Greetings from the Oregon coast!

**Silvaria** · 05-30-2019, 10:50 PM

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum, and while I'm not new exactly to detailing, I am a total noob when it comes to taking care of a black car so I definitely need all the help I can get!!

This is my 2018 Hyundai Elantra. I bought it in January, with only 4K miles. Overall, the paint is in great shape other than some light "cobwebbing", due to poor car washing practices by the dealership.

I've never been the first owner of a car before and I want to keep it shiny and amazing-looking, as black cars can be when they are maintained very well. I have a limited budget so I can't afford the best and most expensive stuff but I am extremely motivated to make the most of what I can afford.

I'm looking forward to learning a lot from this forum!

Mike Phillips · 05-31-2019, 04:30 AM

Welcome to AGO!

Whereabouts do you live in Oregon?

I lived in Gearhart and Astoria.

**Silvaria** · 05-31-2019, 05:02 AM

Hi, Mike!

I live just south of Lincoln City, in Gleneden Beach. My family visited Astoria when I was very young, my only memory of that visit is that we climbed a LOT of stairs to reach the top of what I now realize is the Astoria Column, lol! It was definitely worth the view!

Mike Phillips · 05-31-2019, 05:36 AM

Yeah - climbing to the top of the column is worth it for the view.

**BillE** · 05-31-2019, 07:13 AM

Originally Posted by Silvaria

Hi, Mike!

I live just south of Lincoln City, in Gleneden Beach. My family visited Astoria when I was very young, my only memory of that visit is that we climbed a LOT of stairs to reach the top of what I now realize is the Astoria Column, lol! It was definitely worth the view!

Beautiful area!

We came very close to retiring down there (from Seattle area).

Bill

**SWETM** · 05-31-2019, 08:45 AM

Welcome to the forum!

Nice with a new car and congrats to it. Great looking car you got. The black paint is awesome when you take well care of it. And that can be a full time work sometimes LOL.

So go with easy to use products. And get tools and products that is of high quality but also a lot for the money. Sometimes it's worth in the longrun to get a little pricier stuff if needed. Try to get your washes dialed in to be as gentle and effective it can be. In the end to get the most out of the looks is to do a polishing on it. And maintain it with a safe wash technique and products that don't marring your paint after the polishing is done.

/ Tony

**Mike@DedicatedPerfection** · 05-31-2019, 05:39 PM

Welcome to AutoGeekOnline!

**PaulMys** · 05-31-2019, 05:58 PM

Originally Posted by Silvaria

Hi everyone! I'm new to the forum, and while I'm not new exactly to detailing, I am a total noob when it comes to taking care of a black car so I definitely need all the help I can get!!

This is my 2018 Hyundai Elantra. I bought it in January, with only 4K miles. Overall, the paint is in great shape other than some light "cobwebbing", due to poor car washing practices by the dealership.

I've never been the first owner of a car before and I want to keep it shiny and amazing-looking, as black cars can be when they are maintained very well. I have a limited budget so I can't afford the best and most expensive stuff but I am extremely motivated to make the most of what I can afford.

I'm looking forward to learning a lot from this forum!

Welcome to AGO!

The very first and probably most important thing I would stress to you is: Get a good DA polisher!

Working by hand is incredibly hard to do and achieve good results.

Add black paint, and it is nearly impossible.

Your initial investment in the DA and pads will be about $200, but WELL worth it.