Black Truck Guys, what do u use 4 wax

[centsless]

I don't know who makes it, but there is a product called liquid ebony that works wonders. We used to use it with a buffer and a foam pad, but it also worked well if done by hand. It is a polish and really gave depth to any dark color, especially black.

[72 CustomCamper]

Wax JUST SHINES. Polish will protect it...

[long69]

"Wax JUST SHINES. Polish will protect it..."
polish is abrasive and does not leave any film when wiped off so it will not protect.

[chevguy7]

I have not yet had the pleasure of owning a black vehicle but my car (2000 Buick Regal GS)is a dark green. I always use Griots Garage products. They are pretty good and I have never been disappointed by them. Their website is www.griotsgarage.com
Good luck!

[72 CustomCamper]

Originally Posted by long69

"Wax JUST SHINES. Polish will protect it..."
polish is abrasive and does not leave any film when wiped off so it will not protect.

So you're saying that a profesional detailer of 25 years doesn't know what he's talking about. Think about when people clean and store items like silver teapots or platers do they wax then? NO they polish them. I don't know about you, but I'd rather polish a truck than rub a candle on it anyday...

[beeftip]

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

So you're saying that a profesional detailer of 25 years doesn't know what he's talking about. Think about when people clean and store items like silver teapots or platers do they wax then? NO they polish them. I don't know about you, but I'd rather polish a truck than rub a candle on it anyday...

Polish does not protect unless it has some kind of additive, like a synthetic polymer. Polish merely "polishes"... (see below). Rubbing Compound is a polish in the purest sense in that it uses abrasives to level the paint/clearcoat surface. It offers absolutely no protection.

The primary function of wax is to protect the paint from oxidation and to prevent contaminants from permanently sticking to the paint.

Shine comes from light reflecting off the surface of the paint. The more level the paint surface, the better the light reflection and thus more shine. Polishing accomplishes two things. First, it levels the paint surface by removing contaminants and filling in microscopic depressions. Second, it creates tiny little scratches that help disperse the light reflection (kind of like facets on a diamond).

Polish with added synthetic polymer protection, in my opinion, is superior to wax. You accomplish two steps in one, plus the synthetic polymers protect longer than wax. This is due to the nature of wax. Wax is made up of plant lipids (caranuba usually) and petroleum distillates. The problem with these compounds is that they break down, especially when heated (This is why non-stick pans are coated with a synthetic polymer like Teflon instead of an orgainic lipid or petroleum distillate). The problem is amplified with black paint as it absorbs the most heat from sunlight. Polymers break down as well, but slowly. They'll wear off before they break down. Think of a polymer as microscopic chain-mail for your paint. That's almost literally what they do, they form very long chains that really stick together.

The "added shine" you get from waxing is merely a result of the mechanical function of rubbing. Wax is still abrasive, albeit minutely, and therefore helps to create the tiny scratches which help disperse the reflected light.

Here endeth the lesson.

Darren

[7387chevys]

So the ultra shiney truck "without a scratch on it ".....is a bunch of bull
lol

[blacktruck]

i'm curious too. what should i use on my at least 17 year old lacquer based black paint with a crap load of swirl marks and scratches. i'd like to make it pretty again. i swear my black truck stays shiny even when i haven't washed it in 3 months. every time i wash it, within 12 hours or so, it rains.

[76bonanza]

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

So you're saying that a profesional detailer of 25 years doesn't know what he's talking about. Think about when people clean and store items like silver teapots or platers do they wax then? NO they polish them. I don't know about you, but I'd rather polish a truck than rub a candle on it anyday...

Comparing car paint out in the weather to silver(type of metal) being stored in a closet is not a good comparison, you can polish up the teapot all you want put it out in the sun and rain and that polish wont protect it at all.

No one says he does not know what he is talking about but the fact is polish will not protect paint or silver or anything it is for polishing.

Also candle wax is slightly different than car wax.

To do it right you should clean the paint remove all contaminents (clay bar or such) Polish the paint to smooth the paint and make a deep shine. Then wax the car to protect it from contminents. Most products people call wax are polish and wax in one product.

[72 CustomCamper]

You can say all you want about wax vs. polish. But my friend does award wining details plus he's detailed over 3 million dollars worth of cars. Wax is one of the best way to kill a paint job that has to sit outside. If you don't believe that that's too bad. I'm done arguing with somebody that's set in their ways...

[Mudder]

I don't have black but I have a darker red and it shows marks just like black. I have found for swirl marks the best thing to do is to get a orbital buffer (one that doesnt spin in circles but goes back and forth) I think it's called an orbital. Get some 3M anti swirl and follow the directions. Worked great for me getting the swirl marks out of my paint after it was first painted. IT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY PAINTED SINCE THAT PAINT!!!!!!!

To keep from getting swirl marks
Use a high dollar mitt to wash and good automotive soap. If you drop the mitt on the ground throw it away.
Buy the best chamois (sp) that you can find. If you drop it, get rid of it.

Might sound stupid but you wanna chance scratching a $8000 paint job? Or even a $1500 paint job, it doesn't matter.

I have used Mother's, Meguires and found both to be very good. Neither IMO is as good or last as long a MRon made by California Customs.

Oh and in time I will be moving this to the Detailing forum. It's a good thread and needs to go there.

[sixtysevengmc]

I know it isn't black.....but I get great results from Meguiars products.

[lukecp]

Originally Posted by sixtysevengmc

I know it isn't black.....but I get great results from Meguiars products.

Somehow I don't think that pic was taken in January, or 2002

[Stroker]

There's a lot more going on with the swirls in your paint than your selection of wax or polish. There are many waxes and sealants that look great on black. But first the defects must be corrected. Your paint will require some type of polishing to correct the swirls. Its very likely that machine polishing will be the only practical method to remove the defects. If you want to know how to get and maintain a great finish on your truck, your time will be well spent visiting. http://www.autopia.org/
If you've got any interest in detailing you won't be disapointed.

[7387chevys]

Its a concept vehiclae..................I always turn the timestamp off on mine so i dont have to set ia or play around with the pic taking it off later
Shane

[KAILUAZ]

Both my car and truck are black. Best advise is use two mitts when you wash, one for the top of the vehicle and the other for the bottom. That is the first step to keeping scratches out of your paint.
I use Mothers products, strip old wax, clay bar, step 1 Pre-Wax Cleaner , step 2 Sealer and Glaze then Carnauba Wax. Great results. Good luck!