Paint Question

Being that this is my first Toyota I wanted to ask.... After washing our new 2016 Black Tacoma I noticed minor swirl marks. After some research I managed to get the swirl marks fixed and ended up buying a bunch of car washing goodies including a foam cannon gun. I had no idea there were so many steps when washing a car "correctly" anyways my question is...Is the paint used by Toyota "softer" than other brand vehicles? I don't recall noticing swirl marks after the first wash on my wife's old 2006 black tahoe.

 

Just washed my black Tacoma for the first time yesterday and didn't see any swirls.

 

Yea I think it was more my fault...I already switched to washing all my vehicles with the 2 bucket system and using the foam cannon. My wife thinks I am crazy with all the new stuff I bought....ha ha

 

I believe that water-based paints are softer than solvent-based paints, in general. Also (and probably most important for you) black paint shows swirls really easily. Something to do with light reflection and all.

Frank

 

You can always put one of the hard glass like coats on it.

 

Which do you recommend? I have been using Meguiars and Chemical Guys for car washing products thus far

 

Frank thanks for the info. Yes swirls can normally be seen in direct sunlight. Thankfully I was able to get them all out by using compound and than a good waxing after.

 

I am no expert on them but the guy that details my vette has been trying to convince me. Black vette. Arggg

See http://www.nickscustomdetailing.com/ for the guy I've used. You might ask for a recommendation of a detailer in your area.

 

Neither am I, but I did watch plenty of youtube videos and read a lot on car detailing. I appreciate the link I will check it out. I will be buying a polisher next month. I want to fix the paint on my 2002 Ford F150 Fx4 now that I've seen what a good polisher can do...ha ha

 

Detailing is really part science, part art. I was amazed at the work Nick did on my black Vette. I could tell you the horror story on why I hired him, but this is a truck site.

Your time and tools will be well spent with a black vehicle.

Here's a tip. Get one of those plastic strainers for your soap bucket. Lets the dirt fall through from the wash rag to the bottom of the bucket. Keep your micro fiber dry towels super clean. Do not use fabric softeners because they streak.

 

I bought 2 grit guards for the buckets. First time ever using them and using the "2 bucket system" and I must say I am very impressed. I am washing all my micro fiber towels right now I bought some from Chemical Guys and man they are freaking awesome!

I completely agree with you, car detailing is an art form and I give the professionals a ton of credit. I can't do what they do, but I can and will continue to get better so I can keep my own daily vehicles pretty clean.

 

Look up AMMO NYC on youtube. He has the best how to videos and they're all really interesting and informative.

The 2 bucket system, a clean wash mitt, and a foam gun is a really good start. The one other thing I don't think anyone has mentioned is drying the vehicle. Never use a regular towel like you would to dry yourself (shower towel, beach towel, etc) Use a wet microfiber towel, that's rung out, to pick up the water off your paint. Once it soaks, ring out again and repeat

 

That guy is one of the many videos I saw on youtube. He is indeed very informative. I agree drying is one of the bigger aspects of car washing that is hard to perfect. I used a waffle micro fiber and lubricated it with some Ultimate Quick Detail. It worked out very well.

 

One of the harshes things people do their paint is washing it. Never use the lamb wool type mits. They collect particles and debris that will etch into the clear coat (swirl marks). What I use is the softest sponge I can find (the sponge is porous, which allow contaminates to fill in to the micro holes of the sponge and not against the paint like a rag. After the wash, do not dry the vehicle by hand. Use a large leaf blower. Any small specs of dirt missed during washing now become sand paper on your chamois or what ever your drying with. It seems like a lot of work but it will help with swirl marks.

 

My buddy has a 2006 Tacoma and all of the clear coat is peeling from the roof and hood of the truck. Not sure what was up with that... I have a black BMW and it's a PITA to keep the paint swirl free. After a few years you give up.