I was just curious how you guys with black cars wash, dry, and keep everything clean, Is there any tricks you know on how to get no streaks when drying? I just bought some Zaino, and I know the leaf blower trick. Is there anything you guys do special to make your car look good?

 

I have had 3 black vehicles (I own 2 right now) you will need to use the Zaino Z-6 gloss enhancer often. Use it any time you get a chance and for sure after each wash, wash with Z-7, use a cotton wash mit to wash with, do not wipe or buff on the paint when the paint is HOT to the touch, I like to use a California Car Duster to remove loose dust (on a cool surface) , only wash your car in the morning or afternoon, never wash it in the middle of the day in direct sunlight. Do not allow anyone to touch your paint, even the slightest bump or rub will scratch a black surface. Use the best towels you can find, I only use Fieldcrest Charismas, all cotton, white color, they are expensive towels, they run about 18 to 20 dollars EACH.

 

My opinion...
I'm still old school and have a couple of favorite natural chamois. Used in combination of Z7, you will pulled most of the water off the car in no time flat and without streaks. I then spray the car with Z6 and wipe with a big fluffy 100% cotton white towel.
My problem with the leaf blower method is that it's noisy... makes it hard to hear the Ac/Dc "Back in Black" CD that's blaring when I'm detailing the car.
--ron

 

I just ordered some Zaino z-1,z-2,z-6, and z-5. Before I was using Zymol, Everytime I would wash my car all the wax would just come right off the surface, and I would have to rewax it again. Or if I waxed it and let it sit while it rained it would leave a film of dirt everytime. I was washing and waxing like twice a week. I used to use the Cali Water Blade, and a towel to dry up the rest of the water and it seemed to work pretty good but it would always leave streaks, so now I use the leaf blower to get rid of all the excess water. I can't wait to get my Zaino!!!

 

The reason your wax came off when you washed it is that the wax had previously broken down on the surface due to heat (heh, wax melts, that is just how it is) and when you wetted the car, bam, wax runs off on the ground.

I can ASSURE you this will not happen with Zaino

 

I would stress the fact never to wash it in the sun or when the paint is warm. I always washed and waxed my 87 gn at night under some decent lighting. If you do wash it when the paint is warm do not towel dry it or even touch the car. Let it air dry or else you will have scratches. Don't ever park under trees. Sap and bird droppings are bad news for a black car. MUST USE A CHAMOIS!.

 

Hmmm... I sometimes wash my black Camaro in parts of the sun and have never had any problems with the paint this way. Of course, I always immediately pull it into the garage right away and dry it off lightly under the shade. Doesn't seem to be effecting the paint(and believe me, I know EXACTLY how my car's finish looks, including every possible fine scatch ). But I'll make sure to only wash in the shade for now on...

As for some black car tips, well it is impossible to keep black perfect. For me(keep in mind, my car is not my daily-driver), I wash it quite often regardless of whether it needs it, and almost always put on a good coat of Z-5 afterwards. Wipe it down with a little Z-6, and the car looks like no other on the road. Using Z-6 after any wash will always remove those streak marks anyway. In between washes, I always use one of KevinSS's white towels to light dust off my car every night(if it had been used any that day). Shaking often, this works very well to keep a lot of the dust off the car. And if the car needs it(or at least in a certain area, I just pull out the Z-6 and go over it again). Same exact approach to my chrome rims. Lastly, even though my car is garaged every single night, it still sits under a car cover for that added protection.

Basically, you just have to keep on working, keep on working, and keep on working when trying to maintain black paint. It's like a never-ending battle. It does take a LOT of time(sometimes many, many hours), but the finished results are always worth it. Needless to say, this will definitely be my LAST black car.

Hope that helps,

Mike

 

Yeah, I know what you mean... I said that after the black '80 Grand Prix, then after the black '84 Trans Am, then after the 13 years with a black '85 Silverado... yet when I go into the garage now there's a black '01 Tahoe, and black '97 Monte Carlo and the best one of all, the black '97 Trans Am. Jeez, even the stupid snowblower is black.
I think when I become older I'll get something easier like pewter. Then again black looks so awesome in the late afternoon early evening...
--ron

 

I had to drive my sisters black blazer for about month, and quickly found out that detail spray is your best friend. Just make sure you have a relatively dust free surface (or just take a duster and go around the car first).

 

I gave my dad my microfiber towels for his new HEMI and ordered more for myself. His truck is black, and I wouldn't DARE touch it with cotton towels. I've used the MFT towels for a few weeks now, and I'm ordering more now. They're good.

Also, make sure you hand wash your applicator and rinse it well, and let it dry. Otherwise, the polish cakes on and it's not as soft.

 

Never wash your car in the hot sun because it will get waterspotted even while you're washing it.

If you're picky, California waterblades leave light scratches over time.

Get bird crap off of your car ASAP because when the paint gets hot, it'll eat into it.

Don't leave bugs on too long.

Everything is worse on black cars because the paint gets the hottest from the sun.

 

I can attest to the kast post, my Black '96 Impala SS gets hot to the touch on cloudy and overcast days! lol

 

I love the leaf blower! This way the only time your touching the paint is when your waxing or Z-6ing. As far as the noise it only takes 5 min. compared to the at least 20 min. with other methods. Plus with the leaf blower you dont have to worry about drips because you blow all hidden water out!!

 

I've been using Zaino for the past couple months now, and I can say that I am never switching to something else EVER. This stuff is absolutely the best.

 

I have a black 96 Impala (custom show car), black 99 Silverado (custom daily driver), black riding lawn mower, black trailer for the mower, and a black 6 foot tall roll away Craftsman tool box. I have a sea of black in the garage....