Question for those with black cars

[SuperCyrix]

How often do you have to wash your cars to keep them clean?

Way too often, I beginning to suspect that the color black somehow attracts dirt and bird droppings

Do you ever wish you got a different color that was easier to maintain?

All the time. BTW, it's also hell to get in during the summer. Black Cars heats up faster.

 

[Maverick]

I always run into the problem of it raining soon after I wash my car. I usually end up washing when I refill the tank.

 

[arcain]

I own a Brilliant Black TT. Looks awesome when clean. After more than a year, I still love the way my TT looks. However if you are a perfectionist or a bit obsessive, I'd stay away from black. There will be swirls, waterspots, and chips everywhere.. except you'll be the only one that really notices them (unless other people are looking really closely).

And yes.. sprinklers with high calcium content suck. I nearly cried getting them out of my car.

I wash and wax my car by hand roughly once a month, and drive it through a touchless car wash to touch up whenever necessary (maybe once a week).

 

[gopunk]

yep, never had a black car, never will.... my parents taught me well

 

[SerraYX]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
There are two colors for a car. Red or black.

Amen!

 

[N8Magic]

Much like vi_edit, the only way I could keep my black car clean was to sell it and buy a blue car.

Black = :maintenance: X 89475396598759385789375983658943

 

[hungrypete]

i have no garage so i have to park my truck outside near some trees. It's 'clean' lifespan is about 4-24 hours

 

[photek44]

I hate having a black car it gets dirty just sitting in my garage. I'm a noob to atot, steveo keeps talking about it so I thought I would try it.

 

[stev0]

and it's stev0...

don't j00 forget it

 

[Bluefront]

There is one big advantage to a black car.....the touch-up paint matches. Black is black.

That being said, get a silver car. Hardly ever looks dirty, doesn't heat up nearly a bad as a red or black car. Who likes cleaning and waxing all the time anyway?

 

[Sealy]

Originally posted by: Bluefront

That being said, get a silver car. Hardly ever looks dirty, doesn't heat up nearly a bad as a red or black car. Who likes cleaning and waxing all the time anyway?

You've never met my fiance!

 

[NetCadet]

Black is hard to clean, but god it's beautiful when it is.

Amen.

<-- Proud owner of a 2002 Honda Accord Couple EX-L 5spd. in Nighthawk Black Pearl.

FYI: I hand-wash with a 100% Australian sheepskin mit, clay with Mothers clay system, go over the whole car with Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish, followed by Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze, followed finally by as many coats of Meguiars #26 Hi-Tech Yellow carnuba I can get on there before it's so dirty I've got to do it all over again.

 

[prontospyder]

I'll only get a black car if it's significantly cheaper.

Current colors for my cars:
White, Gold, Polished Pewter.

 

[pcmodem]

Yo,
This actually has been an informative thread, was not aware of the swirl and chip problems with black paint jobs.

Was thinking of a black 2003 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro, but will now likely steer toward the Dolphin Gray or Light Silver Metallic.


Thanks,
PCM

 

[prontospyder]

FYI: I hand-wash with a 100% Australian sheepskin mit, clay with Mothers clay system, go over the whole car with Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish, followed by Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze, followed finally by as many coats of Meguiars #26 Hi-Tech Yellow carnuba I can get on there before it's so dirty I've got to do it all over again.

Wow...how many hours does that take?

I wash, clay, and use finish first polish and I think that process takes long enough already.

 

[Beau]

Silver is pretty good a looking good all the time, though water spots can be a problem.

 

[NetCadet]

Originally posted by: prontospyder

FYI: I hand-wash with a 100% Australian sheepskin mit, clay with Mothers clay system, go over the whole car with Meguiars Dual Action Cleaner Polish, followed by Meguiars #7 Show Car Glaze, followed finally by as many coats of Meguiars #26 Hi-Tech Yellow carnuba I can get on there before it's so dirty I've got to do it all over again.

Wow...how many hours does that take?

I wash, clay, and use finish first polish and I think that process takes long enough already.

Heh heh - probably about 5-7 hours (with one coat of wax) which is not bad doing everything by hand. After that, every week or so I tend to do a light hand wash (with Meguiars car wash soap) and add another coat of wax until everything starts to lose its shine....then I do the whole thing over again using Dawn instead of car wash soap to strip the wax off right down to clearcoat.

Yes, it takes time, but I only do "the big one" about 4-6 times a year and the way my car looks afterwards makes it all worthwhile...not to mention that my paint is thoroughly protected and should maintain this look for as long as I own it.

For the record, every car will develop microscratches and swirl marks. Yes, black cars (and other dark colors) show them far more than others (silver shows the least, IMO). Proper cleaning will minimize the development of swirl marks, and a little maintenance can remove or at least hide them with little effort.

Even though it's a lot of extra work, I think that every car I purchase from now on will be black.
Nothing beats the look of a freshly washed, polished and waxed black car.

 

[TallBill]

way to much work for me i've taken a car through a carwash like.. twice.. ever

 

[Doggiedog]

NetCadet, since you seem knowledgeable about waxing, I was wondering if you've heard of these guys.

People seem to rave about their products and I'm wondering if it is worth the premium to buy their stuff.

 

[PeeluckyDuckee]

We just got a new black 2002 Oldsmobile Intrigue, it gets quite dusty leaving it in the garage. But when clean does look really nice. A wet look is best Watermarks aren't really noticeable from afar.

If you don't mind the upkeep required, go ahead and get black. WIth other colors like light blue or green, it can make your car appear dated very very quickly, especially when exposed to the sun day in day out. Black is better in that regard, and if you sell, can only be beneficial to your asking price.

If you're a perfectionist, I don't think you'll be happy with black.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have a black Jeep and it gets dusty pretty fast. I would suggest getting the silver unless you keep it washed and waxed on a weekly basis, drive on clean roads, and always park it in a garage.

 

[LH]

Black car in a Texas summer, now thats what Im talking about... Heh sure its hot for a minute or two, but thats it.

 

[MazerRackham]

I wouldn't get a black car unless you have a garage to help keep it clean. I have a black Civic, but here at school there aren't any covered stalls or garages of course, so my car stays clean for roughly an hour before it starts looking like crap again.

I love the color black on cars, but I won't get another unless I have a garage. Almost any other color will look cleaner much longer than a black car.

 

[NetCadet]

Originally posted by: Doggiedog
NetCadet, since you seem knowledgeable about waxing, I was wondering if you've heard of these guys.

People seem to rave about their products and I'm wondering if it is worth the premium to buy their stuff.

I've heard great things about the Zaino care systems, though I have never actually used any of their products myself. Zaino and Meguiars are often (and arguably) regarded as the best car care systems out there - you certainly can't go wrong with either of them.

Check out the Autopia Forums (dedicated to car detailing and this type of discussion) for their thoughts on Zaino:
http://autopia.ws/index.php

 

[yhdd]

I just ordered a Black 2003 Explorer XLT......after readin this im thinkin i should went with a red or somethin cause i barely ever washed my previous car(2002 Yellow Ford Escape)