hello everyone! to those with black zeds, how do you guys keep it clean? I feel the black is just a pain to keep clean more so to prevent scratches.. everytime i use a damp cloth to wipe the paint it leaves surface scratches all over.. not to mention swirl marks. any tips on a cloth to use to prevent these eye sore scratches? or any other suggestions? thanks!
keeping a black zed in top shape...
- Thread starter bimmer848
- Start date
To keep any car finish, especially black, takes 90% prep, 10% product. Most scratches are caused during washing and drying process. Many car owners don't have a clue to this as they think the harder they scrub the cleaner it gets and the same goes for drying. If there are any procedures to learn, those are the ones many overlook. Nothing stays new forever, go look in the mirror, but with care you can have a car that others judge their own by. Takes effort, product, tools and technique or if you don't have those: money. Money for the bloke that will detail your car until your wallet is empty. So...unless you want to buy feed, vet and farrier charges for a horse you'll have to do some labour on a vehicle.
pmeloche said:*AL* said:Black does look so nice clean but it never stays that way for long. I recently had a black Mitsubishi Evo and i was forever cleaning it :x I found Meguires product superb for diguising light scratches and swirl marks.
Do you mean Meguiars? :?
Sorry yes, bit of a typo. 'Meguiars'
This is why I call it 'Megs'*AL* said:pmeloche said:*AL* said:Black does look so nice clean but it never stays that way for long. I recently had a black Mitsubishi Evo and i was forever cleaning it :x I found Meguires product superb for diguising light scratches and swirl marks.
Do you mean Meguiars? :?
Sorry yes, bit of a typo. 'Meguiars'
scottish69
Member
Personally i use Dodo juice blue velvet hard canauba wax a few times a year. Pre polish with the lime prime stuff the same company produce. In my experience its better/longer wearing than the megs stuff.
Carnauba wax really is a must for a black car i reckon, use dit on my gti too - really nice wet, deep look. Plus its easier to clean each week as the dirt doesnt stick so badly.
Not having so much luck finding tyre gloss though - using the megs endurance stuff but it seems to go off after a couple of days.
Carnauba wax really is a must for a black car i reckon, use dit on my gti too - really nice wet, deep look. Plus its easier to clean each week as the dirt doesnt stick so badly.
Not having so much luck finding tyre gloss though - using the megs endurance stuff but it seems to go off after a couple of days.
Whatever the tire dressing you use, the recommended types are water based, not silicone based. I'm not sure if Zaino products are available in the UK yet but Zaino Z16 is the best tire dressing I've used to date. It leaves a nice satin black finish, not the sling prone glossy crap that is on the shelves. Always clean tires with Westley's Bleche-White or equivalent before applying, 100% difference.
20ducks said:
Well stated Greg!
I usually wash my Black Sapphire Metallic on Thursday or Friday afternoon - want it to look good for the weekend! Then, if I get a chance to do some serious detailing, the basic cleaning is done and more serious detailing is given to the paint. Also gives the top a day to dry if I am going to apply RaggTopp.
ldman:Best!
Jack
mason storm
Active member
I also have swirls on mine and what look like light scratches but on close inspection just look like marks that will come out with the right product. I may look into getting someone sort it out next year, in this weather you can't really tell