Has anyone noticed that flat black shows more swirls than the obsidian (metallic) black, but that flat black is deeper and reflects light more than the metallic? For those "black" experts out there, is this true?

[At least that's what both the dealer and detailers have said is the case with these paints.]

 

yep but the nonmetalic is harder to maintain

 

Please explain why.

 

just guessing but maybe the nonmetallic doesn't have a thicker clear coat? no clue.

 

THe flat black shows the swirls more because there is nothing to "camouflage" them. THe same swirls will be on the metallic paint too, but the eye is fooled because the sparkles make it harder to spot them. The flat black has a mirror like quality that highlights any flaws.

I wouldn't think that the thickness of the clear coat is the problem, being that each car receives the same finishing process, for sake of consistency.

The solution to this problem is to use a black wax. The black wax hides these swirls very well. Turtle wax makes a good one that costs about $7 a bottle.

 

But doesn't flat black show deeper & richer when buffed out than metallic?

 

That's the reason why it shows swirls.

 

black wax?? does turtle make black wax? i use turtle wax wipe now but it aint black.

 

the black wax works, but it washes off to fast and also turns your hands black for like a day and your wife will kill you if try to wash those towels .

I would never consider a obsidian black because of the sparkles and it makes the paint look more grayish.....

This is way to not get those marks as bad..

When you wash the car rinse it off first. Also don’t do it in direct sun light… WATER SPOTS FROM HELL… Then don’t press down real hard with the wash mitt. Just lightly move it back and forth with plenty of soap. Sort of like dusting… I wash mine twice... Also when washing start at the top.. IE Roof, then put the mitt back in the bucket, then windows, then back in the bucket, ( I usually rinse the car after the roof and windoes) this helps remove the dirt from the mitt. It does sink to the bottom of the bucket so try not to stick the mitt all the way to bottom. Also by doing this you are not moving the dirt from the bottom to the top and it will cut down on wash marks because the mitt is still clean. When you get to the sides do one finder at a time. I also don’t go below the door trim molding. (get another mitt for under the trim, bumpers, and wheels. If you have ever got a rock or something from the bottom in the mitt and the keep washing the rest of the car is will be scratched all to hell) After the front finder, dip it in the wash bucket, then do the door, wash bucket and keep doing that....

NOW as for the wash marks / swirls.... when washing black go back and forth. NOT UP AND DOWN.... this way the light will only show half the imperfections because there will not be any up and down one marks for the light to reflect off of which means it does not show to the eye. Also when you do get the wash marks which will happen you cant prevent them, A quick 30 min wax job will take out the wash streaks. I use straight carnauba wax in the yellow round container, it come with the applicator inside. Just lightly go back and forth putting it on. Only do one finder, door, at a time... when you get to the hood do half of it. Wait for the wax to dry to a grayish white haze, then lightly wipe BACK AND FORTH, NOT UP AND DOWN, with a sort of textured towel, (any old shower towel, hand towel, just not a beach towel.) I use old shower towel when the wife replaces them. The slight texture gathers the wax. Turn the towel a lot, ( I usually fold mine over so there is not one pressure point from your hand) Then take say a 100% cotton t shirt , ( I use a old T shirt or go to wall-mart and buys some, Kids, or adults.… I mean the one you would ware under a dress shirt, you know no Coors Light shirt or anything like that. Just the $8.00 T shirts that are 100% cotton. Fruit of the loum? hains? ) When using them it works as a polish to get the little residue left from the wax. Lightly wipe back and forth with this also, ( I usually fold the shirt).

Try this and see if it work… I have owned 12 black cars and found this to work the best…

Also if your paint is in bad shape, and you have plenty of time. Do the following

1)wash and dry car.

2) CLAY BAR, This is the best cleaner I have ever used.. Its just takes a lot of time… So plan on a all day or weekend job depending on the how bad the car is. It can be had at any pep boys, AutoZone, Wal-Mart. follow the directions as they say…

3)Black Magic I think makes a COLOR BACK cleaner. Again use as it says doing a finder or half a finder each time. Just like waxing. I used this and claybar on my 93 cobra that is black. The car sat out side for a year under a tree in the parking lot of a paint shop… Over spray from hell. It took it all off and the color was restored to almost as deep as my Jet black on the benz.

4)After using the stuff mentioned above you will need to wax the car.. Use what you like but I have found that Maguire’s Gold, is good, but I get best results with straight Carnauba wax.

I hope this help you all…

this is a link to my benz, it has 60,000 miles and is daily driven.
http://community.webshots.com/album/30433619mIIXdedPYk

This is how the cobra looks after the clay bar, color back, and wax job. Looks good to be 10 years old. http://community.webshots.com/album/31313531njTnbAnyFg

 

I agree with Kerr, although, I have some of my own tweaks to add. I have had my fair share of black cars and I was a detailer through high school.

Lets get some things straight.

1) Regardless of what you do, you will have some swirl marks after you wash your car. You can reduce them, but you can't eliminate them.

2) You will not find a wax that will stay on your car long, especially if your car is black and you live in a hot and humid climate. Equally true if you live in a harsh winter climate. With dark colored cars the wax deteriorates quicker because the temperature of the paint fluctuates much more in warm weather. On a hot sunny day the temp of the hood on a black car vs. a white car will be significantly different. At these high temps the wax breaks down. In wintery weather, the wax gets eaten up by salty roads, rain, snow, ect.


Regardless of what you do your car will have swirls after you wash it. Every time you wash your car you strip some/all of the wax off. Once you do that you see the swirl marks because the wax just fills them in. As Kerr pointed out there are measures that you could take to limit the amount of swirls, but elimination is not possible. To add to Kerr's reccomendation for washing, I typically use two buckets. One with soap and water to wash the car and another with just water to rinse off the mit once I wash a section of the car. I have hear of people using small amounts of soap so that the wax doesn't get stripped off. I find that this really is counter productive. The soap provides lubrication between the wash mit and the paint, reducing the amount you use creates friction, which translates into scratches and swirls. My solution is to find a good car soap that does not strip too much wax off. The one I use is from a company called Ardex, which only sells to detail shops, dealers, ect. Drying your car is equally important. Try to wipe in the same direction. I typically will stand in front of the car and lay the shamouis over the hood and pull towards my self in a constant motion.

After I wash my car (at least once a week) I wax it! Yes wax it! It is the only way you will not see swirl marks after a wash. Typically I will clay bar my car and then use a good paste wax. I do this as needed, usually about every two months. When I wash my car I use a spray wax. The spray wax creates a great shine and only takes me about 10 minutes. I use 3M's spray wax. The paste wax I use is from Production, I think. Its called Carnuba, its purple and comes in an aluminum can.

Hope that helps

 

I guess because the obsidian metallic black shows more like a grayish color like you say is why it's not as popular a color as just plain black, right?

 

I would think so. The obsidian black just doesn't do it for me because it doesn't have that deep shine like black. Besides, it's a dull and drab color that always looks dirty. If you get obsidian black, you'll wish that you'd re-thought your decision.

 

those are some good techniques, sounds like u guys are experienced. people with black cars are the best at washing and waxing i think, im beginning to learn everytime i wash and wax my dads car, i understand what u guys go through, its nuts, but in the end, it always pays off

 

SOO TRUE! SOOO SOOO TRUE!!

 

nice reflection vraa, almost looks like u took a picture of the tree and sky upside down and then darkened it a lil by photo software, very nice.

 

thanks,

also this was before waxing too!

 

wow...before waxing?..cool
at first thought why did u take a pic of a tree???...lmao

 

sorry but i have to throw in...

wax on, wax off???




<ducking>

 

Yes as stated before flat will show more blemishes and swirls that a metalic.

The best method to avoid this is, wash of course. Use a paint cleaner (meguires mothers etc). I usually then use 3m handglaze (awesome product). Then when finished with that you have to apply wax since the hand glaze is not a protectant and leaves the paint open. I then use Zymol carbon (its formulated for black and dark cars). You get a mirror shine and no swirls and awesome protection and beading action.

Also i buff the car by hand using fleece towels, I find terry ones to promote swirls along with cheese cloth.

 

Great posts. I just ordered a 2003 S500 Black/Charcoal. I was going to order the pewter (looks great on the E500 w/Sport), but on the S class it looked bland.

After reading this post, I've got some good tips on how to keep it looking like new.

Thanks,

Taurian.

 

Don't worry about it! :p

If you need anymore tips check out the Automotive/Detailing forum below. It's got some GREAT stuff!

 

What was your reasoning to go with flat black as opposed to obsidian metallic? Just curious.

 

I chose black over obsidian because the black is very rich. The obsidian to me is dull and dirty. It's all individual preference, this is only MY opinion.

 

wow i cant believe u guys use turtle wax on your cars. especially that black wax! Dont fall for the hype! check the detailing and automotive care forum. I have written a number of articles saying how to properly care for your car.

Click here to get your benz looking better than new!

 

You can also try Zaino...

http://www.zainomobiledetail.com/bodypolish.html