well I've owned my black L for ~2 days now, so it's time to think about washing it I was just curious what kind of "rags/clothes" to use to wash my truck and not leave swirl marks or scratches. Is there a name brand thing everybody uses, or just a 100% cotton towel or what?

While I've got you here might as well ask if any one kind of cleaner/soap is best

Thanks

 

I use a (dare I say it) regular sponge to wash mine(black also). I use mothers coli. gold car wash. Also a great product you should use-Eagle One "wax as you dry." What a great product that is!!!! I spray that on then dry with the absorber. -Mat-

 

Check out this website - http://www.autopia.org/forums/forumd...?s=&forumid=11

There is a TON of info on detailing cars. With black you have to be especially careful of scratches in the paint. Use the search button on the above website and type in "black" and you will be rewarded with a weekfull of useful info. Whatever you do,
DO NOT TAKE IT TO A LOCAL CAR WASH!!! They will scratch the heck out of your new baby!!!

Todd

 

Start by picking a shady spot to do it in and be sure the truck is cool. Rinse the entire vehicle from the top down with a strong stream of cool water to loosen the dirt. In a clean bucket add your car wash soap and cool to warm (never hot unless you want to strip the wax) water in the manufacturers suggested ratio. Using a perfectly clean wash mit (synthetic or sheepskin) begin washing one panel at a time with the roof, glass and top surfaces, rinsing between panels to prevent the surface from drying. Move on to the front, back and sides always rinsing once each panel is done. You may want to also do the door jambs while working on the sides. Lastly, do the wheels and tires. I use a soft long bristled brush for this. I usually use an absorber followed by clean soft cotton terrycloth towels to finish it off.

FX

 

3m makes a good product called hand glaze. you can buy a quart for around $15 and it works good to take out minnor scraches and such caused from just regular dirt in betwen washes. it contains no waxes or silicons. worth a try.
Don

 

I often use 3M Imperial Hand Glaze after compounding fresh acrylic lacquer paint jobs to remove any swirl marks. If I'm using a buffer rather than by hand, I always use a fresh bonnet. Liquid Ebony is a good glaze as well. More appropriate to use a machine with this product though.

FX

 

Cant offer any tips, but if you have a black truck, something tells me you are going to get real good at washing and waxing your truck

 

yeah, you might as well keep a bucket, sponge and soap in the bed at all times. I will never own black again....unless I get a big garage and new cobra or something..... One good tip though I can pass along to you is "MEGUIRES QUICK DETAILER WIPE" ...its an awsome product for getting off water deposits you cant even see...makes nice luster as well, havent tried the "wax as you dry" stuff yet though

 

I always go to a do-it-yourself car wash with the pressure washer wand, or the brush less car wash that sprays it with pressurized water. I doesn't do as good of a job, but you won't have the small scratch marks all over.

If you wash it on a regular basis, it looks good. If you want to do an extra good job you can pressure wash it, then take a rag or sponge to it.

It was -2* here this morning, and 16* now. In this town we don't just look for a shade tree to wash our truck under in January. In fact, some days is is just too cold to wash it. You can end up with a frozen door jam that won't latch when you close the door.

I heard the best is to use a brush.

 

ANY brush+ black paint = F'ed up swirl marks...DONT DO IT!

 

Not trying to contradict anyone on purpose but never use commercial car washes of any type,on a car you are trying to keep perfect.They all recycle the water.That means you wash you car with water thats filtered but still contains chemicals and small debris from other cars before you.This includes the sand and oil leaking out of Bubba's 4X4 while he was washing his.Use fresh water in your driveway.

Detailing is both a learned art and science.

 

Crash-n-Burn is correct all carwashes use recycled water.. Thus salts and debris, whatever........

PEaCE....................

 

I do not claim to be the most knowledgable about washing vehicles, but I try to wash my truck weekly and I have heard that it is best to wash it weekly if you can to keep your paint in good condition, even more if you can during the winter when there is snow and all kinds of crud on the road like salt and stuff. I agree with doign it in the shade because I have read that the sunlight rays in combination with the water on your truck can hurt the paint. Again, I do not claim to be very knowledgable about washing, but there is some great information on this post and thanks to everyone that has posted on it. And I will agree with Fast Gator, black cars stink to keep clean, I used to have a silver car and it was pretty easy, and my truck is green which is not terribly easy to keep clean. Thanks for letting me give my two cents.

 

I use one of those funny wash mits to wash, and a water blade to dry. Seems to be working alright.

 

I read on the back of the Meguiars that I have that it is best to use just the open end of the hose and to let the water pour on the get the soap off.

My questions is, should this be followed or should you just spray your car off?