95 Acura NSX Preview.....

G

gareman

New member
I think I've got a pretty good method for waxing my car now (97 BMW 540i, Aspen Silver). I use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze, followed by Blitz Wax, followed by Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Final Inspection #34. I use 100% cotton towels to buff all this to a great shine.

However, now I've taken on a tougher challenge. I've got a Jet Black 2002 BMW 330i on order. This color is supposedly unforgiving, and I'm trying to plan my detail strategy for this beautiful black beast.

My first thought is to switch waxes to P21S and to buy some higher quality cotton towels (Fieldcrest) to ensure I don't have a swirl problem.

Can someone recommend their strategy for black cars? Is it different than other colors? Are there special products you use specifically for black? I've seen some out there, but not in brands I would trust.

Thanks for you help.

--gary<em class='bbc'>Meguiar's Mirror Glaze Final Inspection #34 [/i]
 
Hey gareman welcome to the crew!

The stuff you are using on your 540 will work great on the 330 too. Of course there are lots of different non abrasive waxes and sealants that work well too.

I find with black what is really important is not to scratch your own car. Of course nobody means to do this and with most lighter colors you can get away with leaving scratches and not really notice. With black you notice everything!

Pay particular attention to what you rub across your paint. If you aren't sure if QDing is still ok it's better to wash. Use a mit that is new or nearly new and keep it clean by backflushing your mit with water occasionally. Just put the hose in the wrist hole and and close the wrist hole around the hose to help dislodge particles from the mit. Do a search for the "two bucket method" of washing. If a mit looks old relegate it to some other use like below the beltline or the engine bay or someone else's car.

When you are waxing be sure that you are always working with a clean applicator. Turn or the replace the applicator if you can see dirt on the surface. Same thing when you are wiping off wax and polish or drying your car. Be sure that you are always using a clean towel. Don't try to finish with just one towel use as many as it takes.

I also have a QDing Technique that I think works well for any color but especially black.

Look forward to your future participation. :)
 
Welcome to the forum!



I agree with Short Cut. The real challenge of having a Jet Black car is trying to keep it as free of scratches or swirls as possible. Usually on a new black car, the shine is already in the new paint so the product you want to focus on is washing or paint prep, not just the wax or sealant.



Washing is one of the things you want to be most careful with. Remove any nozzles on the hose and let the water gently flush any dirt away… not to let it grind into the paint. Use 2- 100% cotton or microfiber wash mitts (most sheepskin mitts or brushes scratch) and the two-bucket method. If something won’t come off, use a stronger chemical...don't scrub hard. Dry only when the paint is clean, and use a synthetic chamois, soft cotton towel, or a plush microfiber towel.



One of the things I have learned with my previous black car is that it will never be scratchless or "perfect" with fluorescent lighting or a lighted magnifier. Every single time you wipe your towel on the paint, you will cause micro-marring. Every single time you touch the paint you will cause some damage. It's just something you'll have to live with.



Good luck!
 
And I forgot to add; it’s not always the product that matters, but the techniques and effort that counts. Check out one of my favorite threads: http://www.autopia-carport.com/forum/showthread.php3?threadid=2107&highlight=Technique+Patience

A few other great threads reminding that before you buy all the best of products, find what you have wrong, and how to diagnose it first: http://autopia-carport.com/forum/showthread.php3?threadid=3092

And www.autoint.com is a great site too! Detailing isn’t just getting your car clean and waxed… it is cheap therapy and stress relief… have fun!
 
gareman,

i agree with both of these guys.

but for me it's all about technique.

cleaning, drying, it all technique with black.

yeah, some products will make it look better, glossier, deeper, but technique will keep it swirl free (almost) and scratch free.

there are a bunch of threads related to the black finish and it's problems. do a search, you'll find a few very informative ones.

welcome to the forum.
 
Restoration level correction by the "Bing n Bob"................

ByronJohnsonNSX5-31-10078.jpg


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Bing removing the wing.

ByronJohnsonNSX5-31-10061.jpg


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Before the wing was removed we did a 50/50 to see which correction combos would net results.

ByronJohnsonNSX5-31-10026.jpg


Taped off.

ByronJohnsonNSX5-31-10027.jpg


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Hey Bob,

Was that NSX washed with a Brillo Pad? What a mess.

Good luck and be sure to let us know how it turns out.
 
Guys,

What a difference !! Holy Cow !!!!

I see alot of similarly scratched vehicles like that one, and they always seem to be black.. :(

Great recovery of that beautiful paintwork beneath. Looking forward to the "Afters"..

Thanks for sharing..

Dan F
 
zoomzoom mazda5 said:
Looking great Bob, how far are you on the NSX?
Click to expand...

Hope to be done tomorrow late if everything goes as planned, just so everyone knows Angelo told this client about me so a big thanks to Angelo from me :D.

This car has been a well...................challenge for the "Bing" and myself, called in more former GI reinforcements(Mark Zamzow) to help with the Murcie coupe and Enzo this Saturday.
 
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