Polishing Black Trucks?

[Sunsetsilverado]

Anyone thru trial and error find the best wax?

[Tweaks]

Polishing is in your thread title, but wax is what you are asking about. The two are not the same and depending on what you are hoping to achieve, you'll want to sort out the difference, otherwise you might not get the results you are after.

Black shows everything, but it also looks the best when properly detailed. Not sure how old your truck is, but chance are great that any truck that is black and over a year old could benefit from a good polishing to remove all the little swirls and defects.

Through my trial and error, I have found that Meguiar's 105 and 205 compounds can tackle anything and finish to perfection. But there are a ton of other nice polishes that can get the same results, such as Adams polishes and Poorboys, and even Chemical Guys to name a few. All of these brands work with a random orbital buffer and foam pads as they need speed and dense foam pads to work they way they were intended.

Wax simply protects the paint and they also tend to add shine and depth to the paint. They contain no abrasives and because of that they cannot remove scratches like polishes can. Wax tends to "fill" defects in the paint but when the wax wears off (about 30 days on average), the scratches and defects return. There are a lot of great waxes out there but if you are looking for longer than 30 days protection, you might want to consider using a sealant. Everyone has their favorites and my go to wax is Collinite 845. It seems to last for over 4 months and shines really well.

[Chuck Bunyon]

I used the Turtle Wax Black Box on my old car and got surprisingly good results for a cheap kit. Made it look rich and deep.

[mounty]

ive found that 3m rubbing compound works best to bring back color and shine. never waxed but it works for me

[Dubyagee]

I claybar once a year and wax every three months with NXT. I dont have any swirls on ten year old black paint.

[Brad519]

I use Adams Fine Machine Polish and Americana Wax.
The Fine Machine Polish is designed to be used with a machine but they also have Revive Polish that is applied by hand.
Adams is damn good stuff.

[tahoemetalman]

i clay bar to but havent found a good wax yet but do have a good paint sealant going to polish the truck soon

[TylersZ]

turtle turtle

[lbajo1]

Polishing is in your thread title, but wax is what you are asking about. The two are not the same and depending on what you are hoping to achieve, you'll want to sort out the difference, otherwise you might not get the results you are after.

Black shows everything, but it also looks the best when properly detailed. Not sure how old your truck is, but chance are great that any truck that is black and over a year old could benefit from a good polishing to remove all the little swirls and defects.

Through my trial and error, I have found that Meguiar's 105 and 205 compounds can tackle anything and finish to perfection. But there are a ton of other nice polishes that can get the same results, such as Adams polishes and Poorboys, and even Chemical Guys to name a few. All of these brands work with a random orbital buffer and foam pads as they need speed and dense foam pads to work they way they were intended.

Wax simply protects the paint and they also tend to add shine and depth to the paint. They contain no abrasives and because of that they cannot remove scratches like polishes can. Wax tends to "fill" defects in the paint but when the wax wears off (about 30 days on average), the scratches and defects return. There are a lot of great waxes out there but if you are looking for longer than 30 days protection, you might want to consider using a sealant. Everyone has their favorites and my go to wax is Collinite 845. It seems to last for over 4 months and shines really well.

Which would you use first ? 105 or 205? and can it be done by hand and still have a great outcome?

where can i find a affordable buffer?

i found a couple of things that might work would you recomend this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-variable-speed-polisher-sander-92623.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/auto-care/5-piece-2-in-1-car-polishing-kit-95033.html

thanks

[Tweaks]

Which would you use first ? 105 or 205? and can it be done by hand and still have a great outcome?

where can i find a affordable buffer?

i found a couple of things that might work would you recomend this?

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-inch-variable-speed-polisher-sander-92623.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/automotive-motorcycle/auto-care/5-piece-2-in-1-car-polishing-kit-95033.html

thanks

Meguiar's 105 goes on before using the 205. The 105 has a heavier cutting ability to it and it is ideal for removing wetsanding marks and attacking moderate to heavy swirls. The 205 is basicly a very nice finishing polish. If the 105 leave a little haze behind, the 205 takes it out. Also, 205 is a good polish for light swirls or hazy finishes.

Unfortunately, those Meguair's 105/205 aren't really designed to be worked by hand. You could, but you might be at it all day and into the next.

That harbor freight orbital buffer is cheap and would work. However, it's just like the DeWalt or Makita, etc. orbital buffers in that it doesn't clutch and stop creating friction if you happen to apply too much pressure or go to slow over an area, so it could possibly burn through the paint. Using foam pads with that machine helps reduce the possibility of doing damage. If you are willing to practice and want to go the machine route on a budget, I'd give that a try. Ideally, a Porter Cable 7424xp random orbital buffer will ensure that you get great results without the risk of doing any damage.

[wmiller1337]

I detail in a body shop, and we use 3m and Meguiars products. As previously mentioned, buffing, polishing, and waxing are all different. Chances are good you need all 3, in that order. A heavy cut formula on a buffer to remove heavy swirls and all other other crap in your clear, a good polish on a buffer to remove the the swirls created by buffing, and finishing hand wax to fill any remaining swirls and to really bring the shine back out. Black is the biggest PITA to make look good, but it also shows your hard work off best.

[joydsilva6987]

even i do use the Turtle Wax Black.you can also try it.

[AcezHi]

Best wax in the world is Carnauba wax. Made from plants in the tropics withstands heat better, longer lasting thicker. Melting point: 82–86 °C (180–187 °F), among the highest of natural waxes. Just putting it on you will see why it is the best wax you've used. You can get Carnauba wax in liquid bottle or paste, paste is the choice for most that want the wax to go on thick and last longer, don't go for liquid. Most places that sell detailing items sell this wax.

[ngc414]

Best wax in the world is Carnauba wax. Made from plants in the tropics withstands heat better, longer lasting thicker. Melting point: 82–86 °C (180–187 °F), among the highest of natural waxes. Just putting it on you will see why it is the best wax you've used. You can get Carnauba wax in liquid bottle or paste, paste is the choice for most that want the wax to go on thick and last longer, don't go for liquid. Most places that sell detailing items sell this wax.

Is the brand called Carnauba? I know most waxes have carnauba in them. I usually use the paste myself. I start with a cleaner/ wax and then a high carnauba content wax made by Pinnacle.

[ngc414]

I know its not wax but, 3m makes a dark car swirl remover that works great on a black foam pad and variable speed buffer. I also have a mini buffer I use for the tight spots that uses little 3 inch pads. Then follow with a complete wax.

[AcezHi]

Is the brand called Carnauba? I know most waxes have carnauba in them. I usually use the paste myself. I start with a cleaner/ wax and then a high carnauba content wax made by Pinnacle.

It is 100% Carnauba wax, not the company name, it is the name of the pure content. It is the good stuff they put in some other waxes as an additive, but in pure paste in a tub form. Use sparingly, it's not cheap ;).

[ngc414]

I need to get some of that. Do you know who carrys it?

[AcezHi]

Napa I believe give them a call, I also believe that many companies sell this type of wax (Mothers,Meguiar's , etc.), just remember that when you ask for it, if it is paste in a can it is best, because in squeeze bottles they have to make it so it will squeeze out, and be sure it is 100% Carnauba. The salesman may tell you differently to sell the product stating it is 100% in a bottle and is the exact same as the paste. The paste in a can is thicker and will last up longer than the squeezable bottle stuff. You can feel how good this stuff is just by putting it on, hope you have lots of elbow greese :). I put it on and take it off by hand (soft cloths).

[kimmelks]

Look in your area for a automotive paint / detail supply and ask if they have ebony wax. Polish the truck with some fine cut cleaner and follow with a glaze, I favor using Meguires. Finish off the the ebony wax, be careful though, it will turn your hands, rags, applicators, and anything else you get it on black and its harder to get out than shoe polish. Makes the truck look great though

[AcezHi]

When compounding/polishing/waxing black vehicles, extra care and finesse and lighter finishing off each compound must be done before waxing, otherwise you will have marks. Quite often you can get light marks off with superfine finishing compound and a wheel/buffer. I often add water , more water finishing off to make it finish off even lighter with compound as long as everything is worked down evenly it should come out swirl free / compound mark free. Then wax/seal.

[btnhtillidie]

I have a 22yr old paint job! 88 OBS! I knew polishing wasnt going to cut it for me so I went experminting. I started off wet sanding first with 1500 and finish with 2500. I actually didn't think it would do a thing seeing how faded the hood was. I hit it with some light compund by hand (remember experminting) and was actually surprised by the results.

I will wet sand the other side and hit it with compound with a machine then wax. and we'll see how it looks from there.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b164/B00mer2/be0aed6b.jpg

[hammer137]

turtle turtle

x2

[ascates]

With my fresh black paint job I have just been using Meguiars Quik Wax, but I will need something more to protect in the years to come.

[Bullitt1672]

Haven't read through the thread and probably already mentioned, but use a machine with either some medium or fine cut polish, depending on how bad your swirls are. If you start with medium, follow up with the fine/micro. Then just use a carnauba wax..BUT if it was me, I would put on a sealant after the polishing (lasts a few months), then put the carnauba wax on top of it to give it the deep wet shine. Oh and plan to spend 8+ hours.

[vicschevy]

black magic works good to maintain your look but if u want to revive your paint nu finish works pretty good and carnauba too!