Top recommendation for a black car (I have a 91 black Ivory)
Tips on washing.
1. Get a good shampoo. I use Zymol's shampoo. Griots is also very nice. Have not tried others but what you are looking for is something really slippery that makes lots of bubbles. Your main focus here is to remove dirt w/o adding more scratches (duh, I know) but many think you are *just* trying to clean your car. No so. You are trying to clean your car without causing any additional marks, scratches, swirls.
1a. Use two buckets. One is for your soapy water. One is for rinsing. The less dirt in your wash mit the less you will scratch your car.
1b. Use a lambs wool mit. Do not use microfiber wash mits. They mat when wet. You want something deep that can hold a LOT of water and suds and keep the dirt from grinding into your paint.
1c. When rinsing your car use a steady flow of water, not a spray. A steady flow will sheet water off your car and make drying faster. Less water means less toweling, which means less chance for you to scratch your paint.
1d. Use microfiber waffel weave drying towels. All good detailer shops have them and they are relatively inexpensive.
1e. If you like, I dry using an instant detailer. It keep ths car feeling like it was just waxed and it helps keep the dust off. 3M's instant detailer works great. But since you wanted to stick with one mfg, use whatever brand you go with.
Washing Don'ts. Don't use a CA water blade. Grit gets caught and can scratch. Ask me how I know. If you drop a mit, don't use it again until you can get it throughly rinsed. (I am not so crazy that I throw it away though)
Even though I have not yet answered your question (i will try) this is very importaint. Washing and drying is where most of your scratches (swirls) come from. So if you can prevent them, you don't have to work so hard on the waxing/polishing.
OK, back to your question.
I use the Porter Cable Dual Action Polisher for everything. Polish and wax (though I remove by hand). You don't NEED one, but you will get better, faster, easier, and more visible results if you use one.
If you want simple, I have two products for you.
1. 3M Swirl Remover for Dark Cars. This will correct minor swirling, water spots, bird droppings, etc effectively and leave the paint in a ready to wax state.
2. 3M Perfect It past Wax. Great for black cars. It has a high jetting factor which translates into the "wet look". This wax is easy to apply, easy to remove, does not leave wax dust, and does not stain rubber or plastic. What else can you ask for?
These are two easy and ***SAFE*** products that will give great results, are easy to learn to use, and won't break the bank (both will cost you under $12 each).
I now try not to step on other's toes as far as what is *BEST* but to give you a point of reference, here is what I have used in the past. (I almost all 3M stuff on my car now, with the exception of a few -inbetween steps-)
Griot's Garage Best of Show Wax
Zymol NSX Wax
Zymol clearner/wax
Zaino Z1,Z2,Z5,Z7
Meguiars Gold Class (the whole line)
Meguiars Medalioin
Meguiars Professional
Mother multi step polishes and waxes (no longer remember the name it has been a while)
There are others but I don't want to take up the rest of the thread....
To be honest though, paint prep and technique is going to make FFAARR more difference than what product brand you use.
Also, do a search. Detailing Dynamics has a few good writeups (on Prime and on their website) on how-to. Proper Auto Care Online and Griot's garage both have online writeups.
If you really want to be good at this, have someone who is already good at it show you how to do it. Hand on experience will not only greatly shorten the learning curve but also make you feel more comfortable working on expensive paint. I would do it, but CA is not really all that close to you.
Good Luck.
LMK if you want more details or help. I would be happy to chat over the phone if need be. I do it for local Sacramento NSX'ers, would not mind doing the same for you.
