Black paint

[jmdsurf45]

If my truck looks bad now after 6 months I can't even imagine how bad it's going to look in 4-5 years. I guess I just have to get it repainted. I was parked next to a Black BMW today while I was out for lunch and talked to the owner and asked him how hard it was to keep clean, it looked immaculate with no scratches at all, and he said its easy just wash and hand dry. This truck has costs me soooooo much money, excessive detail products just to keep it looking half way decent, my insurance went up 20% and gas, s%&* I put more gas in this truck than I did my F350 4x4 with 37" tires. This past weekend I took a road trip 350+ miles, I drove 65 mph which hurt because I was getting run over and had to drive in the slow lane and tried my hardest to take off slowly, 12.8 mpg:td :: td::td :

[Jabadot]

Ive had a few black trucks, they vary in paint quality. All required a a decent amount of time to keep it looking good. A good polish will knock the edges off the scratches, making them less noticeable. A good wax and glaze to finish it off will really bring out the depth. Visit Autopia's site n search for care instructions. There are some really good products out there that are easy to use. FMJ was easy on/off left a great finish. A Porter Cable var. speed buffer will make the job even easier.

[RudyDep]

I can assure you that if by some miracle, I get to repaint my truck....I will jump all over it....and, it will be BLACK again.

[metrictundra]

Anybody who knows anything about dark and lite colors should know that darker colors = more up keep and lighter colors = less up keep. Thats why I have a Silver Sky metallic crew max.

[Brandon1]

Black paint is really easy to take care of.

First off you have to get it to a level you are satisfied with in removing swirl marks and scratches. You will need something like the porter cable buffer and proper polishes to remove any swirls and to perfect the paint. Then seal it with a sealant *under* a carnauba wax to lock in that shine.

Then you simply have to employ the correct washing procedure to keep the truck swirl-free. Wash with a grit-guard in the bottom of the bucket, always use clean quality microfiber towels, water absorbers and wash mitts. When you are done washing (read detailing writeup) and have dried, hit with a Quick Detailer to remove any drying marks.

All this is explained in the detailing writeup in greater detail.

[jmdsurf45]

Thanks Brandon, I just needed some direction. But many of the scratches which are only visible in bright light are not from washing but are from people rubbing up against it either unknowingly, getting in and out of the truck or leaning over the sides to get things out of the bed and for us short people is a challenge for the high sides on our Tundras so I'm looking for a method to help minimize these type of small scratches if any, Thanks again!

[robsatx]

We don't go to the local wash tub anymore, My wife's Tahoe had a ton of swirls from taking it there. We have a mobile detailer come to the house about every 3-4weeks. I now keep a pressure washer in the garage, hand wash with mit with the two bucket setup. Soap in one fresh water in the other. Get the dirt off the mit before I touch the truck again, helps to minimize the number swirls.

I then hand dry with Eagle one Wash as you Wax. It does great at leaving the car very clean looking. The detailer uses a special cleaner to strip the wax before he applies his stuff on the cars.

Pretty quick and easy.

I also use the spray tire stuff on the tires and fender wells.

Oh yea, the detailer uses a compound and and a buffer (he is out there a long time) to remove the scratches from both cars. He told me that GM uses a rock hard paint that is much tougher than Toyota. But he also said the scratches come out easier on Toyotas.

[Brandon1]

Originally Posted by robsatx

He told me that GM uses a rock hard paint that is much tougher than Toyota. But he also said the scratches come out easier on Toyotas.

Different car makers will have different hardness paint. Audi's are rock hard and so is GM Black. Toyota white is Emron paint and is prone to oxidation.


Yeah, the best method for keeping black looking good is to start with a good base (you or a profesional detailer can do this) then keep it up. Keep it up by not going to the local brush wash and doing it yourself.

[Brandon1]

Originally Posted by jmdsurf45

Thanks Brandon, I just needed some direction. But many of the scratches which are only visible in bright light are not from washing but are from people rubbing up against it either unknowingly, getting in and out of the truck or leaning over the sides to get things out of the bed and for us short people is a challenge for the high sides on our Tundras so I'm looking for a method to help minimize these type of small scratches if any, Thanks again!

The main way to minimize these types of scratches is to keep your truck clean. The marring is from people rubbing up against the black paint, thus scrubbing any dirt into the paint.

You can keep the truck clean and dust free by first of keeping a good sealant/wax on the truck. Then use a quick detailer when possible or washing when nessisary.

All this sounds like allot of work, but it comes down to less time than you used to spend and better results.

[MOREPOWER]

Yup keep the dirt off it, wash often in a safe manner.
I used Duraglos 105 sealer+ Calinite fleet wax every 6 months on the wax.
I started doing this a year or so ago after a light polish with a PC, so much easier than what I did before, its easier to start when new than to wait a few years, because Toyota paint sucks.
My truck was 6 years old last Nov, heres a recent pic.

[jmdsurf45]

I have a friend that I did some business who owns a detail shop and he wanted to repay me so he told me to drop off my truck with him today and just picked it up OMG it looks awesome, and best of all on "visible" scratches even in sunlight. I asked what he did to it, wash and wax only!!!! I told him that I was looking to purchase a PC and all the detail goodies ie, compound, polish, sealer, and wax and he replied "not on a new truck maybe later". Oh well I thought I was confused before, man!!!!!! Anyway for now my truck looks awesome and have had compliments everywhere I've been today.

[Brandon1]

Originally Posted by jmdsurf45

I have a friend that I did some business who owns a detail shop and he wanted to repay me so he told me to drop off my truck with him today and just picked it up OMG it looks awesome, and best of all on "visible" scratches even in sunlight. I asked what he did to it, wash and wax only!!!! I told him that I was looking to purchase a PC and all the detail goodies ie, compound, polish, sealer, and wax and he replied "not on a new truck maybe later". Oh well I thought I was confused before, man!!!!!! Anyway for now my truck looks awesome and have had compliments everywhere I've been today.

Yeah, honestly, if he recomends NOT to purchase a PC "for a new truck" then i'd be weary of his advice. Even new trucks have swirls and water spotting, and you will need to rmove them. He had to use something to get your stuff out.

And if all he did was a wash and wax, be suspicious. Wax likely just filled in the scratches and the next time you wash the truck, the scratches and swirls will be back.

Not saying he isnt good or anything, just pointing out some things to think about.

[jmdsurf45]

I went ahead and purchased the items you suggested and posted the list on autogeek, they responded, GREAT CHOICE. I'm taking your suggestions seriously and thanks again for all your HELP!!! PS I have this image of me using the PC, as soon as it touches the vehicle it takes me and the machine to the other end of the vehicle and then to the ground, crazy huh!

[Brandon1]

Originally Posted by jmdsurf45

I went ahead and purchased the items you suggested and posted the list on autogeek, they responded, GREAT CHOICE. I'm taking your suggestions seriously and thanks again for all your HELP!!! PS I have this image of me using the PC, as soon as it touches the vehicle it takes me and the machine to the other end of the vehicle and then to the ground, crazy huh!

Wont happen. The PC is the most user friendly machine available. Read my detailing writeup for some short tips on using the PC. But the best way to learn is to read/view autogeeks tips for the PC and to practice. You may have to work at it for a while before you get the hang of it, but it will be worth it in the end. Make sure that you post plenty of pictures.

Oh and Congrats!!!

[jmdsurf45]

Bummer, yesterday when I picked up the truck the sun was straight overhead and today I went to lunch early and the sun was hitting my side and OMG small 1-2" scratches everywhere and washing/drying marks everywhere. Is this going to be the norm with black?