• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

Argh! I Hate Black As A Colour!

G

Guest User

GUEST
My black Chevy Avalanche is a bear to clean. The climate here is just changing from winter to spring, so it's really slushy and messy here. I went to a do-it-yourself car wash and did the following:
- Used wand to wet down car
- pressure washed big dirt off
- used soft brush
- pressure rinsed
- non-pressure wand wax
- Chamois dry
When I got out of the place, it looked like I didn't even wash it. Any tips on how to get it looking good in one of these places? There's no point in doing a long job on this, otherwise I'll be there every day. I just want to see black when I come out, not dirt.

Thanks
 
You're really going to hate it now..... If you used the brush and chamois as you stated, you are going to have some nasty swirl marks.

If you have to use the coin-op car wash bring your own 100% cotton towels, and wash and dry it by hand with them.

DO NOT USE THE BRUSH. The bristles trap dirt and brake dust from people using it on their cars and wheels, and will leave fine scratches in your clear coat.
 
I would not advise using the car wash brush for anything other than the wheels.

Check out the Zaino Claybar then Zaino #5 polish. Use 100% cotton towels to dry.

The Zaino website has great info to get you back to Black Beauty

http://www.lazaino.com/#ZFX
 
As stated you probably have swirl marks now.

To be Honest you will never have the Blackperfectly clean except for a few hours after you wash and wax it.

It is the hardest color to keep clean because it shows all swirls.

I could write a book but one has been written. Check the link in my profile and read what is on that site lots of tips for ya.
 
I had a black car once and vowed to myself no matter how great I think my next vehicle would look in black, under no circumstances fall into that trance again....

I don't mean to sound discouraging, but I know what you mean by swirl marks.....personally I've never ran my Av...through a car wash type facility yet.....I use the high pressure gun to get rid of mud, salt, etc....

When I get a break with the weather, I usually wash it myself.....

Just one of those things I guess....
 
I can vouch for the scratches. I always spray off the brush, and I use to use it on my vehicles till I used one in Missouri that had a rock trapped in it. It put a nasty scratch across the whole top of the truck. It was a 97 Emerald Green Metallic. It made me sick. I only use the brush on my tires and rims now. So far I've been cleaning my rims with a squirt bottle full of water and one drop of dawn. I just spray the rim and wipe it off with some paper towels. It has worked great so far and they look perfectly clean. :D
 
I just bought another black vehicle, went from a 2000 yukon to a 2002 avalanche,,,,,,,, go figure the avalanche rides better than the yukon.. i have a full service coin operated car wash nearby and hit it frequently late at night coming in from rigs. i live in the south and try to keep bugs and salt mist off of finish best i can.
Pre soak entire vehicle, then hot soap spray entire vehicle, then a good rinse and the spray wax which i think that is the only draw back due to it screws up wipers after a while. then a rinse with the low pressure hose on setting spot free, works good for me in between and does not leave water spots. Only hand wash at night after dark, neighbors think i am crazy........
 
Can't wait to start keeping my black Av clean - yeah right. It came sparkling clean from the dealer last week, but I'm sure it will be dirty in a hurry. Compared to my car that is bright red, which looks clean even when it is dirty. I definitely will be washing it by hand, but I'm sure it will take a few hours to wash something as big as an Av!
 
Actually it does not take that long to clean the avy as the cladding covers a lot of square footage and is very easy to clean.

get a leaf blower for drying and that really speeds things up!
 
ygmn - with all the care, waxing and polishing that you have done, you should just have to dust the surface. ;D
 
Yeppers Grandolphx.

I Quick detail every night and it looks fresh and shiny. All you do is spray some QD spray and wipe and buff. I even do the wheels with another towel. It only takes a few minutes and is worth it. For stubborn bugs and such I spray a bit heavy.

I tend to only wash when I go on long trips or if I have driven in the rain.

Clean is happy. I think forrest gump said that or was it stupid is stupid does? LOL.

 
Mine sits outside under a sap dripping tree - the bottom is covered with rubber from the drag strip - what can I say ;D
 
Hi folks:

Let me chime in if I can... the trick to keeping a black car beautiful year long is directly related to the care one puts in the treatment of the finish to begin with. It starts with the choice of datailling products we choose. A system such as Zaino's is very effective in maintaining long term good looks. Once you have at least three coats of Zaino you will find that most anything will slide right off when washing the vehicle. I spent countless hours trying to buff out those swirl marks to the point of ending up painting most of my car at one point or another.

What I learned from it was simple. Wash it by hand at least once every two weeks and polish it at least once a month (1 to 2 hours minimum) and clayed once every 6 months (just prior to show season). As the vehicle gets used, run it through a TOUCHLESS car wash every now and then to knock off the dirt and RINSE that road grime. Understand that most touchless systems have some sort of water management system that recycles the water so that it can be reused... so after a few (4 or 5) washes you will find a faint film beginning to build up on the finish. Hand washing the vehicle at this point brings it back to prestine shape... I have done this for the past 3 years and managed to get several best of shows around the midwest. My car through last year was a daily driver with close to 100k on the clock... to this day it still turns heads on the BLVD thanks to Zaino and a the strategy described above. The rest is up to mother nature and common sense not to follow them oil rigs down the road... Hope this helps...

Siempre,

Enrique "Chino" Barreto
BBB (Big, Bold and Black) Avalanche 2500 4X4
All Leather interior and power to boot.... :cool:
 
;D ;D I know what you mean. I had a black KIA sportage POS. I finaly graduated to a mans truck. I have the Pewter color now. I love it.

GKAvalanche
 
To add insult to injury, when the black Av is dirty, at night you can see the dirt on the doors when the courtesy lights shine down from under the side mirrors!

I think I washed our minivan about 5 times in the five years we owned it. It was sliver and never really looked dirty. And I know my wife isn't going to be washing the Av, so I better go get some more car wash supplies!
 
Be careful with black and the dreaded swirlies! ;D

They do look awesome clean like a mirror or black chrome but a PIA to keep up with.
 
As the owner of several black vehicles, and being a previous detailer, I can offer a few very useful tips and recommendations. Primarily, yes, never use the car wash brush wands, it's a big no no. The high pressure washers are fine for in between rinsings though. As was mentioned in the previous few postings, a nice build up of Zaino is your best protection. I have used Zaino for years now, and highly endorse it. Recently I have found a products that meets or exceeds my expectations, more so than Zaino. DRI WASH N' GUARD. Has anyone used this product? It is incredible! Simply spray on, wipe off, it cleans, seals, and protects. Best of all, it doesn't scratch!!! I was very sceptical at first, but have been used it on my Black AV for months now, and it's incredible stuff. My AV sits outside, so it is basically dirty most of the time, so this stuff is GREAT! Just look it up on the Internet and you will find plenty of testimonials of Corvette users, exotic car owners, etc.. I even use this on my 2001 Viper. It's rather expensive ($80.00 for 64 oz.), but a little goes a long way. Plus, you can pick up for a fraction of that on eBay. Best of luck....

Cheers,
Justyn~
 
As the owner of several black vehicles, and being a previous detailer, I can offer a few very useful tips and recommendations. Primarily, yes, never use the car wash brush wands, it's a big no no. The high pressure wash wands are fine for in between rinsings though. As was mentioned in the previous few postings, a nice build up of Zaino is your best protection. I have used Zaino for years now, and highly endorse it. Recently I have found a product that meets or exceeds my expectations, more so than Zaino. DRI WASH N' GUARD. Has anyone used this product? It is incredible! Simply spray on, wipe off, it cleans, seals, and protects. Best of all, it doesn't scratch!!! I was very sceptical at first, but have been using it on my Black AV for months now, and it's incredible stuff. My AV sits outside, so it is basically dirty most of the time, so this stuff is GREAT! ?Just look it up on the Internet and you will find plenty of testimonials of Corvette users, exotic car owners, etc.. I even use this on my 2001 Viper. It's rather expensive ($80.00 for 64 oz.), but a little goes a long way. Plus, you can pick it up for a fraction of that on eBay. Best of luck....

Cheers,
Justyn~
 
I fell for a black Av and then bought a white one..... just for the reasons stated. I love the way the black ones look, but.......
 
Black is not bad but I will shared a little info first.

Never buy black if you are not into baby the car. The black color on vehicle are for people that enjoy washes their cars at least once/wk and the 6 days in between the vehicle still will be dirty.
Remember black is most beautiful color you can get on a car but it comes with some sacifices (lots of attention/work).

Some advices on keeping it clean:
1. Spend the time to hand wash it, never use the car wash facilities (use it when the car is old and you don't care so much about the scratches, etc).
2. Buy a dust mop from your local auto store, use everyday to mop the dust off. (this method really keeps it clean)
3. Cover it, or garage it.

I live in AZ where the atmosphere is nothing but dust, as soon as I wash mine, after 2 min it is trash again. But the 3 above advices helps out alot. Hope this help
 
Hey Black Beast,

I have a Black Z66, in Arizona too. I wash it constantly. I reccommend nothing touch it except;
Mirofiber towels,
Genuine or synthetic Chamois,
KOZAK for dusting. (A soft nappy towel)

This is all based on info from the guys down at the Car Cleaners Detail shop in Mesa. I baby mine and have very few scracthes. The Kozak is like the dustmop, and simialr to the california duster. I have both the Cal Duster and the Kozak and prefer the Kozak. You just lightly move it over the AV and all the dust comes right off. Do this first thing in the morning or late at night when the vehicle is cooled off. I then hit it with the Meguiars Quick Detailer using the microfiber if needed. Looks great in about 15 minutes.

By the Way are you interested in the ARIZONA MEETS / CRUISES?
 
I just read your stats, your AV sounds awesome!!! Love to see some pics, can you post any?
 
SOCRATES..I have been using DRY WASH N' GUARD for years and use nothing else. It even works on windows! Go to there website and read. They have a full line of products I would like to try..while I am plugging things. I sell a metal polish called "WHITE DIAMOND" It makes MOTHER's look like SH :eek:T. NO black residue with this stuff. It goes for $15.00 a bottle but is worth it !!
 
BLKJACK said:
SOCRATES..I have been using DRY WASH N' GUARD for years and use nothing else. It even works on windows! Go to there website and read. They have a full line of products I would like to try..while I am plugging things. I sell a metal polish called "WHITE DIAMOND" It makes MOTHER's look like SH :eek:T. NO black residue with this stuff. It goes for $15.00 a bottle but is worth it !!
Click to expand...


Wow, I thought that I was alone here. :) It is the best stuff, and yes, it works well on windows! I thought about trying some of their other products when I run out of what I am using. Do you have a black AV that you use the Dri Wash N Guard on? If so, could you also tell everyone about it's lack of scratching and swirling? I think the more testamonials, the better! :)


Cheers,
Justyn~
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top