Keep black car clean

[gaguy]

I just picked up a 2012 Black 3.8 with Tech and Prem packages two days ago. (My first black car). I love the car so far, but I'm not liking the pollen that we're getting here in Georgia. I've started shopping for some good car washing equipment, but was wondering if anyone could share some advice on the best ways to keep a nice black paint-job clean and swirl free? Equipment suggestions, frequency of cleaning, cleaning techniques, tips/tricks, ways to keep it clean between washes, etc.

I've also started looking for some local detailing companies which I figure could come in and do a better job with waxing, etc every once and a while. If I go this route from time to time, what are some things to ask/lookout for to make sure they do the right job?

Love the forum here and look forward to any advice that can be offered!

Thanks!

 

[homeofstone]

I had a black car once. Best advice is to wash often, wax at least 3 times a year and use a spray wax detailer like Cling after washes. Garage the car or get a good car cover.

 

[dg_moore]

The easiest way to live with a black car is to lighten up a bit. For the first two years I hand-washed, waxed, spray-detailed, etc., incessantly. The car always looked fabulous. But I was spending an absurd amount of time at it. My obsession finally wore off - I now take it to a good car wash and touch up with spray detailer when I get home. I have some swirls but they are not glaringly obvious and I can now live peacefully with a car that looks merely great, if not fabulous. The cold fact is that, other than yourself, nobody much notices or cares about the difference between great and fabulous. At the end of the day it's just a car, after all.

 

[frankv64]

Join Meguiars here. Lots of tips on detailing

http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/forum.php

 

[Ruissimo]

Do yourself a favor: Detail your car now

I know what you're thinking... it's too early, your paint still looks good. Well... if you clay, clean and wax your car now, the paint will be ultra-smooth, and it will actually help to keep dirt OFF your car for the next several months.

If you have a place THAT YOU TRUST that can do this for you for a reasonable price, do it. I've had my car for a month, and had this done before it even came home from the dealer (LINK).

Long story short, I have only washed the car twice. Every day (or every other day) I run a california duster over it, and touch it up with Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer for dirty spots (using a microfiber towel). Thanks Newman for the tips.

Does the job, without scratching the paint, and the car has looked clean every day it's been home with me.

You're gonna get looks every time you drive it. Trust me.

 

[yellow3.8track]

Yep, garage and car cover. Or, if you don't want a car cover on it in the garage buy one of those dusters to remove the dust build up.

I washed my black IROC Z28 last Saturday. I put it in the carport (hasn't been out since) and buy Tuesday it was more gold than black due to the pollen.

The Coupe on the other hand only shows that pollen on the windows (Interlagos yellow). Black cars can be sharp but it takes constant care to keep them there.

 

[gaguy]

Thanks for all of the tips! I'm going to pick up a California duster today along with the Meguiar's Quik Detailer.

I do believe I'll lighten up over time as well, I'm just not quite there yet.

 

[LA Genesis]

I have a black 3.8 that's 4 months old. I'm going to get it waxed soon. A couple of highly rated car washes in my area recommend the Simonize wax process. Cost is roughly $99-129 to get it done. I saw a finished product and it looks great.

What do you guys think about Simonize? Is it a good idea? Would a regular clay and wax be better or is it all the same?

 

[GTech]

No reason to pay $100 to Simonize or whatever. It is just wax. Get yourself a can of the top of the line Meguiars Ultimate, wash and dry the car, wax and remove. It will take you about 3 hours tops. With the $80 or so left over take your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, dog whatever to a nice dinner. Thank me later.

 

[momuzik]

Here's a thread discussing car cleaning tips. You'll find a lot of useful info.
http://genesisowners.com/hyundai-genesis-forum/showthread.php?t=3037&highlight=cleaning

There's even a tip on how to keep your car show room clean in only 2-4 minutes a day.

Products are ultimately the user's preference, but after reading through some of the thread, I decided to go with turtle wax ICE. Haven't used it yet because the weather hasn't permitted.

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[Ruissimo]

With the $80 or so left over take your wife, girlfriend, boyfriend, dog whatever to a nice dinner. Thank me later.

I LOL'd.

 

[gaguy]

I decided to take Ruissimo's advice and had a detailer out to the house yesterday. The finish is like black glass. I love this car!

I know everyone has their own taste, but I've got to say I feel black is the best look for this car. We should start a club!

Thanks again for all of the advice from everyone. I'm going to take a bit from each and follow up on some of the resource links provided in this thread. I just hope I can keep the finish as nice as it is today moving forward.

 

[Ruissimo]

I decided to take Ruissimo's advice and had a detailer out to the house yesterday. The finish is like black glass. I love this car!

Smart man.

Looks great, by the way. Congrats!

 

[Cjmania]

I think Black on this car looks the best, I have the same one as you. I only buy black cars, my advice is wash it when it starts to look dirty. Pick up some of that detail spray so all you have to do is dust the car off between car wash. I've seen people walk by and stop to stare at it. A black car takes more effort to keep clean but it is worth it. The other colors even when clean to me look dull.

 

[2012blackgenny]

I need to find a detailer in GA myself, where did you go?
I have a few scratches from the dealership and a couple of scratches from taking it to the wash and my own hamhandedness.

I have done a sealant, KLASSE AOI but made a couple of small mistakes with the high gloss which is annoying. It still sweet, but knowing those scratches are there bothers me.

And yes, this car looks very sweet in black.

 

[gaguy]

I need to find a detailer in GA myself, where did you go?

I used a guy named Steven with US Auto Spa in Gwinnett. usautospa.com. He's a mobile detailer and will come to you. He was great to work with and did a thorough job. I'll probably have him back out when it's time to wax again.

If you get in touch with him, tell him Chris with the black Genesis sent ya.

 

[marty5marty]

How often to clean black car?

Hi.

I just purchased my Genny 2 weeks ago...and love it!but i was wondering...being in SoCal with hot and dry weather...gets my genny very dusty! I clean it and probably in 2-3 days its very dusty again! and don't get me started with bee poop and bird poops...haha

Anyways, it seems like i will be washing my car every week.....would that damage my car's paint?

Also...I have it garaged when i park it at home...but at work it has to face the SUN!

Thanks!

 

[homeofstone]

Re: How often to clean black car?

Had a black car once. Never had another, too much work.

 

[Ruissimo]

I have merged your topic with this other one, which I believe has some great tips.

 

[QuantumRift]

Re: How often to clean black car?

I live in SE Arizona.

I had a black 2006 Sonata (June 2006 until Aug 2011). I will never EVER EVER have black car again. Never. Yes, it looks SOOOO good when you get 'er cleaned up, but can tell you that even as I was finishing up cleaning my black car, I could see dust settling on it. After you do a good wash and wax, then be sure to keep one of those "California Car Dusters" on hand. They do a good job of removing dust and pollen that has settled on the finish. As the fibers are waxed, they do a good job of removing dust as it gets 'dirtier'..but do not do it when finish or car body is HOT....

And the heat? I won't have another black car period. Not worth it. Even with tinted glass and a sun reflector in the windshield, the heat buildup was horrendous, so much that the "warning' labels affixed to the visors would constantly curl and have to be replaced....the black car here in summer would just be oppressively HOT, and take a long time to cool down.

Just my take on it. A Black Genesis is a very sharp looking car for sure. But a black car is a "young person's car"...as I grew weary of constantly washing cleaning, waxing, dusting, etc. My time is worth more to me than keepin a car looking clean....LoL.....

We now have a WHITE Genesis.

If there was a dirt colored car, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Hi.

I just purchased my Genny 2 weeks ago...and love it!but i was wondering...being in SoCal with hot and dry weather...gets my genny very dusty! I clean it and probably in 2-3 days its very dusty again! and don't get me started with bee poop and bird poops...haha

Anyways, it seems like i will be washing my car every week.....would that damage my car's paint?

Also...I have it garaged when i park it at home...but at work it has to face the SUN!

Thanks!