Calling All Black Truck Owners..advice Please.

tonygxp · September 14, 2008

Hey guys, I am picking up my truck this week, it's black.. Yes, I know it's a PITA, but this truck in black with the wheels, grill, etc. looks SICK so.. I couldn't help myself .. I have only owned 1 brand new vehicle that was of the "dreaded" black variety and I screwed that pooch ROYALLY! I was washing that thing almost everyday and I had more swirls and fine scratches than a 200k mile taxi.. Do you think trying to keep from washing it frequently, maybe once every two weeks would help minimize them? Obviously bird sh*t and other grime would be "spot cleaned with meguiars spray.

Wax?? that's a whole other issue. I have no idea which one I will use Meguiars, Zaino...any other suggestions?

Main reason for this thread though is to ask all the BLACK truck owners what they would do differently if the chance presented itself again... And please, I know "don't buy black hahahaha" I get it.. Thanks for any help/suggestions... The truck will be exposed to EXTREME sun light as I my house faces the East (hence my grass needing 2x the amount of water of everyone else I know )

Outbacker · September 15, 2008

My last truck was black, and I liked it, but it did require a lot more washing to keep it looking good. But after it was cleaned up, it looked good.

You did not mention what year the truck you are getting is, or if it was new or not. First, I would wash it with a small amount of dish soap and remove all wax or whatever that was on there. Then, clay bar the entire truck (Meguires or Mothers clay bar will do the job). Afterwards, apply a couple coats of wax. I personally use Meguires NTX wax. Now you have a good base and the paint is smooth. Now i would would wash as required. Usually I would wash once a week, and wax again every couple of months. Clay bar twice a year.

I know it is a lot of work, but it keeps the truck looking good. I also use a soft brush when scrubbing as I have found it shows no swirl marks afterwards. Dry the truck after each wash with mircofiber cloths to avoid water spots, which black seems to show quite well.

Still want a black truck ? But after it is all done, there is nothing better then a highly shone black truck.

peteking · September 15, 2008

Agreed that black paint is high maintenance...good Lord. But I love the look when it's clean. My current truck is my first black one...and I probably wash it twice as often as my old red one. On average, I wash it once every 2 weeks. I powerwash first, then I hand wash with Meguiar's Deep Crystal. Microfiber wash mit for washing, then I dry with a chamois cloth. I don't wax as often as I probably should. But when I do, it's always 2 coats. Meguiar's Cleaner Wax, then finish with a caranuba wax. I clay the truck once or twice yearly. This system works for me, and so far it's done a good job at minimizing those dreaded swirl marks...

tobias · September 15, 2008

Well, I am a white truck owner so I am not sure I can help you but I am not sure what skin color has to do with paint issues anyway.

asilverblazer · September 15, 2008

I wash mine as often as I can if its dirty. If its not dirty I don't wash it. Sooo, no more than once a week, probably closer to twice a week. I wax as often as I can. I use a microfibre drying towel, biggest thing to me is keeping the dust off between wash and wax step.

VMax2007 · September 15, 2008

When I bought my 2000 GMC, I was still young (33). I washed that damn thing about 2x a week on average during the summer. I waxed it with Macguiers twice a year. In the wintertime, I rarely washed it (1-2 times a month). I figured washing it alot will only remove the wax and expose the paint to the salt. Gave it a good detailing in the spring and that truck is in showroom condition to this day.

But I believe the paint was far better then than it is now.

tonygxp · September 15, 2008

Thanks guys. The Sierra is an 08, brand new, but when I saw it at the dealer i am buying it from I noticed it was swirl marked already? Then I realized it had another dealer emblem on the back. So that tells me they made a trade with the other dealer for it (probably the other dealer needed a vehicle they had, otherwise why would it still be there?) So I asked them to please have a REAL detail shop buff them out and they obliged, so hopefully.. when i pick it up in the morning it is nice and new looking.. I own micro fiber everything and a mothers clay bar so not a problem there.

only time I get really on edge is after a day time or early morning shower in the summer.. Those rain spots are NASTY!!!

PS. I ordered those GM 6" oval bars in chrome from a chevy dealer in CA. They had them listed on Ebay for $149, they were installed on a truck and the customer didn't like them so they were selling them as used.. Their loss, my gain.. I just talked to them on the phone today comes with all the hardware etc. with shipping it was $220 ( saved me at least $350 even using my friend's 27% discount which is what I would of had to do.) The dealer even threw the cargo managment system in for free.. I hope the delivery goes well tomorrow..

VMax2007 · September 15, 2008

The dealer even threw the cargo managment system in for free.. I hope the delivery goes well tomorrow..

I thought the cargo mgmt systems were std for 08? That's what I was told anyway.

tonygxp · September 16, 2008

The dealer even threw the cargo managment system in for free.. I hope the delivery goes well tomorrow..

I thought the cargo mgmt systems were std for 08? That's what I was told anyway.

not on my wdw stkr.. looks like a $195 option on some I looked at..

lenard13 · September 16, 2008

I just bought an 08 sierra... All Black.

Washing it once a week

Will be waxing once every 2-3 Months

Claybar... At least once every year.

You may hate the washing it but black it the most elegant color when its clean.

PS. I ordered those GM 6" oval bars in chrome from a chevy dealer in CA. They had them listed on Ebay for $149, they were installed on a truck and the customer didn't like them so they were selling them as used.. Their loss, my gain.. I just talked to them on the phone today comes with all the hardware etc. with shipping it was $220 ( saved me at least $350 even using my friend's 27% discount which is what I would of had to do.) The dealer even threw the cargo managment system in for free.. I hope the delivery goes well tomorrow..

I am looking for those same running boards and am having a rough time finding them for under $500. A little help!

VMax2007 · September 16, 2008

You may hate the washing it but black it the most elegant color when its clean.

No question about it!!! For those 5 minutes after every wash, it's by far the nicest color you can get.

I miss my black truck everytime I see a nice clean one, and don't miss it everytime I see a dirty one. Guess which occurs more often?

tonygxp · September 16, 2008

I am looking for those same running boards and am having a rough time finding them for under $500. A little help!

Need to keep checking Ebay for a pair I guess? I was about to order a generic set for $250, they aren't anything close to the GM ones, I guess God was looking to help me out a litte lol

As for seeing dirty black trucks, I know the feeling but... when I show up to the car show with this truck I am sure it will blow the other trucks away in terms of class.. I think what really did it for me was the thought of sitting at a stop light and looking over and visualizing the truck in black with accessories and the thought of any other color than black just detracted from it... Crazy I know, but I haven't bought anything in a few years (lots of leasing GM vehicles) so what the hel right ..

Dana_15 · September 17, 2008

Definately without a doubt get some high quality car wash shampoo, washing mitt, microfiber towels(not the crap at Walmart) and drying towel. I like Mequiars Gold Class car wash shampoo for on the shelf stuff, but generally use P21S car wash or Adams (excellent) car wash. As for mitts Adams has them as well as Autogeek.net or Autopia.org (excellent forums as well).

I would:

Wash

Clay

Use Zaino

-or-

Klasse All in One

Klasse Super Glaze (wait 24 hrs after AIO)

-then-

P21S carnuba wax (its like butter)

-or-

Adams fine machine wax (stuff is black, works incredible)

Prep work is everything. And being a black truck, polishing the paint is inevitable. Picking up a good buffer like a Porter Cable 7424 is highly recomended. I wish I had pictures of my last Silverado, it was black, but it shined like a mirror.

poidog88 · September 17, 2008

Racist!

lol jk

tonygxp · September 18, 2008

I have access to the porter cable wheel. Having said that I can't tell you WHY I spent 7hrs. rubbing the paint with 3M fine cut.... by hand (yes I am slow..) to get some rhino liner overspray off the driver's side of the truck (the whole side...and the F'ing hood) It's still not completely gone and now the paint looks like sh*t.. So time to go to the shop and use the wheel...

I tool the truck back to the rhino liner place and they used denatured alcohol on a dirty rag and it did next to nothing.. I got so disgusted I just left with the truck and called the salesman (nice guy, not his fault) asked him to find me a detailer and they are picking up the bill.. Hope it comes out right (if I can't get it right myself with the foam pad on the wheel, God help me if I burn the paint someone will get hurt.)