…ya, I knew this was coming.
Blacks. Exponential time, cost, babysitting… if ya want 'em looking perfect or close to it.
If one is aware of this from the start… then, hands down, one of the most dramatic vehicles colors out there. If not, and he/she thinks they can keep their car “perfect” for the same cost as the guy with the light color or even mid-dark tone vehicle, then heaven help the person.
Having emphasized that point to start, if one is “realistic” or practical about their black/dark vehicle, particularly if it is their “daily driver”, then it can be satisfying to own with good basic care & maintenance. An example might be two similar year older vehicles both due or needing a wax job, one white and one black/dark vehicle. From any viewing distance greater than maybe 20 feet away or more, the black/dark vehicle will be dramatically changed with only a good hand wax whereas the white vehicle I could even heavily machine polish and wax, and it’ll look better but won’t jump out at you as an overwhelming change. The “pain in the ass” difference comes into play when you want/need it look perfect at very close distances, because blacks “talk back to you” with any minute condition that exists on the paint (scratches, overspray, fallout, water spots, blah, blah).
Don’t know what your particular ride is, or what particular profile it is, wether it’s your hermetically-sealed once a month prize possession or the reliable family Accord?
Either way, frequency is a recommendation, meaning the more the merrier, of whatever your favorite finishing product might be. Most “pure” finishing products (meaning no cleaners in it, no combo products) with few exceptions, can be layered upon themselves just about as many times as you wish. It is simpler to stick with the same product though, for building up layers. Polymers can be used to build up exceptionally well. Carnaubas also build up very deep and very nicely. A carnauba can actually be applied/layered onto a polymer/sealant below it, but you cannot apply a polymer/sealant onto a carnauba base underneath.
Any black vehicle should simply go into the hands of an experienced/quality polishing pro once a year, regardless of the calibre of vehicle. The technician may not need to use any aggressive product on the vehicle at all, he may simply need to glaze/finesse the finish to remove a buildup of contaminants on the surface and diminish “hairline” scratches that are inevitable from a years worth of car washing. Once this is done, a lazy owner can ignore their vehicle for a year (ouch) and it’ll still look OK, or an owner can “throw” on an easy coat of polymer/sealant/wax a couple times themselves throughout the balance of the year, and the vehicle will remain significantly more stunning!
Taking your vehicle to a quality/experienced polishing individual cannot be emphasized enough with black vehicles. I cannot recount how many black vehicles have been eventually referred to me or sub’d out from a body shop to me to correct a swirled up butcher-job that some poor owner had done by a shop that was staffed with “kids” that are hired/fired or quit every few months, and that had no idea of the critical nuances required to polish blacks (let alone even basic product/process knowledge). That’s the original cost for the bad job plus the cost to have me “make it right”, ouch (my services are not cheap).
OK then, where are the good ones? Well, like good/bad mechanics etc., you have ta check around. You don’t have to do a lot of “legwork” but just start putting the word out and inquiring casually at your body shop or a high-end specialty body shop, or the service department at a high-line brand like BMW/Jag/Merc/Lambo etc. (not at a service dept. for Honda/Toyota/GM - its not the cars but the detail shops they send to that are in question). Ask the guy who’s got the black Porsche/BMW/Merc’ that is locking his doors and heading into the mall. Local classic car clubs, exotic clubs, “tuner” clubs are all excellent places to shoot an email to for a reference. Another smart choice would be to contact, in person via telephone, the detailing supply companies in your local phone book (talk to the actual reps that are out on the road, they go to every single shop in town and know exactly who the “hacks” are and who the “worth their weight in gold” guys are).
One final suggestion, for those with blacks who wish more assurance, would be to go to the shop/person that you feel is qualified and discuss cost, ask why (“ummm” is not a good response), see if it sounds like he knows what he’s talking about. While you’re there, get him to do a sample section or do a whole fender to examine the potential (preferably a side door or fender section as it will be more revealing when the light hits it). If the shop lights are bright enough, you can probably make your decision, if not, tell him you want to confirm it in the sunlight and will come back (most reputable/capable guys wont have any problem with this, he knows you are serious). Confirm the cost to do the whole vehicle to the same standard and if he needs to adjust his charge, consider it. You don’t need to let yourself get milked, but now is not the time for cheap (MacDonalds is around the corner or you should change vehicle colors). This will also tend to ensure two things: 1 - you’re serious, 2 - he won’t feel he has to cut corners to produce your results.
Once you’ve found a good polishing expert, and received a great job as proof, you can inquire about a maintenance package of two or three follow up hand coats of product, if you wish. Even if he doesn’t normally offer this, he’ll be delighted to know you truly want to come back, and you can strike a deal or just have him right down an informal quote for what you want later with or without an expiry date.
Tally ho!