[KiaForteATX]

Okay, so my forte was my 1st black car ever and its sooooooooo hard to keep clean, I see little streaks on it all the time in the sun. I have unlimited basic car washes to this place in Austin so I get it done almost everyday.....its a reallllyyyyyy good place....they hand wash it, do the tires, shampoo everything....but still looks dirty on the outside. Only at night does my car look sexyyy haha. When I get it waxed it looks good....but I can afford to get it waxed all the time...($15)... Im considering trading it in for that orange or Corsa blue color....but before I go through all that...anything I can do that would help, or a product that works great?

P.S Its garage kept, and at work also in a garage.


Thanks guys!!

 

[KiaForteATX]

 

[crazyjoefound]

sorry man with the pollen so high this year its gonna be hard to keep any color clean even in the garage. ive got a black one as well but its my 3rd black car, but black for the lack of cleanliness is my favorite regardless. The best approach ive had is just to rinse it off with the hose not even wash it. However if you wash and wax really well y then just rinsing wont be a problem and your car can stay some what clean, or you could just get some detailing spray, maguiers(sp) or black magic or ice by turtle. there is a lot out there

 

[ProRaceChick]

Black is just a PITA to keep clean-period. I love black (I almost bought a black Forte).....but it drives me nuts. That is why I went with the Titanium.....doesn't show as much dirt, and I like the flake. I have had white, too - that's actually the easiest, lowest maintenance color. Dark tint.....dark wheels....looks pretty good on some models.

 

[Goose]

One of my reasons for dumping my last car was due to its black paint. When it's clean, black is great... for about a day until it's dirty again. Couldn't stand the surface scratches, either.

 

[AZMX5]

I use the California duster everyday on my vehicles along with meguiars quick detail every couple days. This made a huge difference on the black car I had.

As for swirls, you need to invest in a good random orbital polisher and get some paint products. All of the auto washes you are getting leave lots of swirls in your paint. The right tools and products will "remove" them and put a tough glaze over the paint to prevent getting more defects.

The corsa blue or titanium will end up the same way, any darker color will. With some elbow grease though your paint will pop and keep a lasting shine. You have to pay to play!

 

[BuhbaForte]

It is a bitch to keep clean, but when it is clean, it looks so good. and it's so worth it to me.

 

[Aidensgrand]

i had a black focus and it was tough to keep clean but it was worth it man.

my advice is go by a clay bar or one of those small little containers of clay that come with a pad and wax it yourself. you'll never get a clean and streak free car going to a place where ppl clean your car for you because they could care less. their mentality is "lets get these cars in and out as fast as we can because there's a line". the little tub might be 5.99 and you can wax it yourself(take maybe an hour) and that way you know its clean. i never take it somewhere to get it cleaned. last time i did that, i got a 2 1/2 foot scratch on the passenger side door in my old 06 mazda6. they paid the expenses but that doors paint never matched the rest of the car.

bottome line, its cheaper to just do it yourself. and yes the pollen count is ridiculous and i find myself taking a slightly damp MF towel and wiping over the car.

good luck with your choice man!

 

[deekoup]

I have a Black 2010 Koup and i know what you mean, but my car looks great in Day/Night Light. i use the Black Box... works great and i do it myself cause there is no need to pay someone else to do it..

 

[Khonshu]

I have the black box too I just don't have the patience to keep using it turtle wax ice is good too

 

[duncanville1]

I am sure my corsa blue is not as hard to keep clean as your black car. But it still shows dirt/dust/water spots worse than pretty much any car I have ever had. Keep in mind if you trade your black car in for a 2011, the koup is the only way to get corsa blue now..

 

[DarthRaider253]

eh i wouldnt waste my money on nothin..ive tried it alll lol black is just meant to be dirty..it also seems like the birds aim for black cars to shit on :/...i just take it to the car wash or wash and wax it myself evey now and then

 

[blanthony]

sorry man with the pollen so high this year its gonna be hard to keep any color clean even in the garage. ive got a black one as well but its my 3rd black car, but black for the lack of cleanliness is my favorite regardless. The best approach ive had is just to rinse it off with the hose not even wash it. However if you wash and wax really well y then just rinsing wont be a problem and your car can stay some what clean, or you could just get some detailing spray, maguiers(sp) or black magic or ice by turtle. there is a lot out there

In Tampa the pollen was bad too. Thank god it's about over. I just don't understand why anyone in their right mind who lives in FL would get a BLACK car in our FL sun! I think that's just insane, it's just too HOT and the heat has started all over again. I missed having a white car in between my last few. My new Forte is white and I'm sooooo glad with the heat here. Black is pretty if you can keep up with the washing and waxing. I wash my car all the time and black would drive me crazy. Everything that gets on it you see.

 

[KiaForteATX]

Thanksss guys for the help. Guess ima keep it because when its clean it is worth it, Black looks sexy and "expensive" Ill try the black box if it doesnt cost to much and ill ask if the people at the car wash will apply it for me....ha

 

[tcope]

As for swirls, you need to invest in a good random orbital polisher and get some paint products.

Dual Action polish... random orbital polish is what you'd buy at Walmart.

 

[tcope]

I have around $1000 in car products and have been detailing for enjoyment for the past 3-4 years. Owed a black Focus for 3 years. It's almost impossible to keep black looking good all of the time.

I'll venture to say that part of the problem is the washing and "waxing" you are having done. I'm betting the wash they are doing it terrible for the paint. For black I'd recommend hand washing with the 2 bucket system, good soap and a grit guard. I'd also highly recommend drying it with an electric leaf blower. If anyone is charging $15 to wax your vehicle.... RUN away! a good carabuba wax is the way to go for black. I have applied synthetic sealer but on black it leaves a "cling wrap" look. Better to let it sit for 24 hours and then apply a good caranuba over it. This gives is a deeper gloss. You may need to clay the paint and then apply a polish/paint cleaner.

 

[DarthRaider253]

if anythingg i would go with turtle was..i did like 2 or 3 layers..and the pollen flys off when im driving haha

 

[reggie2xtreme]

my first car and only car i had black was my cobalt. man i would see scratches all the time even when i got the car fixed u could still see where it has been scratched. i will never get another black car again. and it collects dust/dirt easy. only looks good the first 2days after u clean it other than that forget it, its all dusty again

 

[SX FORTE]

Meguiers forum....tell you everything you want to know and more...I had a black 4runner and a black offroad vehicle with decent paint is the WORST!
clay, light compound, polish, and wax x2, then hand wash your ride with the 2 bucket system and grit guard, wax every month or two.

 

[tcope]

if anythingg i would go with turtle was..i did like 2 or 3 layers..and the pollen flys off when im driving haha

Keep in mind that 2 coats of wax will ensure complete coverage... not add 2 layers of wax. Going over more then twice is not needed. It won't add anything.