Polished Bliss

If there is an optimal colour group to work with in the world of car care, then dark metallic/pearlescent colours has to be it. Not only do such colours easily yield highly reflective, incredibly wet looking finishes with terrific clarity and depth, but they are also fairly forgiving and far easier to maintain than solid dark colours. Unsurprisingly, it is not difficult to achieve an excellent finish on such colours, and most last step products will produce good results. However, we believe it is always better to work with the characteristics of the paint rather than against them, and for this reason we recommend using a synthetic sealant basecoat topped with natural carnauba wax layers as the protective system on dark metallic/pearlescent colours. This is because the sealant basecoat cross-links to form an exceptionally smooth, highly dense surface layer that enhances reflectivity and flake pop, while the subsequent layers of natural carnauba wax maximise colour intensity and gloss. The overall effect of this two stage approach is to produce a beautifully balanced finish that enhances the look of the metallic/pearlescent flake whilst simultaneously jetting the base colour. In our opinion, there is little point paying extra for a metallic/pearlescent colour unless you are going to properly show it off in this way!

Our favourite sealant and wax combination for producing optimal results on dark metallic/pearlescent colours is a basecoat of Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection topped with multiple coats of Blackfire Midnight Sun Ivory Carnauba Paste Wax. Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection delivers an intense wet looking shine with excellent reflectivity, and sharpens up the look of metallic/pearlescent colours brilliantly. Further benefits afforded by Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection include terrific ease of use and excellent durability, which makes it ideal for use as a basecoat for subsequent layers of Blackfire Midnight Sun Ivory Carnauba Paste Wax. The addition of multiple layers of Blackfire Midnight Sun Ivory Carnauba Paste Wax over a basecoat of Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection adds a rippling liquidity and intense vibrancy to dark metallic/pearlescent colours that is on par with the finish produced by bespoke high-end waxes costing thousands of pounds; it is a deeply impressive product that has few, if any, serious rivals at the same price point. If your budget is too small to stretch to the Blackfire combination outlined above, then an excellent second choice is a basecoat of Poorboys EX-P Sealant topped with multiple layers of Poorboys Natty's Paste Wax Blue. This duo delivers a rich, warm looking finish with a high level of gloss and no muting of the metallic/pearlescent flake, and offers excellent value for money.

Given the above, here is the optimal routine and products we recommend for use on dark metallic/pearlescent colours (assuming all work is to be done by hand)...

Wash (ideally every week)

Advanced Car Wash Kit - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...-kit-wash.html (choosing the Blackfire shampoo)

Decontaminate (once or twice a year, spring and autumn are the best times)

Step 1 - Autosmart Tardis & Accessories (to remove tar spots, tree sap, etc) - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...dis-clean.html

Step 2 - Meguiars Quik Clay Kit (to remove industrial fallout, soot, etc) - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...kit-clean.html

Polish (after claying, thus done once or twice a year)

To correct swirl marks and other light to moderate defects (fine scratches and etching) on your car, we recommend a two stage process starting with Menzerna 203S in conjunction with Lake Country German CCS Light Cut Pads. Working small areas at a time using moderate pressure should enable you to correct a reasonable amount of the defects present in just 1-2 attempts per panel. Any remaining defects should then be partially hidden and the overall finish refined with Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish in conjunction with Lake Country German CCS Polishing Pads. Working small areas at a time using light pressure should enable you to partially hide any remaining defects and maximise the gloss in just a single attempt per panel. You should be aware from the outset that although this method will yield very good results, it will require a reasonable amount of elbow grease!

Menzerna 203S - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...3s-polish.html
Blackfire Gloss Enhancing Polish - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...sh-polish.html
Lake Country German CCS Pads - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...ds-polish.html
Poorboys Super Thick & Plush Towels - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...el-polish.html

Protect (apply a fresh coat at least every 3 months)

Blackfire Wet Diamond All Finish Paint Protection - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...n-protect.html
Blackfire Ultimate LSP Applicator Pad - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...d-protect.html
Luxury Deep Pile Buffing Towel - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...l-protect.html

Of course, if you are feeling flush and want to take the quality of the final finish further, you could always add Blackfire Midnight Sun Paste Wax over the top - this will add extra wetness and gloss, and can be bought either on its own or as part of a kit, details here for the wax...

Blackfire Midnight Sun Paste Wax - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...x-protect.html
Blackfire Ultimate LSP Applicator Pad - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...d-protect.html
Luxury Deep Pile Buffing Towel - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...l-protect.html

...and here for the full Blackfire kit...

Blackfire Wet Ice over Fire Shine Kit - http://www.polishedbliss.co.uk/acata...t-protect.html

Here are some pictures showing the finish the above products/routine gives on dark metallic/pearlescent colours, in order to give you some idea in advance...