We just received this question for a DI blog reader, and it’s actually quite a common question:

Just bought a Grand Cherokee SRT8 (black). What is the best polish or wax for black paint?

Thanks for submitting your question, and I can imagine that there are black car owners frantically reading through this already who are on the edges of their seats waiting for the answer.

And the answer is…there is no “best” for black paint!

I know that all of you black car owners are now feeling mistreated, deceived, and pulled in for a bait and switch, but let me explain my answer a bit

There are different types of paint, different shades of black, and many different products out there…not to mention that one person’s definition of “best” will vary from the next person.

As for polishes, the paint can range from ultra-soft (BMW Jet Black for instance) to ultra-hard (Audi) so you’ll need a polish that best suits the needs of the individual vehicle. And it also varies on whether you’re polishing by hand, by Porter Cable, or by rotary. As you can imagine, there are many different possibilities and combinations depending on the situation.

And for waxes or sealants, there are also other variables at play as well. If it’s really soft paint, you want something that goes on and comes back off with very little effort to avoid potential marring of the surface. To some, ease of use is paramount, while others are willing to give up a little ease of use if it comes down to performance of a product. And speaking of performance, there’s the question of what performance you may be looking for…are you interested more in looks and are willing to compromise on durability, then you may choose one product. If durability is your biggest concern, then you’d choose another product.

Unfortunately there are just too many variables to simply say that product x or product y is best because each vehicle and individual’s wants and needs are different.

For me personally, I like to use a sealant on black cars (including my own black car) because they’re straightforward and easy to use.  If I had more time available to me for frequent applications, then I would go with a paste wax.

So consider the following:

• Do you prefer best possible looks, or is durability your biggest concern? Or perhaps you want to meet somewhere in the middle?
• Do you mind a product that may have a bit of a learning curve, or do you want absolute ease of use?
• Do you have a budget?
• For polishing, will you be doing it by hand, by D/A, or by rotary?
• What kind of paint do you have (soft, medium, hard)?

So basically you need to sit down and figure out what’s most important to you, and what exactly your wants and needs are and narrow down your selection from there.

I hope this helps.

Todd Cooperider