I hate black cars!!!!!

YNOT

YNOT

Poorboys Rules!
Help! I just got a brand new 2006 Mercury Mariner...and it's black. I'm a total car fanatic and always take pretty good care of my cars...however, I've never owned a black vehicle before and this one has me angry and wishing I'd have never bought it.

I've owned it for about 4 weeks now and it looks perfect in the sunlight. However, I spent 2 hours cleaning it up tonight after washing it and as I pulled it in the garage under the flourescent lights...I realized that it looks absolutely horrible. It looks swirly and scratchy.

So...here's what I've done...tell me what I'm doing wrong. I wash it with Meguiars gold class car wash and a chenille mit, then dry it using my California Car Squeegee, then get all of the final water off using an Absorber. As I said, this car is only about 4 weeks old and I'm appauled by how bad it looks under the light. What am I doing wrong, and what can I do to keep the finish looking absolutely perfect and 'swirless/scratchless'??????

Thanks!!

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well its almost impossible to make it look perfect, some say they can do it, but it will never be, even new from the factory. The best way is to just read around the forums and pick up all the hints and tips you can.

Start off by maybe getting a PC (porter cable dual action buffer). Then just get a medium polish/cleaner like poorboys ssr 2 then do a final polish by hand or by the PC like a poorboys pro polish or polish with carnuba. then finish it off by some wax or sealent. There are many many different kinds of brands of products that will work for you, just keep searching the forums and you will find everything you will need.
 
That car is HOT!!!! I love it!!

I think the major culprit in your regimen is the cali car squgee. Its the water blade right? If so throw it out Its dangerous to paint. Also the dealership might have left a nice amount of scratches and swirls in your paint prior to delivery. Dealerships love to use waxes that hide defects so you dont see them when you take delivery of the car. You will learn everything you need to get your paint better than it was new here at DC. And again your car is awesome, I love it!

Greg
 
GregCavi said:
That car is HOT!!!! I love it!!

I think the major culprit in your regimen is the cali car squgee. Its the water blade right? If so throw it out Its dangerous to paint. Also the dealership might have left a nice amount of scratches and swirls in your paint prior to delivery. Dealerships love to use waxes that hide defects so you dont see them when you take delivery of the car. You will learn everything you need to get your paint better than it was new here at DC. And again your car is awesome, I love it!

Greg
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I completely agree with Greg. That car is hot and you would probably be best to drop the California water blade. I have one and after the second time using it (even with wiping it after every swipe), I noticed problems because of it. It's now only used on windows. I went back to using the Absorber first and then a MF drying towel to finish.

If you want to reduce the risk of swirls, use two buckets. Use one for your soap and water and one for the rinse water. You could also pick up the Grit Guards for the buckets.
 
Thanks guys! A few things...

1) What is this MF towel you speak of? Microfiber maybe? Any particular brand or does it really matter?

2) Don't know if it matters, but I have been doing a lot of washing at the local car wash with the high pressure sprayer (because it's quicker than diggin' everything out at home). Could that maybe not be getting enough dirt off and then as I wipe it with the water blade and Absorber that could be causing the scratches?

3) I guess I'll part with my water blade even though it sure makes for quick drying. I'll sacrifice quick drying if it mean less scratches and streaks.

4) How often do you guys wash your Absorbers?

Thanks again...I appreciate the help and I'm glad you guys like my car...I am so happy with it. I can't wait til I can get a little more customizing done to it.

Anyone else offer anything?
 
The best MF towel for drying , IMHO, is the Guzzler from Autogeek. It is large and very thirsty. It holds up to numerous washing as well.

I would get rid of the chenille wash mitt and purchase a wool wash mitt. Numerous ones would be better. Again, just my opinion.

I agree the the water blade is a danger to the paint. Gave mine away. The purchase of the PC and pads along with appropriate swirl removers will help remove the swirls. The best advice that I can give you is to learn proper washing and drying techniques in order to limit the amount of self induced swirls on your black paint.

By the way....Greg is right....The vehicle looks hot!!!
 
First off welcome to the site as many have stated one of the ways to learn is to read the forums to see what others are using and doing.

I have had two black cars and detailed allot more...From the looks of your car there is no metallic in the paint is that right?

I have done lots of experimenting on my non-metallic black BMW...what I have found is sometimes less is more....Poorboys World Polish with carnuba is about the best for me...leaves the paint shinny has some cutting ability for getting out swirls and can be used well by hand and machine....along those lines start to think about getting a orbital buffer (PC) its going to make your black experience much easier and enjoyable

[/QUOTE]1) What is this MF towel you speak of? Microfiber maybe? Any particular brand or does it really matter?[/QUOTE]

Micro-fiber is what this means....they are your friend on black and any other color.

[/QUOTE]2) Don't know if it matters, but I have been doing a lot of washing at the local car wash with the high pressure sprayer (because it's quicker than diggin' everything out at home). Could that maybe not be getting enough dirt off and then as I wipe it with the water blade and Absorber that could be causing the scratches?[/QUOTE]

This is what maybe one of your swirl problems, the car looks clean but still has a haze of dirt on it then the blade on it makes that even worse. Sorry to say that convenience some times is not the best choice and this is one of them

[/QUOTE]3) I guess I'll part with my water blade even though it sure makes for quick drying. I'll sacrifice quick drying if it mean less scratches and streaks.[/QUOTE]

Waffle weaver microfiber towels will take the water off quickly and do a much better job and greatly reduce the swirls that you are getting

[/QUOTE]4) How often do you guys wash your Absorbers?[/QUOTE]

I wash my MF towels after each use to get any dirt out of them...this material picks up everything so washing before the next use is a must for me
 
Welcome to the DC!!!

Welcome to the wonderful world of Black! As the owner of a black car myself I know what your going through.

1. We know that the California blade is a quick solution to a task that nobody here likes doing. However Really what it comes down to is all it takes is a piece of hair to get cought between the blade and the paint and you will have a "Hair line scratch" all over the car (no pun intended)

2. The reason we are recomending multiple wool wash mits... is that When washing a car a majority of the dirt which resides on the top of your car (i will say from the tops of your wheel wells UP) is easily removed and when washing out the mit in your water bucket ...usually just falls right off. however the bottom lower portion of the car requires a lil more effort. This is also why We all generally recomend washing from Top to bottom not bottom to top!

3. The 2 Bucket method... This is the act of filling 1 bucket with clear water and another bucket with Car wash. The Soap you are currently using is probably IMO one of the best OTC soaps The reason for the bucket of clear water is to Rinse your mit prior to putting it into the car wash solution and there for not contaminating it with dirt and debree from the car.

4.Micro Fiber is your best friend! Trust me when I tell you anytime anyone is having a special on MF towels grab them. Costco sells yellow MF towels 8 or 10 for about 5.99 these towels are great for interior work ....I usually buy 4 or 5 packages when I see them...however you don't want to use these on your paint... There is much nicer MF towels for paint

5. Don't get overwelmed A lot of us have been at this for quite a bit of time and have been where you are. Take things one step at a time.

I have just started with the basics on " washing your car" Polishing and waxing is a whole other beast that you will learn....

Once again welcome to the wonderfull world of detailing...
Get ready to become Obsessive Compulsive about your car!
 
Great post and great replies!!!!!! Not a whole lot that I can add to it. It was pretty much summed up nicely.

Learn one thing at a time and then progress.
 
I was thinking about it....and if your like any of us!!!

"BUT I WANT IT TO LOOK GOOD NOW!!!!!!!"

Don't worry there is a solution for that as well. Pick up a wax that has some decent fillers in it. (I beleive Meguires NXT has some fillers someone might recomend something else) this way you can get your car to where you like and at the same time get some practice, as well as start learing how to correct the problems at hand.

You will find that 90% of the detailers here do not use products with fillers unless they are really asked to (can you make it look good im trying to sell it)
 
TexasTB said:
Great post and great replies!!!!!! Not a whole lot that I can add to it. It was pretty much summed up nicely.

Learn one thing at a time and then progress.
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Ain't that the truth. I did a 7 hr. polishing in May and it already needs it again. Black is a very frustrating color. SSR1 & 2.5 are exellent polishes. I just got XMT 1 & 3 to try. I've read great things about them. Defanitly splurge and get a PC. Drive a black vehicle is bitter sweet.
 
Just my .02 worth. When you wash and dry it, use only straight line motions, front to back on hood and top and up and down on sides and rear, this helps minimize swirls in the paint. I had a black car about 12 years ago and it was swirl free and as smooth as glass. This was all done by hand too. Always had people comenting on how nice it looked. I have a white truck now and I wished that I would have bought a black one instead. By the way, white is very hard to keep clean almost as bad as black imo.
 
YNOT said:
2) Don't know if it matters, but I have been doing a lot of washing at the local car wash with the high pressure sprayer (because it's quicker than diggin' everything out at home). Could that maybe not be getting enough dirt off and then as I wipe it with the water blade and Absorber that could be causing the scratches?
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The high pressure alone won't get the dirt off. Then when you hit it with the water blade (or anything to dry for that matter), you've got problems.

Have you checked out Poorboys Spray and Wipe. If your looking for a safe, easy, and quick wash, this is it.
 
Get a foam gun, that helps loosen the dirt. Use a nice sheepskin mitt, two-buckets, etc.

I dry with a Toro leaf blower and follow with a WW MF towel.

Regards,
Deanski
 
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