Turtle Wax Black Box test: 5/2/09

[a_d_a_m]

Sam posted his results somewhere on here, but rather than hi-jack his thread, I figured I would create a new one. FREEPOST!

I was only marginally satisfied with the results I got from the Black Box the first time I tried it, but since Sam wouldn't shut up about his, I picked his brain and figured out that I was doing a few things wrong. I'm not the type of person who likes to use spray detailer to remove wax, but that is exactly what you need to do with this product. They include a black spray detailer just for this.

Being that this is a 90k-mile Marauder and it's an early build (#504, with recall work done to the roof of the car already going bad :mad2:), the paint is less than perfect. Lots of little nicks, chips, and slight perforations in some areas.

I wasn't expecting a miracle with this product, especially since my first test of it was mediocre. But now, I'm a firm believer.

Sorry for the crappy photo quality, but I have an old Canon digital and this is the best I can do with it.

Note the reflection in the hood-- this was the worst area of the car and it came out decent...
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/5-2-09/marauder3.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/5-2-09/marauder1.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/5-2-09/marauder2.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/5-2-09/marauder4.jpg


Obligatory reflection shot.
http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w110/jackiegleason/5-2-09/marauder5.jpg

[Blk Mamba]

Looks good in person too, we'll be doing mine as soon as it's out of the shop.

[a_d_a_m]

I will be drinking Black Label beers and providing moral support along with some of the manual labor.

[bobsawyer7]

I'm going to do mine this week. Is there anything special you had to do or can I just follow the directions on the box?

[a_d_a_m]

The directions on the box suck.

Here's what I did...

1. Wash and dry car.
2. Find a spot that is, for the most part, shady. Not a ghetto. I mean, a shady spot as in "covered in shade" as provided by trees! :D
3. Mentally dissect the car into sections. I did as follows...hood/front bumper, roof, trunk/back bumper, left side, right side.
4. Using a buffer, apply the product in the bottle marked "Step 1" to one section of the car and let dry to haze as you would with normal wax.
5. Remove half of the Step 1 with a towel, leaving some of it on the car. Don't worry about streaks or smudges.
6. Spray the black spray detailer (included) on the vehicle, then wipe off with a different towel. This will take care of 99% of the smudges and streaks.
7. Do step 2 in the same manner. Apply with buffer, remove by hand using spray detailer.

Do not buff the wax out in a circular manner. Go in straight lines.

Like most things with cars, you'll get a million different opinions. Again, that's just how I did it.

[Blk Mamba]

How much beer do I have to buy?

[CKMustangCobra]

I should be W/W my Marauder with this kit in the next week sometime.

[fastblackmerc]

I'm going to do mine this week. Is there anything special you had to do or can I just follow the directions on the box?

Yes, just follow the directions on the box.

I did mine last Saturday and it really turned out GREAT! Well worth the time & $'s!

[fastblackmerc]

The directions on the box suck.

Here's what I did...

1. Wash and dry car.
2. Find a spot that is, for the most part, shady. Not a ghetto. I mean, a shady spot as in "covered in shade" as provided by trees! :D
3. Mentally dissect the car into sections. I did as follows...hood/front bumper, roof, trunk/back bumper, left side, right side.
4. Using a buffer, apply the product in the bottle marked "Step 1" to one section of the car and let dry to haze as you would with normal wax.
5. Remove half of the Step 1 with a towel, leaving some of it on the car. Don't worry about streaks or smudges.
6. Spray the black spray detailer (included) on the vehicle, then wipe off with a different towel. This will take care of 99% of the smudges and streaks.
7. Do step 2 in the same manner. Apply with buffer, remove by hand using spray detailer.

Do not buff the wax out in a circular manner. Go in straight lines.

Like most things with cars, you'll get a million different opinions. Again, that's just how I did it.

Here are the directions I followed:

http://www.turtlewaxblackbox.com/appprocess.aspx

[a_d_a_m]

How much beer do I have to buy? Buy a 12-pack and the wax and I'll pick up a couple new buffer bonnets, and we'll get it done.

[W4LTD]

So does it actually fill in the nicks and scratches?

[a_d_a_m]

Yes.
Not all of them, but a good amount of them.

Case in point...a couple weeks ago I was cruising with Tony and a couple other cars, and noticed that I inherited a DEEP scratch in the rear bumper cover behind the drivers' side tire.

Hit it with Meg's cleaner wax and busted it down to see where I was, and sure as hell, it was through the paint.

Hit it with a heavy dose of Black Box and it covered it right up. Get close, and you can still see it, but the only time anyone should ever be looking at my car that closely is when it's on a lift and you're standing right under it...

[W4LTD]

That's awesome! I have the kit in my trunk, but have been putting it off as I rarely drive it and had it polymer-sealed about 3 weeks ago. I think it's time to break out the Black Box. The cleaner the car, the more nicks and scratches show up...

[a_d_a_m]

Be patient with it...it doesn't go as quickly as regular wax...

[W4LTD]

Be patient with it...it doesn't go as quickly as regular wax...

I shall -- your's came out great!

[justbob]

Glad it all worked out for you too Adam. I too said "this sucks!" when I tried it MY way. But when you do it the right way it gives off a wonderful finish. The only difference I did was I used the buffer (foam pad) to assist in the take off of step one. It took two weeks off and on to do mine but I was not in a rush. I averaged about 30-45 minutes per panel and an hour for hood, and same for the roof.

I also highly recommend this product as it will help conceal many years of swirls and scratches, just take adams advice on using it.

[WESTTXPATRIOT]

i love the black box. i use it everytime i really get to "clean" the car. its a lot of work but the car looks great. even down here in the dusty desert it shines.

[a_d_a_m]

The only difference I did was I used the buffer (foam pad) to assist in the take off of step one
The first few times I used a buffer, I had HORRIBLE results doing this. It kept swirling. So I stopped doing it, BUT...lots of people seem to have awesome results removing wax with a buffer.

One of these days I will get courageous and do it...but it won't be to my car! :eek:

[LeoVampire]

Yes it is a lot of work because it is a 3 stage wax system but the end outcome is awsome.

Part 1 is a liquid cleaner wax you use after you wash it.

Part 2 is a liquid glaze wax.

Part 3 is a hard paste wax.

The water beads off of the car without a rework for a year or better but I never test to see how long it lasts as I do it once a year come Spring time.

I use their back to Black for all the rubber trim that the sun fade's out over time like around the tail light's and the Moonroof as well as the front license plate holder and the plastic part of the side mirrors.

I use their Buillet polish for the tail pipe's and their Aluminum Polish for the rim's.

Needless to say this is a serious all day affair with all that polishing but only having to do the body once a year is definatly worth it. I just use their detail spray when I take the car someplace to show off which can be used on any part of the car.

And for the seat's I use the Lexol Leather Cleaner and their conditioner which is a must product for anyone who has leather jacket's and or seat's. Dosn't allow cracking or discoloration.

Granted when all is said and done this add's up to a lot of money and work but hey isn't our car's worth it?

[96fleetwood]

I finished the Black Box treatment on the Marauder and Fleetwood this past weekend... the results: WOW :D

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0699.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0711.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0714.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0715.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0716.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0717.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0805.jpg

[96fleetwood]

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0746.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0725.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0737.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0738.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0739.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0740.jpg
http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0743.jpg


I highly recommend it if you have the time and patience!

Take care,
Elias

[CBT]

This thing is a rolling work of art, it looks like you stole it from the Presidential motorcade. It gives me the bonerz.


I finished the Black Box treatment on the Marauder and Fleetwood this past weekend... the results: WOW :D

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa306/96fleetwood/IMG_0699.jpg

[96fleetwood]

This thing is a rolling work of art, it looks like you stole it from the Presidential motorcade. It gives me the bonerz.

Haha, thanks! I see you are from Hampton; I am originally from Virginia Beach.. our cars are still registered in VA.. I don't want to get a Illinois license yet.

[CBT]

Haha, thanks! I see you are from Hampton; I am originally from Virginia Beach.. our cars are still registered in VA.. I don't want to get a Illinois license yet.

GTFO! I'm originally from Chicago! What made you move up there?

[96fleetwood]

GTFO! I'm originally from Chicago! What made you move up there?

My wife and I are doing our residency at Hinsdale Hospital.

[CBT]

My wife and I are doing our residency at Hinsdale Hospital.

Spooky, I was there last month!! Visiting my Grandad, he's better now.

[TAKEDOWN]

Haha, thanks! I see you are from Hampton; I am originally from Virginia Beach.. our cars are still registered in VA.. I don't want to get a Illinois license yet.

Be proud to be a Windy City Marauder!!!

[Brian H]

worked great for me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tomd]

One car wash so far and it is still holding up. Pictures are here

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52030&page=6

NOW 4 car washes and still looks good 7/16/09! Seems like it's just starting to wear off NO swril marks yet.
Still looks good 8/29/09

[cpprice]

http://www.blackmagicshine.com/wet-shine-liquid-wax.php