How to keep a black car scratchless

Hey guys,

Any suggestions on how to keep a black car scratch less after a car wash?

I have a 750LI in black metallic sapphire that I got a month ago, I have had the car hand washed twice now. When I look up close there are fine scratches on the paint. I know I will have to get it detailed.

The question for you guys is, what is the best car wash method and wax or polish product that will minimize these gremlins after each wash.

Thanks

I used two buckets method and a foam gun..

Originally Posted by ZedJes

Hey guys,

Any suggestions on how to keep a black car scratch less after a car wash?

I have a 750LI in black metallic sapphire that I got a month ago, I have had the car hand washed twice now. When I look up close there are fine scratches on the paint. I know I will have to get it detailed.

The question for you guys is, what is the best car wash method and wax or polish product that will minimize these gremlins after each wash.

Thanks

The less you touch it the less scratches you get. Two bucket method and I blow dry mine. I also use Zaino products.

http://www.zainostore.com/

dj

Don't touch it with anything. Seriously.

Microscratches are inevitable with black, but you can minimize them.

Two bucket method both with grit guards in them and a grout sponge ($2.50 at home depot), yes, it is the best tool you will ever use. It releases dirt very easily and will not scratch the surface. Dip the sponge in the clean water after every small section of car, 2x2 foot max.

Dry with waffle weave towel after you have washed the towel once or twice, otherwise it won't absorb sheet.

Zaino products are good but they are concealers and do not take the scratches out. If you want to do that you need a porter cable xp polisher, meguiar's 105 polish and an orange lake country pad.

You can use a california water blade but you have to be good with it, wiping it with your clean fingers after ever pass and making absolutely sure you cleaned the car well.

I have had more black cars then one would ever want.

My suggestion is: GIVE UP.

Seriously, it is a very tough job but certainly the suggestions being given here in this thread are good ones.

Originally Posted by djfitter

The less you touch it the less scratches you get. Two bucket method and I blow dry mine. I also use Zaino products.

http://www.zainostore.com/

dj

2 bucket method...what is that?..I live in an apartment complex on the east coast and do not have the luxury of a self wash area. Totally dependent on commercial car washes

I reviewed the Maguiar's website and found a few tips. Will start with the Swirl X. The video demo looks great. Anyone have experience with Maguiar products?


Z

Originally Posted by BmW745On19's

Don't touch it with anything. Seriously.

Microscratches are inevitable with black, but you can minimize them.

Two bucket method both with grit guards in them and a grout sponge ($2.50 at home depot), yes, it is the best tool you will ever use. It releases dirt very easily and will not scratch the surface. Dip the sponge in the clean water after every small section of car, 2x2 foot max.

Dry with waffle weave towel after you have washed the towel once or twice, otherwise it won't absorb sheet.

Zaino products are good but they are concealers and do not take the scratches out. If you want to do that you need a porter cable xp polisher, meguiar's 105 polish and an orange lake country pad.

You can use a california water blade but you have to be good with it, wiping it with your clean fingers after ever pass and making absolutely sure you cleaned the car well.

Thank you all for your feedback..

Originally Posted by ZedJes

Thank you all for your feedback..

http://www.webridestv.com/showvideo.aspx?video=43655

Watch that. Some of his actions are a little exaggerated like the being careful over graphics and crap but the general idea is there.

The most crucial part to washing your car is rinsing it before you put mit/sponge to car, making sure to rinse off all the loose dirt and stuff.

Talk to Got_Leather in the Detailing forum, PM him and ask him for advice, he's very smart and can hook you up with some detailing products.

Originally Posted by ZedJes

Hey guys,

Any suggestions on how to keep a black car scratch less after a car wash?

I have a 750LI in black metallic sapphire that I got a month ago, I have had the car hand washed twice now. When I look up close there are fine scratches on the paint. I know I will have to get it detailed.

The question for you guys is, what is the best car wash method and wax or polish product that will minimize these gremlins after each wash.

Thanks

I've got something better for you. Mr. Clean AutoDry Pro-Series Car Wash Kit. Best damn car washing gift i've ever gotten. Don't buy the cheap $19.99 Mr. Clean AutoDry from Walmart, Home Depot and those areas because they don't last (i went thru 3 of those in a month due to leaks until i found the pro series kit). Search online for the Mr. Clean AutoDry Pro-Series Car Wash Kit which is somewhere around $29.99. You can search on ebay and find a better deal as well.

It's a very simple 4 step process:

1) Rinse the car
2) Wash it with Mr. Clean AutoDry soap and scrubbing mit.
3) Rinse the car
4) Insert Mr Clean AutoDry filter and rinse the car again.

Now sit back and watch your car dry spot-free, lint-free, no hand drying. It's magical and you'll think you just wax the car.

Originally Posted by asaseaban

I've got something better for you. Mr. Clean AutoDry Pro-Series Car Wash Kit. Best damn car washing gift i've ever gotten. Don't buy the cheap $19.99 Mr. Clean AutoDry from Walmart, Home Depot and those areas because they don't last (i went thru 3 of those in a month due to leaks until i found the pro series kit). Search online for the Mr. Clean AutoDry Pro-Series Car Wash Kit which is somewhere around $29.99. You can search on ebay and find a better deal as well.

It's a very simple 4 step process:

1) Rinse the car
2) Wash it with Mr. Clean AutoDry soap and scrubbing mit.
3) Rinse the car
4) Insert Mr Clean AutoDry filter and rinse the car again.

Now sit back and watch your car dry spot-free, lint-free, no hand drying. It's magical and you'll think you just wax the car.

I use these. De-ionized water filter and blow dry with the leaf blower to get the water out of the places it collects (behind the license plate, mirrors, cracks and crevices).

dj

Originally Posted by djfitter

I use these. De-ionized water filter and blow dry with the leaf blower to get the water out of the places it collects (behind the license plate, mirrors, cracks and crevices).

dj

I guess I need to either move to a house with a garage or get a 1000 ft hose pipe.

I think I am going to make a business prop to my car wash, niche wash for black cars. I would happily pay double for piece of mind...may be he will split the difference with me..

wadda ya fink???

I gave up on black for my everyday cars for this reason, but have had several black cars for everyday drivers and still have some black garage cars for weekend toys.
Here is my suggestion
i realize that many people will give you detailing advice that may not be practical for everyday real life
What you can do is
Rule 1 never wipe your car dry with any cloth after you are done washing and drying , so if a few hours after you wash your car or the next morning it has a layer of dust. Leave it ALONE , if it bothers you alot spray it down with a hose, no soap and dry it off again. Never dry wipe
Rule 2 only hand car washes, if you wash yourself use a water blade and than a micro fiber towel to finish it off, re-chargeable leaf blowers are also great tools for rims and mirrors
Rule 3 and most important!!!!!! Every time you wash your car use a quick "detail mist" with a micro fiber cloth for your final wipe down. Maguire makes a good one, it's not a spray wax, it's a detail mist, Spray on and wipe off just after your finish drying or after you leave the hand car wash. It will take 5 minutes and it will eliminate allot of the black car swirls fine scratches and imperfections you see. It will also repel dust. You can also use it to spot clean any wheel kick up or bird droppings prior to your next car wash

+1 M6, This is my first black car and the paint is next to impossible to keep up, unless I don't drive it. The car's been repainted and actually has a few runs on bottom, I'm thinking of having that refinished, but may not be worth the cash, may just trade up or private sell to get another one, one day. Next 7, 5, 3, M3, M5 going to be silver or white, no exceptions, lol. Good advice guys.

Originally Posted by BW#4 B7

I gave up on black for my everyday cars for this reason, but have had several black cars for everyday drivers and still have some black garage cars for weekend toys.
Here is my suggestion
i realize that many people will give you detailing advice that may not be practical for everyday real life
What you can do is
Rule 1 never wipe your car dry with any cloth after you are done washing and drying , so if a few hours after you wash your car or the next morning it has a layer of dust. Leave it ALONE , if it bothers you alot spray it down with a hose, no soap and dry it off again. Never dry wipe
Rule 2 only hand car washes, if you wash yourself use a water blade and than a micro fiber towel to finish it off, re-chargeable leaf blowers are also great tools for rims and mirrors
Rule 3 and most important!!!!!! Every time you wash your car use a quick "detail mist" with a micro fiber cloth for your final wipe down. Maguire makes a good one, it's not a spray wax, it's a detail mist, Spray on and wipe off just after your finish drying or after you leave the hand car wash. It will take 5 minutes and it will eliminate allot of the black car swirls fine scratches and imperfections you see. It will also repel dust. You can also use it to spot clean any wheel kick up or bird droppings prior to your next car wash

Thanks for your input and good luck with the Alpina...remember to post pics..

stay away from machine washes