Black cars and car washes???

[Southern Boy]

With kids gone (really gone, both have good careers and self-sufficient) and being retired with plenty of time my next car will be black on black.

The titanium gray genesis I bought (because Momma liked the color) is ok, but it doesn’t really pop in MHO.

I bought myself a hydraulic lift for my birthday (tired of socks and wallets) and installed it in my man cave garage which makes detailing and maintaining my vehicles a snap (no crawling around on the floor etc.).

When I was younger I worked very long hours and drove a beater basically back and forth to work and Momma drove the kid’s taxi hauling them around to school, sports and after school events. She use to clock 30 to 40 K miles a year during the years the kids where in school.

So I have empathy for you younger guys still slugging it out, and not wanting the work associated with maintaining a black car, but there is “NOTHING” like a detailed black paint corrected car in MHO.

 

[NSXNEXT]

If you want a black car invest in a good foam cannon. The less you touch a dark car the better.

Let the foam do the work then gently wipe off the encapsulated dirt in the foam with a microfiber wash mitt.

 

[Retry]

If you want a black car invest in a good foam cannon. The less you touch a dark car the better.

Let the foam do the work then gently wipe off the encapsulated dirt in the foam with a microfiber wash mitt.

I've been looking at going the foam cannon route myself. My worst issue is the sundried bugs that accumulate all over the front of the Genny. They're terrible in the summer where I live. They are difficult to remove and I'm wondering if the foam will melt them off or will I still need to scrub. Any experience with this?

 

[Southern Boy]

I've been looking at going the foam cannon route myself. My worst issue is the sundried bugs that accumulate all over the front of the Genny. They're terrible in the summer where I live. They are difficult to remove and I'm wondering if the foam will melt them off or will I still need to scrub. Any experience with this?

Living in Florida I’m no stranger to bugs smashed on the forward surface of the cars.

I looked into the clear bras and such, but the clear bras are not all they are chalked up to be and they are very expensive.

I consider the black bras sold for various vehicles ugly and wouldn’t put one on any of my vehicles.

I spoke to several professional detailers and ask what they do to protect the forward surfaces of vehicles outside of screens and bras. All seemed to agree that multiple coats of wax and washing off the critters as soon as possible you can will go a long way protecting the finish.

In Florida we are blessed with the appearance of “Love Bugs” twice a year that are so numerous at times that they have been known to plug radiators on the interstates causing the vehicles to overheat. As an added bonus the body fluid from these critters is acid in consistency, so if the paint is not protected the acid will damage the finish.

WAX BABY you can't apply to much!

 

[scottdk]

Try some APC (All Purpose Cleaner). Works wonders. My detailer has never used bug and tar remover since the APC works wonders.

I have the below and I mix it 4:1

 

[QuantumRift]

I had a black '06 Sonata (in AZ), bought it in July '06 and it was what I traded for my WHITE Genesis 3.8. I will never EVER have a black car again. As for TOUCHLESS car washes and black cars? It SUCKS. Touchless car washes do nothing than power wash the exterior and leave a "film' on the paint. A black car is simply too much work to maintain that 'perfect' look for, what 15 minutes after you spend hours washing and drying and detailing and waxing...at minute 16 after the cleaning, you will notice the first bits of pollen and dust on the black paint. Then you can spent time 'dusting' the car. The ONLY way to maintain the nice looks of a black car is to do it yourself and HAND wash and wax. Or pay somebody else $$$ to hand wash and wax. Nope. NO black car again for me, only white - THOUGH I would consider buying a dirt colored car as well.

 

[Butterfinger]

The new r-spec I just ordered is black, and my old sonata is black. The colours offered for the genesis sedan really suck, and I think black looks best. The touchless car wash near me works great, but occasionally I may have to hand wash to get the film off. That said, I ordered paint protection for my new r-spec, and the dealer will rebuff the car for me every year.

There is a 'gun metal' colour for the coupe that I really would have got, but it's not available for the sedan for some strange reason. It's a very nice dark charcoal type look.

 

[adauria]

I wanted the black so badly, but am glad I opted for red instead due to these very issues. I know that I won't keep it as clean as I should, so I'd rather have a red car that looks sharp most of the time than a black car that looks great for an hour then looks awful.

I also feel that white is a tough color to keep clean. But, hey, get what you like.

-Andrew