Regrets buying a black Tundra?

So after a month or so of owning a black Tundra or any black vehicle, it’s made me realize that keeping this clean is going to to be a losing battle.
My previous 2 trucks in MGM were super easy and rarely got waxed, and could go weeks without a wash down here in Southern California.
I have so many little scratches now, that I have no idea how they got there. Already there’s more scratches in a month than my previous 2 trucks combined over the years.
I’ve polished, waxed, buffed and it seems like every time I wash it more show up. I’m hand washing by the way and using quality plush clean and new micro fiber towels. Am I just being too OCD?
Anyone have any tips or products the recommend?

 

love mine
nothing shines more than a clean black truck

 

Got mine three days ago. Knew what I was getting into with the color, but it looks so good clean.

 

Should have gone with white

 

I agree! Nothing shows more than swirl marks and scratches on a black truck in the sunshine as well haha.

 

Had a black 89 Nissan hardbody. Looked great after washing it. Next day, every bit of dirt, small scratches, etc shows up big time. Never own a black vehicle again.

 

I know, same here. I just spent waaaay too long today detailing it today though. I hope you have enough free time!

 

I have no idea what you’re talking about. This is nothing but White Tundra propaganda.

 

When, I bought mine there was a white one next to it and those were the choices.. The black got me.

 

I owned a black vehicle once and vowed to never do it again. I'm way too anal for it. It's the best looking color when clean but good luck keeping it clean.

My suggestion is to invest in a lot of detailing equipment and wash it weekly.

 

Too late to swap?

 

Daily

 

I’ve been washing it weekly and have spent at least a couple hundred bucks on detailing products. It’s kind of a relaxing in a way, and rewarding in the end, but I know there’s gonna be a time when I say f@$! it.

 

I would never own a black vehicle unless it was a garage queen. Even my blue truck is a darker color than I want but I got too good of a deal to pass up.
You could look into paint protection film (PPF), clear vinyl wrap, and ceramic coatings to help a little bit.

 

My previous tundra was black. Was hoping to get something else but the price was to good to pass up. And man it looks good clean.

 

I installed 2 swing cases in the bed, and ones full of detailing stufff‍♂️

 

I’m using a ceramic wax that was recommended, that works well and goes on easy, but I just can’t understand where all the little scratches are coming from.

 

To be honest, I’ve never had a truck or any vehicle where multiple times daily, people come up to me and compliment it, or I see people stare at me checking it out. I’ve even seen people walking up to it and taking pictures haha.
It definitely stands out.

 

I traded a grey 2016 Tacoma Sport 4x4 and a blue 2016 4Runner limited for this truck, so I feel you on the blue.

 

Black is not a color, it's a lifestyle choice.

 

Once you go black?...

 

... you can't let it get dirty.

 

Buy a truck cover and use it when truck is parked.

 

They must be coming from either wash mit or drying towels. I used 2 buckets when I wash, one with soap and the other water to rinse the mits, both buckets have grit guards. I also use 4 wash mits for each wash, trying to avoid using the same side of one mit more than one pass on the pain, other than the rocker panels and other low areas. I also use separate mits for the roof, wheel wells, tires, bumpers, and glass.
Some guys use the 2 bucket method and about 20 MF towels to avoid using any towel more than once, that's a good idea and cheap enough.
Blow drying helps a lot to decrease scratching, or getting a DI water system so you don't need to dry at all. If you must use a towel to dry, use really good ones that can dry an area with a single pass. I prefer griots pfm drying towels.
Its gonna be a never ending battle but I hope these tips help somewhat.
Oh and a true ceramic coating like carpro quartz is harder than Toyota clear coat so it can prevent some scratches. It is not a scratch proof coating but something that will scratch the clear coat may not cause a scratch on the ceramic.

 

Lol that is my new favorite GIF hahaha

 

My Tundra is my first Black vehicle . I am sure it has way more scratches than yours from branches and what not. I have buffed and waxed and done it all. Even sprayed a particularly large scuff with a mixed spray can and buffed the overspray. I still love it. Sometimes I see lots of scratches and most times it looks flawless and great. I have noticed a lot depends upon the direction and type Of light.
I use “Bead Maker” and have not gone back to other products except 3M Finesse once a year and to clean up new Blemishes once in a while.
Regardless, Black is my preference. LOL. I married her and still see the beauty through her flaws. I don’t think I would ever go through the expense of painting it, because I would be feeling your pain and frustration all over again.

 

Man, I have been buying micro fiber towels by bulk and using them only once for the truck, and pretty much the same methods you described. Even the blow drying.. I’m sure I’ll get it down.

 

Thanks man. You’re in PDX? I’m from Seattle, and if I was still there or anywhere in the PNW, there’s no way I’d ever have gotten black!

 

Do you do that? I don’t want to get too crazy with it. I’m just gonna have to get use to it.
There’s a guy that works at a Chevron station down the street from me that has a Mustang that he puts a cover on and takes up 2 spots and places cones around it when he’s working.
I don’t want to become that guy.

 

The way the light hits it, definitely has a lot to do with the visibility of the swirls and marks for sure. Then looking from another angle it looks like a mirror.
It’s weird paint they used, and has a bluish speckled look in the light.