tiny hairline scratches

[SK GT]

This is the cost of black ownership. It is hands down the most rewarding color(reflection out the wazoo), and looks the best(FACT), but it is also the most difficult color to take care of. Even if you are super careful, 2 bucket wash method, separate wash mitts for the top and bottom portion of the car, yada yada, you will still get swirl marks. It's just a fact.

This is why I am setting aside $7500 to get my future mustang paint corrected(straight from the dealer, mind you) and full car clear bra. If I went with White, I wouldn't have to do any of that because it's the most easy color to take care of.

I hope you mean 750

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[Shift]

I hope you mean 750

~$6.5k for clear bra alone

 

[MagneticA]

One method to reduce the showing of hairline scratches (because all colors get them) never wash your car in circular motions and always following the same pattern direction for each wash.

^This. I recommend washing in long strokes from front to back (following the same direction the wind takes as it passes over your car). Also, if you want to be extra anal; trade in the 2-bucket system for additional wash mitts and use a leaf blower to dry.

 

[GTP]

But....do you [Ultrakla$$ic] even drive bro?

That's how he keeps his car clean.

 

[15GTCA]

I have had a black car and 3 black motorcyles. They all looked great when clean and they all showed dirt the worst. It is not that they are more dirty it is just the color that is so visible with scratches. My last Mustang was Race Red and it showed very fine scratches and swirls that the dealer did while the car sat unsold for a year until i bought it. It drove me crazy trying to get them out. This time i bought my car knowing it was on the lot only about a month, and they did not wash it until i purchased it. Now i am very happy with Magnetic because it doesn't show scratches.

 

[bmatt]

I've managed to get over it, most people don't realize all the small scratches are there. I do a two bucket wash and try to avoid swirl as much as possible, but it looks good clean either way. I have a DA that I'll break out once a year or so most likely.


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[Old 5 Oh]

I have had exactly one black car, a 94 Cobra. NEVER again. Even a dark blue is 100 times easier. I like my whites.

 

[goldengooner]

I have had exactly one black car, a 94 Cobra. NEVER again. Even a dark blue is 100 times easier. I like my whites.

For me the car looks so good in black, i used to have a black Supra 2.8i many years back, went to car shows. can't remember it being that much of a hassle. Suppose it depends how deep you look into it
But when i get my Calif Special it will be sealed to try to avoid scratches and then every time it's washed, will go to the same person to wash it. Does a lot of the Essex mob cars

 

[redtrack]

Welcome to the Black Car Club......
When it's clean, it's so impacting.....
My recomendation a good detailer and a Cquartz or equivalent coating....or do it yourself....
no more swirl marks....and easier to keep it clean.....

 

[SpeedLu]

Im in Lake Charles! Hope it works out for you!:cheers:

I'm in Lake Charles too. Small world.

 

[GT Pony]

Depending on how severe the micro scratches are, you may be able to use something like Meguiars Ultimate Compound and polish them out by hand.

My black GT was very scratched up when I purchased it from the dealership - they had it ~3 months on the lot, outside. I didn't want them to wash it because I didn't want scratched, but little did I know that it was already messed up and didn't discover it until I got home. It looked like it was ran through a damn auto car wash based on the scratches I found after washing it the 1st time. I guess that is one good reason to have the dealer wash it so you can inspect it before you sign the purchase agreement - lesson learned.

Anyway, I used Meguiar's Ultimate Compound on the bad scratches, then Meguiar's Ultimate Polish on the whole car ... then Meguiar's NXT wax. All done by hand over a months time, panel by panel. A LOT of work, but it came out really good. Some of the bad scratches came out with some effort, and I was afraid the clear-coat would burn through but it thankfully didn't.

Once you get the paint corrected pretty well, the whole key it to try and wash it by hand in the best way possible to prevent scratching. The less scratches produced while washing, the less upkeep with compound/polish there will be.

#1 rule for a black car ... NEVER touch or rub a dirty black car.

 

[GT Pony]

So let me get this straight

All cars, or at least all our steeds, get these scratches but because we chose the most glorious color of shadow black, it's the most visible?

Correct ... ALL paint colors will get swirls and scratchs just as easily, but black will show them the most. I have a red truck, and after a bunch of washes I can see tiny scratches in the paint also under the right lighting conditions.

 

[GT Pony]

... use a leaf blower to dry.

I always use the leaf blower to dry ... the less rubbing on the surface the better!

 

[GT Pony]

Here's some good tips on how to wash a car to minimize scratches. Also talks about minor paint correction. You don't need to spend a ton of money on products really. Some good wash soap, couple of buckets and couple of good wash mitts. Then something like Meguiar's Ultimate Compound, Ultimate Polish and wax, and some good polishing towels ... and some time and elbow grease. All of that should cost less than $100. If you want to get it done faster, go with a good power polisher.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-detail-your-brand-new-car-mike-phillips.html

 

[theduke]

If you're totally new to the washing/detailing world Larry's videos are a great introduction.
[ame]
His drying technique really helps reduce swirls.
As others have said, once you want to go down the rabbit hole Autogeek is an invaluable resource.
I used to do a mild paint correction / sealant once a year and a second touch up polish and wax at some point to maintain. I settled on Blackfire Wet Diamond after removing scratches and sealed with Collinite. Both pretty forgiving products that won't break the bank.
California duster can be used without scratching but technique is paramount. The Junkman has a great youtube video on this as well as others.
A waterless wash with good technique is a life saver in dealing with black cars. Ultima makes a great one.
http://www.autogeek.net/ultima-waterless-wash-concentrate.html
Somewhere on this site I saw a great leaf blower mod that looked fantastic. I used the leaf blower on my Black 2011 and it really kept the marks down.
Accepting that it will never be "perfect" especially if it's a daily driver will help keep the blood pressure down as well haha
Good luck!

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