donq

Ok, so this is my first black car. It looks great but there are some scratches on the roof from the previous owner. Any tips on reducing those scratches. I bought some of that Maguire's scratch removal stuff but haven't tried it yet.

Also, any tips on caring for a black car in general? Someone told me to make it look good you need to keep the chrome and other trim items clean and then the whole car looks clean despite the black showing dust and water marks (when observed closely). Cheers

dq

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

we have this wonderful wash and wax section, which you can read all about the different processes of scratch removal. you can also you tube this process.


i'll give you a short summary.
you cannot remove scratches by hand. your hand simply cant create enough force to remove scratches.
the meguiars scratch removal you bought is more of a filler.
it will fill in the scratches.
only a polishing machine can get those out, and even then if the scratches can be felt with your fingernail, they are too deep.

and who ever told you that a black car will look clean if the chrome is clean is silly.

you should be washing your car with the two bucket method with grit guards.
you can youtube this process.
basically, a wash bucket and a rinse bucket.

ALWAYS keeping your wash mitt/media clean and free of debris.
DEBRIS CAUSES scratches.

p.s. NEVER SPOT CLEAN! always always always do a full wash.
spot cleaning is the devil and will marr and scratch your paint.
this means; leave your car dirty until you are ready/prepared to wash.

p.s. Did i mention that there are youtube videos?

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

In addition to what Justin said, polish and wax regularly. I polish every 8 months and wax every 4 (all by hand) but some may recommend it even more often.

This has kept my paint looking basically brand new and helps when it's dirty as it appears clean from a distance.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^ i didnt even go into waxing as i felt my story book of a response was too much for him.

there's always youtube.

HeartTLs

iTrader: (5)

Get ready to be a slave to CBP and once you fall in love with how clean and mint your car can be, get your checkbook out because supplies/equipment will run you 5-700 easy.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

its a never ending cycle. the product runs out and you're back to spending coin on supplies!!

07BLKTL

Here is a pretty decent guide, I don't use/follow all of this; but most of it is pretty damn solid.

http://www.detailedimage.com/Ask-a-P...-pearl-part-1/

donq

I wanted to start a black car specific thread and couldn't find one in any TL forum. Any advice for or against automatic carwashes? Where I live, the winters pretty much prevent any outdoor hand carwashing...

dq

ucf_bronco

iTrader: (1)

ABSOLUTELY avoid automatic car washes! That includes the "no touch" ones.

Also avoid having the dealer wash your car. Tell them specifically when you drop it off that you do not want them to wash it. They should even put a note somewhere in the car, not just on your paperwork.

potmilkz

good clay bar

2 bucket method

foam cannon + pressure washer

good car shampoo and a really good cleaning mitt.. that would be your best way to avoid swirls when washing.

to keep cbp clean you will need buy the whole polishing equipment.. go with microfiber pads.. you atleast need a porter cable with some 6 inch and 3 inch pads and backing plate.

i use m105 and m205 polishes, they finish down on cbp really good.

follow up with opticoat (for experienced detailers only) and your car should be sealed and good for some time

floridaseabee

Second on the Opti Coat. I had a detailer come out and do a paint correction on ours, and seal it right after.

AntSauce

iTrader: (2)

I use Black Fire Wet Diamond and works like a charm. But go about it the proper way and wash, clay, wash, polish, seal, wax! Welcome to the headbreaking world of CBP!

potmilkz

wash, clay, wash, polish, alcohol wipedown , seal, wax!

Steven Bell

iTrader: (2)

Don, once you get your TL looking perfect, consider coating it with 22PLE.

PeterPort

I recommend you get some rubbing compound of different grades and with your hand starting with the fine, and then coarser as needed moving in the direction of the scratch.

OTown

On a weekly basis I use the coin operated pressure washer ones. Don't use the brush, spray with water and/or water and soap, underbody, wheel arches and when necessary, the body. I try and pick the warmest day but if it's horrendously cold I will push it out a little. There's one local to me and the cat goes in an insulated garage after to minimise freezing of the water in the wash.

If the car needs to look good in winter, do the above then ONR at home. Personally, I wouldn't bother.



Black is the best looking colour when clean but what a pain it is to maintain. I like Poorboys black hole glaze.

C8N

I forgot where I heard this but...
you don't own a black car.... it owns you!

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

as a car enthusiast, any color car owns me, as I'm constantly tending to it. whether it be maintenance, modifications, or taking care of the paint

OTown

Amen!

PaulAWD

Be careful of rubbing compounds. They scratch the finish. Unless you know how to machine buff I would pay someone who knows what they are doing to polish if the scratches are that bad. Otherwise I recommend using Meguiar's hand glaze #7 and follow up with Meguiar's carnuba wax #26. The glaze puts the oils back into the paint for a deep shine and also removes minor scratches and the wax seals it in. It's quick, easy and will look like new again. Good luck.

C8N

Meg's M07 will fill in the scratches and it is only a temporary fix.
Nothing wrong with that but just to let the OP know.

With the right tools, products and a little bit of know-how, polishing paint is rather simple that IMO any DIY'er can do.

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

^we need to do a better job of the unifying the terms or making them more clear.

with marketing it makes it hard; polish,wax sealant, etc.

but after one learns the correct terms, it's pretty easy.

Cu2Suspect

Black cars are hard to keep clean and scratch free

Do as most said and go with a two bucket wash method....

Also chemicalguys.com is your friend

I've spent over 400 in the last month or two getting my arsenal ready

C8N

Having everyone agree to 1 term per item is the difficult part.
For example... what is detailing anyways?

Jesstzn

In reality the 2 bucket method is over rated and is a good marketing ploy to get you to buy product as is the DIYs provided by vendors.

I have owned most colors including black and I do maintain a few black and show quality paints. A single bucket with a grit guard ( mine is home made ) and a really good quality sheepskin wash mitt and a decent soap with good lubricity is all that's needed. The mitt will release any grit with a couple of swishes and it will settle to the bottom. Any "color" in the water is too fine to mar anything using proper wash mitt pressure. And that's another mistake people make , they feel the need to "scrub" the paint. In fact all that's needed is the weight of the mitt. Its better to use 4 or 5 soft pressure passes than 2 full on press hard passes.

As for keeping the chrome clean making the black look clean, I think the person that said this got it wrong. Keeping the tires, windows , trim clean and dressed will help a "clean " black car look better. But you can have the cleanest black car out there and all the above dirty and it will look at best "average"

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

taking care of the little itty bitty details, duh!

donq

That's actually what he told me, I just summarized what he said and it lost clarity.

Anyway, it's raining today so maybe my car is getting a bit of a natural carwash :-P. The underground parking at my place is inordinately dusty-- you should see my motorbike after a few months of being parked! (and that one even has a cover on it!)

dq

C8N

Some people will say detailing is deep cleaning
Some people will say detailing must involve polishing
Who is right? I dunno

All I know is, I like it when my car is shinny

Jesstzn

Only if it needs it ..


To me its paying attention to THE details and what needs to be done and doing it .. no sense throwing a coat of wax on it then leaving all the rest dirty ..

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

hence why we call it detailing./
making sure to take care of the all the details.

stogie1020

I think I began my career at Azine with a very similar thread! Might have been my first post.

Welcome!

Kojiii

Try ultimate compound for light scratches tr3 resin glaze also works well. Forms a layer of resin to protect your clear

stogie1020

freeflowing

I recommend a silca gel from the dealer first to protect the paint..Had it on my last TL and it stayed flawless

stogie1020

Please give us some details on the actual product and the costs, etc...

I have not heard of the silica gel. Silica is basically sand.

Was this the standard dealer add-on of "paint protection"?

freeflowing

Yes that is correct.. Honda and Acura dealers should offer you this paint protection. I live i the DC metro area by the way not sure if they offer it anywhere else. I found it alot easier to maintain a car with minimal effort.

I got a quote yesterday for 995 at Rosenthal Acura but that is too high... It should run between 700-900. Going to search a couple more dealers to find a better deal

Jesstzn

99% of those protection plans are no more than a $8 kid in the shop adding a sealant that is worth $3 and you pay ... they all have great names and warranties that are so full of loop holes you cant claim on them.

Have you had this applied to your car(s)?

freeflowing

Yes on 3 of my past Acuras..Very effective i must say. This is a Honda product from what the dealers are saying in my area.

Jesstzn

I can't find anything on it at all .. I just bought 2 new Hondas in the last year and all they offered was the sealant like I posted above.

Silica gel is the stuff you find in little packets in electronics to absorb moisture.

Sure if they put a sealant on your car its easier to maintain as long as it lasts .. if its something like CQuarts that's a different story ..

freeflowing

Sorry I cant be more of a help. All i can tell you is what it is called on my old service order contract. It last about 8 years and Honda dealership sell it in my area.

http://rosenthalacura.com/cilajet/

here's a link that will help i think. looks like they have a improved formula now that last 10 years.