Geo Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 OK, I have read and re-read instructions of how to clean a car. Every other article seems to bad mouth the previous articles use of polish, wax, etc. So in a nut shell, can you guys give me a EASY way or link to get a "how to" or "good" products to get for black cars. Again, I don't have lots of time to detail. Car is garaged and is dusted clean. Wash ? Polish ? Wax ? Quick Detail ? Thanks and sorry to beat a dead horse... I'm kind of dense. George Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 Check out all the how to's over at www.lexuscarcare.com they'll give you a good baseline. Basically with black just just have to be very careful, use a high quality sheepskin mitt, two buckets (one for rinsing) and don't touch the car unless its with a soapy mitt (no dusting). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermate Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 my car is really dark green, u have to take extra care with dark colors this is what i do wash---meguair's car wash/ high quality mit dry--- California water blade and sheep skin shimmy magic clay bar----quick deatiler color X---buffer/foam pad show car glaze--buffer---foam pad NXT---hand--foam applicator hand buff all products off with microfiber towel. i never use terry on black take your time!!!! do it right!!! you'll thank yourself later ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermate Posted April 12, 2004 Share Posted April 12, 2004 also you can find all those products i have listed at pep boys or equivelent no ordering neccesary i also reccomend going to walmart first, as you can get the NXT wax and Color X for 2-3 dollars cheaper. but pep boys for the rest as walmart doesn't carry meguirars proffesional products, just the general products Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocigar Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 What is the color x product? thx! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRP Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Suggest you go to http://www.autopia.org/index.php .This is a detailing board with in depth articles, discussions, etc. about all aspects of proper car detailing. (Many by professional detailiers) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Autopia runs our detailing store, many of the articles can be found at www.lexuscarcare.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermate Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 What is the color x product? thx! its a relatively new product from meguiar's, it has nothing to do actually with color, nothing like that old color product turtle wax used to carry it kind of has some of the same qualities as scratch X as far as removing fine scratches and unwanted blemishes, but at the same time it will bring out a deep luster as well, very much so if you have metalic flake in you paint Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRP Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 I don't think there's really an easy way to just "wash" a dark colored car. Detailing a dark colored car can be tedious since dark colors make any flaws show up. But dark colors do look great when done properly. So use quality products to justify your intensive labor. All of us have our favorite products and "cleaning proceedures", but the real key seems to be in the preparation of the surface. My favoite car cleaning product line is Zaino (for my Black Excalibur, Red Buick Reatta, and Silver Lexus), check those out at www.zainostore.com Read the application tips as well as the product info. Much of the info is applicable to almost any product line. And if you do it right the first time, maintaining a beautiful appearance will be much easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermate Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 HRP is very right :D everyone has his or her take on whats the BEST product, but in all reality just use which one you prefer and go with it. i like to experiment with different products too. :) but the quality of the work as far as prep is the biggest issue, take your time and do it right the first time, then the maintenece will be a heck of a lot easier give her a good run through with the clay bar for sure. with black make sure to always dry the car as soon as you are done washing it, cause those water spots will start creeping up on you with a lighter color car water spots really just arent' that prevelant. or you just can't see em either way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted April 13, 2004 Share Posted April 13, 2004 Dark colors ARE tedious (no can be lol) but they're the most rewarding when done IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRP Posted April 14, 2004 Share Posted April 14, 2004 Thanks for the vote of confidence, Silvermate. Sometimes we all get hung up on our favorite product and forget that the hard work and time you put into the prep before applying the polish/wax/sealant/glaze is what really makes the finished job look really great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
445187 Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 :D I want to thank everyone for the ideas about washing the black cars. I bought the microfiber towels, the california water blade (which I never would have considered without the recommendation, but it is awesome) & the colorx. I am very happy with the results. I also bought the lexol cleaner & preservative, I havent used it on the car yet, but did do my Italian Leather Sofa & it looks great . Now I have more questions... the bottle isn't very clear, I am assuming colorx ISN'T a wax right? Do I need to wax after colorx? So zaino is the best/easiest wax... Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermate Posted April 20, 2004 Share Posted April 20, 2004 Now I have more questions... the bottle isn't very clear, I am assuming colorx ISN'T a wax right? Do I need to wax after colorx? So zaino is the best/easiest wax... great!!! i bet it looks really good, feel free to post some pics :D technically Color X is a one step product..... however, i peronally don't use it that way, i use it as a cleaner/polish, (its great for the step after claybar)... then follow with a glaze and then your favorite sealant wax.....( i use NXT, but everyone has his/her own favorite) colinite,zaino, zymol,meguiar's, mothers, ect............ just experiment with different sealant waxes, if you ask the members whats the best, easiest wax to use you will have 30 different responses and oppinions actually that has already been posted in the past.....you can do a search if you really need suggestions on a wax. good luck :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jocigar Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 guys, is the new colorX a replacement for meg.#9 swirl remover... sorry to keep asking about the same product. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silvermate Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 guys, is the new colorX a replacement for meg.#9 swirl remover... sorry to keep asking about the same product. no its not a replacement. the swirl remover is a professional paint cleaning prodcut mostly intended for buffer and or rotary use. the Color X is also a cleaner but it is listed as a one step product for swirls, small scratches ect.... and for a wax, but i use it for a cleaner, (works great). it is also intended for use by hand (no need for a machine to break down product) unlike the swirl remover. hope this helps clarify :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRP Posted April 21, 2004 Share Posted April 21, 2004 So zaino is the best/easiest wax... Zaino is not a "wax", but a sealant. It sounds like you've done the hard work, preparing the finish. Sealants last much longer than most waxes. Everyone has their favorite, which is why there are so many. I'm a "Zaino Zealot" and prefer their products. If you go to the Autopia website (a detailing enthusiast's site), specifically this thread: http://www.autopia.org/forums/showthread.p...&threadid=36157 you will find at least 5 pages of posts discussing Zaino vs NXT (another excellent product), along with comments about other comparable sealants, etc. You'll probably find more info there than you want to know. Zaino (Z-5 if you have swirls and light scratches, Z-2 if the finish is how you want it) has one extra step. You will need to add ZFX to the Z-5 or Z-2 to speed up the hardening process and to avoid the need for adding a "pre-sealant (the old Z-1). Check out the Zaino application site: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mercha...ode=APPLICATION We OCD (obcessive compulsive detailers) get quite impassioned about our favorite products; but all of us agree that the hard work is the preparation, not the application, of the final sealant/wax/glaze/polish. The final coat is the "icing on the cake". But don't forget the vinyl protectant, "dressing" the wheelwells, tire dressing, and cleaning the glass. Too often those final "touches" are omitted, leaving a clean nice looking job, but not an outstanding one that really draws attention and compliments, and makes you look back at your car with pride every time you park it, even in your own garage. In fact, Just for giggles about looking back at your car, check out this thread on the Buick Reatta discussion group: http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/showflat.ph...sb=5&o=&fpart=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted April 22, 2004 Share Posted April 22, 2004 The Z5 isn't going to fix your swirl problem though, they must be buffed out ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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