I've heard from the dealer that one must wash, wax in one direction (longitude with the car), any other car care info you'd like to share with your black paint is welcome!

I make sure to wash the top that way, I must admit I don't do the side like that though. Waxing is a different story. I make sure to do it correctly on the top and sides of the car. Paint still looks great. I did the same on my previous dark green 3000GT.

http://www.geocities.com/~dawgstats/bmw/car2.jpg

I have a jet black 2000 328i, and wash mine in that direction. It seems to reduce swirl marks. I am particular about what I use to wash and dry my black beauty. I use a boar's hair brush to wash it, and use the California water brush and miracle towel to dry it. I use Zaino products to wax it. And when all is said and done the shine I get is phenomenal. I also use the CA Duster between washes to keep the dust off. Hope this helps. To me the Jet black finish really enhances to beauty of the car.

Great Art! I was just about to ask about Boars hair brush, I've seen them priced at $50 bucks, do you have a URL for ones less expensive?

There's just something about black...:) Got a pic to hold me over? Still awaiting delivery..

Bought mine at from Griot's garage, but more than $50. www.groitsgarage.com It is the best thing I have found to wash with. The bristles are sooooo soft they couldn't possibly cause swirl marks.


I have a pic of the black beauty, butit was taken with a freebe digital camera so no picture quality.

You will have a serious problem when you get your bimmer, trying to unglue your butt from the driver's seat. Enjoy.

Hehehe, thks Art, you're right, I will have a million excuses to 'drive to the store' on the week-ends, luckily, I live on the footsteps of Mount Rainer, where a nice bunch of widing, twisty roads exist...

Hey, theres a Griots right down the road from me in Fife, I will check them out. (Noticed they have towelettes and some spray stuff with their Boars brush package, seemed like too much $$ for it..)

Sweet looking Art! Hey, you ever thought about using black trim? I saw someone on another board with theirs in black trim, dunno if I like the chrome or not...jury still out.

Thanks, I like to chrome trim, accents the rims and separates it from the 323i. One last thing about detailing. Look into the California water blade for drying. this thing is great. No swirl marks, and get most of the water off which speeds up drying time. I bought mine online from autosportcatalog.com

Hey, thats cool! Ordering one. :)

Feel free to add anything else to 'my list' in this thread:
http://bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7915

Bump up!

this thread was very enlightening, i have (only recently) a 2000 Jet Black Z3 2.3... I will keep this all in mind. and thanks for the excellent info.

Since you'll be having the car from new, you should invest in some Zaino Bros. waxes and polishes. I swear by them. I will take a little time to do correctly, but it lasts for months and makes the paint look like a mirror!

Drive Safely,
Dinan3er

Originally posted by Dinan3er
Since you'll be having the car from new, you should invest in some Zaino Bros. waxes and polishes. I swear by them. I will take a little time to do correctly, but it lasts for months and makes the paint look like a mirror!

Drive Safely,
Dinan3er

I have just got my 2002 Jet Black 330Ci, I probably will not wax it untill the fall. How long was it before you guys waxed your car from new?

I used Mothers products before, including the carnuba wax. I have always been pleased with the results. But may be it is time I tried other products..

Originally posted by JetBlack330Ci


I have just got my 2002 Jet Black 330Ci, I probably will not wax it untill the fall. How long was it before you guys waxed your car from new?

I used Mothers products before, including the carnuba wax. I have always been pleased with the results. But may be it is time I tried other products..

I didn't buy my E36 new, but I'm sure someone knows how long to let the paint fully cure (3-4 months??)/
The previous owner took decent care of the paint, he had it detailed everyso often and washed it weekly. No major scratches, but lots of swirls (from inexperienced washing). The only thing I found that worked well was Turtle Wax Color magic that would go deep into swirls and leave a smooth, swirl free finish. But it would last only till the next wash, even with 2 coats of wax on top. Then I tried Zaino after my brother had said it worked wonders on his super black 300zx TT. His car would gleam for months after a proper Zaino treatment, while mine would until the wax wore off. Although it has been at least 4 months, a milllions washes, and many, heavy rainstorms later, swirls are still hardly noticable. Just take the time to carefully wash your car, wax often and your car will look like it rolled of the factory many years to come!

Drive Safely,
Dinan3er

3 months to wait for a wax for a new paint job.. unless its a brand new car from the factory where the paint is cured by the time u get it and its cured due to the higher degree baking from the factory. I use Meguiars products for all my car care and my finish surprises people even 5 years after my car was made. :buttrock

But black cars.. evil!!! I'll never own another black car again..!! Im a perfection clean freak and black is just a nightmare!!! My last car of 5 years was black....

Originally posted by Stylin
3 months to wait for a wax for a new paint job.. unless its a brand new car from the factory where the paint is cured by the time u get it and its cured due to the higher degree baking from the factory. I use Meguiars products for all my car care and my finish surprises people even 5 years after my car was made. :buttrock

But black cars.. evil!!! I'll never own another black car again..!! Im a perfection clean freak and black is just a nightmare!!! My last car of 5 years was black....

The car was manufactured 12/01, so I will probably wax it end of March.

Today I washed the car the first time and went for a long drive. When I stopped to take a few pictures I noticed that some water had dripped out of the bodywork and dried up leaving whitish mark all over the car :( I will have to do a better job of drying the car the next time.

So since you had a black car for 5 years do you have any tips other than sell it and get a different color :)