Watch: This quick trick car-washing solution works great on black paint

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If you’re a fan of black cars like me, you’ve probably owned a few, and that means you know the thing about black cars: they’re mesmerizing when freshly cleaned and glimmering, but a pain to keep in that state.

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Every molecule of dirt and dust is visible on black paint. Cleaning a black car to a lustrous sheen can be an exercise in perfectionism since there’s no forgiveness, and everything shows up.

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Watch: This quick trick car-washing solution works great on black paint Back to video

Translation? It takes a long time to get a black car looking perfect, and mere moments for it to get dirty once again.

It can take a lot of time and effort to keep your black car looking Sunday-night car-show ready throughout the week, but it doesn’t have to.

Below, I’ll share with you an excellent system I’ve devised over the years, as it applies to my two black cars: my Dodge Viper and my VW Alltrack. I also use this method to clean test cars of all stripes and colors before a photo shoot, since it’s very quick and very effective.

I can clean a vehicle from a lightly-to-moderately soiled state in 20 minutes. No hose or pail is required. Best of all, you can do this in your garage on a rainy Friday evening, so your car looks slick and glistening when the sun comes back out.

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Two caveats.

First, my system doesn’t work outside in freezing temperatures, so it won’t help you in the winter, unless you’re able to move the vehicle into a heated garage. Second, I don’t use this system for heavily-soiled vehicles, even if it is perfect for quickly removing light dirt, dust and various grimes and smudges.

Tools and supplies

You’ll need a few items to set the system up. First, get a gallon-jug of distilled water (about four litres). You can use tap water if you like, but distilled water is better. Next, you’ll need a generously-sized spray bottle, or two, if you prefer to dual-wield.

Another key ingredient of this system is a quality microfiber drying towel. Spend a few dollars on the big thick thirsty ones, and get a few, so you’ll have extras if needed. I’ve had great results with the thirsty waffle-weave towels sold by The Chemical Guys.

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To put all of the above into action, you’ll need a bottle of Optimum No Rinse (ONR) or similar-formulation waterless car-wash product, like Opti-Clean.

Open the distilled water jug and take a sip or two, or water a nearby plant if you’re not thirsty. You’ll need the extra room in the jug for the next step — adding 4.5 ounces of the waterless wash solution to the jug. (Stop drinking the water at this point.)

Note that formulations may vary, so be sure to read the instructions before mixing.

Mix the two liquids in the jug, and you open a portal into an efficient new world of car-washing. The four litres of liquid you just made cost only a few dollars, and will clean any car several times over, with great results, and even if it’s painted black.

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Decant the resulting solution from your jug into your spray bottle, or bottles. You’ll probably have enough left over to fill the bottles again, when they’re empty. Put the extra liquid aside.

Grab your drying towel and fold it into a square or rectangle. I keep it over my shoulder.

Prep and process

Now, using the spray bottle(s), thoroughly soak a single body panel of your car with the liquid. Do not be shy. You want the panel to be dripping wet. There’s no such thing as too much, here.

With the panel sopping with liquid, use your drying towel and wipe that panel dry by wiping in a single direction across the panel. Work the towel lightly, slowly, and carefully. The liquid you sprayed onto the panel has loosened the grip of the dirt stuck to it, while protecting from scratches with its slick film. You’re trying to dry the panel, not scrub it. Use as little effort as you can.

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You fold the towel into a rectangle so that you have even surface contact of the towel against the paint, for more consistent drying. Do not ball up the towel. Simply wipe, in one direction, across the panel, and repeat until the panel is dry.

As you work, the towel will get dirty and wet. Simply re-fold the towel for a new rectangle of clean dry fabric to work with. I usually re-fold the towel after each panel, more frequently if the car is dirtier. Remember to re-fold the towel over itself so you’re working with as clean and dry a section of towel as possible, at all times. I use about two towels per car.

Once all panels have been sprayed and wiped dry, the process is complete. The paint is clean as a whistle, slick, shiny, and dry.

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End notes

You can spray and clean your glass, trim, and lights, too. If you notice any smudges or overspray, simply re-spray the panel and wipe dry once more.

When finished with the paint, you’ll have a soggy towel in your hand, which can now be used to give the interior a wipe-down and tidy-up, too. Refold the towel once more for a clean square, spray your solution onto it generously, and give the dash, door panels, and other interior bits a good wipe down.

If you’ve got chrome wheels, do those last. Spray the liquid onto your rag, and wipe up any dust or brake pad material stuck to the finish. Refold, and repeat, for each wheel. Use an additional towel if needed.

When finished, I rinse my towels in the laundry room sink, and toss them into the wash.

The real magic for black cars? No water spots after your first drive. If you’re using the garden hose, you’re filling every nook and cranny of your car’s body with water, which will leak out and leave water spots within 10 seconds of driving after that coat of wax. Using a waterless cleaner and spray with this wipe system, those annoying post-wash water-spots are a thing of the past, too.