Im just getting into waxing cars and stuff. I have made mine and my moms cars look really nice. Both brighter colors. Now I've heard black is a hard color to wax? I onno. But its a custom paint too with flames and all... Yes it's a ford.

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/snaggleto0th/HPIM0282.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b356/snaggleto0th/HPIM0281.jpg

I Have just been using Mequiars Cardnuba Wax. And it does leave a brillant shine and what not. Any tips and tricks for black?

-Anduh

Beautiful truck! THe trick to a great shine is in the preparation, if you don't properly prep the paint then all the waxing in thhe world will just leave a so-so result.

- Give the vehicle a good wash with Dawn dishwashing liquid, this will remove all wax and polish fromt he surface.
- Buy some detailing clay and clay the car as you give it a second wash with a good car wash solution. I like Zaino but there are others such as Maguiars that are also good.
- Apply a VERY thin coat of polish, putting it on heavy serves no purpose as only the layer in contact with the paint is needed. I prefer to use Zaino polishes (www.zainobros.com) I also like to let it cure on the car overnight, I don't know why but I seem to get a better shine this way.
- Wait at least 24 hrs and give it another coat of polish. THis layering of one on thhe other helps with protection and gives a much better depth of shine than just one treatment. Three layers will really bring out the shine.
- For touchups use a spray detailer between polishings.
- One of the most important tools you need are proper towels, don't use old t-shirts, diapers, or cheap towels from the bargain stores. At the risk of tooting my own horn stay with cotton USA Made towels

If you want to really learn a lot about detailing go to www.autopia.org, this is the largest detailing site on the internet.

Oh, and one more thing... stay away from car washes! They aren't called "swirl-a-matics" for nothing!

Thansk for the reply Leo! Yes it is a beautiful truck, very unique set of a flames on it. What is the purpose of the clay bar? Im gonna do it early morning saturday if the girls parents allow me to pick it up and what not, i gotta service it as well...But Ima be sure to take some nice pics of it and will post em when done saturday. Thanks again.


-Anduh

What is the purpose of the clay bar?

Leo has more knowledge than I on detailing, but I've been using clay for the last three years when prepping the Elco. Check out this article on claying (http://www.web-cars.com/detail/clay.php) and this article. (http://www.properautocare.com/creatsmootpa.html).

I use Meguiar's Smooth Surface Clay Kit that I buy at the local speed shop for under $20. I just spent the weekend stripping the old wax off, claying and applying some Zaino polish. Some detailing pictures (http://webpages.charter.net/jlevitan1/elky/currentext/page1/page1.html)

By the way... save yourselves some $$ and forget about using quick detail sprays as a lubricant for the clay, it's not necessary. Use car wash as a lubricant, you can either clay as you wash the car like I do or you can put some diluted in water in a spray bottle and use that. Using a quick detail spray is just throwing money out the window.

I gasped when I read Leo's Post. I am a little dyslexic and misread "proper towels" as "paper towels". Just wanted to make sure nobody else read it as paper towels as that would be incredibly bad. :lol:

Any thoughts on the microfiber towels???

Be careful what you say about mf towels in front of mixed company. Some people (like me) think they are great! Some people will get into an involved conversation about , how you should not ever use mf from china and only use the mf from korea, but only sometimes. The binding or edging will scratch. How to tell good mf from bad is beyond me. Why cant they make them in the USA where the "quality control" is more consistant? That is their reason "quality control" is non existance in other countries. I guess that could make sense. I use mf towels on our 2 black daily drivers regularly and they stay spotless and garage kept. My experience with mf is this: pretty much any mf towels work exellent on glass,I have never washed glass wihout streaks until mf! Never use any mf on your paint, that you buy at any parts store,walmart etc. THe safest place to get mf towels ( in my opinion) is properautocare.com, they somehow can tell which are high quality and do a great job. Now, I am a zaino fan and I use large USA cotton towels and they work great. I wash my cars with mf wash mitts, and dry with the "big blue towel", also made from mf ,from , again, properautocare.com. Ihave 2 of them although 1 usually does the job. This, ( in my opinion) is the only way to keep modern day factory black paint swirl free and spotless. Also NEVER rub any towel on any paint with pinpoint pressure, you are only asking for scratches. Good day.

Steve

Any thoughts on the microfiber towels???

LeoC2 wrote:
One of the most important tools you need are proper towels, don't use old t-shirts, diapers, or cheap towels from the bargain stores. At the risk of tooting my own horn stay with cotton USA Made towels

I think Leo was being a little modest. Check out his DF Concours web site (http://www.dftowel.com/). They have some of the finest softest towels out there. I use them and would highly recommend them for not only dark colored vehicles, but any color.

I use a carnuba wax and turtle wax ice. The turtle wax is great. One day when I left the house after applying the ice, My wife told me after I got home that my Sprint looked like a mirror going down the road.

Brian

My wife told me after I got home that my Sprint looked like a mirror going down the road

Is that the best compliment or what? I always love it when they say great things like that.

Hey, nice Sprint Brian. Is that a Hugger Orange? Looks good. 8)

My wife told me after I got home that my Sprint looked like a mirror going down the road

Is that the best compliment or what? I always love it when they say great things like that.

Hey, nice Sprint Brian. Is that a Hugger Orange? Looks good. 8)



Single stage hot rod red, Sometimes in the sun it will look orange and thanks for the compliment.

Brian

Hey 73elkyss,

While I like your 4th gen SS, I just got through looking at premonotion 1 and it looks a lot like how mine is setup :cool: . With the exception of your SS hood. I'm kinda partial to 3rd generations.

Brian