[Leons032]

So I have a black car and notice that black is a pain the neck to keep clean. I have washed it about three times in two weeks. My question is whether or not to use wax? If so how often?

On a side not I was reading the manual and saw the following: "Application of aftermarket clearcoat sealant/wax materials is not recommended."

Is this true?

[Glen e]

That's just legalese for some of the stuff the dealers have put on in their past. The next page says you can wax or polish… You can wax or seal this car immediately as soon as you buy it. The paint is cured. Look at this thread for the latest on what to do with the car. This is stuff is a game changer:

http://www.camaro6.com/forums/showth...hlight=Essence

[ChevyRules]

I think that line is there due to GM legal's request. A lot of the owners manual is just a bunch of legal stuff to cover their butts. So if whatever you put on the car destroys the factory clear coat and paint, you can't come running in hoping for a repaint under warranty.

Don't get me wrong though, the owners manual still contains a lot of useful info, but some of it is butt covering.

[shawndean22]

The car is yours now, do as you will. Id recommend a ceramic coating/sealant with rinse less wash. Black shows swirls and scratches the most.

[marknagy13]

My two favorite friends when I had a black car was a california duster, and quick spray wax. It lets you keep the car clean without putting in hours for a full hand wax.

[Leons032]

Yeah that makes sense. I was surprise to read that wax was not recommended. Plus by the time i had read it i already had waxed it twice. lol

[ZED SLED]

Got my car 5 weeks ago. 2 weekends ago I clayed, then using a DA polisher I polished, sealed, glazed, and waxed. Needed it after transport and sitting in a showroom for 3 months.

[JDono]

I had mine polished/ ceramic coated. Just the polishing itself made the black so much deeper and darker. The paint sucks to work with FYI, especially black, totally worth it if you're trying to get that super dark high gloss finish. The ceramic coating had cut down on upkeep four fold.

[Leons032]

Originally Posted by ZED SLED

Got my car 5 weeks ago. 2 weekends ago I clayed, then using a DA polisher I polished, sealed, glazed, and waxed. Needed it after transport and sitting in a showroom for 3 months.

I didn't know what clay was and my cousin offer to do it for me now I am a fan of it. Debating on whether to switch on and off between claying or waxing.

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by Leons032

I didn't know what clay was and my cousin offer to do it for me now I am a fan of it. Debating on whether to switch on and off between claying or waxing.

Claying and waxing are two different animals. Claying should be done once or twice a year, no more, it is an abrasive process. And waxing his dead, move to a coating or sealants as discussed above by everybody.

A good step by step:

[Leons032]

Damn this got a lot more sophisticated since I had my Civic. Gonna have to research since most of these terms go over my head.

[Glen e]

Originally Posted by Leons032

Damn this got a lot more sophisticated since I had my Civic. Gonna have to research since most of these terms go over my head.

Start with my docs in my signature, read them in order, it's written for people exactly like you that don't want to go through all the detailing mumbo-jumbo crap.

[Wierd Harold]

[KirkH]

Ceramic coatings do not stop swirls or scratches. They are sacrificial layers that get scratched and swirled instead of the paint. A coating will still show swirls if you don't use correct wash techniques.

I don't use coatings anymore because if i want to polish my car, i would remove the coating. Sealants and wax can be re-applied inexpensively.