derty01

I need some tips because my black vette is driving me insane. Swirls here and there and it just seems impossible to keep them off. I have a PC with m105 and m205 but might order a flex not sure.

I just need a great setup to maintaining my black vette to it's best. What products should I look into buying? I just can not stand minor swirls marks but I do not want to correct every month either. On the edge of buying a master blaster to dry as that will reduce swirls.

Licit

Or just get a good electric leaf blower, got mine for $65 at Wal Mart and it works great. I had to sell my master blaster because on hi it would blow the fuse in my garage consistently. I feel your pain as I just traded in our black 300C we had for 3.5 years. That car always needed to be detailed, once you see it after the full detail you just can't live with it dirty. Replaced with a new red charger rt, wife would not get the black one. I don't know that a flex will make things that much better, might try some different swirl removers and polishes first.

TA

Black is, hands down, the best looking color when cleaned and properly detailed, but its also the biggest pita to keep that way. I can deal with black on a garage queen/weekend toy, but I'll never buy another black DD.

chasboland

I concur, but, as time goes by it becomes easier to deal with a little dust here and there. I use my leaf blower to blow off the dust in between washes to help minimize the accumulation of dust etc.

Bottom line for me is, I bought black knowing it is hard to keep looking perfect all the time but I would not change it for any other color period.

Jim Shearer

Use a boar's hair brush to wash. That helped me a lot. I have been using this one for about 4 years http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

This is a good deal if you need a bucket. I found a large bucket to be better than a standard round bucket. http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

Also, I had been using a regular DA but switched to a Flex. MUCH easier to use. I too used Meguiar's 105/205 but now use Meguiar's Ultimate Polish. I find it easier to use and looks great on black.

chupr0kabra

I think owners of black cars have to learn to either constantly maintaining their cars, or learn to live with the little blemishes. Personally, I've chosen to constantly maintain, because it's "my therapy". My wife and friends give me grief when I say things like, "I almost drove the Vette to work today, but it was too dirty", but that's just the way I'm wired. I can't stand to drive a dirty car.

As for tips, I think changing your washing and drying techniques would help a lot. I have a MasterBlaster, and it helped a lot. If you can couple that with a water filtration system, it will be very effective. When you're cleaning your car, you have to constantly think about what you're doing. Am I applying too much pressure? Do I have enough lubricity between the mitt and the car's surface? Should I rinse that panel again before I wash it? etc.

As goofy as it sounds, it works. For me, washing my car is more than a routine. It's a hobby. It's very relaxing for me to get up early on a Saturday morning when the wife and kid are still asleep, and spend an hour or so just really cleaning the car.

chasboland: Love your avatar!


-Mike

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

You need to stop the introduction of swirls and then avoid them. It often comes down to proper washing and drying techniques. As yes a Master Blaster can help but not the only item needed. Then using the polishes you have a good buffer should alleviate the swirls and help to control them. A good wax or sealant can help abit too.

op z

California duster every day helps...

Dave1

I'm with you on that....

My life changed after I got rid of my black cars, seriously.......

Virtual Geezer

Garage queen MAYBE --- but no more damned black DDs!

BT ZR1

Do not use a duster you are liley moving dust over the surface.
always use 2 bucket method to wash
use micro fiber, and change often leaf blower to dry or clean microfiber
always use alot of soap, a foam gun is great
do not wash in sun or when surface is hot
resist temptation to remove dust or wipe down between washes
swirls can be removed with Pc or flex and megs 105/ 205
there are some imperfections you need to live with
once polished , use a good wax or sealant.

Street Rat

A black vehicle is beautiful when clean. Five minutes later it's dirty.

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

its funny how often you will come back to a black ride after moving away. I think the newer black metallics might be a nice option, too bad it hasnt been offered on Vette.

jdot

I tried Lemon Pledge on a friends suggestion on my black beauty this afternoon and it looks great. Just as shiny as quick detailing spray. Now I'll just wait for the dust to come back 'cause I know it's inevitable. But for the next several hours or so it'll be brighter than usual and that's a plus.

Stan MI

How true !!!!

I think you have to get used to looking at it with kind of only one eye all squinty in low light.

If you have any expectations of being satisfied with how it looks you are bound to find another spot to clean or work on.

It's still the best and my favorite color !! IMHO

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

Finishkare 425 has an anti-static and looks plenty glossy with no wax build up, might be another choice

jdot

One's as good as the other or else we wouldn't all have so many different choices would we?

0Killrwheels@Autogeek

not sure I agree ... there are indeed many products but the outcome can be quite different as can the ingredients and how they react in different environments. Thats why its important to chose the product that bests for you given your needs and desires. Personally, I am not a fan on furniture polishes in car care, but to each their own.

Zralou

Use a belt sander with 60* grit, it'll remove the swirls and gauranteed you'll never see swirls again!!

Sorry, couldn't resist...
I've detailed so many 'black' cars it's not funny.

Sara Lou

Virtual Geezer

Someday soon - I hope -- someone's gonna invent a spray detailer that's loaded with fillers that will temporarily mask the the clearcoat swirls and light scratches that torture us all.