Black Z = High maintenance?
#1
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: N.Y.C
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Black Z = High maintenance?
I'm stuck between black and the silver colors. I want black over sliver but I really don't want to wash the car all the time. Guys, this car will be a weekend, summer car, garaged w/cover, will that reduce my time cleaning the car?
Also, is it possible for a novice to avoid swirl marks altogether, or is it fact that eventually swirls marks will show? I plan to buy the Zanio kit with all the nick knacks (micro fiber towels etc).
Tell me I can keep this car clear and clear of swirl marks easily.
Also, is it possible for a novice to avoid swirl marks altogether, or is it fact that eventually swirls marks will show? I plan to buy the Zanio kit with all the nick knacks (micro fiber towels etc).
Tell me I can keep this car clear and clear of swirl marks easily.
#2
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fairfield, Ca.
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Darker colors are just more work to keep clean but worth it if you love the color.
To avoid swirl marks use only microfiber or 100% cotton towels. Always make sure they are clean. I also use a micro fiber mit for washing and use nothing but Zaino products on my car (www.zainostore.com).
Check the site out. It has lots of great detailing tips and the best car care products period imho.
My car is close to 3 years old (38k miles) and no swirl marks. What do you think?
To avoid swirl marks use only microfiber or 100% cotton towels. Always make sure they are clean. I also use a micro fiber mit for washing and use nothing but Zaino products on my car (www.zainostore.com).
Check the site out. It has lots of great detailing tips and the best car care products period imho.
My car is close to 3 years old (38k miles) and no swirl marks. What do you think?
#4
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fairfield, Ca.
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It depends on the weather but usually 2 to 3 times. The rest of the time I use a California duster and Zaino Z6 finishing spray to keep her sparkling. I see you're already Zaino-fied so you're on the right track.
Last edited by bixby; 01-10-2006 at 12:50 PM.
#5
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Arlington, VA
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have to wash my car weekly to keep it from looking dirty, if it rains, I have to wash the water spots off the next day, or I have to scrub like a champ the weekend. I honestly can say I wish I never got the SB, I would much prefer a LS or yellow, or any other color for that matter. Good luck, it looks nice clean, but it is a royal b!otch when it is not...oh and swirl marks happen just from looking at the paint the wrong way (thanks environmentally friendly paint)
#6
New Member
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Orange County, CA
Posts: 3,775
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I drive mostly city so I don't have to worry much about highway debris or water spray from the car in front of me. That being said, if you are willing to wash the car at least once a month then as a weekend/garaged car you should be fine with black. But once you see it clean, you'll get disturbed when it's not...so you'll be washing more than you expect to right now.
I wash every 7-10 days typically but it's mostly because I LOVE how it looks clean.
I wash every 7-10 days typically but it's mostly because I LOVE how it looks clean.
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Fairfield, Ca.
Posts: 2,602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've found that if I apply Z6 finishing spray after a wash the car repels dust better. I can easily go 2 weeks between washes in the summer. Oh, I have the Hawk HPS low dust break pads too. They help a lot.
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Jacksonville FL
Posts: 533
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#10
Living in 350Z
iTrader: (1)
I've washed my car every two or three months but clean it every time I drive it.
I'm on the Zanio bandwagon and use the spray clean show prep between washing to keep it crystal clean. I've always used micro-fiber towels (Zanio approved ) which do not add swirls. I have been working hard to get the dealer delivered swirls out and spent 8 hours on the hood and roof to get them near golden using a Porter-Cable random orbit polisher and a very mild swirl removing abrasive.
One of the guys at work calls it space alien black hole clean.
I garage mine, never take it out in the rain (which we don't get anyways) and keep a Nissan factory car cover on it in the garage.
(smaller picture)
I'm on the Zanio bandwagon and use the spray clean show prep between washing to keep it crystal clean. I've always used micro-fiber towels (Zanio approved ) which do not add swirls. I have been working hard to get the dealer delivered swirls out and spent 8 hours on the hood and roof to get them near golden using a Porter-Cable random orbit polisher and a very mild swirl removing abrasive.
One of the guys at work calls it space alien black hole clean.
I garage mine, never take it out in the rain (which we don't get anyways) and keep a Nissan factory car cover on it in the garage.
(smaller picture)
#11
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Savannah, GA
Posts: 572
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have found that spraying your car with a "instant detailer" of your choice before you dry it(that is if you dry it by hand), will greatly reduce water spotting and helps to lubricate the surface which prevents most scratches and swirls.
#13
Registered User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: N.Y.C
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I forgot to add it will be a roadster, so I don't have to wax or polish the top...haha.
Paul350Z...Your Z came pre swirled?! Damm, didnt you blow your top at the dealer for bringing it to the car wash?
Also, is it really easy to get swirl marks? I mean could I just rub a towel on a certain area and get swirls just like that?
Paul350Z...Your Z came pre swirled?! Damm, didnt you blow your top at the dealer for bringing it to the car wash?
Also, is it really easy to get swirl marks? I mean could I just rub a towel on a certain area and get swirls just like that?
#14
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do NOT get the Super Black. It WILL get swirls, and 20 minutes after you wash it, it'll have dust and pollen all over it. In the winter, it'll just show the water and mud spots.
I had one for about 8 months, then traded it in for a Silverstone. In my opinion, the Silverstone looks even BETTER with the Burnt Orange seats.
People will tell you "oh, you can just wash the black..." but many times you just don't have the free hour to do it.
Silverstone. I am SO GLAD I switched.
I had one for about 8 months, then traded it in for a Silverstone. In my opinion, the Silverstone looks even BETTER with the Burnt Orange seats.
People will tell you "oh, you can just wash the black..." but many times you just don't have the free hour to do it.
Silverstone. I am SO GLAD I switched.
#15
Living in 350Z
iTrader: (1)
Originally Posted by ericsartoris
Do NOT get the Super Black. It WILL get swirls, and 20 minutes after you wash it, it'll have dust and pollen all over it. In the winter, it'll just show the water and mud spots.
I had one for about 8 months, then traded it in for a Silverstone. In my opinion, the Silverstone looks even BETTER with the Burnt Orange seats.
People will tell you "oh, you can just wash the black..." but many times you just don't have the free hour to do it.
Silverstone. I am SO GLAD I switched.
I had one for about 8 months, then traded it in for a Silverstone. In my opinion, the Silverstone looks even BETTER with the Burnt Orange seats.
People will tell you "oh, you can just wash the black..." but many times you just don't have the free hour to do it.
Silverstone. I am SO GLAD I switched.
#16
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: where the polar bears roam
Posts: 8,194
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Used to own a 3500 Crewcab dually 454' V-8 in BLACK.... Looked great when clean! A real hassle to keep clean, and to detail in the first place.... I'll never buy a black car ever again.... even if it was a very small one ie:"Smart Car""....
#17
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Norman, Ok / Dallas, Tx
Posts: 749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my f-150 was black. the worst part? FINGER PRINTS ON THE DOOR!!! i was always really careful and shut it with the inside handle, my passengers were not so courteous.
#19
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've got the burgundy color, IF. For some reason it's a dust magnet. I wash and dry it and take a 1 mile run to force the excess water out of the cracks. By the time I get home, there's dust all over the lower sections. I knew it would be high maintenance, goin' in, but to me it's worth it. I go thru Quick Detailer like water.
Black would be my second choice.
Black would be my second choice.
#20
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That's my point with these Super Black cars: they are pretty BUT hard to keep clean. They look nice BUT they get fingerprints. They can be washed BUT then they get swirls.
I hate a car with a big BUT.
I hate a car with a big BUT.