Tips & Tricks for black paint

R

Richardhaunter

New member
Hi, I registered in this forums almost 8 months ago, I recently buyed a 08 Superblack Sentra SE R Spec V:





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I know there are a lot of pros here, so I would like to know the tips & tricks you have to take proper care of a black paint.
 
never QD your car to remove dust/dirt. never let it get too dirty before a careful wash.

make sure your mitts and towels are very soft and very clean. keep it in a garage whenever possible.
 
Don't drive it and don't wash it. Otherwise wash very carefully with a good soap such as Duragloss, Griots, Zaino and a soft wahsmit such as MF or sheepskin.
 
wannafbody said:
Don't drive it and don't wash it.
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Don't look at it the wrong way and try not to breathe on it. :nana:



But really, I have three black vehicles right now and the best quote I've seen - taken from another thread - is "black isn't a color, it's a part time job."
 
Use two buckets for washing and two mitts, one mitt for paint, one mitt for rockers, rims etc.



mitt travels:

soap bucket - car - rinse bucket - soap bucket
 
'Now for some useful info:\r\n\r\nWash wheel wells/wheels/tires first using dedicated equipment. Using dedicated buckets, place grit guards in each, draw fresh water in the first for rinsing the mitt and the second w/ quality car shampoo. Using a dedicated sheepskin or mf wash mitt, do the top panels first, rinsing mitt as you go, then move to the top 2/3s or so on the side panels rinsing each panel as you finish. Never allow soap to dry on car. I use a long handled wash brush on the lower parts of the panel where road grease and tar collect. Rinse again (and continue rinsing through the wash process to avoid spotting.)\r\n\r\nIn my technique I use a leaf blower to rid most of the water off the car (this is debatable here.) I then use dedicated quality mf towel(s) to finish drying the exterior and use 100% cotton towels on the door jams and insides of the trunk and hood. Then I finish up w/ a few shots of qd to make it look it\'s best.\r\n\r\nIf your new car was delivered swirl-free and there is a layer of quality wax/ sealant on it then this technique should keep it that way for a while.\r\n\r\nClay barring/polishing/waxing is a whole nother subject.'
 
Forgot who on here said this, but its very true. a black car is a part time job. Most important thing is proper washing technique. Just read the guides on the two bucket wash. Never run it through any automated car washes. A dirty car is much better than a swirled car. Never touch the paint if its not with a mitt and soap. Read up on product recommendations and build up some product stock, and never wash it until your ready to do it right. A rushed washing will cost you in the long run. Believe me. :bawling: The best tip I've learned is to really watch your mitt (Or whatever wash medium you choose) and water. Make sure both buckets have grit guards and try and find clear buckets. It just takes one little spec to ruin your day. Rinse often and rinse well. Having a different mitt for the top, side and wheels of the car is highly recommended. Remember that the soap makes it all. It isn't there to make pretty foam (Unless its in a foam gun!), its there to lubricate. Don't skimp on a good quality soap! There are much more obsessive tips, but I try to be a realistic black car owner. I know my daily driver will never be perfect, but I try to keep it as close as I can without a divorce. :chuckle: Just keep reading, theres a huge amount of knowledge lurking here.



Great looking car though, keep it that way! Sadly most dealers do a number on most cars before they are sold, that looks in really good condition though from what I can see.
 
Here are the products I use:



Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo



Meguiars big white cotton ended brush



Meguiar Tire Dresser



Meguiar Glass Cleaner



3M Yellow MF

Meguiars Green MF



I have a Karcher, can I still use it with the black paint? I use it always from a long distance.



BTW . . . which is the foam gun you would recomend (links would me appreciated)
 
Paint prep first (Polish/SMR/ or good AIO). Then, Danase Wet Glaze is my black car's best friend, followed by LSP of your choice.
 
I work almost exclusively on black cars (just my luck). The one thing I would definitely recommend is investing in a foam gun. Accumulator suggested this to me many months ago and I must say that ALL my wash induced marring stopped the day I started using the foam gun and a sheepskin mitt. Next to my circular polisher, my foam gun is my most important detailing tool.



2007 C-63 Mercedes AMG (black)

2005 C-6 Corvette (black)

2004 Mercedes C320 (black)

2004 Infinity G35X (black)
 
Richardhaunter said:
Here are the products I use:



Meguiars Gold Class Shampoo



Meguiars big white cotton ended brush..



I have a Karcher, can I still use it with the black paint? I use it always from a long distance.



BTW . . . which is the foam gun you would recomend (links would me appreciated)
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Welcome to Autopia!



The GC shampoo doesn't have enough lubricity for *me*, though others like it. If you want to use a Meguiar's shampoo, I'd go with their #62 if possible. But I always use Griot's...pricey stuff though.



I'd get several wash mitts (get real sheepskin) so you can get a clean one if something ends up soiling the one you're using. I also recommend Boar's Hair Brushes (BHBs) for the initial passes. Used with a foamgun, they get the "big stuff" off and rinse clean enough for even gritty winter messes; the foamgun provides constant flushing and lubrication- you spray the "foam" at the point where the BHB/mitt contacts the paint.



Good BHBs are generally too gentle to do the whole wash by themselves unless the vehicle is just barely dirty.



CD-test any wash/dry media and do it properly (there are some good posts on this that're worth searching for. For that matter, there are some good posts on washing, including perhaps my thread on wash techniques in the Hall of Fame forum).



Move the wash media in short, interupted, "jiggling" motions rather than long swipes. That way if you *do* get marring, it'll be short little flaws instead of long sweeping scratches.



Yeah, you could use your Karcher to do a pre-wash...the same idea as with the BHBs. Use it to knock the big stuff off the paint, but be careful to stand back a ways. There are "foam cannon" attachments for the Karcher that will give a good pre-soak.



The foamguns that I and others use are made by Gilmour. They are sold under various names (Butcher's, Wolfgang, Simple Green, and others). Check out We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store and Danase (sorry, can't find my link for that one, but I'd like to steer business Bob's way).
 
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