-31-2006, 09:14 AM

Sorry apply PS then add 2nd coat PS in 24 hours. That sounds understandable.

**Ron Harris** · 12-31-2006, 10:23 AM

Well if it`s a new car you could PC some poli seal. This will take care of any light marring you might have. Then Optimum spray wax every time you wash. It`s super easy.

Make sure you you purchase some quality MF and develop a good washing system.

This will help with the maring.