I have a black CTS-V that gets washed everyweek. I just noticed there is a lot of swirl marks on the car:crying: So it's time to wash the car myself from now on. What would be the best way to remove the swirl marks? Also, what list of stuff do I need to wash the car properly(never owned a black car before)? To prevent future swirl marks and give the car a beautiful shine?

Thanks,
Gilbert

I like 3m's "Imperial Hand Glaze." It will kind of cover the swirls.

Since your paint is relatively new, I would try to get by without using any kind of abrasive. I made that mistake once. Black cars are really difficult to keep clean, and in full sunlight show every imperfection.

If the swirls are REALLY bad, you might try a product specifically designed for them. 3m makes a "Swirl Mark Remover" for both light and dark colored cars, so does Mother's and Mequiar's. Follow this up with a glaze, then a good waxing. Keep a good coat of wax on it and always hand-wash.

So would a handsponge to wash the car and a chamois to dry the car would be ok?

To properly and safely wash any car, but black is more sensitive to swirls you need the proper tools.First DON'T use a sponge. Get a "quality natural wool sheepskin wash mitt"
Then get a car shampoo that has good "lubricating agents". No need to worry about sudds as lube is better than suds.
First get TWO buckets. One for the car soap and one filled with clean water. The clear water is for rinsing the wash mitt of the dirt from the car. Here's the steps.
Rinse the car well then dip the wash mitt in the soapy water. Wash in the shade and make sure the car is cool to the touch. Wash one section at a time starting with the roof. Wash half of the roof then wash the other half and rinse the car with a free flowing hose. (no spray nozzle as it sheets the water off better so there is less to dry later.
Then dunk the wash mitt in the clean water bucket and agitate a bit to release the dirt from the mitt. The ring the mitt out and dunk it in the soapy bucket, continue with steps 1-3 until car is completely washed and rinsed.

Then you will ned a drying towel. You can use a natural chamois, synthetic chamois(like "The Absorber", but I found a better drying towel. It's from Sonus. Lay it on the car and pill toward you on flat surfaces like the hood, roof and trunk. For the sides just ball it up and lightly dry.
For the swirls on black you will need a polish. If doing the polishing by hand I like 1Z Paint Polish. For use with a "Safe Buffer" like the PC 7424 I like to use Menzerna Intense polish followed by their Final Polish2.
Then seal the paint with Klasse Sealant glaze or 1Z Glanz wax.
Here are links for the mentioned products.
Washing mitts, soaps, Sonus ultimate drying towel (http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+yc5RwM+washing---drying.html)
Menzerna and 1Z polishes (http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+yc5RwM+dual-action-polishers.html)
1Z Glanz Wax (http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+yc5RwM+1z-930206.html)
I would recommend getting the PC 7424 Ultimate buffer kit. It will make polishing fun and saves your arms. Black is very easy to polish but can be very time consuming if done by hand.
Hope this has helped you achiev a swirl free clean BLACK car.
Jon

That's good advice, Jonw. Never use a sponge.

You might also try drying the car with a leaf blower. There are several posts around here suggesting that. I prefer the Toro electric blower to my Echo gas blower.

To properly and safely wash any car, but black is more sensitive to swirls you need the proper tools.First DON'T use a sponge. Get a "quality natural wool sheepskin wash mitt"
Then get a car shampoo that has good "lubricating agents". No need to worry about sudds as lube is better than suds.
First get TWO buckets. One for the car soap and one filled with clean water. The clear water is for rinsing the wash mitt of the dirt from the car. Here's the steps.
Rinse the car well then dip the wash mitt in the soapy water. Wash in the shade and make sure the car is cool to the touch. Wash one section at a time starting with the roof. Wash half of the roof then wash the other half and rinse the car with a free flowing hose. (no spray nozzle as it sheets the water off better so there is less to dry later.
Then dunk the wash mitt in the clean water bucket and agitate a bit to release the dirt from the mitt. The ring the mitt out and dunk it in the soapy bucket, continue with steps 1-3 until car is completely washed and rinsed.

Then you will ned a drying towel. You can use a natural chamois, synthetic chamois(like "The Absorber", but I found a better drying towel. It's from Sonus. Lay it on the car and pill toward you on flat surfaces like the hood, roof and trunk. For the sides just ball it up and lightly dry.
For the swirls on black you will need a polish. If doing the polishing by hand I like 1Z Paint Polish. For use with a "Safe Buffer" like the PC 7424 I like to use Menzerna Intense polish followed by their Final Polish2.
Then seal the paint with Klasse Sealant glaze or 1Z Glanz wax.
Here are links for the mentioned products.
Washing mitts, soaps, Sonus ultimate drying towel (http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+yc5RwM+washing---drying.html)
Menzerna and 1Z polishes (http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+yc5RwM+dual-action-polishers.html)
1Z Glanz Wax (http://store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/clink?autopia+yc5RwM+1z-930206.html)
I would recommend getting the PC 7424 Ultimate buffer kit. It will make polishing fun and saves your arms. Black is very easy to polish but can be very time consuming if done by hand.
Hope this has helped you achiev a swirl free clean BLACK car.
Jon



Excellent advice :2thumbs: Also buy yourself some quality Micro Fiber towels for buffing . You can find some on those web sites listed . Pick up a few Waffle Weave MF towels also for drying . Follow the care label on the MF towels.

Never polish or take off wax with terry towels don't dry your car with terry or bath towels .If getting these swirls out is to much work for you , take it to a detailer . Good luck

Being is your car is black you will always be fighting swirls and light scratches, it's just a fact of life with these new softer paints and clear coats, as said above the softer things that touch your car the less chance of leaving marks, cotton wash mitts, cotton or cotton microfiber towels, electric leaf blowers will take the water off a waxed car leaving you with very little towel drying to do. For your swirls if you feel comfortable get a Porter Cable buffer and some 3M Scratch and Swirl Remover, if not take it to a good body or detail shop, remember the key word is "good" because I have seen many shops ruin new car paint. The use of waxes without abrasives will help keep you car looking great once you get rid of the swirl marks. :)

Just responded to another thread about this. After you get rid of the swirls, you might want to try the Mr. Clean system. I bought one recently to try it and have been pleasantly surprised at how well it actually works. I use a pure sheepskin wash mitt to soap it down then rinse and I'm done. Dries totally spotless with no dry wiping. Water here is way hard, so no spotting is a big deal. Cost is about a buck or two a wash.
Fred