Black car

[Jonny TVR]

Picking up a new to me black car this weekend. Its has been prepared well and there are none of the usual swirl marks on it. I want to keep it this way but don't have time to spend hours detailing it. I want to just clean it and go. Its a fun car so mileage will only be around 3k a year.

I have a decent pressure washer and the usual decent quality cleaning products. I was thinking of getting a decent quality blower so that I don't have to dry it with a cloth. A filtered/ heated one. Any recommendations? However I will have to touch it with a cloth when I rub shampoo in. I know the technique with the two buckets etc and a straight up and down motion, but do you guys have any other tips and/ or recommendations on applicator?

Do people still snow foam? I do but not sure whether it actually does anything or not. It is good fun of course.

Thanks in advance.

[Belle427]

Certain snow foams work, Bilt hamber is a good one.
Get rid of the worst before your contact wash and use a good wash mitt you should be ok.
I’ve never bothered with 2 buckets personally.

[Gio G]

I think you have the right idea in that you want to avoid too much contact with the black paint. Two bucket wash, good pressure washer to help get dirt out and snow foam does help a little, along with some added cleaning aides.

My set up for body and wheels:

Nilfisk pressure washer, with additional snow foam lance
Bilt Hamber snow foam, is probably the best..
Bilt Hamber auto wash shampoo or Zaino Z7 or Auto finesse Lather
Micro-noodle wash mitts
Bilt Hamber auto wheels for alloy cleaning with woolies/detailing brushes or some Bilt Hamber Surfex HD if alloys not really dirty
Drying towel (auto finesse) or in the winter I use a pet dryer for blowing water off the panels (cheaper than dedicated car dryer)
Wax either Colinite 845 or top up with P&S bead maker

G

[Jonny TVR]

Thanks Guys.

Gio .. why not use the blower in summer too? is the blower heated and filtered?

[Gio G]

Jonny TVR said:

Thanks Guys.

Gio .. why not use the blower in summer too? is the blower heated and filtered?

More chance of water spots (live in a very hard water area) during the summer with the blower, I like using it in winter as it blows hot air for my cold hands

Have you thought of a ceramic coating?

G

[Jonny TVR]

Gio G said:

More chance of water spots (live in a very hard water area) during the summer with the blower, I like using it in winter as it blows hot air for my cold hands

Have you thought of a ceramic coating?

G

That makes sense

Do ceramic coatings really work for long? I don't have experience of them and are they expensive?

[LordGrover]

Black cars are a swine to keep tip-top. I've sworn before I'll not have another black car, but I'm on fifth and sixth I think at the moment.
I really can't be arsed any more, especially as I have lumbered myself with two of the feckers at the moment.
Unless you coat it, keep it garaged and never use it in the rain (or ever really) you'll be fighting a losing battle.

Give it a decent wash when you feel like it and learn to appreciate a little bit of grime/patina.

[Jonny TVR]

This is very cheap versus the detailing ones. Its 2800w is heated and filtered


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2800W-Pet-Dog-Hair-Drye...

[Jonny TVR]

Thanks Lord Grover although not sure how helpful it is!

[LordGrover]

[Gio G]

Jonny TVR said:

This is very cheap versus the detailing ones. Its 2800w is heated and filtered


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2800W-Pet-Dog-Hair-Drye...

This is what I have.. Make sure you don't turn it on without holding the hose, as it will either smash you in the face or hit your bodywork... also leads on these are quite short and you will need an extension..

I think ceramic coatings are coming down in price. If I owned another black car again, I would probably get it done..

G

[Jonny TVR]

Gio G said:

This is what I have.. Make sure you don't turn it on without holding the hose, as it will either smash you in the face or hit your bodywork... also leads on these are quite short and you will need an extension..

I think ceramic coatings are coming down in price. If I owned another black car again, I would probably get it done..

G

Thanks Gio .. bought the dog hair dryer and a load of other products you recommended. I'll look into the ceramic coating options.

Cheers