sealant/coating??

B

Bobwax

New member
:)

good morning!

I just got a new black car. I, for better or worse, got it "new car" detailed

Professional Detailing packages for Massachuesetts and New Hampshire cost $350

car looks very nice. I asked him what he did. he said an "entry level" sealant or coating, likely last 6 months or more. in new England, hot summers, and lots of salt in the winters. pretty tough here.

I said why not use a "top level" sealant. he said that costs $1200. wow.

from my reading, I think I buy the concept that waxes DO NOT LAST. he said do NOT use a car wash that touches the car, only hand wash and touch free washes. I also read, that touch free washes use harsh chemicals that can strip waxes.

OK- I want this black car to look GREAT for 3 years, at which point I get another car. car is garaged at work and at home, drive 10,000 miles a year.

1. should I get the $350 detail twice a year?
2. how often should I hand wash.
3. should I get the $1200 sealant? he says then they touch it up for $80 about once a year.

I would welcome ANY hints and advice! I love black cars, but they show every swirl and pollen and salt and dirt!! stupid me!! car has no swirls yet.

thank you
bob
 
thank you! I DID get it detailed for $350. now I want to know how often, and WHAT to do. totally willing to do sealant/coating in my garage. I DO have a random orbital

thanks
 
Out of curiosity, where are you in the area?

What exactly did he use as the top layer? Coating or Synthetic Wax? That will really decide. If he used a Coating, you will have to go back more frequently unless you get the equipment. If he used a Synthetic Wax (FK1000p is my choice), then you will be able to reapply say every 5 months(ish).


Do research on two bucket method, wash mitts, Meguire`s Gold Class Wash, Waffle Weave Microfiber, Electric Leaf Blower for after rinse but prior to towel...
 
I would buy a DA polisher, polish twice a year (spring/fall), handwash when weather appropriate and use a sealant 3-4 times a year.

You can buy a great Griots Garage or Porter Cable DA polisher, all the pads, polishes, sealants and towels all for under $350. If you take your time and watch some of Mike Phillip`s "how to" videos your car will look new for three years.
 
Bobwax said:
:)

good morning!

I just got a new black car. I, for better or worse, got it "new car" detailed

Professional Detailing packages for Massachuesetts and New Hampshire cost $350

car looks very nice. I asked him what he did. he said an "entry level" sealant or coating, likely last 6 months or more. in new England, hot summers, and lots of salt in the winters. pretty tough here.

I said why not use a "top level" sealant. he said that costs $1200. wow.

from my reading, I think I buy the concept that waxes DO NOT LAST. he said do NOT use a car wash that touches the car, only hand wash and touch free washes. I also read, that touch free washes use harsh chemicals that can strip waxes.

OK- I want this black car to look GREAT for 3 years, at which point I get another car. car is garaged at work and at home, drive 10,000 miles a year.

1. should I get the $350 detail twice a year?
2. how often should I hand wash.
3. should I get the $1200 sealant? he says then they touch it up for $80 about once a year.

I would welcome ANY hints and advice! I love black cars, but they show every swirl and pollen and salt and dirt!! stupid me!! car has no swirls yet.

thank you
bob
Click to expand...

First off, Jim`s no slouch.... I would ask him what product he used to seal/coat your car, and from there I *may* (or may not depending on what it was) go with the "same family" of products to care for it, till it`s ready to be done again.
 
Ronkh said:
First off, Jim`s no slouch....
Click to expand...

That`s one firm expression of approval from somebody I`d deem credible. Glad to hear it. Yeah, first step would be to talk with him about it (in detail, no pun intended :o ).

Bobwax- IMO washing it without marring the paint will be the big challenge. If you mar the paint you`ll be having it Pro Detailed sooner rather than later.
 
thanks all! I am familiar, at least to a degree with polishing, etc. I DO have 2 buckets with grit guards, and I think can do a pretty safe 2 bucket wash. I can get the meguiars gold class wash you recommended. I bought a wash mitt that Jims auto said is quite safe, and a synthetic chamois likewise. he said NOT to dry too hard, or dry a surface already dry, just blot up if there is a puddle of water on the car. rubbing a dry car is bad, he says.

I may say he really is nice and seems to know his stuff.
I feel comfortable WASHING and DRYING but not comfortable POLISHING a black car. I really want this car to look nice. it is garaged at home, and at work. I DO drive it all year, tough winters here!

if you polish the car, does that remove the sealant/coating? seems like it would.

thanks guys! keep the ideas coming. bob
 
If you want to keep it nice take it to your guy twice a year and let him do his magic. If you are a DIY guy read through some stuff here and Autogeek and start learning. You already have a RO polisher. Ask your Detailer to help you learn if he has time.
 
Bobwax said:
thanks all! I am familiar, at least to a degree with polishing, etc. I DO have 2 buckets with grit guards, and I think can do a pretty safe 2 bucket wash. I can get the meguiars gold class wash you recommended. I bought a wash mitt that Jims auto said is quite safe, and a synthetic chamois likewise. he said NOT to dry too hard, or dry a surface already dry, just blot up if there is a puddle of water on the car. rubbing a dry car is bad, he says.

I may say he really is nice and seems to know his stuff.
I feel comfortable WASHING and DRYING but not comfortable POLISHING a black car. I really want this car to look nice. it is garaged at home, and at work. I DO drive it all year, tough winters here!

if you polish the car, does that remove the sealant/coating? seems like it would.

thanks guys! keep the ideas coming. bob
Click to expand...


If you do a good 2 bucket, electric leaf blower, then blot, you should not be needing to polish the car any more than once every 1-2 years IMO, but life happens and I have a garage. I`m not sure if I`m capable of just blotting.... I`ll have to try.

But I don`t know if he used a coating or synthetic wax. I use a synthetic wax (fk1000p) that I can do when needed, and quickly, and lasts 5-6 months. I plan on not polishing the car frequently, rather use Poor Boys Black Hole Glaze and top with FK1000p when needed.

There`s only so much clear coat.
 
I am no pro by any means but I seen the words "synthetic chamois". If you are referring to something like The Absorber don`t use it. I had one for years but it was used on lighter colored vehicle that I owned and the marring it left wasn`t noticeable on them but when I bought my black car I used it and think it added marring. I know they are meant to be laid on the paint or car and dragged across while they soak up the water but the one I had seemed to drag with a lot of resistance when trying to soak up the water. I bought some waffle weave towels and they are a big improvement.

My only other recommendation is don`t use a duster. I bought and used a California Duster, the cheaper version with the plastic handle, and for the life of me I couldn`t figure out what was causing the tiny swirls mark or micro marring. I was dusting the car when I come home from work and noticed the way I was wiping the dust off with it left the same pattern as the marring. I stopped dusting and what an improvement. I haven`t polished my car in 3 years now, it could have used it last fall but weather got cold my free weekends. I will get to it one of the upcoming weekends and possibly even this weekend.

Hope this helps.
 
thanks skibik! will stick to my waffle weave. it seems like a black car is another animal entirely! when they are swirl free and shined up, they look great! I think my goal is to do as little to the paint as possible.bob
 
Jim used an entry level coating which he said is still a very good coating. I really think he is an old pro.

bob
 
Bobwax said:
thanks skibik! will stick to my waffle weave. it seems like a black car is another animal entirely! when they are swirl free and shined up, they look great! I think my goal is to do as little to the paint as possible.bob
Click to expand...

You`re Welcome. I never owned black before and was told by some how hard they are to keep clean. My intentions weren`t to buy black but when I traveled 360 miles to look at another car that wasn`t available at that dealer I traveled over to the dealer that had this black Camaro and after some dealing and thoughts running through my head about black I thought "how bad could it be"? Well as they say hindsight is 20/20! Sure looks great when they get washed stays somewhat clean parked in the garage but 15 minutes at my work place with spotter semi`s moving trailers around stirring up the dust off the pavement it looks lousy by 9 am break. I have vowed the words "I will never buy black again".

Good luck with the vehicle.
 
skibik said:
I have vowed the words "I will never buy black again".

Good luck with the vehicle.
Click to expand...

That`s what I said too after owning two previous black cars, and now here I am with another black Camaro. I just learned to repeat the phrase "It`s JUST a Daily Driver, It`s JUST a Daily Driver ... "
 
Hello Bobwax,
First off, you said you got a coating ? That`s sounds like you found what you needed.
Second, I have a new black Malibu, that has been just a blast detailing, and learning as I go.
The paint gets swirls just driving it ! Things I learned with this black paint I never would
have understood on any other color.
Third, If you do try to DIY. Shop for the best products you can afford and research everything.
I `ve only been in for a couple years and all my beginner`s products are gone, won`t use them.
I found the big name brands are trusted for a reason.
Rupes
Flex
Griot`s
Poorboy`s world
Polish Angel
Blackfire
Pinnacle
Wolfgang
Scholl Concepts
Carpro
Dodo juice
Waxaddict
I`m sure others could add more, but these are some favorites
of mine. Good luck and keep a postin`

feccb2ea9a4216e8b572bcb5e32976a4.jpg
 
Hi Mary, don, and skibik!

BLACK CARS RULE!!!! i love it. my wife thinks i am nuts, (nothing new) for constantly washing it in my garage. my friend especially is ragging me about washing it! when clean, it looks GREAT. my plan so far, NO car washes, ever. hand wash in my garage, optimum no rinse. and blot carefully with waffle weave towels. i will have the pro apply the coating as needed. he said that a lot of the damage on black cars can be traced to
1. car washes of ANY type.
2. vigorous drying with a towel over areas already dry. do not dry a dry car. he really emphasized this. improper washing and drying are WORSE than doing nothing.

black cars rule! my first black one ever, i love it. this will get tough in winter, lots of snow and salt on roads here.

best regards, Bob
 
Bobwax, I have an `entry level` coating on my cars. I`ve had great results using Gyeon Cure as a Sio2 maintenance product. Simple to use. 10 minutes of time after a wash. Can even be used as a drying aid. It keeps the coating fresh.
 
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