[dkssud3]

I will be purchasing a 2016 honda accord lx in a week or so and I am on my last step, but I feel uncertain of choosing my favorite black exterior/interior color because of the regular cleaning it requires to keep it well-maintained. My problem is that all I ever done to clean cars were auto car wash and hand washing with water and car shampoo, so I am lacking a bit of knowledge concerning the cleaning steps and products. After some exploring around the forum using search thread, I still feel fragmented from reading those long threads. Would anyone have spare time to explain some products in short and summarize the cleaning steps in simplest form?? As well as how often it needs cleaning.

Thank you in advance!

Also, does anyone who live in Texas drive a black exterior and interior car?? I live in Texas and I will be storing it in garage, so I am not too worried about the heat...

 

[Flyboy]

Welcome to the forum. I live in Texas and I have a black leather interior and my wife has a black cloth interior in her 2015 CRV. I bought the Honda windshield sun reflector which helps keep the interior cool but my wife doesn't. The AC in both cars is excellent and will cool the interior with in five minutes even when the outside temperature was triple digits last week.

There is an entire section on maintenance and detailing that covers every aspect of car care.

 

[easymike]

I have MSM exterior with black cloth interior. While traveling through from CA to NC, mostly on I-10 in May, I felt that the interior did not get unbearably hot while sitting in the sun. I clean with a lint roller regularly and hit it with a vacuum about once a month. In my opinion, the black cloth looks clean and new. Leather always looks classy, but requires a little love and maintenance to protect it as it ages.

 

[dkssud3]

the black color is irresistible... both exterior and interior. Going through thread comments makes it sound bearable and worth getting. I will probably get the color anyways and just study and slowly develop. I just hope that I don't erode or blow up the paint. I think my biggest worry was that going over many comments about Honda having issues with car paints in the past.

I'll definitely buy a sun reflector as well.

 

[ypsibird]

Get a California Mini or Dash Duster. They work great & should be under $10. Black interiors show dust like crazy and the Duster removes it with a couple of quick swipes.

 

[WDMaccord]

Get a California Mini or Dash Duster. They work great & should be under $10. Black interiors show dust like crazy and the Duster removes it with a couple of quick swipes.

Or just buy a bag of MF towels from an autoparts store. Do a good interior detail the first time including protectant on all surfaces. The hard surfaces, about every couple weeks, all you need is a damp (water) and dry MF towel. Run the damp one across and then buff dry with the dry towel. Reapply the protectant every few months, especially if you park outside in the day time. If you park in a covered ramp at work and a garage at home, you probably only need to reapply protectant every 6 months.

Exterior you have to be much more careful with. Honda clear is soft and scratches easy. Proper washing medium and technique is a must. I recommend the 2 bucket method with one MF mitt for wheels/tires, one for main body of the car, and one more for the lower panels. Lots of videos you can check out on autogeek.net or autopia.org. Learn to do it right and it will look great for a long time. Keep in mind, the dealer will put some nice swirls in there for you during pre-delivery. Sad but true. My 2016 came off the truck and I told the dealership not to touch the paint or the interior. What a difference!

 

[jimijam]

Dark Angels wearing dark glasses....black cars look better in the shade!!! Just ask @RickBlaine.

@CoachSteve will tell you that you will be spending countless hours to maintain the paint to keep it swirl free in the sunlight. Been there, done that x 3. Good luck.

 

[RickBlaine]

I do recall a write up from member "glen e" specifically about what to tell the dealer about delivery. You don't want them to touch the paint! No car wash- NOTHING. He then goes on about a few products (a very good write-up) to use within a couple of days of bringing the car home, and how to do it yourself.

A few members here followed that advice, showed pics, and were very satisfied. Again, this is not the general "How to wash a car" write-up, but a specific write-up about getting the dealer to leave your car alone and how you protect the paint yourself upon delivery.

 

[SoKalAccord]

On black cars......NEVER, NEVER wax in a swirling motion, ALWAYS side to side or up and down.

 

[TJordan23]

Meguiar's 5-Step Paint Care Cycle - Updated!

I do most of ^ when I can (Mine is silver w/ black interior but still a good way to take care of black)

For the inside I use armor all wipes every now and then, and MF towel wipe down/vacuum rugs and seats every weekend.

 

[glen e]

Black can be maintained like any other color with no problems if you get a Coating. This is not wax and this is not a sealant, and it's more expensive. However it does protect the car. A few are optimum opti gloss and CquartzUK. GOOGLE THEM