What did you do to your Blackwing today?

[marcmac]

Wheels specs/details please!

19x10 et20, 19x11 et50, gloss black.

Got them from Precision Forged Wheels.

 

[TexasHawkeye]

New wheels and a stainless works catback instView attachment 33536View attachment 33537View attachment 33538View attachment 33539View attachment 33540

That’s one of the best looking 5BW I have ever seen. Love the hood — as it should be.

 

[Roadhawk]

That’s one of the best looking 5BW I have ever seen. Love the hood — as it should be.

Have to agree - super sharp all around.

 

[schernov]

Center console carbon fiber trim cracked right below the shifter (MT). Got it replaced under warranty. Took two tries. First replacement came damaged from GM (took 2 weeks), but then they overnighted new one. New trim a bit darker but looks great.

 

[xnifex]

Did the free first service at 3100 miles on the bw. They didn't do a tire rotation & said it's not needed since it would just swap from left to right.

I plan on doing my own oil changes from here on out since it seems to be pretty easy on these cars.

 

[wfdeacon88]

23 4BW 6MT w/ 24K miles. Did an oil change but also opted to go ahead and get a transmission fluid change at the dealer earlier this week. 2nd gear was not very smooth, especially when cold.. they said it was pretty dark. After a few days, I think the transmission fluid change was a great choice. Gears and shifting seem much easier and smoother. I know it's pretty early for that service, but I think it was a good call.

 

[CB34]

Finally mounted Pilot Alpins PA4!

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What sizes did you get?

 

[tmc]

Gave her the first bath.

The black looks SO good when clean; but with the incredibly hard water we have, its a PITA to wash. I need a new washing process :-/

 

[1Evil55]

Look into the RO systems from the online detail suppliers. Or install a water softener for the house. Your appliances will thank you later.

 

[wfdeacon88]

Gave her the first bath.

The black looks SO good when clean; but with the incredibly hard water we have, its a PITA to wash. I need a new washing process :-/

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You might already do this, and kinda needs ceramic coating to work, but I do the foam cannon (car pro reset), rinse, foam again (CPR again), careful contact wash, thorough rinse, then leaf blow the shit out of the water immediately... Gets it 95% dry without risking marring or water spots. Then dab dry/detail spray anything missed.

 

[tmc]

Look into the RO systems from the online detail suppliers. Or install a water softener for the house. Your appliances will thank you later.

I actually just scheduled an estimate to get one installed. But my understanding is a water softener replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium. It doesn't lower the TDS.... If I get a DI system for washing, the softener doesn't extend the filter media life.

Maybe sodium doesn't leave the stains calcium does?

I only just started researching all of this

 

[tmc]

You might already do this, and kinda needs ceramic coating to work, but I do the foam cannon (car pro reset), rinse, foam again (CPR again), careful contact wash, thorough rinse, then leaf blow the shit out of the water immediately... Gets it 95% dry without risking marring or water spots. Then dab dry/detail spray anything missed.

That was the process I tried to do, but in the sun it was drying SO FAST, it was a losing battle.

I am looking into putting on a ceramic coat. I've do rims in the past, but not an entire car. The paint correction part is intimidating.

 

[wfdeacon88]

That was the process I tried to do, but in the sun it was drying SO FAST, it was a losing battle.

I am looking into putting on a ceramic coat. I've do rims in the past, but not an entire car. The paint correction part is intimidating.

View attachment 33676

Ohhh absolutely don't try that in the sun! I try to get that done before 8am in the summer, or after 8pm in the evening... When the car is cool to touch.

One more thing to note, ceramic coatings make drying and washing so much easier... However, they don't prevent water spots, they likely make them etch easier IF water stands and it's hot/sunny. So while it's great to protecting the clear coat, washing easier, etc... you'll freak the hell out if you get water spots because then you risk having to do another correction and coating if they are etched really bad. If I had hard water, I would probably stick to a nice ceramic sealant applied monthly just so I didn't have to worry about ruining a coating.

 

[tmc]

Ohhh absolutely don't try that in the sun! I try to get that done before 8am in the summer, or after 8pm in the evening... When the car is cool to touch.

One more thing to note, ceramic coatings make drying and washing so much easier... However, they don't prevent water spots, they likely make them etch easier IF water stands and it's hot/sunny. So while it's great to protecting the clear coat, washing easier, etc... you'll freak the hell out if you get water spots because then you risk having to do another correction and coating if they are etched really bad. If I had hard water, I would probably stick to a nice ceramic sealant applied monthly just so I didn't have to worry about ruining a coating.

Yeah, learned that the hard way. My previous blackwing was white so it was really tolerant (hid it well?) to being washed in the sun.... I spent a lot of time today watching the shadows from my house trying to plan my next washing

I did apply Griots 3-in-1 after the wash. Hopefully that helps a touch.

 

[wfdeacon88]

Yeah, learned that the hard way. My previous blackwing was white so it was really tolerant (hid it well?) to being washed in the sun.... I spent a lot of time today watching the shadows from my house trying to plan my next washing

I did apply Griots 3-in-1 after the wash. Hopefully that helps a touch.

Ah yes I've hunted shadows many times!

 

[KatyTxCT5V]

I actually just scheduled an estimate to get one installed. But my understanding is a water softener replaces calcium and magnesium with sodium. It doesn't lower the TDS.... If I get a DI system for washing, the softener doesn't extend the filter media life.

Maybe sodium doesn't leave the stains calcium does?

I only just started researching all of this

You’re correct, a DI system is what you need to help avoid water spots when you have hard water. I’ve been using a 1cf DI filter mounted on a dolly that I roll out to hook up to my Kranzle electric pressure washer. I used this set up since April 2021 on white to black vehicles with zero water spots. I wash all 5 vehicles once to twice a month and my DI media normally lasts two years. I just received another 1cf DI media as I’m changing later this month.

All my vehicles are ceramic coated and all glass is coated with Gtechniq G1 clearvision. After the final wash, I can quickly use my Metro blower to blow dry each vehicle quickly with almost zero surface touching to help avoid swirling. I also love drying the brake discs and wheels quickly.

Good luck!