Maintenance of a White Car

[CraigW]

First of all, apologies that this is quite a specific subject. As some of you may be aware I test drove a pure white GTI last week and was 100% convinced that the car looks fantastic in that colour, particularly from the front. Hence, I decided to order the pure white.

However, I have always had black cars in the past and this time I was determined not to go with black because I know that they are a killer to keep clean. Plus the swirl marks and the high visibility of stone chips was infuriating.

My question is how easy is it to maintain a white car on a week to week basis? In particular i'm thinking about the build up of tar and also the lousy weather during the winter (especially up North) meaning the car constantly looks filthy.

I am constantly swaying backwards and forwards in my mind about black v white so really looking for some reassurance from you guys that have owned white cars that I have made the right decision. Apart from those two colours, there is no other colour that I would choose.           

Thanks guys

[Ginge 35Edition]

Easy as long as you keep on top of it. The question is how committed are you?

[JoeGTI]

You've made the right choice. I've had a MK6 GTD in white, almost 2 years old and it looks as good as when it came out of the factory... It's super easy to mind and maintain compared to dark metallics. Whether its plain luck or super resilience, I don't even have a stone chip! One or 2 mild scratches but barely visible against the white paint.

Tar is a problem though alright in the winter if you don't keep on top of it. The rear hatch in particular gets covered in it in the winter months! Seems to suck tar up on the rear like a dyson  A good quality tar remover and Iron X for metallic deposits is needed.

I was reliably informed when I purchased that expensive waxes are of little benefit on white. Instead, get a good sealant. Far more effective, my car absolutely gleams with minimal effort. Swirls and minor marks just don't show on white like they do on dark shades.

This is why I'm sticking with white for my soon to arrive MK7!

[CraigW]

I would say i'm quite committed to keeping a clean car but i'm by no means into massive detailing. I tend to wash my current car once a week although occasionally you just don't have the time, but I would never let it go for any longer than two weeks. I use the two bucket method to wash and will wax the car probably only twice a year.

That's good to know Joe. With those products does the tar come off fairly easily?

[JoeGTI]

Yes, very easily. I've used tardis tar remover (but any will do) and a quick spray, leave to soak for a few mins and wipe off. Really easy, and with white, your efforts are easily apparent! You'll easily tell if you've missed a spot or two.
White won't show up dust in the summer like black would either.

[CraigW]

Yes, very easily. I've used tardis tar remover (but any will do) and a quick spray, leave to soak for a few mins and wipe off. Really easy, and with white, your efforts are easily apparent! You'll easily tell if you've missed a spot or two.
White won't show up dust in the summer like black would either.

Thanks Joe. This has put my mind at ease 

[Sootchucker]

Agree with Tardis, superb tar remover. That and Iron-X will pretty much remove most of the fall out. Swirls and cobwebing will still appear (inevitable even with good washing technique) , but on white it's MUCH harder to see that than on darker coloured cars.

Then a good LSP. My preferred choice for white is the Werkstat polymer trio of Prime, Acrylic Jett and Glos. really easy to apply. Start with prime to fully cleanse the car. Then a couple of coats of Acrylic Jett (pretty much spray on, wipe off). Then after normal washing, top up with Glos (also a spray).

The main thing about the the Werkstat system, is that because it doesn't contain Carnauba wax, it doesn't yellow the paintwork over time - keeps it brilliant white.

[Gryzor]

White is a very easy colour to keep looking nice, certainly compared to black, which shows up the slightest bit of dirt and swirl marks. If you are the kind of person who buys all manner of "specialist" products to clean their car, you'll be fine!  Personally, I only ever use a modest car shampoo, microfibre cloths, and soft bathroom scouters for gentle removal of stuff like tar.  Car still looks great.

[Hawaii-Five-O]

I was reliably informed when I purchased that expensive waxes are of little benefit on white. Instead, get a good sealant. Far more effective, my car absolutely gleams with minimal effort.

JoeGTI: Its a shame to hear that as I use a fantastic quality carnauba wax at the moment and was going to lavish the new car when it arrives. Bit of a concern to hear it could turn my paint slightly yellow with prolonged use.

When would you apply the sealant? And why would you recommend that over a quality, carnauba wax?

I'm happy to read that white is much lower maintenance than dark colours

[JonnyG]

White is much better than black for not showing swirls etc.  and much easier to keep looking good as long as you wash it fairly often (depending on mileage).

I've owned both black and white cars long term and do a fair bit of detailing.  For Mrs G's white car all I've needed to keep it in tip top condition is a tar remover, some Autoglym SRP and some Gtechniq C2v3.

The C2v3 is a very easily applied nano-sealant which dilutes with water and can be sprayed onto a wet car before drying - it really is that easy ... takes 5 minute longer to wash and dry your car.  It also works well on Glass and alloys.  Most people who try it never go back ... so at £6 for a small bottle I'd give a try 

It protects your white paint from UV too, which is very important over the long term with white paint.

http://gtechniq.com/shop/3s-for-cars/exterior-coatings/c2v3-liquid-crystal/

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/accessories-tyres/44591/gtechniq-c2-qd-spray

Gtechniq produce some great stuff and The Force India Formula 1 team use Gtechniq EXO.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=545984702087812&set=a.291588417527443.76532.267477343271884&type=1&theater

The tar remover (I use Tardis) and SRP are only required after tar spots have built up.

Here's my Mrs two year old Megane after two Winters behind it after using Gtechniq C2