What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

Hey guys I am having a hell of a time with the paint on my black crossfire, I intend on compounding it in the next week or so and I am looking for a great wax to use for the black paint, it seems that the paint has a lot of holograms and swirls which I know are inherrent with black paint, thanks for your help! JR

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

I am afraid that no wax is gong to help you with the swirls and holograms. Black paint is a bear to get looking good, but with the right approach, it can be done. First, and foremost, you will need a good orbital or dual action polisher. For price and performance, I would recommend the Porter Cable 7424XP. Meguiars G110V2 is also a good choice. Next you will need some good closed cell structure buffing/polishing pads in a variety of aggressiveness. Lake Country pads are hard to beat. You will need a good swirl and haze polish, wax, and a finishing polish along with a detail spray. I highly recommend Adams Polishes. Also, don't skimp on the polishing/detail cloths that you use, as a cheap one will negate all of your hard work.

Here are a couple links to some kits that will get you off to a great start;

Adam's Porter Cable Total Paint Restoration Kit

Wolfgang Porter Cable 7424 Swirl-Free Kit

Both of these sites have a wealth of knowledge to share about car detailing, and they have lots of video tutorials.

Trust me when I say that a black car can be swirl free. :D

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Good luck with getting her looking great.

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

bmorgan gave you some good info. NOTHING looks better than a swirl and scratch free black finish. Did you know mirrors have black backings?

One of our resident finish experts Mike-in-Orange (he runs the blog for MaGuire's) has some good comments here https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tml#post462126

It will take time and lots of effort, but you can have a black beauty too!

https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...reflection.jpg

https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...t_light_on.JPG
https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...edium/tank.jpg
https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...ished_hood.JPG
https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...n_off_hood.JPG

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

I forgot how well black can look when well taken care of. Hats off to both of you for a fine finish job.

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

You really have to admire you black car owners, to much of a PITA for me!

The links will be all the help you need especially the junkman at Adams polishes and theres tons of info on our forum.

Off the top of my head Id say dont start with compound inless you have some severe issues. Try polish first, its made for swirls. We use 3-m ultra fine for dark colors at work. get a buffer or it will look worse than before and your arm will fall off.:D

Pooly

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

Here is a good start to the problems solution.
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...tml#post102839
I have a black car and the Porter Cable R/Orbit polisher, this is a must to have. The Meguiars R/O polisher is as good, which ever one you pick will do the job well. The Meguiars one had a bale handle and the PC did not at one time, the bale handle is best as it saves your wrists.
Also read the articles on swirl removal, use micro fiber towels, clay bar and good polishes, and keep all dirt from embedding into the mitts when washing the car down by using lots of sudsy water, use a hose to wash off the worst dirt before using the mitt.

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

Prove it. :D

(I used to have a black car :( )

https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...m/DSC01611.JPG

https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...m/DSC00089.JPG

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

I use Turtle Wax Black Box Wax. No white residue. Results; https://www.crossfireforum.org/galle...kxfire_004.jpg

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

SRT SIX - Enough is enough! Your car is far too shiny! Shiny to the point it looks like a rolling garage wall and ceiling! I think you need to get out the sandpaper and rough up that finish a bit:p

by the way that shine is A M A Z I N G!

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

Insomnia made me do it...LOL

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

The best thing I learned with black vehicles in the past is never do anyting if the vehicle is warm. Keep it in the garage or in the shade. Always leave the hood and the trunk open while you're working on other panels. A good buffer with plenty of bonnet changes and remember a little goes a long ways. If the car has been neglected start with a clay bar on the entire vehicle first before anything.

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

damn that looks good! where did you get the turtle wax for black? ive been keeping mine in the garage for the last couple of months, but im about to move soon so its back out to the elements it goes, :(

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

jrf05, what kind of buffer do you plan on using on the car? What compound and/or polish? In all honesty, the wax you select is almost inconsequential provided all the rest of the steps are done properly - 90% or more of your gloss comes from proper prep and the wax or sealant is really just the final protection. Yes, different waxes or sealants can slightly alter the final appearance, but then you're getting into a highly subjective realm; what looks great to me may not be your favorite.

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

Black crossfire? Daily Driver? Outside all the time?:
Clean and Waxed look only lasts about one day. Last summer I tried so hard keeping it clean. As small as it is, its impossible. Weekly car wash is what you end up settling for, with a monthly wax.

Solution?
1. ONLY SHOW THE CAR OFF WHEN THE LIGHTING IS LOW. :cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:
2. PAINT IT WHITE AS SOON AS FINANCIALLY POSSIBLE. :cool::cool::cool::cool:
:D

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

I have to disagree with you there, and I think anyone who saw my daily driver at any of the events over the years would attest to the finish and cleanliness of the car.

With proper care and tools (California car duster, good detail spray, wheel wax, etc) you can keep it looking pretty damn nice. At the same time, I will admit it is like having another full time job :(

(There is a reason I did not buy another black one)

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

i owned a black car once... once... (and it only lasted a year before going to white in the same car)... it just required too much time to meet my expectations.

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

I am a hobbyist detailer for my SLK32. I know what it's like to want perfection in your paint. As a result, as my gf will tell anyone, I am O-C about my car's finish and cleanliness.

LSP's (Last Step Protection, as termed by the pro detailers for wax or sealant) are a very personal choice. Just like what wheels you put on your car, everyone has their own preference and tastes. So to try and answer your question, there is no 'best' wax for your car, it's only what you prefer the most, easiest for you to apply and take off, lasts the longest for your driving and climate, etc.

Yes there are some crappy waxes out there, and there are some that are so ridiculously overpriced you can't imagine what makes it worth $2000 a tub :)
What I can say for sure is that it really doesn't matter what LSP you use on your black car if your clearcoat isn't ABSOLUTELY FLAWLESS to begin with. If there are imperfections, the wax is only going to protect that imperfection! :) Think of wax as saran wrap - it just protects what's there.

To get that perfect clearcoat to begin with, you will need a polisher (PC7424XP is a good and safe choice) And to take out imperfections such as your swirls and holograms, you will need the correct polish/compound combination for your paint.

When I started researching the polishers, I was afraid (who wouldn't be, taking a powered tool that spins to your baby's paint!) I saw this video on YouTube from the "Junkman" @ Adams Polishes - YouTube - How Safe is the PC 7424XP - Part 1 and YouTube - How Safe is the PC 7424XP - Part 2 and it convinced me that this was the polisher I was looking for.

Once you get your clearcoat perfect, then it's time for the LSP. I personally always end up reaching for the Menzerna Power Lock (MPL, as they call it). In my experience, it leaves the absolute slickest finish and looks the shiniest on my yellow SLK. However, for a black car, you can definitely experiment with different waxes and sealants to see what works the best for you.

I bought my detail kit from detailer's domain (www.detailersdomain.com), who is a sponsor for the SLKWorld.com forums which I am an active member of. I got their Porter Cable 7424xp kit with Menzerna polishes (http://www.detailersdomain.com/theub...es16ozkit.aspx). I decided to go with Menzerna's compound and polishes due to the fact that it's what Mercedes uses at the factory for finishing off a new car off the assembly line. Their final polish is specially formulated for Mercedes' clear coats. I'm not sure if Crossfires use the same paint as Mercedes but if they use the same scratch resistant ceramic clear coat, I recommend Menzerna.

I really like Adam's products for everything else - Tires, trim, rubber seals, interior, leather, carpet, windows, car wash, etc.

There's a discount code for 10% off entire order, code "MB".

Some detailing forums that places that I order my stuff from, they may give you some more info:

Detailing Bliss Forum - News
www.detailersdomain.com
www.adamspolishes.com
www.adamsforums.com
We Are Car Care -- Car Wax, Car Polish, Auto Detailing Supplies, Car Buffers & Car Accessories Store

A forum member on detailingbliss.com states in his signature, "Black cars are not a hobby, they're a career." as they are the hardest to achieve a flawless finish. Good luck on your detailing!

Jae

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

Props man! Gorgeous!:D

But to add something a little constructive, I have always heard that over waxing a car is not a good thing either. It can add a haze effect to the finish, max about two times a year. Is this not correct? I typically use a quick detailer in between waxes, not a full wax job. I have found that it keeps the shine, and keeps the surface of the car slick. Also plus one on Meguair's Products, I typically use Meguair's NXT Wax, and I have never had an issue.

With all this said I have never really owned a black car, just darker colors....so I don't know how much this helps.

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

I think over-waxing causing a haze is probably something of the past. With the new synthetic "waxes" lay up nicely. Sometimes I lay a nice thin coat once a week, but probably more likely 1 1/2 to 2 times a month. It only takes 10 min. I probably use a clay bar 6 times a year as well.

I also use only a little each time. I also use Meguiar's Ultimate Quick Detailer on a daily basis. I don't think you can see any haze on my finish...

I have only washed it 4 times in 5+ years owning it. Keeping it looking this way is a "career" job. My wife calls it an obsession, after a stressful day of work, I call it therapy!

Like I said in an earlier post, "NOTHING looks better than a swirl and scratch free black finish." :cool:

Re: What's the best wax for my black crossfire?
 

I'm a new owner of a black 05 Roadster. It is a higher mileage car, but still has beautiful paint. I can see some swirl, but have to get it in the sun and look for it. Will start on the finish as the weather allows.

Regarding the DA polisher - how is the Porter Cable on other paints? Any experience among this group? What about air driven polishers? I would rather use an air tool, but suspect that even a little oil from the exhaust would show up in the paint.

I'd welcome any information or opinions.

Thanks,

Michael