Waxing your car adds a layer of protection between the paint finish and the elements that can damage it. Waxing properly can keep small scratches and swirl marks from appearing on your car. Black cars are especially difficult to clean and wax properly because the dark paint shows every imperfection. Swirls and scratches are in the clearcoat on top of the paint, causing them to reflect light, which shows up extremely well on top of the black paint.
Clean the car thoroughly with car wash soap and a new, soft sponge. Begin by rinsing the car with water, loosening and removing as much dirt and grime as possible. Always use a new sponge on a black car. Old sponges may have dirt or debris on them and can be wiped over the car, causing light scratches. Rinse all soap off the car and dry it with a synthetic chamois cloth to prevent water spots. Water spots dry with a light-colored ring, making them show up disturbingly well on a black car.
After the car is dried, use a clay bar and lubricant to remove all embedded metal particles from the surface. These particles can cause rust or scratches over time. A clay bar is the only means of removal. Spray a small area with clay lubricant and rub the clay bar back and forth. Spray with lubricant again and wipe the area with a clean microfiber cloth. Repeat this step over the entire painted surface of the car. The clay bar can be folded and worked around so that only clean areas of it touch the car.
Polishing a car provides a glossy shine and removes light surface scratches and swirls, which are a problem on black cars. Use a mild to medium abrasive liquid car polish and a dual action orbital polisher. Apply the polish to the car's surface and work the polisher in small, circular and back and forth motions. Wax does not make a car shine, it only adds protection. The car must be polished to get an impressive shine before waxing.
Use only pure carnuba wax on your black car. Pure carnuba wax is the best wax to use because of its simple ingredients and lack of superfluous materials. Don't use wax kits or other types of commercially available waxes since they will just build up and cause faded areas on your black car.
Apply the wax with a damp sponge and in a thin layer, only allowing it to sit on the car for five minutes or less. Use a new, dry 100 percent cotton cloth to buff the wax away by hand. You may use two thin layers of wax for extra protection.
