I am tossing around the idea of a Black '02 SS , but that color kinda scares me as far as keeping it clean.

I have had black T/A's before, but never paid as much attention when cleaning them as I tend to now.

I have been spoiled w/ the Pewter as it is pretty forgiving regarding water spots & dirt.

I do , however , notice the water spots on the black roof cap & mirrors, & can just see fighting the entire car's finish constantly.

So, is it really that bad , or just kinda an old wive's tale ?

Being in Houston, we definitely have minerals in the H²O !!

Thanks !!


Britt

------------------
'99 T/A
Best 13.071 @ 104.92
Now own '99 SS # 2073 !
12.969 @ 105.44

 

I have a black '96 and am sick and tired of it. The only time it looks good is in the shade, but it's still a lot of work. I've currently been looking for a silver or white car for the past few weeks.

It's up to you, if you have a garage and patience, then there's nothing better than black, but to me it's not worht the hastle.

Keep in mind I do not have a garage or patience.

Jeff


------------------
1996 Black Z28 M6; Stock.
1994 S10 4X4.

My Zed

 

Black isn't really any tougher to keep clean, but it is tougher to keep perfect. Black is the most unforgiving color as far as showing every little imperfection in the finish. It tends to show every little swirl or scratch mark as well. For this reason, it's usually a battle to keep a black car looking completely perfect, free of swirls. But, it can be done! If you want it too look its best you will have to use high quality materials and techniques to prevent or lessen the effects of marring or swirling. Everything from wash mitts to buffing towels will make a huge difference in appearance. Black is a challenge, and you will have to be dedicated to keep it looking flawless. If you can't spend a lot of time and effort, you might want to choose another color....



------------------
*My 1992 Camaro RS 25th Anniv.*
Dark Red Metallic (ext.) / Flame Red (int.)
Flowmaster Crossflow, K&N, 20% 3M Panther Black Tint
JL Audio 3 10", PPI PC2100, other Kenwood & Pioneer goodies...
Show Car Shine by ZainoBros! - Thanks Sal!

 

Black car + garage=fine

Black car + no garage=could be work

------------------
96 Black Impala SS
Authorized Zaino Showcar Polish Distributor
www.zainobros.com
Remember #3

 

I've had nothing but black cars for over 14 years. Every time I start looking for a new car, I promise myself not to get black, but I do. I swear, though, that next time it'll be silver or white!

If you really care about your car's appearance and work at keeping it tip top, then it's not much more work. If you'd rather drive than detail, then it's not.

As for your water, I have a similar problem with ours. So bad that I must wash the car before sun up, or after it goes behind the trees. The car gets too hot to keep up and prevent rings and spotting. That is until I noticed how well the filter in my fridge cleans up the water it dispenses. So I bought a $30 water filter unit and made a stand out of plywood for it. Whenever I wash the car I quick connect the filter in place and it cleans the water up remarkably well.

I loaned it to a friend and he won't give it back!



Jeff

 

yep, black is the most unforgiving, and i don't even have a garage!!

you wouldn't believe how many times i wash or wax, and by 2 or 3 days (short rain showers here often), it looks like i haven't.

BUT I STILL LOVE IT!

if you only see your black car at night, it will look better longer. LOL

 

I'm on my fourth black car, all have been daily drivers, all parked outside and all driven in NE Winters.
I officially designate one day a week for washings and two days a week in the winter.
My paint is not "perfect" but the Z-5 makes it pretty close!!!
Applying it by hand takes a couple hours (If you do 3 coats Z-5/ZFX) but gives me an excuse to miss family gatherings, weddings, and chick flicks with the woman!!!


------------------
All single F-body girls, please apply within!!

 

Black is beautiful but a pain if it is the color of your car. I have two black cars (Z28 and LS400) both garaged and the Z28 is a garage queen rarely drive at all and never in bad weather. If you are now a perfectionist and do not have a garage or this is your daily driver I would not suggest black. My daily car is silver mist.

As suggested earlier:
Black GM paint = "garage queen"
Nothing makes a car look worst or older than it is than a poorly maintained finish on a black car.
My next Lexus will be white.

------------------
95 Triple Blk Z28 Convertible - "garage queen"

 

Well I'll agree that it is one of the hardest colors to keep clean. But it is sooo worth it. I live in Florida (not sure of the laws in other states) But here we can tint our windows IMO nothing looks better than a nice black car with dark tinted windows and chrome or polished wheels.

Shawn 95 TA

 

If you are "into" keeping your car clean, then black won't be a problem - particularly if you own a garage. It's certainly not as easy as red or silver when trying to keep clean.

 

had a navy blue metallic '98, and i will NEVER EVER EVER own a dark colored car again in my life. it was an amazing color, but damn was it hard to keep clean. after a full cleaning/wax, 1 rain storm, and it was total water spots/dirt. i was afraid to drive it if there was a chance of rain as all my hard work would be destroyed.

my bright red car now is pretty forgiving, and am pleased with it. but white is what i want next, way easier to keep clean

Jon

------------------
'98 Red Camaro w/'94 LT1 A4 (AKA "the swap car", former V6 M5 car)Ported & Polished MAF Sensor, Hooker Cat-Back, Custom cold air setup, 1LE Intake Elbo, !EGR, TB bypass
old car:
'98 Navy Blue Camaro V6 A4
http://www.angelfire.com/pa3/jm5o/

 

as sais, very hars to keep looking good!When im driving it a lot ,I like to just go to the car wash and hose the dust off with the "spot free"rince and then go home and wipe down with one of the spray instant detailer's

------------------
86 ZZ4 Z28 traction impaired 13.700@102.07,with a blazing 2.10 60 ft on junk street tires,,69 AMX mostly stock,12.94@102.3 with sticky tires

 

I own A black z28 and it's not that hard to keep clean.I always wipe it dry after it rains so it doesn't get that dirty.

 

If you don't want scratches in it, buy a leafblower...but what about when it comes time to polish? I have tons of scratches in my paint, but even in the day, the avg. joe wont notice. It's killer shiny and nothing beats black!

 

The leaf blower isa great idea, especially for a TA water seems to collect below the tail lights right above the ''PONTIAC'' the leaf blower can get the water out of all those nooks (sp?) and crannies also the side marker lens too. You THINK you have dried your car completely till you drive it and water will end up on the rear bumper and sometimes water will come out from your side mirrors and leave little ''trails'' down your doors. I went to a ''thrift store'' and picked up a electric leaf blower for like 5 bucks.
Beware using a leaf blower to dry your car, nosey neighbors will gawk, stare shake their heads at you! I have drawn more of a crowd using the leaf blower to dry my cars then the crowd I drew using the Zaino claybar! The leaf blower also works great on rims too ESPECIALLY the holes where the lug nuts are.
Black is indeed a tough color to keep looking great, almost any other color is more forgiving then black.Is it impossible to keep it looking good, no its not, just takes time and patience, and preferrably a garage.Good luck on whatever you decide.

------------------
97 TA WS6 A4 Convertible (1 of 463) and 02 TA WS6 M6. The 396 project never materialized.