Jeep Garage  - Jeep Forum banner

Black Crystal Pearl paint care advice needed

3K views 8 replies 3 participants last post by  brent 
#1 ·
I've noticed some very minor spider web style scratches in several areas on my nine month old black Altitude. You can only see them in direct sunlight and they probable would not be noticeable in a photo. I'm wondering if they may be due to my washing the vehicle by hand even though I am very careful. I wash with Meguires Gold and a soft mitt and dry with microfibre towels which get machine washed between every car wash.

Is some of this superficial scratching inevitable due to the nature of clear coat paint or can it be avoided with extra coats of wax? I just waxed the vehicle for the first time recently with Meguires Black Wax.

Any advice from exterior detailing experts would be appreciated.
 
#2 ·
A good detailer can be a miracle worker. Some of the paint correction work I've seen is truly incredible. After the paint is corrected protecting it is key and there are a number of 'hard' coatings that'll protect your paint from anywhere from 6 months to 5 years depending on care. My detailer in New York really amazes me - here is an example of his work.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Well, you got two issues. 1. How to get rid of the swirls, and 2. How to wash and minimize swirls/scratches.

I use a two mitt and two bucket system. One bucket to rinse the mitts, and one with the wash soap. I have two mitts, one with those large microfiber worms and one with more of a microfiber fabric. I use the worm mitt first, and then the microfiber (one in each hand). Rinse in the rinse bucket, and then back in the soap.

Dry the car with a leaf blower (gas or electric). Don't use a towel except to pick up the dribbles after the leaf blower.

Now to get rid of the swirls. You'll need a random orbital buffer, some pads, and some elbow grease.

Sample Bill of Materials

Porter Cable random orbital polisher (or equivalent).
Dual-Action Hook & Loop Flexible Backing Plate 5"
White Lake Country 5 1/2 Inch Flat Foam Pad
Orange Lake Country 5 1/2 Inch Flat Foam Pad

Meguiar's Ultimate Compound
Meguiar's M205 Mirror Glaze Ultra Finishing Polish
Menzerna Power Lock
Detail Mist
Clay bar

First clay bar the entire car with detail mist as a lubricant.
Then use the ultimate compound
Then hit with the finish compund
Then seal with Menzerna Power Lock.

After you clay, tape off your car before hand to prevent any products touching plastic. Blue painters tape is probably OK. There's also a technique to using the random orbital polisher you should research before use. I got most of my info from videos on Autogeekonline. The Meguiars ultimate compound is a nice, user-friendly compound (it breaks down into finer grit as you work it). And even though your car is fairly new, you should at least check the surface with your hand inside a plastic sandwich baggie to feel for contaminants before skipping this step. If you feel them, then use the clay bar.

When you're all done, sit back and admire your handywork :)

I'm not a professional detailer, or an expert by any means. Just a long-term owner of a black jeep. Swirls are inevitable, but if you keep up on it, wash with a swirl-minimizing method.... they can be tolerable.

Hope this helps and gives some ideas!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: David360
#4 ·
I really appreciate the advice and the detailed explanation!

What I will start on my very next wash is the two bucket and two mitt approach. It sounds like a great way to minimize dirt getting back in the soap bucket.

I also love the leaf blower idea for drying as I do have a good electric leaf blower. I have been concerned that towel drying was a little risky for scratching.

Do you use any wax on top of the other protection products you listed or is that the detail mist?
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top