Tips on cleaning a black Z
- Thread starter andya1
- Start date
DI vessel.
The less you touch the paint, the fewer scratches you get. Most damage is done during the drying stage as parts of the car that have not been 100% washed, you rub with a drying towel causing the damage.
When I wash my two black cars, and use the DI vessel to rinse it, once the car is dry I can always see some small bits I have missed. That would have caused damage if I had dried it with a towel.
Other than that, the usual multiple wash mitts to wash the car.
I also had the paint protected with a Protec treatment which keeps the car cleaner and protects it making it easier to wash.
The less you touch the paint, the fewer scratches you get. Most damage is done during the drying stage as parts of the car that have not been 100% washed, you rub with a drying towel causing the damage.
When I wash my two black cars, and use the DI vessel to rinse it, once the car is dry I can always see some small bits I have missed. That would have caused damage if I had dried it with a towel.
Other than that, the usual multiple wash mitts to wash the car.
I also had the paint protected with a Protec treatment which keeps the car cleaner and protects it making it easier to wash.
Same as above use two buckets with grit catchers and a wash mitt.
I rinse off using rain water, 95% water mark free once dried
I rinse off using rain water, 95% water mark free once dried
Good luck Andy with the car & especially the SB paint scratches , chips & marks show on black paint like no other & after owning 3 Bmw SB cars i will be avoiding any more in the future :? it can become a constant point of paranoia & frustration if you let it 
If its a daily driver virtually impossible to keep clean through the winter months if compared to silver cars
Looking forward to the pics of your efforts though as when polished up they are hard to better
If its a daily driver virtually impossible to keep clean through the winter months if compared to silver cars
Looking forward to the pics of your efforts though as when polished up they are hard to better
Im on my second SB BMW now and it's definatly the best colour when it's been cleaned polished/ wax etc but trying to keep it looking like that is hard work especially in the winter, then it's dirty again after a day of driving it 
I try to give mine a full detail every 6 months if possible using:
-Irox X
-AG clay kit
-AG super resin polish
-Poorboys black hole glaze
-Angelwax Desirable Wax and topped up with Angelwax QED after everywash there after.
I do have a machine polisher and did give the car a full paint correction when I got it also.
As a washing routine I use:
-Rinse down with my Nilfisk pressure washer
-VP citrus pre wash
-Autobrite Direct Magifoam snow foam
-AG Bodywork shampoo and conditioner applied using lambs wool wash mitt and two bucket method
-Dried using a big fluffy drying towel
- Angelwax QD applied
In the winter sometimes I will only give the car the once over with pre wash and snow foam and won't wash it as such.
These products keep it looking the best it can throughout the year
I try to give mine a full detail every 6 months if possible using:
-Irox X
-AG clay kit
-AG super resin polish
-Poorboys black hole glaze
-Angelwax Desirable Wax and topped up with Angelwax QED after everywash there after.
I do have a machine polisher and did give the car a full paint correction when I got it also.
As a washing routine I use:
-Rinse down with my Nilfisk pressure washer
-VP citrus pre wash
-Autobrite Direct Magifoam snow foam
-AG Bodywork shampoo and conditioner applied using lambs wool wash mitt and two bucket method
-Dried using a big fluffy drying towel
- Angelwax QD applied
In the winter sometimes I will only give the car the once over with pre wash and snow foam and won't wash it as such.
These products keep it looking the best it can throughout the year
Sapphire black is a great colour and some great advice on cleaning it, but would I have it on my DD!! Maybe not it's hard to keep clean and the more you have to wash it the more likely that you will get swirls
But saying that it's looks amazing when clean and polished
This is mine
I've been told this is pretty good
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171631610215?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
But saying that it's looks amazing when clean and polished
This is mine
I've been told this is pretty good
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/171631610215?_trksid=p2060778.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
Mad Professor
Active member
Well i have the same colour Z as yours and I use Harly Wax and it's really an excellent product -i'm not in the slightest into detailing -in fact i'm quite lazy in that regard when it comes to cleaning cars -but this stuff just glides on and comes off easy and the finish is astonishing and its not dear -i got mine from ebay .
Agree with everything above really, much of it is about how much time and expense you want to put in!
I'd personally recommend Poorboys Black Hole (Hopz mentions it above) as a very quick and easy to use product.
It does a great job of hiding swirls and leaving a lovely deep shine....apply after a good wash (ideally clay and polish) and protect with a good wax.
I'd personally recommend Poorboys Black Hole (Hopz mentions it above) as a very quick and easy to use product.
It does a great job of hiding swirls and leaving a lovely deep shine....apply after a good wash (ideally clay and polish) and protect with a good wax.
I am some kind of detailer by my hobby and i know black paint can be really good or disaster. First you want to look your paintwork in led or fluorecent light. I am quite sure there is swirls and other damage in lacquer. Good 2 or 3 step machine correction would be usually necessary after previous owners. After that ideally will be some kind of hard coating like cquartz ceramic as example. Coating will resist swirls what you do when you wash car. And then we can continue to wash process. Use quality prewash like bh-autofoam+ foam lance, and then 2bucket method, quality mitt & shampoo. Dry only with clean drying towel like elite car care yellow smooth and thick microfiber cloth. I highly recommend it.
Do not use any dirty equipment, dont wash wheels with same mitt than paintwork .. list goes on. Common sense
I do have deep blue e46 and even that paint is absolute pain to keep shiny and free of swirls. I have to do small correction polish with machine every 6months to keep it show condition.
Do not use any dirty equipment, dont wash wheels with same mitt than paintwork .. list goes on. Common sense
I do have deep blue e46 and even that paint is absolute pain to keep shiny and free of swirls. I have to do small correction polish with machine every 6months to keep it show condition.
We just gave up washing it. It is now under nearly a years worth of filth and iit is nearly brown.
I have a black coupe and use it daily so as soon as it’s been cleaned, it ends up filthy within about an hour. I live on B roads and at this time of year they are wet and muddy 95% of the time.
What protection can I put on it to keep the shine for longer?
At the moment my process of cleaning is below;
Karcher K4 - Pressure wash loose dirt & mud
Karcher K4 - foam lance and some car shampoo and cover car in foam
Use a sponge to clean
Dry car with chamois
Use turtle wax colour magic
Basically the car cleaning malarkey (to a detailed level) is new to me. What polish should I be using and then should I apply a wax afterwards and if so can anyone recommend a good brand?
Secondly there are a few swirl marks here and there, will a clay bar/mitt get rid of these? I can’t really afford a machine polish ATM so would like to do the best I can, within budget.
The car looks great after the turtle wax stuff but it lasts as long as it’s taken you to read this post.
What protection can I put on it to keep the shine for longer?
At the moment my process of cleaning is below;
Karcher K4 - Pressure wash loose dirt & mud
Karcher K4 - foam lance and some car shampoo and cover car in foam
Use a sponge to clean
Dry car with chamois
Use turtle wax colour magic
Basically the car cleaning malarkey (to a detailed level) is new to me. What polish should I be using and then should I apply a wax afterwards and if so can anyone recommend a good brand?
Secondly there are a few swirl marks here and there, will a clay bar/mitt get rid of these? I can’t really afford a machine polish ATM so would like to do the best I can, within budget.
The car looks great after the turtle wax stuff but it lasts as long as it’s taken you to read this post.
Few tips straight away, throw away the sponge and chamois
Then replace with a lambs wool washmitt and two buckets (ideally with gritty guards) and a big fluffy drying towel (see below)
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/microfibre-drying-towels/cleanyourcar-huge-39-fluffy-39-drying-towel/prod_634.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/wash-mitts-sponges/premium-lambskin-wash-mitt/prod_984.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/cleanyourcar-wash-bucket-set/prod_393.html
These products will help you avoid putting more swirls in the paint and are the basic products needed, don't use the wash kit on the wheels get a cheaper one or wheel brushes for that.
Wheel cleaner
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/valet-pro-dragons-breath/prod_1238.html
or
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/valet-pro-bilberry-wheel-cleaner/prod_499.html
Then get some polish and wax
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=893
http://www.angelwax.co.uk/?wpsc-product=desirable
You will also need microfibre cloths and applicator pads but thats a basic start
A clay bar removes all contaminants from the paint and should be done on a clean car prior to polishing/waxing! This one uses water for a lubracant but most others on the market new a quick detailer
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=1161
When you get into it more you can get Citrus pre wash, Snow foam & lance, Tar removal, Iron removal, (iron x), machine polishing, sealants, wheel wax/sealants quick detailer, di vessel and other stuff which will keep it looking even better
These are the basic's and some products you can use, there is hundreds of options for products and its up to you what you decide to use
Hope this helps
Ash
Then replace with a lambs wool washmitt and two buckets (ideally with gritty guards) and a big fluffy drying towel (see below)
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/microfibre-drying-towels/cleanyourcar-huge-39-fluffy-39-drying-towel/prod_634.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/wash-mitts-sponges/premium-lambskin-wash-mitt/prod_984.html
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/washing-and-drying/cleanyourcar-wash-bucket-set/prod_393.html
These products will help you avoid putting more swirls in the paint and are the basic products needed, don't use the wash kit on the wheels get a cheaper one or wheel brushes for that.
Wheel cleaner
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/valet-pro-dragons-breath/prod_1238.html
or
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/valet-pro-bilberry-wheel-cleaner/prod_499.html
Then get some polish and wax
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=893
http://www.angelwax.co.uk/?wpsc-product=desirable
You will also need microfibre cloths and applicator pads but thats a basic start
A clay bar removes all contaminants from the paint and should be done on a clean car prior to polishing/waxing! This one uses water for a lubracant but most others on the market new a quick detailer
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=1161
When you get into it more you can get Citrus pre wash, Snow foam & lance, Tar removal, Iron removal, (iron x), machine polishing, sealants, wheel wax/sealants quick detailer, di vessel and other stuff which will keep it looking even better
These are the basic's and some products you can use, there is hundreds of options for products and its up to you what you decide to use
Hope this helps
Ash
Defo ditch the sponge and chamois for a good mitt and microfibre drying towel.
Personally i would recommend Poorboys Blackhole or Autoglym Super Resin Polish becuase you are looking for polish to apply by hand. These products contain a lot of 'fillers' that smooth out and reduce the visual appereance of imperfections and swirl marks = shiny shiny 8)
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/glazes/poorboys-black-hole/prod_494.html
I disagree (sorry hopz!
oke: ) on spending £45 on a wax though, especially for a daily driver. Collonite (476 or 915) or Finishkare Fk1000p waxes are generally regarded as the most durable affordable waxes on the market. They are half the price for at least 4x as much! Fk1000p is easier to use IMO. Both can also be used on wheels
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/finishkare-1000p-hi-temp-sealant/prod_589.html
The above polish and wax combos are <£40 so quite affordable, considering they will really last for ages. The fk1000p tin is MASSIVE, the picture on the website is misleading!
Personally i would recommend Poorboys Blackhole or Autoglym Super Resin Polish becuase you are looking for polish to apply by hand. These products contain a lot of 'fillers' that smooth out and reduce the visual appereance of imperfections and swirl marks = shiny shiny 8)
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/glazes/poorboys-black-hole/prod_494.html
I disagree (sorry hopz!
oke: ) on spending £45 on a wax though, especially for a daily driver. Collonite (476 or 915) or Finishkare Fk1000p waxes are generally regarded as the most durable affordable waxes on the market. They are half the price for at least 4x as much! Fk1000p is easier to use IMO. Both can also be used on wheels http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/finishkare-1000p-hi-temp-sealant/prod_589.html
The above polish and wax combos are <£40 so quite affordable, considering they will really last for ages. The fk1000p tin is MASSIVE, the picture on the website is misleading!
bony_13 said:Defo ditch the sponge and chamois for a good mitt and microfibre drying towel.
Personally i would recommend Poorboys Blackhole or Autoglym Super Resin Polish becuase you are looking for polish to apply by hand. These products contain a lot of 'fillers' that smooth out and reduce the visual appereance of imperfections and swirl marks = shiny shiny 8)
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/glazes/poorboys-black-hole/prod_494.html
I disagree (sorry hopz!
http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/sealants/finishkare-1000p-hi-temp-sealant/prod_589.html
The above polish and wax combos are <£40 so quite affordable, considering they will really last for ages. The fk1000p tin is MASSIVE, the picture on the website is misleading!
I did say it is all down to personal preference
I use black hole over the top of AG SRP or AF Tripple already, I know some say this isn’t needed but it works for me and I’m a sucker for buying new products to try
Also If you have not tried AF Tripple i would give it ago its ALOT better than AG SRP. AG HD Wax is also pretty good if you want to get it in Halfords or something
Thanks for the pointers guys!!!
I knew the sponge wasn't the best idea but it's all I have at the mo. Each time I've washed the car I've tried to wash the sponge prior and after in the hope of avoiding damage from grit and I always use a different sponge/brush on the wheels.
I was just in Asda on my lunch break and after finding the cheap Castrol Edge oil in there the other week I thought I'd have a look at their car section again. They are doing a jumbo bag of microfibre cloths for £5. worth a punt even if you throw them away after one use!
I knew the sponge wasn't the best idea but it's all I have at the mo. Each time I've washed the car I've tried to wash the sponge prior and after in the hope of avoiding damage from grit and I always use a different sponge/brush on the wheels.
I was just in Asda on my lunch break and after finding the cheap Castrol Edge oil in there the other week I thought I'd have a look at their car section again. They are doing a jumbo bag of microfibre cloths for £5. worth a punt even if you throw them away after one use!
Roundozo said:
It's not keeping the sponge clean prior and after the wash process that's the problem. The problem with a sponge is that when a bit of dirt or grit gets picked up it stays on surface and gets dragged around on the bodywork. Unlike say a lambs wool mit, dirt and grit gets picked up and inbeds itself in the wool until it gets rinsed. Plus feel how abrasive that sponge feels against your skin, to me it feels really rough and coarse.
Crikey thanks for the replies and I actually forgot I posted this on here 
I still haven't got the car it should hopefully be this week and it is only a weekend car so not a daily driver, my wife Linda has a black Smart ForTwo and works from home and hers keeps fairly clean so hopefully the zed will, now I need to read all these posts again and buy some products, I normally use a drying towel on the cars but now I am not sure whether I should due to possible swirls!
Apologies to everyone that has taken the time to post as because the car has been delayed I just completely forgot I posted this question.
I still haven't got the car it should hopefully be this week and it is only a weekend car so not a daily driver, my wife Linda has a black Smart ForTwo and works from home and hers keeps fairly clean so hopefully the zed will, now I need to read all these posts again and buy some products, I normally use a drying towel on the cars but now I am not sure whether I should due to possible swirls!Apologies to everyone that has taken the time to post as because the car has been delayed I just completely forgot I posted this question.
I have used Turtle Wax Black Box on my current two black cars and both of their black predecessors.
It must have been just before Christmas that I last did the Zed and it's still beading fine now. I like it because it does hide stone chips well - my bonnet really needs a respray but that's not going to happen any time soon and does look good from 3 yards!
Cannot remember when I last did the Discovery - I am sure that it has ten times the paintwork of the Zed!
It must have been just before Christmas that I last did the Zed and it's still beading fine now. I like it because it does hide stone chips well - my bonnet really needs a respray but that's not going to happen any time soon and does look good from 3 yards!
Cannot remember when I last did the Discovery - I am sure that it has ten times the paintwork of the Zed!
