Hey guys I have a 2006 CC LBZ all black in color. I think nothing looks better than a clean black truck with some chrome but I am constantly fixing scratches... Does any one know of any thing a guy can do to keep the scratches down to a minimum?? Im getting little scratches in the clear coat not all the way to metal or anything. I tryed to give it a good coat of wax and that helped but still at the car wash when I use a soft rag to dry I still get little scratches Censored !!!.
I know some of you may say than you should have not got a black truck but they look soo good when clean:ro)

Input welcomed
Thanks

I'm sure many will chime in with varying opinions but I'm anal about my finish as well so I'll share my routine. It's a combo of various advice I've heard and read over the years. First, don't buy a black vehicle. :rolleyes: Too late, so...
I'll always wet the vehicle down a few minutes before washing. Then I'll always use an automotive soap with a clean, cotton-over-foam wash sponge. When washing, always go in a straight line, never circular, that helps you avoid the "spider swirls" you can see with the light at the right angle. Wash from the top down. Never "blast" the finish but rinse with a steady stream.
Drying. In the shade. Personally, I use a water blade followed by a clean cotton towl(s) to catch what I can't get with the blade. If you use a silicon water blade make sure to wipe the edge between wipes so there is no possibility of a stray piece of dirt scratching the finish.
Wax. Yes and regularly.
And finally, driving habits. If you off road then you're outta luck. Otherwise, don't tailgate because the crap from other vehicles causes the most damage. My 2 cents...:)

Go to this site there's a lot of good info on it;)



http://www.detailcity.org/forums/

3M swirl remover works very well.

The key to no scratches is do not induce them when you wash.

I use Zaino now because after initial application the detailer spray is what maintains the shine.

Key to minimal scratches: 100% USA cotten towels and blue waffle weave towels for washing removing wax etc and when washing use a different bucket to rinse the cotton towel you are using to wash the car with.

IF scratches are there..like small spider webbing the porter cable random orbiter with a good mild polish is your best bet to round the edges of the scratches and minimize the reflections you see.

The link above helps in better xplaining all these details.

I tryed to give it a good coat of wax and that helped but still at the car wash when I use a soft rag to dry I still get little scratches Censored !!!.


What kind of car wash? Please, please tell me you're not taking it to an automatic one with rotating brushes. Step-one in preventing swirls is to avoid car wash places altogether.

There is a way avoid the scratches.

1). Wash truck using car wash soap and use microfiber towels to dry it. (BTW: DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER WHEN WASHING/DRYING THESE TYPES OF TOWELS!)

2). Use a clay bar with the appropriate lubricant to remove the junk washing doesn't get.

3). 3M (among others) makes a swirl "remover" that hides and/or gets rid of minor marks.

4). Use a good polish (Zaino is the current rage).

5). The final and most important part - park the truck in a garage under a cover and do not drive it - ever. Failure to do this will result in scratches, as they are a fact of life.:p:

That Detail City is a really good site; I've learnt a lot from there. Here are some of the highlights on washing your truck not mentioned above:
Use the two bucket Method when washing: One bucket of clean rinse water and one bucket of soapy water. Wash Mitt goes from the truck to the rinse bucket to the soap bucket.
Use a good quality soft wash mitt, throw it in the laundry every once and a while to keep it clean.
Do not use old rags or even leather chamois to dry truck. Use a good Micro Fiber Cloth. Micro fiber cloths are also good for waxing / buffing...
I have two wash mitts, one for paint, and one for wheels, bumpers, running boards,ect. This way I know that the paint wash mitt has not touched too much dirt/grime.
Take your time, Takes me an hour (~ 2 beers) to completely wash the truck, which is fast compared to some on detail city...

Go to this site there's a lot of good info on it;)



http://www.detailcity.org/forums/
That Detail City is a really good site; I've learnt a lot from there. Here are some of the highlights on washing your truck not mentioned above:
Use the two bucket Method when washing: One bucket of clean rinse water and one bucket of soapy water. Wash Mitt goes from the truck to the rinse bucket to the soap bucket.
Use a good quality soft wash mitt, throw it in the laundry every once and a while to keep it clean.
Do not use old rags or even leather chamois to dry truck. Use a good Micro Fiber Cloth. Micro fiber cloths are also good for waxing / buffing...
I have two wash mitts, one for paint, and one for wheels, bumpers, running boards,ect. This way I know that the paint wash mitt has not touched too much dirt/grime.
Take your time, Takes me an hour (~ 2 beers) to completely wash the truck, which is fast compared to some on detail city...


X3

try the black colored color cure wax by turtle wax, stuff works great

Compaired to removing them Color cure so looks bad.

Compaired to removing them Color cure so looks bad.

:wtf: That makes zero sense...

He is saying removing swirl marks looks far better than trying to hide them with "filler" products.

Thank Tom...I guess I don't speak jive..):h

try the black colored color cure wax by turtle wax, stuff works great

Tell me more!! is this a wax or a paint scratch filler??

BTW Thanks for the input from everybody!! Ill be getting the truck back from the body shop tonight and will park it in the garage and put a cover over it till I retire and see how that works:p: But seriously I just wanted to see if anyone had some $19.95 wonder product or some thing I have not tried... This is the second black truck Ive had and I love the way it looks when its clean so Ill keep up the wash and wax and deal with the lifes little scratches.
Have a great week end all

JT

http://www.zainobros.com

Look at the Z-5 and or Z-PC. I used the Z-5 on my last black truck, once I got done it was like it just came back from the the paint shop.

1TONCHEV.. thank Ill look into those and see how they work.

I too use Zaino exclusively. It is pretty expensive, but I used it on my 1994 Mustang GT with original paint, and after two coats of the complete process it removed all swirl marks, and made the paint look very deep and with a mirror like shine. No exaderation, the car looked better than my Dmax the day I brought it home from the dealer. The next weekend after I bought my truck I zainoed it and it looked deeper in color than it did in the show room. I too have a black truck, so i know your pain.

I recommend the complete Zaino Kit:ro)

Ill check it out! Thanks:ro)

JT

http://www.zainobros.com

Look at the Z-5 and or Z-PC. I used the Z-5 on my last black truck, once I got done it was like it just came back from the the paint shop.

Did you use the accelerator additive with the Z-5???

No I do not use the accelerator.

IIRC the accelerator is a good idea if you have to worry about rain over night or want to layer the wax right a way or if you don't use it you have to give the wax some time to cure.

:wtf: That makes zero sense...For Gods sake Scott please don't read it backwards, it's a passage from the book of diablo......................it will make you kill!:eek: