Pbglas

I was thinking hte following. Right after delivery I would take the car ot a high end detailing shop. Get them to Zymol [what kind?] and then take the car in to touchless car washes.

Can I maintain a black finsh this way. I am not much good at washing and waxing myself. Besides tere is not place where I live to bring hte bucket out....

bmms8

well, there are going to be swirl marks from anywhere unless you detail it..if you want to spend some money i would just get your dealer to do thier 5 year thingy....i forgot what its called...they will clay, and put a coat of something on it, and i guess it will last for 5 years or something...price should be around 400-500 with interior detailing also

oggle

My suggestion: don't buy that overpriced $500 paint protection stuff. They're just adding some coat of protectant. You can do that yourself and save the $500.

Black cars are indeed a challenge for detailing, but they also yield the most rewarding results as they shine the best. My suggestion is to read up on as many posts here as you can and go over to autopia.org (car detailing site) and learn from them also. You'll be surprised how spotless you can keep your car by just following some simple advice.

vraa

I'm 15, I have no budget, and i don't have an allowence. Trust me, you can take care of a black car.

ajayz

yep, its not so hard after you do it for so long.


Black is best when you're finished washing, scratch-Xing and then waxing.
I need to clay bar it once this summer, butnever find the time to do so.

Pbglas

But I have never done it. I don't even understand the terminology. Is there a place in hte Chicago area where I can conveninently get these things done.

Seems like most people on hte list do it htemselves.

ajayz

there most likely is a place in chicago that will do it for you. but there is no feeling like doing it urself and feeling good after your done

Pbglas

Thanks Ajayz.

Chicago folks, recommendations?

vraa

Hmm, as another dude with a black car, i'd say don't let anyone BUT you touch it. I knew nothing about ANYTHING a year ago. In that year I have gained so much knowledge from just lurking on these boards. One year ago i washed with BRUSHES and used dishwashing soap ALL THE TIME! Never used a towel to dry, and no wax WHATSOEVER! Now look at where I am!

JeT

I agree with these guys totally. I've learnt so much just reading the posts on this forum. Even if there is something you do not understand you can ask the resident detalier Al Boston who is an absolute pro.

Once you have mastered the techniques described here, you will be able to detail your car better than many detailers!

Pbglas

I am a total newbie here. How much time does it take folks to maintain finish.

I hardly ever even washed cars. So this would be major life style change for me!!

vraa

How much time do you have? Usually you can dedicate everything to a black car, but you have to set your priorities straight.

JeT

It depends on what system you use but an intial prep should take no more than a day. Even if you got a detailer to do a full detail, you will still have to maintain it yourself (that is unless you are prepared to get someone to detail it once a week for you).

midas888

Be careful though, once you wash your own car, you'll NEVER let anyone/anything else wash it for you because you will think they can never do it as well as you can (which is true! ).

And that translates into more time spent on the weekends washing/waxing your car. Though I'm not complaining.

MARK CUMMINS

Lots Of Great Info on www.AUTOPIA.org