What? Black?

wynand53 · 07-26-2007

I bought a black SLK and I now ask myself why? How do you keep a black car absolutely cleen? It is just plain impossible.

I wonder what the most popular colors are? Silwer must be in the top position.

So, how do I keep this car clean? What type of cloth do I use to polish it?

Regards

Wynand

MarkR171 · 07-26-2007

I wash my car twice a week to keep it clean, once a week at LEAST. I just used regular Turtle Wax ICE car wash soap and microfiber cloths to dry. Yesterday I got my Zaino ultimate kit in and washed the car with the Zaino car wash, definately better results than the generic soap I was using before. With a good wax, you can lightly dust off any loose dust that accumulates between washes.

Going to give my car the full Zaino treatment on Sunday

Good info on Zaino here: www.lazaino.com

And there are step by step washing techniques in the detailing & automotive care section of http://www.mbworld.org

**Ynot** · 07-26-2007

I do love black cars, especially mercedes black, looks so good during sunset and at night, SLK is actually small enough to have it in black, b/c it takes less time to clean, wash it once a week, and polish and wax twice a year should do the trick. Silver is the most popular color, b/c it's easier to maintain and always looks clean unless you drive it through a mud pit. That reminds me, I need to wash my car, haven't done so in over a month, but don't have too b/c it's silver and looks clean.

MarkR171 · 07-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ynot

haven't done so in over a month, but don't have too b/c it's silver and looks clean.

Torture us why don't you!

I washed my car last night, it rained a bit today and now there's small white spots and some kicked up sand from driving by the beach this morning! I have to wash it again tomorrow!

**etyu** · 07-26-2007

For international clients outside the US: try www.zainostore.com

**-1-** · 07-26-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by wynand53

I bought a black SLK and I now ask myself why? How do you keep a black car absolutely cleen? It is just plain impossible.

I wonder what the most popular colors are? Silwer must be in the top position.

So, how do I keep this car clean? What type of cloth do I use to polish it?

Regards

Wynand

Black SLK in South Africa, black interior? Got to be HOT. A black car is a challenge to keep clean. I had a black Honda that I only kept for a year. That will be my only black car. They are attractive, and nice when clean. I could never get it clean enough and it drove me crazy. Silver is my favorite color for the sleek look and ease of cleaning. Spend more time driving and enjoying it than cleaning.

**Ynot** · 07-27-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarkR171

Torture us why don't you!

I washed my car last night, it rained a bit today and now there's small white spots and some kicked up sand from driving by the beach this morning! I have to wash it again tomorrow!

haha, I know, that's why I got silver, my sig pics looks clean but in reality it also went a month w/o washing when I took those videos. I do love my car and take care of it whenever I can but sometimes it just doesn't look dirty and I dont' bother.

http://www.autogeek.net/ is also a good site with tips on how to wash, polish, and wax your car.

**FishtailnZ** · 07-27-2007

I've owned 3 black cars over the years and after each one I swore I'd never own another...but then I'd think back on how I'd clean 'em up and there is nothing looks better than a freshly detailed gleaming oil slick black car - and end up buying another. Keeping 'em that way though is a royal pain in the ass. I finally did tire of doing just that though and I think I've finally broken the black car addiction *L*.

MarkR171 · 07-27-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by FishtailnZ

I think I've finally broken the black car addiction *L*.

Caspian Blue is definately the color to do that. I love it!

**FishtailnZ** · 07-27-2007

Thanks

. While a dark colour, it's no where near as bad as black to keep looking clean.

JOC · 07-28-2007

My 2007 SLK is black too, and it's impossible to keep clean. I see every little bit of dust on it even minutes after a full wash. I try to clean it at least once a week. I just noticed after I washed it yesterday that I have a small but deep scratch and a tiny chip on the hood of my car. I only have about 1,500 miles on it, so I am so annoyed that I can see the scratch and chip so easily. I have to get it repaired. I can only imagine what my hood will look like once the cold weather hits and im driving on the highway with all that salt and sand hitting my car. It's going to be a nightmare.

MarkR171 · 07-29-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by JOC

My 2007 SLK is black too...

a tiny chip on the hood of my car. I only have about 1,500 miles on it, so I am so annoyed that I can see the scratch and chip so easily.

Do we have the same car??

I have a chip on the hood too, happened the day after I took it home...

rjm16 · 07-30-2007

I have a black 350 and am obsessed with keping it spotless. Zaino products are excellent - I usually spray and wipe down the car with Z-6 after each drive - takes about 5-10 minutes, but keeps it clean. Also, I have the car cover and usually put in on if I won't be driving for a day or two - avoids the disappointment of going to the car for a drive and seeing a layer of dust.

Good luck!

MarkR171 · 07-30-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by rjm16

Zaino products are excellent - I usually spray and wipe down the car with Z-6 after each drive - takes about 5-10 minutes, but keeps it clean.

Yes! Since applying Zaino Z7/Z5/Z2/Z6 on saturday, I've done nothing but apply Z6 every night when I'm done driving for the day and it's still 100% spotless. Spending 5 minutes every day wiping the car down with Z6 is definately worth it!

Zaino products

**etyu** · 07-31-2007

Has anyone tried Z8? It's supposed to be superior to Z6 but more expensive (more than double).

Link: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...oduct_Count=11

MarkR171 · 07-31-2007

Well I honestly don't think the shine on my car can improve that much more to justify doubling the cost of an every day spray just to keep the car clean.

Here's a shot of my car, about 120 miles after washing.

And a close up of the reflection

N4PWJ · 07-31-2007

mark ur car is very clean.
i also wash mine once a week, but i had a week off last week and gave it a total 3 stage meguiars polish and wax. came up fantastic and im well pleased with it now.

**FishtailnZ** · 07-31-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by etyu

Has anyone tried Z8? It's supposed to be superior to Z6 but more expensive (more than double).

Link: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...oduct_Count=11

I picked some up earlier this year - it does leave the surface very noticeably slicker feeling, with a little glossier shine.

Some pics from getting set up for a local car show this past weekend. Freshly Zainoed and finished off with Z8. This is indoor florescent lighting which has a tendency to show up any flaws in the paint surface and makes a car harder to show well.

**etyu** · 07-31-2007

Mark, the black looks BEAUTIFUL!

Fish, very nice pix, but please change the lighting settings on the camera to that of indoor flourescent lighting to remove the bluish tint/haze. Beautiful nonetheless.

07-26-2007	#1 (permalink)
wynand53 SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: South Africa Vehicle: '06 350 SLK BLACK!! Other Toys: Had to sell everything!! Posts: 31 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What? Black? I bought a black SLK and I now ask myself why? How do you keep a black car absolutely cleen? It is just plain impossible. I wonder what the most popular colors are? Silwer must be in the top position. So, how do I keep this car clean? What type of cloth do I use to polish it? Regards Wynand

07-26-2007	#3 (permalink)
Ynot Founding Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Colorado Vehicle: 06' MBZ SLK Posts: 2,795 Country: Thanks: 135 Thanked 35 Times in 30 Posts	I do love black cars, especially mercedes black, looks so good during sunset and at night, SLK is actually small enough to have it in black, b/c it takes less time to clean, wash it once a week, and polish and wax twice a year should do the trick. Silver is the most popular color, b/c it's easier to maintain and always looks clean unless you drive it through a mud pit. That reminds me, I need to wash my car, haven't done so in over a month, but don't have too b/c it's silver and looks clean. __________________ 06' SLK 350, Iridium/Ash all pkgs. 6-spd, 19" DCR. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

07-26-2007	#5 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	For international clients outside the US: try www.zainostore.com __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

07-27-2007	#8 (permalink)
FishtailnZ Don't feed the trolls... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nfld., Canada Other Toys: Wife, kids, dogs... Posts: 1,490 Country: Thanks: 285 Thanked 211 Times in 94 Posts	I've owned 3 black cars over the years and after each one I swore I'd never own another...but then I'd think back on how I'd clean 'em up and there is nothing looks better than a freshly detailed gleaming oil slick black car - and end up buying another. Keeping 'em that way though is a royal pain in the ass. I finally did tire of doing just that though and I think I've finally broken the black car addiction L. __________________ - Bill Waiting on a 2009 C63 Opal Fire Red/Alpaca Grey R.I.P. 2006 SLK55 Caspian Blue/Beige Stock 1/4 mile results: ET 12.72, trap 110.80, 60' 1.80 Some guys they just give up living and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up and go racin' in the street... - B. Springsteen

07-27-2007	#10 (permalink)
FishtailnZ Don't feed the trolls... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nfld., Canada Other Toys: Wife, kids, dogs... Posts: 1,490 Country: Thanks: 285 Thanked 211 Times in 94 Posts	Thanks . While a dark colour, it's no where near as bad as black to keep looking clean. __________________ - Bill Waiting on a 2009 C63 Opal Fire Red/Alpaca Grey R.I.P. 2006 SLK55 Caspian Blue/Beige Stock 1/4 mile results: ET 12.72, trap 110.80, 60' 1.80 Some guys they just give up living and start dying little by little, piece by piece. Some guys come home from work and wash up and go racin' in the street... - B. Springsteen

07-26-2007	#2 (permalink)
MarkR171 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Vehicle: '07 SLK280 Posts: 210 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I wash my car twice a week to keep it clean, once a week at LEAST. I just used regular Turtle Wax ICE car wash soap and microfiber cloths to dry. Yesterday I got my Zaino ultimate kit in and washed the car with the Zaino car wash, definately better results than the generic soap I was using before. With a good wax, you can lightly dust off any loose dust that accumulates between washes. Going to give my car the full Zaino treatment on Sunday Good info on Zaino here: www.lazaino.com And there are step by step washing techniques in the detailing & automotive care section of http://www.mbworld.org

07-28-2007	#11 (permalink)
JOC SLK World Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Stamford, CT Vehicle: 2007 SLK 350 (Black with tan) Posts: 83 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post	My 2007 SLK is black too, and it's impossible to keep clean. I see every little bit of dust on it even minutes after a full wash. I try to clean it at least once a week. I just noticed after I washed it yesterday that I have a small but deep scratch and a tiny chip on the hood of my car. I only have about 1,500 miles on it, so I am so annoyed that I can see the scratch and chip so easily. I have to get it repaired. I can only imagine what my hood will look like once the cold weather hits and im driving on the highway with all that salt and sand hitting my car. It's going to be a nightmare.

07-30-2007	#13 (permalink)
rjm16 SLK World Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: NJ Vehicle: '05 SLK 350 Posts: 12 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a black 350 and am obsessed with keping it spotless. Zaino products are excellent - I usually spray and wipe down the car with Z-6 after each drive - takes about 5-10 minutes, but keeps it clean. Also, I have the car cover and usually put in on if I won't be driving for a day or two - avoids the disappointment of going to the car for a drive and seeing a layer of dust. Good luck!

07-31-2007	#15 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Has anyone tried Z8? It's supposed to be superior to Z6 but more expensive (more than double). Link: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/...oduct_Count=11 __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

07-31-2007	#16 (permalink)
MarkR171 Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Vehicle: '07 SLK280 Posts: 210 Country: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Well I honestly don't think the shine on my car can improve that much more to justify doubling the cost of an every day spray just to keep the car clean. Here's a shot of my car, about 120 miles after washing. And a close up of the reflection

07-31-2007	#17 (permalink)
N4PWJ Elite SLK World Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belfast,N.Ireland Vehicle: 2006,slk280,carlsson Other Toys: Caterham Posts: 1,417 Country: Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	mark ur car is very clean. i also wash mine once a week, but i had a week off last week and gave it a total 3 stage meguiars polish and wax. came up fantastic and im well pleased with it now.

07-31-2007	#19 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts	Mark, the black looks BEAUTIFUL! Fish, very nice pix, but please change the lighting settings on the camera to that of indoor flourescent lighting to remove the bluish tint/haze. Beautiful nonetheless. __________________ *Eddy* To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Pewter/Beige, PIII package, Airscarf, Hands-Free Communication System, Lighting package Designo Black Leather Cover on e-brake handle, ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Bill T), SmartTop v1.0, Kleyman 3BFM (NoRegret Custom), Green Air Filters, *Mod. R170 ant.*, EuroClear sidemarkers w/PIAA PlasmaIon lamps, chromed front & rear turn indicator lamps, PIAA SuperPlasmaGTX front parking lamps, bilateral rear fog lamps enabled.

07-31-2007	#20 (permalink)
etyu Founding Member #2 / Ambassador Of Good Will Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Orange County, CA Vehicle: 2008 SLK 55 Posts: 5,279 Country: Thanks: 376 Thanked 277 Times in 168 Posts