How do you keep your car looking good? I will be honest, I HATE the subaru for being black. I washed the Si twice a week. I wash the subie close to twice a month. Its just not worth it. I "tried" to wash it today and it only came out worse. There are water spots galour. Its an overcast day so I thought I would be safe. Wasnt. The car has more water spots on it now then it did before from weeks of rain build up. I rinse, soap, rinse, and dry as fast as I can but I still cant beat it. Please share your secrets. Also list what products you use.

Maguires,, or however you spell it.. quick detailer.. spray and wipe..

if you don't use a nozzle on the hose and try to make sure the water is sheeting when you rinse the car it helps lessen water spots and then use a microfiber.

Yeah i have a spray gun attachment thing for the hose. I will have to look into those quick detail sprays

A black car just takes more maintenance. Quick detailing spray and microfiber towels kept handy are a must. When weather permits, I quick detail my car at least every other day. If you have waterspots before you can finish drying your car, try drying in the shade with a microfiber towel or drying blade whichever you prefer. I always follow my washes with a wax or at least a quick detail. Black cars take extra maintenance there's no other way around it. However the visual pleasure of a black, wet, reflective shine is unrivaled. :)

check out the black car cleaning 101 in the DIY section

ORIGINAL: jake11375
However the visual pleasure of a black, wet, reflective shine are unrivaled. :)


that id have to agree to ;) and the proof...............


http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/addiction2bass/NEW%2099%20Civic%20EX/waxed%20all%20up/waxed013.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/addiction2bass/NEW%2099%20Civic%20EX/waxed%20all%20up/waxed005.jpg


LIKE A FREAKEN MIRROR [8D]
:D

I ALWAYS CARRY THE MICROFIBERS AROUND! those things are realy good! i bought a small pack of them... went thru em to quick. so next time i was at sams club i bought a BIG PACK OF EM [8D]
after they get dirty just throwem in the washer and they come out like new :D




tho i realy need to get some shined up pics with my new rims on now.LOL just shows ya how long its been since i realy shined up my ride now.

ORIGINAL: addiction2bass
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/addiction2bass/NEW%2099%20Civic%20EX/waxed%20all%20up/waxed013.jpg
LIKE A FREAKEN MIRROR [8D]


Werd... How does my hair look? [8D]

more like..... dam i need to loose some weight. LMFAO ROCK ON MAN!!!!!!!!
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e250/addiction2bass/NEW%2099%20Civic%20EX/waxed%20all%20up/waxed014.jpg

o man i look like a migit!!!!!!

Are there products that help prevent spots? I washed the car last night and now it looks horrible because it spotted up from the morning dew.

not to my knowledge... but i always wash my car from my houses softwater so it doesnt leave spots to bad as long as its dried quick enough.

but i also always park in a garage so nto sure about morning dew...

You need to Protect your car's surface and it starts with cleaning the paint so you have a fresh start so to speak. You'll notice a brand new car is slower to etch and stain, show water spots etc. This is because the paint is fresh and clean, this is what you want to get back to.

The best way to prevent stains, water spots etc, is to remove them as quickly as possible, before they have a chance to bake into the paint or cause permanent damage.

Now I'm a Meguiar's fan but there are plenty other great products out there as well. I use Meguiar's because they make great products that work, are easily accessible (no internet ordering necessary) and fairly easy on the wallet...

...Remember: Though some products are better than others, it's actually the process not the product that produces spectacular results...

Wash Wash your car with a good car shampoo like Meguiar's Gold Class shampoo and a good plush chenille or microfiber washmit to remove all the previous wax and products on the car for a clean surface. A lot of defects are waxed over all the time.

Clean prep surface Meg's Deep Crystal system paint cleaner works good, Meg's Scratch X, and clay bar if necessary (rough paint surface)

Polish I use Meguiar's Dual Action Cleaner Polish to clean the surface even further and prepare the paint by removing previous water spots, swirls, etc that washing, general surface prep and claying don't remove.

Protect Now that you have a clean surface a good wax is in order. Meguiar's #26 yellow wax, Gold Class or whatever your favorite is. Wax will help prevent water spots, but nothing can protect your car from droplets that stay on your car long enough to etch the surface. Wax will provide some protection from harful UV rays and help water roll off the surface easier. Some waxes like Zaino (though a little pricier) work really well at producing a slick surface, ideal for water sheeting off etc.

Maintain Again, don't let water sit on your car in the sun. Quick detail with good quality micofiber towels as often as possible to prevent any contanminant from etching your paint surface. Meg's Quick detail, final inspection, and a plethora of others work well.

All cars get waterspots it's just that black shows defects much easier... Good luck getting it back pretty again. :)

Thanks a lot Jake! Great write up. I think I will be making a trip to the store fairly soon to pick up some products. I did notice with the honda that the more times i waxed it the better the car would look. I guess I just have to give this one a little more time.

No problem! Make sure you get some pics when you get her all cleaned up. We like shiny stuff!:D

i know the stuff that 40 got me addicted to, Royal Blue, gets rid of waterspots when you use it.

if you wanna go old school, get chamois leather ("shammy" leather). But alot of it is expensive. I use the microfiber towels, which work very well. Chamois Leather (http://www.chamois.co.nz/products/)



local://upfiles/14361/EE71B2DD76324E0F81DC57CB70047F02.jpg

Ive used the mr clean spot free thing for a long time. It works great on black cars. No water marks whatsoever, then I hit it with a quick detailer and im set for the next 5 hours before dirt and dust collect up.

mark, you own 2 cars? dude, go repaint the car

ORIGINAL: Belmont
then I hit it with a quick detailer and im set for the next 5 hours before dirt and dust collect up.


LOL! That's true, and 5 hours is really pushing it. :D

Ha Ha I know, black cars are ridiculous.

I use Race Glaze, it's not a wax but a sealer, that is after Mothers bar, after every wash Ice, keeps it looking clean. Race Glaze is the only product that lasts all winter. You can get it at a paint store.

Look for Zanio products, expensive but well worth it :)