Cleaning the Black Zeee

DinoJ · 04-30-2009, 07:15 PM

So i tried for the first time to actually wash my own car, (i've been lazy) it had been raining the last few days so i had little wee rain marks all over the car. I got a hose and wet it down and then dried with a towel. I had swipe marks everywhere and the rain droplet marks werent gone. Then i used a dry towel and got the marks to go away.

The point is, whats the best way to clean it, wax..etc

are there any specific towels, or wax to use? never had a black car

cheers for the help.

dad · 04-30-2009, 07:36 PM

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FlashBazbo · 04-30-2009, 07:37 PM

Microfiber towels are the only way to go. I have a black motorcycle and only a microfiber towel will keep the marks, smears, and droplet circles away.

Namir · 04-30-2009, 08:32 PM

Black is a swirl magnet. Listen to papa and go to autopia. They have plenty of writeups on washing and detailing.

semtex · 05-01-2009, 10:41 AM

Um...you did use soap, right? Because the way you worded it sorta makes it sound like you just hosed off your car then went straight to drying it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DinoJ

I got a hose and wet it down and then dried with a towel. I had swipe marks everywhere and the rain droplet marks werent gone.

chubbs · 05-01-2009, 12:32 PM

If you wash, dry and polish/wax with a circular motion your swirl marks will be more obvious. If you try to wash, dry and polish/wax by wiping in the direction of the bodywork the swirl marks will be less obvious.

I agree with FlashBazbo - microfibre towels are the best way to get the water off.

semtex · 05-01-2009, 12:34 PM

I use an air compressor and just blast all the water off.

Robert_Nash · 05-01-2009, 12:56 PM

Most of my vehicles over the years (with exception of my Z's) have been black...no way around it, a black (or very dark color) vehicle takes more care.

Believe it or not, I've had very good luck using plain old "Dawn" to wash as a means to remove a lot of "gunk" of the surface as preparation for a new and complete (and careful) wax job (don't use Dawn unless you plan to re-wax as it will remove the wax that's on the vehicle)...once you get a couple of good wax jobs on the finish it will become much easier to keep it clean with a very mild car wash solution (or even just plain water) and a good detailer.

These days, I've been using Meguiar's Ultimate Detailer and generally use their waxes as well when I wax.

One thing about black...when it's cared for properly; there is almost nothing more beautiful!

sensi09 · 05-01-2009, 01:08 PM

As mentioned, washing without a circular motion and regular rinsing the wash mitt will go a long way in preventing swirl marks.

No matter what the product, it's all about the process. Also, I don't think you need the greatest microfiber. There is better out there, but the microfiber from costco does fine.

Forrest · 05-01-2009, 04:50 PM

Any top surface you need to wash and dry in a "horizontal" motion aka left to right. You need to do this in a straight line.

Any side surface you need to wash and dry in a "vertical" motion aka top to bottom.

This will minamize your visable scratches due to a circle scratch can be seen from a 360% angle, those straight line scratches wont be seen unless you at the right angle.

Second thing i notice, any thing that is just a "wax" is a waste of time if it doesnt last long. From my understanding a black car in the sun can get hot enough to melt off any normal wax any ways.

I think you will want something like zaino Zaino Store

Zaino can be advanced and complex and it also can be easy.

Heres a beginer strategy that i thought off that i assume will work.
This is a first time thing to set up your clear seal, you wont have to do this steps again.
#1Wash with dawn, normal no scents. You do this just once, hopefully wont have to again for long time
#3 Clay bar the car. Z-18 ClayBar: Zaino Store
#2 Invest in leaf blower or air compressor to dry your car or do by hand with "soft" towel. I use a Toro leaf blower this thing works great and saves me alot of time.
#3 Use Zaino CS "clear seal" Z-CS Clear Seal: Zaino Store

Normal wash would be this.
#1 wash with Z-7 Show Car Wash: Zaino Store
#2 dry with the method above
#3 Apply Z6 Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray: Zaino Store
#4 If your looking for the extra shine, optional and not needed apply z8 Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal: Zaino Store
#5 your done

For days you dont want to wash, becuase you have this stuff on your car most dust will wipe off with ease with a California Car duster.

I use z2 and z5 on my car but in my opinion those can be a mess if not done right, i still have not perfected there uses, this method above seems easyer and harder to mess up. If you want when i have time i can post what i do to my car normaly, but it seems little more intense then the wipe on and off solution i gave you.

dad · 05-01-2009, 05:03 PM

WTF? Is this an illusion due to the curves in the fender?

Anatoray · 05-01-2009, 06:00 PM

Yes, it is. Any shot from that angle will produce that many reflections.

Forrest · 05-01-2009, 09:46 PM

No photo editing what so ever its cuz its round as Anatoray said plus healty dose of z2 zaino

ltp · 05-17-2009, 10:20 PM

I use Zaino products to clean, polish, and protect my black Z.
I definitely recommend using Zaino as soon as you get your car.
It really protects the paint from bird drops and swirl marks.
See my album for pictures of black 370Z with 2 coats of Zaino (Z2).

Nissan 370Z Forum - ltp's Album: My 370Z

stogey420time · 05-17-2009, 10:26 PM

My gawd that's a clean car

Quote:

Originally Posted by Forrest

04-30-2009, 07:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
DinoJ Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 87 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z MB M6 Rep Power: 262	Cleaning the Black Zeee So i tried for the first time to actually wash my own car, (i've been lazy) it had been raining the last few days so i had little wee rain marks all over the car. I got a hose and wet it down and then dried with a towel. I had swipe marks everywhere and the rain droplet marks werent gone. Then i used a dry towel and got the marks to go away. The point is, whats the best way to clean it, wax..etc are there any specific towels, or wax to use? never had a black car cheers for the help.

04-30-2009, 07:36 PM	#2 (permalink)
dad Grand Prix of Endurance Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 3,476 Drives: Mulsanne Straight Rep Power: 26	Popular Articles-right hand side of the page. Autopia.org Articles, Editorial & Blogs for Car Detailing Enthusiasts __________________ We can do without any article of luxury we have never had; but once obtained, it is not in human nature to surrender it voluntary.

04-30-2009, 08:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Namir Track Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: OH and VA Posts: 627 Drives: 09 G37S 6MT Rep Power: 256	Black is a swirl magnet. Listen to papa and go to autopia. They have plenty of writeups on washing and detailing. __________________ Ambition is the path to success. Persistence is the vehicle you arrive in. G37S\|6MT\|PREM\|NAV\|Eibach\|Ichibia\|Injen

05-01-2009, 12:32 PM	#6 (permalink)
chubbs A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Zeeland Posts: 1,046 Drives: 2016 370z Auto-Grey Rep Power: 7586	If you wash, dry and polish/wax with a circular motion your swirl marks will be more obvious. If you try to wash, dry and polish/wax by wiping in the direction of the bodywork the swirl marks will be less obvious. I agree with FlashBazbo - microfibre towels are the best way to get the water off. __________________ . '03 Grey >>> '06 Black >>>'10 Silver >>> '16 Grey ^

05-01-2009, 12:34 PM	#7 (permalink)
semtex A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Behind enemy lines Age: 54 Posts: 5,995 Drives: People to drink Rep Power: 32	I use an air compressor and just blast all the water off. __________________ "There are no small accidents on this circuit." -- Ayrton Senna 316.8whp & 248 ft/lbs (Dyno Dynamics) \| 319whp & 256 ft/lbs (DynoJet) (04/23/10) Stillen G3 CAI, CBE, Pulley / F.I. LTH / GTSpec Ladder Brace / Setrab Oil Cooler / UpRev-tuned by Forged Perf.

04-30-2009, 07:37 PM	#3 (permalink)
FlashBazbo Base Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 97 Drives: '09 370Z T-SP-7AT Rep Power: 0	Microfiber towels are the only way to go. I have a black motorcycle and only a microfiber towel will keep the marks, smears, and droplet circles away.

05-01-2009, 12:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
Robert_Nash Track Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Middle TN/Savannah GA Posts: 762 Drives: '14 Q60IPL/'14Armada Rep Power: 17	Most of my vehicles over the years (with exception of my Z's) have been black...no way around it, a black (or very dark color) vehicle takes more care. Believe it or not, I've had very good luck using plain old "Dawn" to wash as a means to remove a lot of "gunk" of the surface as preparation for a new and complete (and careful) wax job (don't use Dawn unless you plan to re-wax as it will remove the wax that's on the vehicle)...once you get a couple of good wax jobs on the finish it will become much easier to keep it clean with a very mild car wash solution (or even just plain water) and a good detailer. These days, I've been using Meguiar's Ultimate Detailer and generally use their waxes as well when I wax. One thing about black...when it's cared for properly; there is almost nothing more beautiful! __________________ Robert -My Basset Hound Is Smarter Than Your Honor Student and Barack Obama -

05-01-2009, 01:08 PM	#9 (permalink)
sensi09 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: so cal Posts: 449 Drives: _ Rep Power: 17	As mentioned, washing without a circular motion and regular rinsing the wash mitt will go a long way in preventing swirl marks. No matter what the product, it's all about the process. Also, I don't think you need the greatest microfiber. There is better out there, but the microfiber from costco does fine.

05-01-2009, 04:50 PM	#10 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 258	Any top surface you need to wash and dry in a "horizontal" motion aka left to right. You need to do this in a straight line. Any side surface you need to wash and dry in a "vertical" motion aka top to bottom. This will minamize your visable scratches due to a circle scratch can be seen from a 360% angle, those straight line scratches wont be seen unless you at the right angle. Second thing i notice, any thing that is just a "wax" is a waste of time if it doesnt last long. From my understanding a black car in the sun can get hot enough to melt off any normal wax any ways. I think you will want something like zaino Zaino Store Zaino can be advanced and complex and it also can be easy. Heres a beginer strategy that i thought off that i assume will work. This is a first time thing to set up your clear seal, you wont have to do this steps again. #1Wash with dawn, normal no scents. You do this just once, hopefully wont have to again for long time #3 Clay bar the car. Z-18 ClayBar: Zaino Store #2 Invest in leaf blower or air compressor to dry your car or do by hand with "soft" towel. I use a Toro leaf blower this thing works great and saves me alot of time. #3 Use Zaino CS "clear seal" Z-CS Clear Seal: Zaino Store Normal wash would be this. #1 wash with Z-7 Show Car Wash: Zaino Store #2 dry with the method above #3 Apply Z6 Z-6 Ultra Clean Gloss Enhancer Spray: Zaino Store #4 If your looking for the extra shine, optional and not needed apply z8 Z-8 Grand Finale Spray Seal: Zaino Store #5 your done For days you dont want to wash, becuase you have this stuff on your car most dust will wipe off with ease with a California Car duster. I use z2 and z5 on my car but in my opinion those can be a mess if not done right, i still have not perfected there uses, this method above seems easyer and harder to mess up. If you want when i have time i can post what i do to my car normaly, but it seems little more intense then the wipe on and off solution i gave you.

05-01-2009, 06:00 PM	#12 (permalink)
Anatoray Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Kentucky Posts: 794 Drives: 09 BLK 370Z Rep Power: 17	Yes, it is. Any shot from that angle will produce that many reflections.

05-01-2009, 09:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
Forrest Track Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: california 707! Posts: 677 Drives: 09 370z Blk 6mt sprt Rep Power: 258	No photo editing what so ever its cuz its round as Anatoray said plus healty dose of z2 zaino

05-17-2009, 10:20 PM	#14 (permalink)
ltp Base Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Nothern California Posts: 165 Drives: 370Z Black on Black Rep Power: 16	Clean & polish I use Zaino products to clean, polish, and protect my black Z. I definitely recommend using Zaino as soon as you get your car. It really protects the paint from bird drops and swirl marks. See my album for pictures of black 370Z with 2 coats of Zaino (Z2). Nissan 370Z Forum - ltp's Album: My 370Z Last edited by ltp; 05-18-2009 at 02:33 PM.

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