Oh no - another Black paint question!

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abqhudson

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Trying my best to keep my black car looking nice - and I'm wearing out. Swirls and scratches in the sunlight are the bane of my existence. I really don't want to polish and wax my car once a month. The car lives in the garage - no rain. I lightly dedust with a California duster -wash with a rinseless wash - then detail spray- always using Micro Fiber towels.

Would Opti Coat keep the swirl marks away? Or, is there any sealant/final coating that will keep the swirl marks away?

All help/suggestions/opinions would be appreciated.
 
GTechniq C1 claims to increase scratch resistance. There is a thread that was just started, by me.

Many people think that the California Duster is a bad idea, because the wax in the cotton strands traps dust and dirt dragging it across the surface of the paint.

I have a black Yukon and almost have my maintenance routine down to the point that wash induced marring is at a minimum.

Pressure wash to knock off any big stuff
Foam Gun- Dwell
Two Bucket w/ Grit Guards & Optimum Soap
CarPro Meriono Wash Mitt
Rinse with softened water
Cheap system sold on AGO works OK, CR Spotless in the future
Dry with Waffle Weave and Optimum Gloss Enhancer
 
You can use all the right products but that if you do not use the right techniques the potential to damaging the paint still exists.
 
I own a black RAV4 and I'm in the same boat with you.
Couple of months ago I gave it a full paint correction, it looked flawless but over a short time I now see the swirls.
I'm very careful how I wash it, dry it, Rinseless wash is something that helps prevent prevent swirls,a lot of lube.
Most of us are careful in the way we wash our cars but drying should be just as important because that can cause swirls.
I'm at a point where I just try and use a filler instead of polishing so much.
Last week I bought Meg's Black Wax and must say it hid them, for how long I don't know.

I'm about to buy Opti-Coat and see what that does for me.
I knew when buying the car that I'd be having to maintain it often.
Is it worth all the work, heck yeah, black looks so nice on the RAV.

I polish it using m205, it's quick and gets it flawless again.
 
First, if scratches are a problem, stop using the California Duster.

Second, never "wipe down" your paint unless its clean (just washed)

Third, never do any type of rinseless or waterless wash unless you pressure rinse the vehicle first. Preferably foam and pressure rinse.

Fourth, do as much "touch less" work as you can. Get a CR Spotless and Master Blaster if budget allows. Both are well worth it.

*** I was in your shoes with the black car and the returning swirls, albeit light swirls. Since adopting these principles a year or two ago - no returning swirls. OptiCoat likely would help, but if the color is "Jett Black" it will still show everything. Doing the "right stuff" is better than OC IMHO.
 
swanicyouth said:
First, if scratches are a problem, stop using the California Duster.

Second, never "wipe down" your paint unless its clean (just washed)

Third, never do any type of rinseless or waterless wash unless you pressure rinse the vehicle first. Preferably foam and pressure rinse.

Fourth, do as much "touch less" work as you can. Get a CR Spotless and Master Blaster if budget allows. Both are well worth it.

*** I was in your shoes with the black car and the returning swirls, albeit light swirls. Since adopting these principles a year or two ago - no returning swirls. OptiCoat likely would help, but if the color is "Jett Black" it will still show everything. Doing the "right stuff" is better than OC IMHO.
Click to expand...
I use coatings. I agree with all the above except a Pressure Washer before rinseless. I do agree it needs a pre-wash of sorts. I use a hose and nozzle pressure. The coatings do not hold contaminants on the surface like wax or sealant. I also use Mothers Foam Core Dryings Towelto blot dry so I don't induce marring. I also pre-soak with Ultima Waterless Wash + from a 2 gallon garden sprayer. I dispense a liter or so and it really loosens things up before rinseless. I use ONR, UWW+ rinseless dilution or DG and don't get marring. The coatings make a huge difference but mainly because crap can be hosed off so easy.
I have the 8 HP MB for traditional wash drying.
 
c8n said:
You can use all the right products but that if you do not use the right techniques the potential to damaging the paint still exists.
Click to expand...
Truer words were never spoken!
 
I always blowdry (leaf blower) my TCH to prevent any swirls from the drying process. I imagine towel drying to be a very vulnerable because of the lack of lubrication.
I guess using the blower can be EXTREMELY vulnerable as well. I always use TWO hands during the process.
Six months and pretty much swirl free but it's hard to tell on metallic silver. There are some straight line issues when I look at the sun reflected upon the surface. The dealer washed the car at least twice before I picked it up unless it was my carelessness.

Be well people... enjoy the quest,
elliot
 
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