New (to me) Black Jeep Wrangler

[mayberry]

I've looked at Jeeps and wanted one since high school. I finally broke down and bought a used '16 Black Unlimited this week. I found a great deal on one in wonderful condition, bone stock and only 25,000 miles. I don't think I've ever been so happy driving around in my life. Last night, I washed, clay barred, used Meguiar's Swirl Remover with a Porter Cable 7424xp, polished using Blackfire AIO, and then applied Meguiar's Quik Spray Wax. I also used pinnacle Onyx Trim Restorer, which did an amazing job on all the trim. The Jeep looks unbelievable. I have two questions, though.

1) I still have some swirl marks where the prior owner, most likely, took it through a car wash. What is my best way to get those out, other than what I've already done? Should I go through the entire process again? A majority of the swirls are gone, but there are still some in the paint.

2) I've read here several times that there are products that do best on black vehicles to give them that wet, deep finished look. I've searched the forums and can't find the threads I remember. For a black vehicle, what is the best polish and/or wax to get that amazing black finish?

 

[mayberry]

Here are a few pictures after detailing it last night.

 

[Bruno Soares]

To remove the swirls your AIO didn’t, you’ll need a more aggressive pad/product that removes more clear coat and therefore levels it better. Tell us what pad you used and if that’s enough you just need a stronger polish, otherwise you might need pads and polish to get it done.

 

[TNMIKE46]

"Mayberry", I'm still a novice at this polishing and coating stuff, but I gotta tell ya, on my 02TransAm with original black paint I could'nt imagine a blacker deeper shine (and ease of application)than Wolfgang Uber ceramic spray coating. I prepped with Griots fast correcting cream then Griots finishing cream.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Looks great!

What’s it like dropping the top?

 

[TNMIKE46]

By the way, sorry I didn't say in my last post to you, that is an beautiful black reflection on your "new" jeep.

 

[mayberry]

To remove the swirls your AIO didn’t, you’ll need a more aggressive pad/product that removes more clear coat and therefore levels it better. Tell us what pad you used and if that’s enough you just need a stronger polish, otherwise you might need pads and polish to get it done.

I used an orange Lake Country foam pad on a Porter Cable 7424XP polisher. After looking today, I would say I got 2/3-3/4 of the swirls out. Some minor scratches still remain, too. I'm wondering if repeating the same process over again might get the rest of them, or if I need a stronger pad or polish. Any suggestions are appreciated.

 

[mayberry]

Looks great!

What’s it like dropping the top?

The top has been down all week. I cleaned out my garage yesterday to make sure I had room to store the Jeep, just so I don't have to put it up every night. This week looks to be high 70's to mid 80's all week. So, I bought this thing at the perfect time of year.

There is nothing like driving around in a Jeep on a sunny day with the top down. It feels like hiking, but in a car. Seeing the clouds above and the sun hitting me like I'm outside is an awesome feeling. I know it's just a car, but I love this thing far more than I can express.

 

[Bruno Soares]

I used an orange Lake Country foam pad on a Porter Cable 7424XP polisher. After looking today, I would say I got 2/3-3/4 of the swirls out. Some minor scratches still remain, too. I'm wondering if repeating the same process over again might get the rest of them, or if I need a stronger pad or polish. Any suggestions are appreciated.

That pad should be enough. I would try a bottle of Griot’s Correcting Cream with those pads. If the AIO got most of it, the CC should get it close to perfection. If the paint is soft you might have to refine the finish with the product you used on first attempt but CC finishes really well on most paint jobs.

 

[PaulMys]

Deeper scratches need to be tackled with a compound, then cleaned up with a polish generally speaking.

Black paint is beautiful, but it is also like taking on a second job to keep it looking that way.

If you can post pics of what you have left to deal with, it might help us with suggestions.

 

[mayberry]

I just tried in the garage with the light on above and it didn't show the way I want. I'll take pictures in the morning outside and post them. It's about to get dark here now.

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

There is nothing like driving around in a Jeep on a sunny day with the top down.

It feels like hiking, but in a car. Seeing the clouds above and the sun hitting me like I'm outside is an awesome feeling.

I know it's just a car, but I love this thing far more than I can express.

I agree, I love convertibles so much I've cut the top off of two vehicles I've owned, I'd say that's more serious than most people.


I cut the top of this 1959 Cadillac Flattop and did it in a way I could bolt it back on for winter months.

I cut the top off of this 1971 Chevy 3/4 Ton 4x4 and had a custom half cab soft top made for it.

When I moved to Florida from California, I shipped out my old 2-door Jimmy, full convertible. I removed the hardtop and SOLD it while in California.

So yeah, I"m kind of a convertible guy and besides the 1975 Jimmy shown above, I've owned,

1969 Blazer CST - Full Convertible
1973 Jimmy Full Convertible
1073 Blazer 2-wheel drive - Full Convertible





But what I meant when I posted this,

What’s it like dropping the top?

Is...

What's it like to physically disconnect the convertible top where it connects to the top of the windshield frame and then pull it back to top-down state?


Is it cumbersome? Is it easy? Anything funky or well-thought-out?



Been looking at a Jeep to replace my Lexus. When we moved to our new Condo, they have a NO TRUCKS ALLOWED rule. So I sold my 1987 Silverado, which I miss every day.

We can however own a Jeep. And out of all the Jeep options, I've been looking at the convertible version of the Jeep Unlimited. We won't have the space or place to put the hardtop, so we're only looking for convertible models.

 

[mayberry]

But what I meant when I posted this,

Is...

What's it like to physically disconnect the convertible top where it connects to the top of the windshield frame and then pull it back to top-down state?


Is it cumbersome? Is it easy? Anything funky or well-thought-out?

Sorry, misunderstood. In short, it's as easy as can be.

Mine is a 2016 JK Unlimited, and it takes me 2 minutes to drop the top from fully enclosed to wide open and down. Less, if I didn't want to remove the windows and just let them get scratched up.

Putting it up takes a minute longer, just because I have to get the windows reattached to the zippers. And the new JL's from 2018-present, are even faster, from what I hear. I absolutely love it.

I am taking the long way to get anywhere I go. It's amazing to drive.

While I have you, what do you recommend to make the black color have that deep, wet look? I've looked at the Blackfire BlackIce Hybrid Liquid Wax. Is that what you would recommend, or something else?

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Mine is a 2016 JK Unlimited, and it takes me 2 minutes to drop the top from fully enclosed to wide open and down. Less, if I didn't want to remove the windows and just let them get scratched up.

Putting it up takes a minute longer, just because I have to get the windows reattached to the zippers. And the new JL's from 2018-present, are even faster, from what I hear. I absolutely love it.

Thanks! I figured as such, but I've never put the top down on one.

I am taking the long way to get anywhere I go. It's amazing to drive.

Copy that. I miss driving the 1975 Jimmy. It had a 468 Big Block Chevy in it and every time I left the line I would have the back tires spinning and the Jimmy fish-tailing.

While I have you, what do you recommend to make the black color have that deep, wet look? I've looked at the Blackfire BlackIce Hybrid Liquid Wax. Is that what you would recommend, or something else?

That's a really nice product --> Blackfire BlackIce Hybrid Liquid Wax


I tend to use it to top any car I detail with the BLACKFIRE One Step. More protection and high gloss results. Easy to use too.


I find Jeeps a tick on the pain-in-the-butt to detail due to all the small sections and small panels - so not looking forward to this aspect.


Enjoy your Jeep!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Mine is a 2016 JK Unlimited, and it takes me 2 minutes to drop the top from fully enclosed to wide open and down. Less, if I didn't want to remove the windows and just let them get scratched up.

Putting it up takes a minute longer, just because I have to get the windows reattached to the zippers. And the new JL's from 2018-present, are even faster, from what I hear. I absolutely love it.

Thanks! I figured as such, but I've never put the top down on one.

I am taking the long way to get anywhere I go. It's amazing to drive.

Copy that. I miss driving the 1975 Jimmy. It had a 468 Big Block Chevy in it and every time I left the line I would have the back tires spinning and the Jimmy fish-tailing.

While I have you, what do you recommend to make the black color have that deep, wet look? I've looked at the Blackfire BlackIce Hybrid Liquid Wax. Is that what you would recommend, or something else?

That's a really nice product --> Blackfire BlackIce Hybrid Liquid Wax


I tend to use it to top any car I detail with the BLACKFIRE One Step. More protection and high gloss results. Easy to use too.


I find Jeeps a tick on the pain-in-the-butt to detail due to all the small sections and small panels - so not looking forward to this aspect.


Enjoy your Jeep!

 

[Mike PhillipsMike Phillips is verified member.]

Also....


If you haven't already, pick a great vinyl protectant then then thoroughly clean the vinyl top and start maintaining it with something. Not only will it keep it looking great but it will help it to last longer.


I tend to lean towards 303 for exterior vinyl products as this is what they are famous for. I did recently use the RaggTopp vinyl products and RaggTopp has a great reputation for quality product too.


Review: Machine applying RaggTopp Vinyl Cleaner and Protectant - 1967 Camaro Convertible




Before

After

 

[mayberry]

Also....


If you haven't already, pick a great vinyl protectant then then thoroughly clean the vinyl top and start maintaining it with something. Not only will it keep it looking great but it will help it to last longer.




I tend to lean towards 303 for exterior vinyl products as this is what they are famous for. I did recently use the RaggTopp vinyl products and RaggTopp has a great reputation for quality product too.

I just thought about this, because today I noticed I got some tire shine overspray on my top when I sprayed my spare tire on the back the other night. I'm cleaning it this week, I hope. What do you think about SoftTopp Vinyl Jeep Top Cleaner & Protectant Kit? Would you use that over regular 303, or is the 303 Protectant just too good to overcome? I use 303 on my boat vinyl and it works. I didn't even think about that for the Jeep top, for some reason. But, the SoftTopp kit caught my eye, as it seems to be made specifically for Jeep tops. Any experience with it?

 

[mayberry]

View attachment 72792View attachment 72793View attachment 72794View attachment 72795

Reviving an old thread, but continuing an issue from last year. The Jeep looks amazing when it's clean. But, there are still micro scratches that show in bright sunlight, and when a direct light is shined on it. I don't want to kill myself trying to keep a black Jeep perfect, but I would like to get the scratches out and restore the finish. Attached are 4 pictures. In the one where no direct light is showing, you can see how reflective it is in my garage. But, the others show the small scratches that are all over the Jeep. I'd like to get those out, if possible. Will this require a full cut compound, or will something like a few applications of swirl remover, followed by polish and wax most likely fix it? They aren't deep scratches, but they are visible.