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.

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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.

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

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

http://www.the370z.com/members/forre...4-cimg0368.jpg
http://www.the370z.com/members/forre...5-cimg0376.jpg

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

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

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

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

My gawd that's a clean car :tup: