Hi I recently bought a new black gmc truck. I have talked to a few detailers and they told me do not take my truck to a carwash and use the brush. They said it will leave scratches and swirl marks. My problem is it is freakin cold here right now and with all the storms my truck is always dirty.It is just so much more conveinent to go to the car wash. So is it really that bad to just go to the carwash with a black truck, or do I really need to just do it at home? Thanks for any help

Having had several black cars myself, NO TWO CARWASHES ARE ALIKE. I have two within 10 minutes of my shop that will not leave any more marks than a hand wash. I have several that might be safe on a light colored car, and lastly I have one nearby that, I swear, has sandpaper bristles and a gigantic mirror magnet (goodbye mirror, usually driver's side).

maybe try a touchless car wash

My black truck has never seen a brush..i always use a power washer and inject soap and watch what kind of towels you use too!!!!

i will never go black again

I have been told to only use microfiber towels. The touchless carwash is a great idea but my lift is going on soon and then it wont fit.

I will be buying this because i was suggested by my detailer to use it, and i've seen it work http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-no-rinse.html

My black truck has never seen a brush..i always use a power washer and inject soap and watch what kind of towels you use too!!!!

X2- no brushes. Find one that has the high pressure wand or wait for a semi-warm day to hand wash. Use a soft towel to dry, and I always use Eagle 1 quick wax protectant each time I dry. It acts as a lubricant between your towel and the finish.

There is no easy way to keep a Black truck looking black except for good ol elbow grease.

I personally pressure wash the top layer of crap off, and never, never use the brush at the car wash. Once home I wash eac section by hand, then rinse.

Using a fast, quick application of wax is a great idea!

Microfiber towels, good wax/polish and lots of sweat will keep your truck looking in great shape! Im a fan of Mothers products, they work for me.

My paint is 2 yrs old, and survived(so far) 3 harsh winters, and looks like it just came off the showroom floor!

There is no easy way to keep a Black truck looking black except for good ol elbow grease.

I personally pressure wash the top layer of crap off....

....Microfiber towels, good wax/polish and lots of sweat will keep your truck looking in great shape! Im a fan of Mothers products, they work for me.

My paint is 2 yrs old, and survived(so far) 3 harsh winters, and looks like it just came off the showroom floor!

I just traded in my black '02 Dodge Ram Quadcab 4x4 on December 1st and it looked as good as the day I bought it. Anzacron (above) is right. If you bought a black truck and you want it to look great permanently, NEVER take it to a carwash. EVER.

The right way to do it is to handwash it at home, in the shade and towel it dry with old bath towels. Yeah, its a pain in the ass if you're not the anal type. Personally, i like doing my truck. But if you aren't anal, why the heck did you buy a HUGE black truck?

Rinse all the dirt loose with water spray only. Then wash from the top down. When you get below the belt line of the truck, dump the soap and make another bucket and use an entirely separate dedicated sponge because below the beltline is where the grit is. (I use the sponge with the terry cloth cover on it).

I try to wax at least one panel every time I wash. I default to doing the hood and roof most often. The sun IS going to eat something; you better give it the wax or it will be your paint. I clay bar occasionally using clean soapy water (goes faster) and I use MOther's carnuba, but frankly, plain old Turtle wax works fine. When you wax, apply and remove in straight strokes rather than the old "wax on, wax off" circular if you want to really avoid swirls marks long term.

Last, park out in the hinterlands...always...to avoid door dings. Never park "show" park, take two spots or back in. It energizes the village idiots that will key a well cared for paint job. Never park downhill at a grocery store (carts running loose!). If you MUST park near other cars, get an end spot and park on the other car's passenger side - the odds are in your favor no one is riding on the passenger side. Best of luck. Oh and here is my old truck. Still looked EXACTLY like this the day I traded her.

Oops, I meant that photo to come out bigger: