Very Confused Newbie w/Black Truck & Car

M

mcappelli

New member
Ok, simply put...HELP..:yay. I have a new 2013 black Dodge Ram and my son now has a new 2013 black Honda Civic. I have been told that black paint with factory clear coat needs special care. However so many variables out there I am just not sure. :wall

First, some talk of hard black paint -vs- soft black paint and the need for different care. How the hell can I find that out?

Next, I have been told I should "clay" them prior to waxing, others say "Prewax Cleaning Polish" especially for swirl marks. I don't understand the need for that as they are both brand new and should not have swirl marks....yet....:wall

Next is the question of wax -vs- sealer? Again, which should I use. Which gives better/longer protection? Should I use a sealer than a wax? What a hybrid montan sealant?

I was looking at the Blackfire/Blackce products but just not sure just what to use here. Also, honestly, I could not believe the cost...WTF? Man has this stuff changed since my old 87 Chevy Camaro days....:lol2:...

Please, any help/advice you experienced folks out there can give would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks for reading....
 
your new vehicles very well may have factory installed swirls. i have seen many brand new cars that have swirls in the paint

as far as does it need clay..try to baggie test (take a sandwhich bag and put it over your hand and touch the paint and see if it is smooth-if it is rough then you should clay the paint)

soft or hard paint i have no idea but you could probably search around on here or google and figure out what detailers are saying about the hardness or softness of the paint based on your specific vehicles

wax or sealer...why not both? seal the paint and then wax on top of it- you're sure to like the results

as far as the cost of the products...the way it see it, you have about 50k or so in vehicles right there so what is an extra $100 when it comes to picking up quality supplies that will last you some time
think of it this way. if you buy a 16oz bottle of lets say wax, you will probably only use 1oz or so to do your entire vehicle. thats almost 16 times you can wax your vehicle for, lets call it $20
try beating that price at your local wash and swirl- they will charge you 30 or more just for the wax

do some reading around on this site and to go
Autopia Car Care Products - Car Detailing Supplies, Car Wax, Car Polishers, Auto Detailing
they have great articles on there as well and read about some of the products

your journey has only just began, and congrats on the new vehicles...i really like the way dodge did their new rams

-Brandt
 
Just to add to what Brandt said:

For the hard or soft paint it can vary and they only way to really tell is to do a test spot.

Here is a great article to read all about two cars same year same color but one paint was hard and one was soft
Audi Soft Paint - Making Generalizations about Hardness and Softness - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

For waxes and sealant I love both. I use a sealant first and let that cure then add my wax after words. This is called topping.

Here a great thread about the 5 step cycle
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...om/36914-autopia-5-step-paint-care-cycle.html

This thread explains what paint defects are and what they look like
http://www.autopiaforums.com/forums...6769-detail-institute-what-paint-defects.html

As for Blackfire it can be confusing but one thing people love is the BLACKFIRE Duo This gives you a great compound and an excellent polish. Now being that you car is new you need to examine the paint and determine what you have as far as defects.

Most dealerships end up detailing your brand new car and cause swirls, scratches, DISO (Dealer Installed Swirl Option) and holograms if they are using a rotary to polish the paint.

Of you only have light swirls and scratches then you may only need a polish.

Its best to examine your paint out in the sun and take some photos of what you see and we can better help you. :rockon
 
mcappelli said:
Ok, simply put...HELP..:yay. I have a new 2013 black Dodge Ram and my son now has a new 2013 black Honda Civic. I have been told that black paint with factory clear coat needs special care. However so many variables out there I am just not sure. :wall

BLACK PAINT IS NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER PAINT, BUT IT SHOWS DEFECTS (SWIRLS AND SCRATCHES) MORE THAN ANY OTHER COLOR. CAREFUL WASHING WITH THE PROPER TOOLS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP YOU CAN TAKE.

First, some talk of hard black paint -vs- soft black paint and the need for different care. How the hell can I find that out?

AS OTHERS METIONED SOME PAINTS ARE SOFT OTHERS ARE HARD. GENERALLY SPEAKING HONDA'S HAVE SOFTER PAINT, BUT ONLY A TEST SPOT WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF POLISHING PADS AND POLISHES WILL TELL THE TRUE HARDNESS OR SOFTNESS OF THE PAINT.

Next, I have been told I should "clay" them prior to waxing, others say "Prewax Cleaning Polish" especially for swirl marks. I don't understand the need for that as they are both brand new and should not have swirl marks....yet....:wall

CLAY REMOVES ABOVE SURFACE CONTAMINENTS LIKE IMBEDDED BRAKE DUST AND RAIL DUST PARTICLES. IN ADDITION BELOW SURFACE IRON PARTICLES SHOULD BE REMOVED WITH PRODUCTS LIKE IRON X. -PREWAX CLEANERS DO NOT REMOVE THIS TYPE OF CONTAMINATION.
SWIRLS AND SCRATCHES ARE MOST LIKELY PRESENT ON YOUR FINISH IF YOU ALLOWED THE DEALER TO PREP THE CAR AND/OR YOU HAVE NOT BEEN USING PROPER WASH TECHNIQUE. REALISTICALLY THESE CAN ONLY BE REMOVED WITH A DUAL ACTION RANDOM ORBITAL POLISHER LIKE THE GRIOTS, MEGS OR PORTER CABLE (THERE ARE OTHERS OFCOURSE) AND ABRASIVE COMPOUNDS/POLISHES AND A VARIETY OF POLISHING PADS.

Next is the question of wax -vs- sealer? Again, which should I use. Which gives better/longer protection? Should I use a sealer than a wax? What a hybrid montan sealant?

SEALANTS ARE USUALLY POLYMER BASED, BOND TO THE PAINT, ARE VERY DURABLE AND PRODUCE A "GLASSY" LOOK. WAXES (CARNUBA OR MONTAN) SIT ON TOP OF THE PAINT, ARE LESS DURABLE (USUALLY ONLY A FEW WEEKS) AND PRODUCE A DEEP, WET LOOK. HYBRIDS CONTAIN A SEALANT AND WAX AND OFFER THE BEST OF BOTH. MANY OF US WILL APPLY A SEALANT FOR LONG TERM PROTECTION TOPPED WITH A WAX FOR A BETTER LOOK. IN ADDITION THERE ARE COATINGS AVAILABLE THAT PROVIDE PROTECTION FROM 1-10 YEARS THAT CAN BE DONE DIY.

I was looking at the Blackfire/Blackce products but just not sure just what to use here. Also, honestly, I could not believe the cost...WTF? Man has this stuff changed since my old 87 Chevy Camaro days....:lol2:...
THERE ARE MANY GOOD PRODUCTS OUT THERE--SOME MORE EXPENSIVE THAN OTHERS. DURAGLOSS PRODUCTS ARE KNOWN FOR THEIR HIGH QUALITY AT VERY REASONABLE COSTS.

Please, any help/advice you experienced folks out there can give would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks for reading....
Click to expand...

HERE'S A LINK TO ARTICLES AND VIDEOS BY MIKE PHILLIPS THAT MAY HELP ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE. YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO CONSIDER PURCHASING HIS BOOK MENTIONED IN THE ARTICLE.
Articles by Mike Phillips - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum

IF YOU'RE NOT UP TO GETTING INVOLVED IN THIS "DETAILING" WORLD THE BEST THING YOU COULD DO IS MAKE SURE YOU ARE USING PROPER WASHING TECHNIQUE, THEN FIND A REPUTABLE PRO DETAILER TO REMOVE THE SWIRLS AND SCRATCHES, APPLY A SEALANT, WAX OR COATING AND THEN DO YOUR BEST TO NOT RE-INTALL THE SWIRLS.

GOOD LUCK!!
 
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