Cold weather Black Paint care

"pj" wrote in message

> My Name Is Nobody wrote:
>> Please offer any or all of your first hand experience and
>> suggestions for washing drying and or waxing a factory new black
>> paint job, especially now in the cold weather. What tools
>> materials and products do you find work best for you?
>>
>> Thanks
>
> Welcome to the anal world of Corvette car washing!
>
> Sorry, quick draw but, I have no 'first hand' experience -- just 60
> years of trial and error.
>
> Assuming this car was painted in Bowling Green, KY.....

Why? He never said it was a Corvette.

> Find a detergent that plays well with the water in Portland Oregon.
> (For example: in Northwestern Ohio, it's tap water+Dawn. Where I
> live it's city water thru the softener+Zymol. In Pensacola it's
> something else --- )
>
> Don't use a sponge with the wash. Sponges hold all manner of dirt.
> Old, clean facecloths that've been washed and dried (without fabric
> softener) will do fine. If you remove a mud splash, switch to a
> clean washcloth.
>
> If you're having issues with water spotting, find a good wetting
> agent to use as a rinse. (I like Kodak Fotoflo.)
>
> This group can argue for ages over careful use of a clean squeegee
> blade versus light toweling till dry. I squeegee the white car and
> towel the dark car. Get it dry before the sun hits it.
>
> Forget using a chamois or any of the chamois-like cloths on TV
> commercials -- more opportunity to add micro scratches to the
> finish.
>
> For lint removal, go for a *quick* drive.. unless the car wasn't
> painted in Bowling Green -- then discard all of the above advice.
>
> If it's new and you take good care of it, you can avoid wax, teflon,
> etc. for many years.
>
> Learn about items like clay-bars to keep the finish clean.
>
> Once you get wax on it it will be more difficult to wash.
>
> Avoid anything that has a power cord and plug on it.
>
> There, you got it. From the quicker draw.
> --
> pj

All good advice as usual but I'd add one thing.

When you rinse do it with an open hose, not a spray. Let the water
sheet off instead of beading up to spot. It leaves much less water on
the surface to wipe/blow/dab off.

I seldom use wax so you're on your own there, just a detailer every
now and then and keep it clean.
 >> Stay informed about: Cold weather Black Paint care 

Well, take that black car and paint it medium blue, medium red, medium
brown, ANYTHING BUT BLACK! and you will solve all sorts of problems. Kick
me in the butt if I ever buy another black car.

They look fantastic clean, but that exist for about 20 minutes unless you
take it out of the garage, and then it is for about 5 minutes. Ask me how I
know. I washed and waxed the Camaro Sunday evening. Drove the kid to
school Monday and came home. Drove to school today and to pick up coffee.
As I got out, I noticed that the car looked like I hadn't washed in a week
or two along the sides.

I do wax, not every wash, but once in awhile. The wax helps get the bugs
off, and the other junk that seems to be on the road and sprayed all over
the car. Shine-wise, I don't think the wax does anything for the clear coat
paints out today. If you were dealing with a black lacquer paint, then the
wax makes it look ten foot deep.

In cold weather, it probably means you are going to have all sorts of junk
on the road - mud, dirt, water, salt, deicer, etc. So the best way to keep
it clean is park it under a cover and not drive the darn thing.

I towel dry, and use several towels. I have a pile of old ones that are
just for it to keep the wife happy. So I can use several.

If you can get an old chamois, one that is a real chamois, it will work well
but tends to strip the wax off. I'm not sure what that would do with a clear
coat. Most today are a synthetic chamois, not real leather, so they act a
lot differently than a real one.

I've tried a couple of the microfiber towels, and was not overwhelmed enough
to buy any.

"Dad" wrote in message

>
> "pj" wrote in message
>
> > My Name Is Nobody wrote:
> >> Please offer any or all of your first hand experience and
> >> suggestions for washing drying and or waxing a factory new black
> >> paint job, especially now in the cold weather. What tools
> >> materials and products do you find work best for you?
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >
> > Welcome to the anal world of Corvette car washing!
> >
> > Sorry, quick draw but, I have no 'first hand' experience -- just 60
> > years of trial and error.
> >
> > Assuming this car was painted in Bowling Green, KY.....
>
> Why? He never said it was a Corvette.
>
> > Find a detergent that plays well with the water in Portland Oregon.
> > (For example: in Northwestern Ohio, it's tap water+Dawn. Where I
> > live it's city water thru the softener+Zymol. In Pensacola it's
> > something else --- )
> >
> > Don't use a sponge with the wash. Sponges hold all manner of dirt.
> > Old, clean facecloths that've been washed and dried (without fabric
> > softener) will do fine. If you remove a mud splash, switch to a
> > clean washcloth.
> >
> > If you're having issues with water spotting, find a good wetting
> > agent to use as a rinse. (I like Kodak Fotoflo.)
> >
> > This group can argue for ages over careful use of a clean squeegee
> > blade versus light toweling till dry. I squeegee the white car and
> > towel the dark car. Get it dry before the sun hits it.
> >
> > Forget using a chamois or any of the chamois-like cloths on TV
> > commercials -- more opportunity to add micro scratches to the
> > finish.
> >
> > For lint removal, go for a *quick* drive.. unless the car wasn't
> > painted in Bowling Green -- then discard all of the above advice.
> >
> > If it's new and you take good care of it, you can avoid wax, teflon,
> > etc. for many years.
> >
> > Learn about items like clay-bars to keep the finish clean.
> >
> > Once you get wax on it it will be more difficult to wash.
> >
> > Avoid anything that has a power cord and plug on it.
> >
> > There, you got it. From the quicker draw.
> > --
> > pj
>
> All good advice as usual but I'd add one thing.
>
> When you rinse do it with an open hose, not a spray. Let the water
> sheet off instead of beading up to spot. It leaves much less water on
> the surface to wipe/blow/dab off.
>
> I seldom use wax so you're on your own there, just a detailer every
> now and then and keep it clean.
>
 >> Stay informed about: Cold weather Black Paint care 

"pj" wrote in message

> My Name Is Nobody wrote:
>> Please offer any or all of your first hand experience and suggestions for
>> washing drying and or waxing a factory new black paint job, especially
>> now in the cold weather. What tools materials and products do you find
>> work best for you?
>>
>> Thanks
>
> Welcome to the anal world of Corvette car washing!
>
> Sorry, quick draw but, I have no 'first hand' experience -- just 60 years
> of trial and error.
>
> Assuming this car was painted in Bowling Green, KY.....
>
> Find a detergent that plays well with the water in Portland Oregon. (For
> example: in Northwestern Ohio, it's tap water+Dawn. Where I live it's city
> water thru the softener+Zymol. In Pensacola it's something else --- )
>
> Don't use a sponge with the wash. Sponges hold all manner of dirt. Old,
> clean facecloths that've been washed and dried (without fabric softener)
> will do fine. If you remove a mud splash, switch to a clean washcloth.
>
> If you're having issues with water spotting, find a good wetting agent to
> use as a rinse. (I like Kodak Fotoflo.)
>
> This group can argue for ages over careful use of a clean squeegee blade
> versus light toweling till dry. I squeegee the white car and towel the
> dark car. Get it dry before the sun hits it.
>
> Forget using a chamois or any of the chamois-like cloths on TV
> commercials -- more opportunity to add micro scratches to the finish.
>
> For lint removal, go for a *quick* drive.. unless the car wasn't painted
> in Bowling Green -- then discard all of the above advice.
>
> If it's new and you take good care of it, you can avoid wax, teflon, etc.
> for many years.
>
> Learn about items like clay-bars to keep the finish clean.
>
> Once you get wax on it it will be more difficult to wash.
>
> Avoid anything that has a power cord and plug on it.
>
> There, you got it. From the quicker draw.
> --
> pj

Thank you.
 >> Stay informed about: Cold weather Black Paint care 

"Dad" wrote in message

>
> "pj" wrote in message
>
>> My Name Is Nobody wrote:
>>> Please offer any or all of your first hand experience and suggestions
>>> for washing drying and or waxing a factory new black paint job,
>>> especially now in the cold weather. What tools materials and products
>>> do you find work best for you?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>
>> Welcome to the anal world of Corvette car washing!
>>
>> Sorry, quick draw but, I have no 'first hand' experience -- just 60 years
>> of trial and error.
>>
>> Assuming this car was painted in Bowling Green, KY.....
>
> Why? He never said it was a Corvette.

Correct, sorry did not intend to mislead, simply tap the greatest
concentration of fine automobile car care enthusiasts I have access to...
My new off topic ride can be viewed here...
http://good-times.webshots.com/album/562025025KJRMQW


>
>> Find a detergent that plays well with the water in Portland Oregon. (For
>> example: in Northwestern Ohio, it's tap water+Dawn. Where I live it's
>> city water thru the softener+Zymol. In Pensacola it's something
>> else --- )
>>
>> Don't use a sponge with the wash. Sponges hold all manner of dirt. Old,
>> clean facecloths that've been washed and dried (without fabric softener)
>> will do fine. If you remove a mud splash, switch to a clean washcloth.
>>
>> If you're having issues with water spotting, find a good wetting agent to
>> use as a rinse. (I like Kodak Fotoflo.)
>>
>> This group can argue for ages over careful use of a clean squeegee blade
>> versus light toweling till dry. I squeegee the white car and towel the
>> dark car. Get it dry before the sun hits it.
>>
>> Forget using a chamois or any of the chamois-like cloths on TV
>> commercials -- more opportunity to add micro scratches to the finish.
>>
>> For lint removal, go for a *quick* drive.. unless the car wasn't painted
>> in Bowling Green -- then discard all of the above advice.
>>
>> If it's new and you take good care of it, you can avoid wax, teflon, etc.
>> for many years.
>>
>> Learn about items like clay-bars to keep the finish clean.
>>
>> Once you get wax on it it will be more difficult to wash.
>>
>> Avoid anything that has a power cord and plug on it.
>>
>> There, you got it. From the quicker draw.
>> --
>> pj
>
> All good advice as usual but I'd add one thing.
>
> When you rinse do it with an open hose, not a spray. Let the water sheet
> off instead of beading up to spot. It leaves much less water on the
> surface to wipe/blow/dab off.
>
> I seldom use wax so you're on your own there, just a detailer every now
> and then and keep it clean.

Thank you
 >> Stay informed about: Cold weather Black Paint care 

"Tom In Missouri" wrote in message

> Well, take that black car and paint it medium blue, medium red, medium
> brown, ANYTHING BUT BLACK! and you will solve all sorts of problems. Kick
> me in the butt if I ever buy another black car.
>

Ah, but I'm addicted to black, Black looks better than any other color, even
dirty...


> They look fantastic clean, but that exist for about 20 minutes unless you
> take it out of the garage, and then it is for about 5 minutes. Ask me how
> I
> know. I washed and waxed the Camaro Sunday evening. Drove the kid to
> school Monday and came home. Drove to school today and to pick up coffee.
> As I got out, I noticed that the car looked like I hadn't washed in a week
> or two along the sides.
>
> I do wax, not every wash, but once in awhile. The wax helps get the bugs
> off, and the other junk that seems to be on the road and sprayed all over
> the car. Shine-wise, I don't think the wax does anything for the clear
> coat
> paints out today. If you were dealing with a black lacquer paint, then
> the
> wax makes it look ten foot deep.
>
> In cold weather, it probably means you are going to have all sorts of junk
> on the road - mud, dirt, water, salt, deicer, etc. So the best way to
> keep
> it clean is park it under a cover and not drive the darn thing.
>
> I towel dry, and use several towels. I have a pile of old ones that are
> just for it to keep the wife happy. So I can use several.
>
> If you can get an old chamois, one that is a real chamois, it will work
> well
> but tends to strip the wax off. I'm not sure what that would do with a
> clear
> coat. Most today are a synthetic chamois, not real leather, so they act a
> lot differently than a real one.
>
> I've tried a couple of the microfiber towels, and was not overwhelmed
> enough
> to buy any.

Thanks

>
> "Dad" wrote in message
>
>>
>> "pj" wrote in message
>>
>> > My Name Is Nobody wrote:
>> >> Please offer any or all of your first hand experience and
>> >> suggestions for washing drying and or waxing a factory new black
>> >> paint job, especially now in the cold weather. What tools
>> >> materials and products do you find work best for you?
>> >>
>> >> Thanks
>> >
>> > Welcome to the anal world of Corvette car washing!
>> >
>> > Sorry, quick draw but, I have no 'first hand' experience -- just 60
>> > years of trial and error.
>> >
>> > Assuming this car was painted in Bowling Green, KY.....
>>
>> Why? He never said it was a Corvette.
>>
>> > Find a detergent that plays well with the water in Portland Oregon.
>> > (For example: in Northwestern Ohio, it's tap water+Dawn. Where I
>> > live it's city water thru the softener+Zymol. In Pensacola it's
>> > something else --- )
>> >
>> > Don't use a sponge with the wash. Sponges hold all manner of dirt.
>> > Old, clean facecloths that've been washed and dried (without fabric
>> > softener) will do fine. If you remove a mud splash, switch to a
>> > clean washcloth.
>> >
>> > If you're having issues with water spotting, find a good wetting
>> > agent to use as a rinse. (I like Kodak Fotoflo.)
>> >
>> > This group can argue for ages over careful use of a clean squeegee
>> > blade versus light toweling till dry. I squeegee the white car and
>> > towel the dark car. Get it dry before the sun hits it.
>> >
>> > Forget using a chamois or any of the chamois-like cloths on TV
>> > commercials -- more opportunity to add micro scratches to the
>> > finish.
>> >
>> > For lint removal, go for a *quick* drive.. unless the car wasn't
>> > painted in Bowling Green -- then discard all of the above advice.
>> >
>> > If it's new and you take good care of it, you can avoid wax, teflon,
>> > etc. for many years.
>> >
>> > Learn about items like clay-bars to keep the finish clean.
>> >
>> > Once you get wax on it it will be more difficult to wash.
>> >
>> > Avoid anything that has a power cord and plug on it.
>> >
>> > There, you got it. From the quicker draw.
>> > --
>> > pj
>>
>> All good advice as usual but I'd add one thing.
>>
>> When you rinse do it with an open hose, not a spray. Let the water
>> sheet off instead of beading up to spot. It leaves much less water on
>> the surface to wipe/blow/dab off.
>>
>> I seldom use wax so you're on your own there, just a detailer every
>> now and then and keep it clean.
>>
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: Cold weather Black Paint care