Washing and waxing a black car

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Vortex22

Diamond Member
Sep 6, 2000
4,976
1
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Is it true that you should use specially formulated wax for black cars? I have heard conflicting stories about this, some saying to just use whatever you would use for any other color (I used Zymol on my old white car), and some who say that you need to buy a special "black paint" wax. From a cursory search, it looks like there are a crapton of different black car wash/wax products for sale, so that's making me think there is some actual truth to this.

As the new owner of a black car, I'd like to get it right from the start. Can anyone with experience caring for black paint shed some light?
 
thescreensavers

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
No such thing as special wax for specific colors. Turtle wax has that black box. but its crap. you are waxing clear coat not the paint.

Meguiars NXT Tech Wax 2.0 or what the poster above me work amazingly on a Black car.

This is NXT 2.0

thescreensavers-albums-garage-my-g-picture26715-a.jpg
 
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Throckmorton

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
Tech Wax sucks. I never had it last more than a few weeks.

I switched to NuFinish. It's a synthetic polymer that is supposed to last a year if you do 2 coats a month apart... will have to see how it works. But it's not as glossy as a wax.
 
V

Vortex22

Diamond Member
Sep 6, 2000
4,976
1
81
These are the kind of conflicting opinions I was talking about!

The dealer detailed it before I picked it up, and it looks really good right now, although there are some faint swirls in direct sunlight. It is freshly waxed, I just want to have the right stuff on hand when it comes time to wax again.

I like the glossy "wet" look, so something that maximizes that is a plus.
 
Throckmorton

Throckmorton

Lifer
Aug 23, 2007
16,829
3
0
If I wanted the gloss I'd still use NuFinish, let it cure for at least a week, then wash and apply wax. That way even if the wax comes off the NuFinish still protects the paint.

I was googling reviews for NuFinish before I used it, and I found some car detailing forum (seriously). There were guys there who washed and polished and waxed every month, and even some who did it every WEEK. I wonder if they ever get to enjoy their cars. Don't fall into that trap.

Since I have a 12 year old Jeep I'm mostly concerned with protecting the paint, so I use the NuFinish, and starting now I'll be washing with some Turtle Wax soap that has wax in it (TW wax is a cleaner wax that isn't so good for paint but I hope the stuff in the soap is just plain wax). Time is valuable
 
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R

rootaxs

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 2000
2,487
0
71
Vortex22 said:
Is it true that you should use specially formulated wax for black cars? I have heard conflicting stories about this, some saying to just use whatever you would use for any other color (I used Zymol on my old white car), and some who say that you need to buy a special "black paint" wax. From a cursory search, it looks like there are a crapton of different black car wash/wax products for sale, so that's making me think there is some actual truth to this.

As the new owner of a black car, I'd like to get it right from the start. Can anyone with experience caring for black paint shed some light?
Click to expand...

It's not that there's wax specially formulated for any color, what they're likely implying is that certain waxes work better with certain colors.

P21s, for example, is great for light colored cars while Natty's Blue produces a shine that just looks better with darker cars. Any wax will give you the shine you want, but the formulation of certain brands seem to give more luster on darker and/or lighter colored paint.
 
SSSnail

SSSnail

Lifer
Nov 29, 2006
17,458
83
86
Damn, all this talks of waxing and stuff got me motivated. I just spent the last 4 hours detailing my car - and Sssnail is happy!

I used Meguiars Gold Class Premium liquid wax, and man that wore me out. But my car is now prettiful again, took a lot of minor scratches off.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
No, there isn't anything special about black that makes one wax particularly better than another. 95% of the appearance of the car has nothing to do with wax anyway.
 
S

speedy2

Golden Member
Nov 30, 2008
1,294
0
71
Get this. A pro detailer recommended it to me.

http://www.autogeek.net/opnoriwash12.html

Use as a wash, clay lubricant, or quick detailer.

Also, the process you use makes a difference, especially with a black car. You don't want to contaminate the rag you're washing the car with. Rinse often or use multiple rags. Don't wash the car with the same rag you use for the wheels, wheel wells, or other places that get a lot of dirt on them.
 
SpatiallyAware

SpatiallyAware

Lifer
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
I use this soap on a real lambswool mitt. They're a pain to take care of but imo are the best at holding suds (the larger sizes are much better deals but a little goes a long way):

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/blacglossham.html


I use one of these in a 5 gallon bucket:

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/gritguard.html


I wash from the top down, rinsing the mitt out (lightly brushing it against the grit guard at the bottom of the bucket) after pretty much every swipe (so swipe, flip, swipe, rinse out). I know a good detailer who taught me this method.

Many people use a 'two bucket' method, where they have a 'dirty rinse' bucket along with a clean soap bucket.


I then dry it with 4 of these (wash with no soap, dry with no fabric softener):

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/mitobigbliii.html



I say all of this because in my opinion these are by far the most important parts of owning a black car. Everyone seems to focus on wax vs polish, etc etc etc when the ideal thing is to avoid scratches from the start.


I had my detailer zaino my car last time, it was so-so. I like the way nxt wax goes on and looks but as others said, it last about 3 weeks.

I'm waiting for this to arrive to try next:

http://classic-motoring.stores.yahoo.net/blacallfinpa.html



I'm not looking forward to removing the zaino.. Has anyone done this before? It seems like I've read that I'm supposed to wipe the entire car down with 91% rubbing alcohol
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
SpatiallyAware said:
I'm not looking forward to removing the zaino.. Has anyone done this before? It seems like I've read that I'm supposed to wipe the entire car down with 91% rubbing alcohol
Click to expand...

All-purpose cleaner generally works well enough, though if you really want to do it well, use Prep-Sol.
 
Capt Caveman

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
Going to wax the new XC60 this weekend, looking around, everyone has their own preferences. Difference between using a carnauba wax compared to one of the easy on/off synthetics? Longevity or will the carnauba wax also provide more protection?
 
43st

43st

Diamond Member
Nov 7, 2001
3,197
0
0
speedy2 said:
Get this. A pro detailer recommended it to me.

http://www.autogeek.net/opnoriwash12.html

Use as a wash, clay lubricant, or quick detailer.

Also, the process you use makes a difference, especially with a black car. You don't want to contaminate the rag you're washing the car with. Rinse often or use multiple rags. Don't wash the car with the same rag you use for the wheels, wheel wells, or other places that get a lot of dirt on them.
Click to expand...

I recently switched to ONR (Optimum No Rinse). I use it on my mica green (might as well be black) car. So far it hasn't added any additional swirls to the paint. I am using a polisher before waxing and I've gone from 'making more swirls' to 'removing more swirls' during my car washes. Last year I was certain I couldn't maintain a black car properly, but I think I've turned the corner. Even using SwirlX was too much elbow grease for too little return.

So ONR, 5 gallon bucket, w/ grit guard, blue Autogeek sponge, and grout sponge. About a dozen microfiber towels for the final ONR wipe. :) :thumbsup: on a black car.

I use NXT for what it's worth.. seems more shiny when it's done than Klasse on a dark finish.
 
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H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Capt Caveman said:
Going to wax the new XC60 this weekend, looking around, everyone has their own preferences. Difference between using a carnauba wax compared to one of the easy on/off synthetics? Longevity or will the carnauba wax also provide more protection?
Click to expand...
Some think carnauba waxes have more "depth", synthetics tend to last a little longer. 98% of the appearance of the paint is the surface quality (smoothness/Ra), so just stick with what is reputable and you'll be OK.

Duragloss 105 is what I've used successfully in the past (on top of 601), but I hear Collinite 845 IW is fantastic as well.
 
V

Viperoni

Lifer
Jan 4, 2000
11,084
1
71
I've used NXT 2.0 with good results. It's supposed to be synthetic and last 4-6 months, dunno how much truth that holds.
 
thescreensavers

thescreensavers

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2005
9,916
2
81
Meguiars came out with a successor to NXT 2.0, it is suppose to be better. I believe the liquid can go on trim and not whiten.

Cant wait to try it when my nxt bottle runs out.
 
Capt Caveman

Capt Caveman

Lifer
Jan 30, 2005
34,543
651
126
thescreensavers said:
Meguiars came out with a successor to NXT 2.0, it is suppose to be better. I believe the liquid can go on trim and not whiten.

Cant wait to try it when my nxt bottle runs out.
Click to expand...

I think this may be what you're talking about - http://www.autogeek.net/meguiars-ultimate-wax.html

Found this review with pics - http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=47707

I may pick a up bottle tomorrow.

edit - looking at other reviews, it does seem to be difficult to remove streaks caused by the wax. http://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-G18216-Ultimate-Liquid-Wax/dp/B004HCM9H4
 
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