Just wondering if anyone has any tips on keeping a black car looking good. I've only had my car a week but it seems like a ridiculous task to keep it looking good, and i've barely driven the thing so far and so far its been in the garage!!!

 

Wax the chit out of it, don't drive it, and keep it in a bubble!!!

 

Sunset is when black cars shine.

 

keeping it clean is the easy part...its the scratches that will kill ya. Microfiber towels work great.

 

Shoulda got a white one

but that may or may not have been a good thing

 

Word to keeping it in a bubble

Black is a pain to keep clean but damn it looks good. If you don't already have one get a California car duster. Don't use anything but microfiber to wipe your car with. Like Mike said its not hard to keep clean, the challenge is keeping you paint swirl free. Swirls are a *****!

 

I just happened to be trolling around in Autopia.org last night and remembered this post when I seen yours on here: Autopia Car Detailing Forum - black is driving me nuts
I don't know if you've ever heard of this site, but you may find it very helpful to surf around their forums.

 

Don't drive it!

Mine just gets dusty from being in the garage. I just use the california duster to remove it, nice and simple.

After a drive, to get the light dirt off it, or to remove bugs on the bumper, I wipe the car down with a quick detailer to give that "just waxed" look. My QD of choice is Clearkote Quik Shine or Meguairs quick detalier in the maroon bottle.

 

Yeah autopia has all the information you will ever need when it comes to detailing lol. Sometimes I feel like my head is going to explode after reading the forums. A lot of good stuff. I just ordered the Menzerna twins and some Tropicare to keep my black paint lookin good

 

I had a black on black Iroc and I hated it. I could wash it 20 times a day and it would still be dirty (dust magnet) someone needs to invent a de-magnetizing agent for vehicles: nod:

 

The California Duster is a black car owner's best friend.

 

Doesnt that californa duster scratch your paint really really bad. I dont know i never had one but i cant see how it doesnt... Is it only for cars that are garaged and like the overnight dust you use it on?

Thanks,

 

Nix the car duster...it does lwave scratches. I've been washing my convertible at the wash it yourself places and NEVER use the brush.....only the soapy spray and rinse. Sometimes I wash it in the driveway with hose and soft cloth with good car soap. Use good wax too, a couple times per year

 

I use a california car duster and have had no problems with scratches, but would highly recommend only using micro-fiber towels for anything that will touch your paint. The more wax you keep on it the better water spots and things will move off which makes it much easier to keep clean.

Very sexy car BTW!!!

 

tips on how to keep a black car clean? paint it white.., serious.

 

Do exactly what IROCThe5.7L said, and use Meguairs quick detalier in the maroon bottle. That's what I use for a fast wipe-down.

 

Black is a pain to keep clean, and whats worse I can compair it to my last car, a white 90 Firebird. I wash my car just about every weekend, Either Friday or Saturday. I always wash it around 6PM when the sun has set. The water/soap doesn't dry as fast and I have more time to get it just right. Normally by Monday its full of dust. I keep a clean micro cloth inside just for dusting it off before I leave for work.

Bottom line, its an endless battle, and the dust wins

 

Paint swirls are the DEVIL!!!

Better start making it a daily routine to wax her for 3 hours.

 

Ah man, what happened to your white Z03? Well, Im glad you came back with another heritage, and because of that, you dont have many colors to choose from. Yes, black is a bitch, every particle of dust shows up, every bug etc. You learn to deal with it and get over it driving you nuts. It was terrible after mine came out of paint, I almost lost my mind. With mine being a daily driver, I have to wash when I can and not sweat it so much. I carry a microfiber rag for those door fingerprints and use a lamb skin rag to dry (almost squeegee) the car after a wash.
After this black one, whatever car I get next whether its a 53 merc or a 01 dodge pickup WILL BE WHITE!

 

California Duster works great. My preference is using Eagle 1 Wet spray detailer. Also, I use Liquid Glass instead of the conventional waxes (and yes they are pretty much all the same). This stuff is great and after the 2 preliminary coats the car looks like it was just clearcoated! Anything after that is gravy and just adds to the appearance (mine currently has 5). Also, a good car cover helps keep the dust off while in the garage or in storage. My car is kept in an open ended car port with two covers and I've never had a problem keeping it clean. Just make sure to go over the car with the duster before you put the cover back on.
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And microfiber towels are a must!!!

 

I totally agree:
- California Car Duster (doesn't scratch!)
- Hit it with a full Meguiar's treatment a few times a year
- Frequently freshen it up with the Meguiar's Quick Detailer

My black Tahoe is my daily driver and is not garaged...Our driveway/parking lot is gravel, so obviously I've given up keeping it clean, but I still give it the treatments.



Ken

 

The bubble for the win!!! I agree with micro fiber towels and detail spray and again you will use them alot. If you are trying to win shows you’re going to have alot of time in detailing your car. I use Liquid glass also it helps a lot with swirl marks. Your answer for what to use is going to be trial and error, different products react different to different paints and colors on the market, stick with good quality name brand and some of them have been discussed on this board you should be fine.. I also use a California duster, when using it don’t drag the duster hard on the surface, just catch the very ends of the duster on the surface. The only thing bad about the duster is if its really warm and sunny outside it will leave wax residue on the surface on a black car you will have to use detail spray and micro fiber towels to finish the job. Just remember when a black car is clean, it makes all other colors look good, that is in your cars reflection!