Black CX-5 Cleaning tips??

G

GreyWolfSif

Member
:
2014 CX5 GT
I purchased a Mazda CX-5 for my wife a few months ago (well WE purchased it). She wanted to get a black one. They certainly do look very sharp when they are clean, but keeping it clean is the challenge. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get it looking as great as I want after a wash. I will think I have done a good job, but after it dries, I notice spots that don't look so hot. I don't use the most expensive cleaning supplies. I just go buy some average priced ones at Walmart. Do you guys have tips to share?


20130309_140103_zps8fcbb279.jpg
 
You can use Spray Wax with micro fiber towels which can be found at your local Walmart. I've used many over the years. I currently use Eagle One 754567 Wax-As-U-Dry. https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned). It's got a thick amount of carnauba wax in it. I spray it on after a car wash (while wet) then dry with microfiber towel. I also like the Turtle Wax One-Step spray waxes too.

If your car is dry you can use Detailer Spray which is like Spray Wax mentioned above but is watered down. You can a product like https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned). What I do is simply dilute my existing Spray Wax with two sprays of distilled water and then one spray of Spray Wax per panel. Then wipe dry with a clean microfiber towel. I have a dark grey car and this gives me a wet clean look as needed.

My secret weapon is my California Duster. Take heed to caution when using one though. Yes it's used to remove dust from paint but Do Not Apply pressure unto the paint. I glide my California Duster over the paint as to barely just touching it. The idea is to not let tiny dust particles create visible scratches on your clear coat. You want the duster to "lift" the dust off not scrub away :0. Use this tool with care. Check out the detailing forums for the pros and cons for California Duster use.

My schedule:

Once yearly: Claybar detail and apply Collinite 845 wax.

Every 2-3 Months: Car Wash and Spray Wax. Clean Rims.

Bi-Weekly/ As Needed: California Duster and Spray Wax (diluted with distilled water).

Weekly: Clean windows/mirrors.


Hope that gives you some ideas.
 
Last edited:
I have the spots too, and will do a good wax after this trop storm coming..

But I have a trick for the brake dust to throw out there:

Glass cleaner with the rain beading solution added to it. ie. Rain-X

I spray it to saturate a microfiber towel then clean the wheels. Keeps the dust from sticking.
 
That Rain-X sounds like a good trick!

REDOTTERRICH said:
I have the spots too, and will do a good wax after this trop storm coming..

But I have a trick for the brake dust to throw out there:

Glass cleaner with the rain beading solution added to it. ie. Rain-X

I spray it to saturate a microfiber towel then clean the wheels. Keeps the dust from sticking.
Click to expand...
 
REDOTTERRICH said:
I have the spots too, and will do a good wax after this trop storm coming..

But I have a trick for the brake dust to throw out there:

Glass cleaner with the rain beading solution added to it. ie. Rain-X

I spray it to saturate a microfiber towel then clean the wheels. Keeps the dust from sticking.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that tip. The 10 spoke wheels on the CX5 are a bit of work to keep clean.
 
some really good tips here:

http://www.detailingspot.com/?page_id=15

I, admittedly, don't use the two bucket system yet. However I spray the wash mitt off with the hose before it goes back into the bucket.


Are the spots ones that are already on the paint or are they from the rinse water drying on the paint?

This is a wax that gets some decent reviews and comments even on the detailing forums:
http://www.duragloss.com/Exterior-P...ish/8-oz.---Duragloss-CCP-(Clear-Coat-Polish)
It has polish in the name but stresses it is non-abrasive below that.
It can be a little hard to find locally but there are some places that carry it:
http://www.duragloss.com/index.php?route=information/information&information_id=7
Their Aquawax is also pretty decent.
 
GreyWolfSif said:
I purchased a Mazda CX-5 for my wife a few months ago (well WE purchased it). She wanted to get a black one. They certainly do look very sharp when they are clean, but keeping it clean is the challenge. No matter what I do, I can't seem to get it looking as great as I want after a wash. I will think I have done a good job, but after it dries, I notice spots that don't look so hot. I don't use the most expensive cleaning supplies. I just go buy some average priced ones at Walmart. Do you guys have tips to share?


20130309_140103_zps8fcbb279.jpg
Click to expand...

I use Zaino Bros all in one on my black CX-5

http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=Z-AIO

It gets the water spots off (never wash a car in the sun or let it air dry) and looks like it is wet when removed after waxing. Another advantage to Zaino is that you can put it on plastic and glass. There is none of that crappy residue left that most waxes leave if you mistakenly apply it to the plastic parts around the wheel well.
 
Last edited:
This sounds crazy, but on my black car, I never dry it with a cloth. I use a leaf blower. The reason is I cut down on the swirl marks in a huge and noticeable way. It is a waste of electricity, but the time spent not polishing out the swirl marks is worth it. I really only have to get a few drops here and there now, especially if the car is well waxed or otherwise protected with one of those synthetic non carnuba wax formulas...the water just streams off. In addition, you blow out water from lots of problem areas, such as trim pieces that hold water and drip later on.

That is one of my black car cleaning tips. Buy some ear protection also.
 
CX-5um said:
You can use Spray Wax with micro fiber towels which can be found at your local Walmart. I've used many over the years. I currently use Eagle One 754567 Wax-As-U-Dry. https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned). It's got a thick amount of carnauba wax in it. I spray it on after a car wash (while wet) then dry with microfiber towel. I also like the Turtle Wax One-Step spray waxes too.

If your car is dry you can use Detailer Spray which is like Spray Wax mentioned above but is watered down. You can a product like https://www.amazon.com/dp/ (commissions earned). What I do is simply dilute my existing Spray Wax with two sprays of distilled water and then one spray of Spray Wax per panel. Then wipe dry with a clean microfiber towel. I have a dark grey car and this gives me a wet clean look as needed.

My secret weapon is my California Duster. Take heed to caution when using one though. Yes it's used to remove dust from paint but Do Not Apply pressure unto the paint. I glide my California Duster over the paint as to barely just touching it. The idea is to not let tiny dust particles create visible scratches on your clear coat. You want the duster to "lift" the dust off not scrub away :0. Use this tool with care. Check out the detailing forums for the pros and cons for California Duster use.

My schedule:

Once yearly: Claybar detail and apply Collinite 845 wax.

Every 2-3 Months: Car Wash and Spray Wax. Clean Rims.

Bi-Weekly/ As Needed: California Duster and Spray Wax (diluted with distilled water).

Weekly: Clean windows/mirrors.


Hope that gives you some ideas.
Click to expand...
Nice tip on the distilled water. So do you spray the distilled water & detailer around the same area & wipe/spread with the microfiber towel?
 
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