MB311
Very good tips!

 

I typically use the little round terry cloth wax applicators then throw them away when I'm done. They come in a pack of two for like $3 or something. As far as the towel for drying, most auto parts stores will sell some sort of super-soft water absorbant towel. I forget the name of the one I use, but its yellow and has a checkerboard pattern. I got it at autozone I believe. It works like a chamois because it holds like 50 times it's weight in water. You could use soft cotton bath towels if you want, but the main thing is not to rub it dry. This is where you'll pickup grit and how you'll make swirlies. The black is REALLY good at showing off stratches in the clearcoat and virtually any wiping motion will cause them. For removing wax I use Terry Cloth towels or sometimes even Viva paper towels (must be Viva brand, they are REALLY soft) and discard them when I'm done. Sometimes if I don't have an applicator I'll use a Viva towel folded into a square and just throw it away after I'm done with a panel. You can buy a dozen terry cloth towels for like $6 anywhere they sell wax, etc. I originally heard of using Viva from a detailer that used to do exotics at a place in Chicago. I thought he was insane, but I figured if it worked on a Lambo... so I went and bought a roll, and they are not the same consistency as any other paper towl I've ever touched. They're SOFT!

When I want to remove swirlies, I use Meguiars Cleaner Wax (liquid in the bottle), then I chase it with a cost of Gold Class, or more recently, Tech Wax. I've been using the cleaner wax for years and it works wonders. It's also very good for getting contaminants like tree sap off, or even to clean a stubborn stain or whatever...

Maintenance of the black really is not all that bad IMHO. Other colors have the same problems, it's just harder to see. Just wax it periodically, and use the appropriate materials/techniques to apply and remove the wax and you'll be fine. Lastly, you'll sleep better if you come to terms with the fact that black is never going to appear 100% perfect, especially under flourescent lights.

 

This man said it. We took my brother's GTO to have the windows tinted and overheard the guy in the back say, "man I don't want to tint a cavalier." My brother, of course, shouted back to the guy, "I didn't pay 38,000 for you to call it a cavalier man!"

Whether it's a car usually not so fast that is fast, or a car that people don't think is fast but turns out to be fast, it's a sleeper.

 

The best way, to me, to wash a black car is #1: NEVER do it in the sun = I do mine at night (waterspots will occur all over) #2. use a micro fiber wrapped spong to wash, keep turning after each STRAIGHT LINE you wash then clean completely when you have used the last clean side and continue. #3 Never wash in circular patterns Always use straight lines (up, down, left, right). #4 Always gently pat the car dry = never wipe since that will scratch the clearcoat on any color of car. #5 keep car waxed peroidically to protect the paint. You have to understand that any color of car will swirl / scratch (they all use the same clearcoat) black will show it more ... but on the bright side = black, when kept up, can look evil on a sports car If you are going to remove current swirls / scratches : the porter cable 7424 dual action polisher is the tool for the job! You can achieve results that by hand would be impossible. Trust me = your cars paint will look new again with the correct pads / swirl remover / polish / wax! Read up on this site = great beginners info = http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-pc7424.html Best of luck!

 

3M makes a yellow detail cloth that works very well on black....it doesn't leave any spider webs or swirl marks. i have the sb z, and yes, its a pain but it does look good for that 5 minutes that it stays clean

 

Whaddya mean? Nissan build quality is ****.

 

great first post.......go away troll.

 

Bah, are you kidding me? American build is crap. I own an 03' Z06, and an 03' Navigator, both are s**t in terms of quality.

 

I think Nissan used to have good build quality, but now it's scrapped as they've moved to increase profitability.

But hey, maybe I'm biased b/c I have a 2003

 

I'm sure my 03 350 is right there with 'em.
And I've heard (insert sarcasm here) wonderful things about Altimas as well

I would guess that it is on par w/ American build quality

 

 

I wouldn't exactly say the Z has "excellent build quality" considering some of the problems its had.

 

well, the motor is one of the best reliable enigine to date, the VQ was thorughly tested and designed to surpass 150k miles and have a expectancy of about 200k+

 

Well...the Z will be gone May 2nd...I took the deal today and have to sign the paper work tomorrow.

They're giving me 23,100 for the Z!!! I'd have to sell it privately for over 25G's just to break even cuz of the tax difference.

 

I checked out the GTO too. The power and straightline performance is seductive, especially knowing you have a Vette engine under the hood, but it doesn't handle as nicely or tightly as the Z imho. BTW the only acceptable colors for a sports car are red, black or white. Any other color takes 50 HP off the car:-)

 

Since this car is technically an Australian build...with American badges...does it still count?

I'm checking them out too...something about having a 6.0l vette engine is very appealing. I think with the right body kit, you might be able to make it look ok someday too.

Still love the Z tho, no doubt about it.