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Black AV Owners

BUDMAN said:
What's involved with the LANGKA kit? ?I have minimal scratches on mine. ?These are outright chips in the paint, all the way to the primer. ?There has to be something better than what the General is applying. ?The paint on my last 2000 Silverado was much more durable.
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Langka was a small company...now Mothers has invested in them if not bought them outright...

The kit is basically a touch up paint and another product (laquer thinner but you did not hear me say that)....

What you do is apply the touch up paint and let it dry for a little while.....then say after 30 mins you get a soft cloth with the other product and wipe the touch up.....what it does is allow the touch up paint to LEVEL into the Pit.....this way you do not get the BLOBS....

Pep boys sell something similar but not a kit...you buy the touch up paint for your color, clear coat touch up , and the paint leveler.....apply color paint....wait....wip with leveler....color paint again....leveler again....then clear...then leveler...then clear....or somewhat like that depending on scratch....

If you are real good and brave....you can touch up and then wet sand with 1500 and 2000 grit paper then follow up with some compound type products to remove the sanding marks...problem here is you will remove the standard orange peel and the paint will be smooth as glas while the surrounding are will have orange peel so it becomes noticable.....

HTH
 
I have read all the threads on cleaning and waxing. Zaino should be renamed to "INSANE-O".

This question is for Black AV owners who use their trucks for more than "show tours" around the neighborhood and down to the local drive in on Saturday nights for a root beer float.

My truck is used for work and (hard) play. I also have a full time job, kids and my wife needs occasional attention to keep her in good spirits.

Can anyone recommend a product that will not harm the AV finish provide some protection from road grime and several thousand tons of road salt applied during our winters here in the frozen North? Preferably one that can be applied in a single coat - albeit with a very soft 100% cotton towel (no I will not be igniting it to see if it really is made from the hair of a lamb:).

In my short 25+ years experience maintaining vehicles in some of the worst driving conditions in the country I have found that only 1 thing truly works to "protect" a vehicle from grime, salt, cow $$it, bird dung and so on -
FREQUENT WASHING!!!! In fact the clear coat on todays cars should protect them from a lot of things if you wash frequently and dry carefully.

Oh, and if you do know of a wax/polish product that you have had success with without cashing in your life to use I would appreciate your sharing of information - I will vouch for everyone here that you will not be made fun of for promoting an easy to use product for all of us "everyday" truck owners (who still pride themselves for having a great looking truck).
 
AVNORTH:

many product fit what you wrote about and work well.

Try KLasse AIO...it is a polymer sealant with paint cleaners...lasts a long time and protects well.....

For older cars finish first is similat but has more abrasives which on a new finish may marr the surface and give you swirls...

Liquid glass is also good....

These are one step products that clean the paint, and lay down a sacrificial layer of polymer.

Meguiars has one called #26...it is not as good as Klasse....

I recommend you look into klasse...you wipe it on...scrub hard if you have oxidation and then wipe off before it hazes....easy product to use...it costs about $20 for 16.9 ounces depending on where you buy it...1 ounce should be more than enough for one layer on your AVY...and I would say you only need to do it 2-3 times a year....

HTH

 
Thanks for the recommendation. I will try the Klasse product. Sounds like just the ticket.
 
AVnorth said:
This question is for Black AV owners who use their trucks for more than "show tours" around the neighborhood and down to the local drive in on Saturday nights for a root beer float.
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OK ... who told about the root beer float? :8:
 
Here is a link to one site:

www.properautocare.com

But if you see the thread where I explained MF I give a list of sites there which some have klasse too.

Actually last night I polished my end table with some compounds and swirl removers...I then followed up with a layer of KLASSE AIO and their Sealent glaze....I then put a coat of carnuaba on top of all that.....thing really shines and is slick the remotes slide off


You will see the Sealant Glaze when you look for KLASSE ALL-In-One...I do not suggest you get it...it can be a PIA to remove and for what you want is not worth it.

Shine On Crazy Diamond......and paint >:D
 
Black, ugh, sounds like work. I guess i also use it as a weight loss program, because it keeps me hooked up tying to keep it clean. I also drive AV for work and park at docks along the gulf of mexico. Salt film gets on it often. Usually run it through the pressure wash at least twice a week just to keep the salt and dust off
Mother's has not done a good job, it only last a couple of weeks. Have printed out the zaino form and will be giving it a try.
YGMN, i did give it a try on waxing the sides in an up and down motion. Does seem to help on sides. I have always did the entire vehicle in a front to rear motion. I will be doing the sides in a up and down motion from now on.
I do agree with the others on how easy it scratches though.
I am no expert, but i cannot express the importance of being very careful when claying vehicle to change out clay often. I just used the clay magic to remove some caterpillar yellow and the paint i was removing was caught up in the clay and gave me some extra scratches to deal with. Change the clay often. It took 2 different pieces to do just the hood.
zeeya
 
TIp for claying....

cut or break the bar into little pieces...like 4-6 ...about quarte to half dollar size.....

clay and then flip then toss for heavy contaminated vehicles...also if you drop it you do not waste entire bar....
 
I have to apologize to all members who are reading this thread. In an earlier post I mistated my experience cleaning vehicles.

When I stated that I had 25+ years experience I completely forgot that for 9 of those years I actually drove 3 different Dodge Caravans and 2 GMC Jimmy's.

None of these vehicles were black and I am also sorry to say that I never actually washed these cars. I did take them through a touchless once or twice a month so I could include a portion of those years by technical default and IRS regulations (at least give me some credit for the Jimmy's).

The Caravan years were dark and embarrassing - I have deleted them from memory. If there are any current minivan owners who are man enough to admit they have or currently own one I can offer a good treatment plan - get to know your local pub owner - he can offer psychological and physiological treatment for what ails you.

If you have not owned one or your wife would like to purchase a minivan - take my advice - it would have been more pleasant to just have her stomp on my Ball$$ with her high heels.

I can say that my previous Silverado Stepside (black) and current Avalanche (black) have done wonders for my health and well-being. As for the vehicles leading up to the minivan years - that is another story.
AVnorth

 
I have my Black Av for 11 days. For 11 days I have been not wanting to park it anywhere at the risk of puting a scratch from another car on the painted cladding. today I decide to go to the marina to go look at my boat. I cant find a spot that doesnt have cars around so I wait and get a spot that the truck is safe. I get out and notice on the uper drivers front fender a gash down to the bare metal of the fender. there is no sign of anything just looks like the paint chipped off. and I notice a few really nice scratches on my hood.

well so much for worrying about the painted cladding. Now I ahve to worry about the parts that I didnt paint.

this is not normal and I think that there must be a problem with the black paint on some of these trucks. I took the truck to abody shop friend of mine and he said that you shouldnt see the bare metal like that and that shouldnt have happend. so I am off to the dealer and if he doesnt want to fix it then I guess Im gonna paint every other part of the truck that I havent painted yet.
 
BlackAv2002 said:
I get out and notice on the uper drivers front fender a gash down to the bare metal of the fender. ?there is no sign of anything just looks like the paint chipped off. ?and I notice a few really nice scratches on my hood.quote]

I feel your pain, BlackAv. I was beginning to wonder if it was just me. I've not had time to go back to the dealer, but would be interesting to hear what they have to say. Let us know how it turns out.
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I know what the dealer is gonna say.... they are gonna say they have never seen that happen. ? ?I wanna know how many black avs have this problem?
 
Ger said:
I hve a black Av and love the looks of it . My question/complaint is this , it scratches easy.. and I know everyone says thats black , shows everything.
Well I have had black before and half of the guys at work have black trucks and thiers is more resistant to scratching.
If someones just touches it I have a scratch.
Could GM have a problem with the paint , I think it should be a bit better than this.
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Count me in. I was really bumped out by the scratches. I had had the dealer do the paint protection thing before I took it home. Was not worth the powder to blow it to hell. Had them redo it but that was no help. In frustration I decided to go back to the ould fashion way.

Have just posted pictures of my Av after 3 coats of z5 and 2 of z2. The second and third coats of z5 really cut down the swirls, and this may sound stupid but I think the look of the z5 is better than z2 on black.

here are some pictures if you want to take a look.

Hi, I have posted some new pics of av. They were taken after 3 coats of z5 and 2 of z2. Also has picture of my traveling buddy

www.picturetrail.com/sparky0

go to album #9

Hope to post pics this weekend with spoiler and sun visor
 
I agree with all the comments here about black. Mine has certainly lost it's newneww. I have small hairline scratches all over the hood and leading edges of the fenders. Usually only noticeable when she's clean. I need to get more Z5 on her but haven't ahd the time yet. I do have one deep scratch from one of the kids' bikes. Looks white underneath. Guess that's why I leased. In 2005 I'll be getting an 05 Yellow Z71 (theorhetically anyway ;) )

Jamie
 
I agree with Sparky about the Z5 looking better than the Z2 on my black AV. I've polished it twice and both times I've liked it after the second or third coat of Z5. I've followed the Zaino instructions and put on a final coat of Z2 but both times it seems like the Z2 leaves a film. It takes a couple of washes to get whatever is left behind off.

Even with lots of soapy water, all american cotton towels, zaino, and parking in the farthest corners of the parking lot, I still have an awful lot of swirl marks and scratches. :cry: I never owned a black vehicle before and I'm pretty sure I won't get another one.
 
Well I have a black AV and a black porsche. I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I have never washed my own car. I have a detailing service that comes to the house every Sunday morning to wash and polish all my vehicles (not just the black ones). They are really good and can ask what products he uses if anyone is interested?

I know he clays once a quarter, and every sunday does something a little different with his polishes and cleaners and glazes and waxes, etc.

I don't ask many questions because he does an awesome job....
 
FtCAV said:
I agree with Sparky about the Z5 looking better than the Z2 on my black AV. I've polished it twice and both times I've liked it after the second or third coat of Z5. I've followed the Zaino instructions and put on a final coat of Z2 but both times it seems like the Z2 leaves a film. It takes a couple of washes to get whatever is left behind off.

Even with lots of soapy water, all american cotton towels, zaino, and parking in the farthest corners of the parking lot, I still have an awful lot of swirl marks and scratches. :cry: I never owned a black vehicle before and I'm pretty sure I won't get another one.
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Thank you, now I feel better. I thought it was just me, but what you describe is bang on. Nice clear 'deep' finish with 5, filmy with z2 and any touch leaves a mark. Next time I'm going to try just 5.

On the having a black vehicle, yes they are more work, but there is nothing better when they are at their best. ;D
 
I would suggest Z5 for all the dark colors and not bother with Z2....this includes the red, blue, & green....The z5 will kinda tint the look a bit and make the depth of shine a bit more which is what makes them dark colors look good.....

Save the Z2 for us with pewter and white......Send me your unused bottles of Z2 and I will be very happy >:D
 
ygmn said:
I would suggest Z5 for all the dark colors and not bother with Z2....this includes the red, blue, & green....The z5 will kinda tint the look a bit and make the depth of shine a bit more which is what makes them dark colors look good.....

Save the Z2 for us with pewter and white......Send me your unused bottles of Z2 and I will be very happy >:D
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YGMN, I sent a note to my Zaino supplier asking if there was any reason I could not use Z5 and leave it at that. His reply was no, but it would not last as long. So maybe I'll save the Z2 for my pre-winter polish only. The Z5 look is awesome, just love it.
 
I am not sure who the distributor is sparky but from everything I have read, experienced...Z5 is identical to Z2 except it has some extra stuff to help hide swirls...AKA fillers....no one has ever said it would not last as long.....

Save your Z2 for those times you want to save some Z5 and just want protection.....OR again MAIL it TO ME please LOL >:D
 
Here's an important tip when you're washing and drying your Av and other cars.

Don't rub in circles or up and down!

Wash and dry and wax all in the same direction, from front-to-back (along the length of the vehicle). The swirl marks you see or will see eventually are in your clear coat and they're caused by how you're washing, drying and waxing your vehicle.

Seriously, once you get used to not going around (don't do the "wax-on; wax-off" Karate Kid approach)
waxonwaxoff.jpg
you'll have a much better chance at keeping your paint (and clear coat) looking nicer longer.

0800179501.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg
 
Well some bad news , I knew I shouldn't complain about the paint quality . Now I have a bigger problem.
ON Thursday I was driving on our major hwy and all of a sudden I got pelted by rocks and stones. :8:
Turns out they had done some road repairs , but it looks like they used tar and gravel.
I do not think they should be putting this on a hwy that has speeds in the 100-120 km range.
There was no where to go I just got showered . I pulled off at the first exit and looked at the damage. :8:

I took my truck to the dealer and the guess about $5000 in damage , I need to replace the front bumper and push bar , all the lights , windshield, paint almost every panel ( hood , doors . fenders, roof)
I have put a claim in with the MTO (looks after hwy's) and we will see if it goes through.
My brother had a problem once with the yellow paint from the road all over his van and the covered it so lets keep the fingers crossed.

Looks like I don't need to worry about the scratches any more
Gerry :( :(
 
Wow Ger ...that sounds awful.... Best of luck in getting someone to be responsible in helping pay for the damage. Stick to your guns and demand what you deserve.
 
$5k in damage geez you sure you didnt cross enemy lines and were attacked???? sorry to hear about that If I were you Id tkae it to a body shop and see what they can do dealers are usually the most expensive when it comes to that.....
 
Well, my AV is allways outside. It's too big to fit in the garage. I think I am going to make room in my shop warehouse to pull it in during the day. Here in Florida it gets HOT and the sun really takes a pounding on the paint. I get the truck washed every week, but not much on waxing. Can you guys tell me what to buywiththis Zaino wax, treatment and so forth, this way I can get my detailer to use the stuff. ???
 
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