what do you do to keep your black paint looking brand new?
02-05-2008, 06:43 PM
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W212 2011 E-350 4Matic
what do you do to keep your black paint looking brand new?
To all Black paint car owners;
Black is truly one of the most sexiest & stealth look you can get on a car
but if you don't keep the paint properly maintained, you'll end up having a scratch nightmare.
my question is, what do you guys/ladies do to keep your ride looking piano black perfect?
and if your car had been a victim to scratches, what was your remedy?
-please be specific when answering if possible-
thanks
Black is truly one of the most sexiest & stealth look you can get on a car
but if you don't keep the paint properly maintained, you'll end up having a scratch nightmare.
my question is, what do you guys/ladies do to keep your ride looking piano black perfect?
and if your car had been a victim to scratches, what was your remedy?
-please be specific when answering if possible-
thanks
Last edited by syrAMG; 02-05-2008 at 07:03 PM.
02-05-2008, 07:56 PM
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Stage 2 C7 A6, QX60
02-05-2008, 08:49 PM
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03 c240
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02-05-2008, 09:49 PM
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C3Twon AWD Jumpofffff
just do the above and clay it once in awhile it'll look great and a california duster to dust it off ocne in awhile but if its too dirty dont bother
02-05-2008, 11:24 PM
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Once a year: Wash with Dawn....Clay....2 coats Klasse AIO....2 thin coats Klasse SG...2 coats carnuba....upkeep with duster and QD and add carnuba a couple times a year. Garaged and rarely in rain. The AIO will reduce the minor scratches and a touch up pen and Langka to the deeper ones.
Last edited by mleskovar; 02-05-2008 at 11:27 PM.
02-06-2008, 02:58 AM
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2003 C230 Kompressor Coupe, 2003 E320, 2003 Chevy Corvette Z06
I never garage the coupe but I do wash it once a week, clay over once and wax. I could probably go in for a professional detail right about now, that should make it look semi new. I got scratches everywhere
02-06-2008, 10:03 AM
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Once a year: Wash with Dawn....Clay....2 coats Klasse AIO....2 thin coats Klasse SG...2 coats carnuba....upkeep with duster and QD and add carnuba a couple times a year. Garaged and rarely in rain. The AIO will reduce the minor scratches and a touch up pen and Langka to the deeper ones.
That is pretty much my routine. Klasse is VERY durable. I also like Optimum products.In another forum I frequent (Autopia), a member said "black is not a car color, it is a FULL time job." That is 100% true.
1st step, is to NEVER let the dealer "wash" your car. Wash regularly and keep a good sealant on it at least twice a year.
Now if it is already swirled up, you have some work ahead of you. MB paint is very hard especially if you have the ceramiclear. So, any paint correction is best done with a machine. For the minor/moderate swirls the dealer added via their "wash" on my car, I used a Porter Cable polisher with Optimum polish and a Sonus yellow pad. Then followed up with Klasse AIO via white pad. Then 2 VERY thin coats of Klasse SG. Then I top with Optimum spray wax every wash. Which is once every week or 2. I use Optimum No-rinse wash in the winter and it is by far the best detailing product I have ever used. Washing the car in the heated garage during the winter is the only way to go.
Last edited by johnand; 02-06-2008 at 11:11 AM.
02-06-2008, 03:30 PM
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Hmm, as usual Mleskovar is right on the money That is pretty much my routine. Klasse is VERY durable. I also like Optimum products.
In another forum I frequent (Autopia), a member said "black is not a car color, it is a FULL time job." That is 100% true.
1st step, is to NEVER let the dealer "wash" your car. Wash regularly and keep a good sealant on it at least twice a year.
Now if it is already swirled up, you have some work ahead of you. MB paint is very hard especially if you have the ceramiclear. So, any paint correction is best done with a machine. For the minor/moderate swirls the dealer added via their "wash" on my car, I used a Porter Cable polisher with Optimum polish and a Sonus yellow pad. Then followed up with Klasse AIO via white pad. Then 2 VERY thin coats of Klasse SG. Then I top with Optimum spray wax every wash. Which is once every week or 2. I use Optimum No-rinse wash in the winter and it is by far the best detailing product I have ever used. Washing the car in the heated garage during the winter is the only way to go.
That is pretty much my routine. Klasse is VERY durable. I also like Optimum products.In another forum I frequent (Autopia), a member said "black is not a car color, it is a FULL time job." That is 100% true.
1st step, is to NEVER let the dealer "wash" your car. Wash regularly and keep a good sealant on it at least twice a year.
Now if it is already swirled up, you have some work ahead of you. MB paint is very hard especially if you have the ceramiclear. So, any paint correction is best done with a machine. For the minor/moderate swirls the dealer added via their "wash" on my car, I used a Porter Cable polisher with Optimum polish and a Sonus yellow pad. Then followed up with Klasse AIO via white pad. Then 2 VERY thin coats of Klasse SG. Then I top with Optimum spray wax every wash. Which is once every week or 2. I use Optimum No-rinse wash in the winter and it is by far the best detailing product I have ever used. Washing the car in the heated garage during the winter is the only way to go.
i don't want to do it, anyone wanna wash my car in the procedure mentioned above? i'll pay ya
02-07-2008, 08:29 AM
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2016 C450
Once a year: Wash with Dawn....Clay....2 coats Klasse AIO....2 thin coats Klasse SG...2 coats carnuba....upkeep with duster and QD and add carnuba a couple times a year. Garaged and rarely in rain. The AIO will reduce the minor scratches and a touch up pen and Langka to the deeper ones.
02-07-2008, 09:05 AM
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2007 C230SS
Lord47,
visit autopia and search Klasse Sg and AIO. There are plenty of topics. I tried and had KSG and my take is that the paint should be clayed and polished for a clean and no swirl finish for the KSG to work and look nice, especially with darker paint. You could also locate a nearby autopian member to help yoy learn and detail your car.
visit autopia and search Klasse Sg and AIO. There are plenty of topics. I tried and had KSG and my take is that the paint should be clayed and polished for a clean and no swirl finish for the KSG to work and look nice, especially with darker paint. You could also locate a nearby autopian member to help yoy learn and detail your car.
02-07-2008, 09:28 AM
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2007 C230SS; 2014 ML350 BT
[QUOTE=Lords47;2641439]Thanks for the advice, I'm looking forward to trying this process/product. How long do you typically wait between coats?[/QUO
With the AIO no need to wait between coats. If you clay and polish the paint before the AIO, 1 coat should be just fine. But for the SG you need to wait 24 hours between coats for best curing.
With the AIO no need to wait between coats. If you clay and polish the paint before the AIO, 1 coat should be just fine. But for the SG you need to wait 24 hours between coats for best curing.
02-07-2008, 10:30 AM
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2016 C450
Also, thanks for the advice on autopia, dirtdiggler, that website has TONS of usefull information.
02-07-2008, 10:50 AM
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Autopia is a great site for detailing info. The knowledge there is staggering. I spend WAY to much time there
Also another tip on Klasse is to renew and prolong the protection of SG, you can use Sonus Acrylic Glanz spray on occasion after a wash. It keeps the paint surface slick and adds an extra level of depth to the paint.
02-07-2008, 10:56 AM
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Eric has a great overlooked point. Don't touch your paint with cloths other that HIGH QUALITY microfiber cloths. I really like the Mother's Ultra-Soft Quick Detail Towels. They can be had for a reasonable price at most auto parts stores and they are extremely gentle to the paint. They are also available through AMSOIL dealers.
02-08-2008, 02:06 AM
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2005 A4 1.8TQ
I think I have most of you beat: Haven't washed it since winter started. It's silver, it looks clean after it gets rained on.
I'll probably get it professional detailed the first nice spring day (when I'm sure the snow/salt is gone). I also got some car cleaning kits for Christmas so I'll be testing those out as well.
I'll probably get it professional detailed the first nice spring day (when I'm sure the snow/salt is gone). I also got some car cleaning kits for Christmas so I'll be testing those out as well.
02-08-2008, 08:27 AM
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excites your girlfriend
I trade mine in every 3 years and get a new black painted car.
but seriously, it is impossible to keep it looking perfect if you ever drive the car. i just waxed mine yesterday, it has so many rock chips in the hood and front end, it looks pretty bad.
but seriously, it is impossible to keep it looking perfect if you ever drive the car. i just waxed mine yesterday, it has so many rock chips in the hood and front end, it looks pretty bad.
