Best decision ever? Verdant Green

[Lucaboy]

One of the best car decisions I have ever made was buying the Emira. It’s a joy to drive and an even greater one to look at.

My personal opinion was blue, red and yellow are all outstanding choices but for me a bit to bold. The verdant green is a stunning colour, almost black in dim lights and a sparkle of green that is distinctive when it catches sunlight. However, the paint is soft and I think due to aerodynamics a dirt sponge, it is a bloody nightmare to keep clean. I am therefore very worried about over washing and causing swirls.

Does anyone who owns the same colour have any top tips on retaining the finish or is PPF the only answer

 

[Nick in Sydney]

I loved Verdant Green, but after seeing the swirls and micro scratches on an Emira at the dealer, I decided that it would be too hard to keep looking good and my OCD would drive me mad.

Suspect PPF is your best option. I'd make sure it gets a good stage 1 polish before wrapping.

 

[netsinah]

Like any dark coloured vehicle, it’ll readily show dust/dirt and require more frequent cleaning to look ++good. Consider talking to an experienced/reputable detailer on what to use/do, to clean effectively w/o causing swirls. It takes extra effort/time, but it’s doable: after properly washing it down with proper cleaning solution and rinsing (all touchless), you use proper clean microfibre cloths (the Costco cloths are OK), carefully folded after each use to expose up to eight sides of each cloth, and folded to eliminate one side once it shows ANY sign of dirt, moving the cloth slowly and in one direction on each paint area. You do this while spraying on a good cleaning solution: removing it while wet with the microfibre cloth, then quickly drying it with a dry microfibre cloth. It’s best to have this explained while you imitate what the detailer does, so you learn correct technique.

If ++fussy, you do this on PPF/ceramic as well, since you can mar the PPF/ceramic surface too if you’re not careful. The goal is to avoid pressing dirt/grit/dust on the paint surface with the cloth, which is what causes swirls.

You can wash the microfibre cloths after use, but don’t throw them in a dryer after, since that will “melt” the fibres and harden them, creating an abrasive surface when used again. Err on the side of caution and discard (or relegate to the "rag bin") any suspect cloth right away once you've washed it, instead of reusing it.

If fussy, consider taking your car to a detailer before cleaning it yourself. Your dealer may have already created swirls when cleaning the car or the car came with factory paint flaws, and with paint correction (a whole new subject) the detailer can fix them, so you’re off to a good start with your own cleaning. You can do your own paint correction, but again there are proper steps to follow and I’d rather leave that up to a detailer.

I gained more respect over the years and after several vehicles (some of them black) for what GOOD detailers do, to earn their money.

Note: what I've described isn't for everyone; only those who are OCD about their car appearance. That said, my spouse who's decidedly not into cars, washed my (now 8 year old) black Mercedes and she commented on all its paint swirls. Of course they were more visible, with her washing it outdoors in bright sunlight. I obsess more about my sport cars, than my winter vehicles, so didn't worry about how I cleaned the Mercedes.

There are likely other methods of avoiding paint swirls than what I've described above, but that was what I was taught by my detailer. I suspect there are YouTube instructional videos about both cleaning and paint correction. Good luck!

 

[virtualmacho]

It will depend on your tolerance of swirls. Full PPF works for me.

 

[Beachbum]

Just drive the damn thing !!!
The moment you start to drive it, its dirty again anyway

 

[virtualmacho]

All too true!

 

[Lucaboy]

Like any dark coloured vehicle, it’ll readily show dust/dirt and require more frequent cleaning to look ++good. Consider talking to an experienced/reputable detailer on what to use/do, to clean effectively w/o causing swirls. It takes extra effort/time, but it’s doable: after properly washing it down with proper cleaning solution and rinsing (all touchless), you use proper clean microfibre cloths (the Costco cloths are OK), carefully folded after each use to expose up to eight sides of each cloth, and folded after showing ANY sign of dirt, moving the cloth slowly and in one direction on each paint area. You do this while spraying on a good cleaning solution: removing it while wet with the microfibre cloth, then quickly drying it with a dry microfibre cloth. It’s best to have this explained while you imitate what the detailer does, so you learn correct technique.

If ++fussy, you do this on PPF/ceramic as well, since you can mar the PPF/ceramic surface too if you’re not careful. The goal is to avoid pressing dirt/grit/dust on the paint surface with the cloth, which is what causes swirls.

You can wash the microfibre cloths after use, but don’t throw them in a drier after, since that will “melt” the fibres and harden them, creating an abrasive surface when used again. Err on the side of caution and discard any suspect cloth right away, instead of reusing it.

If fussy, consider taking your car to a detailer before cleaning it yourself. Your dealer may have already created swirls or the car came with factory paint flaws, and with paint correction (a whole new subject) the detailer can fix them, so you’re off to a good start with your own cleaning. You can do your own paint correction, but again there are proper steps to follow and I’d rather leave that up to a detailer.

I gained more respect over the years and after several vehicles (some of them black) for what GOOD detailers do, to earn their money.

There are likely other ways, but that was what I was taught by my detailer. I suspect there are YouTube instructional videos about both cleaning and paint correction. Good luck!

Great and detailed explanation. Thanks for this

 

[djprov431]

I also own (as of 11/2) own his most awesome color -- and coming from a matte colored Mercedes, this is a joy (I'll never own matte again). I gave the car it's first wash yesterday using my foam gun, microfiber wash mit, and microfiber drying towels (after using leaf blower to get most of the water off). Not a single swirl. I didn't PPF my AMG and don't plan to PPF the Emia either - and trust me, I'm OCD. Try to enjoy it more and not let things that are easy to control ruin the experience for you. I most certainly agree that the dark color shows the dirt, I noticed more so in the rear vent area behind the tires.....oh well, she's still a looker!

 

[tarta]

I used to have British racing green Elise and black Esprit.
I’ve never use machine wash.
I washed my car by myself or ask professional.
Actually there was no problems.

And then, I ordered dark verdant Emira and waiting it.
I will collect it on 26 Jan.
^_^

 

[tnbuilder]

You will need PPF. Mine is DV and I did PPF on all but the back bumper. Install guy wanted me to get new LOTUS letters so we could put them on after the PPF. I always use great care when washing the car and when drying. The back bumper still has gotten slight swirls/ marks. If how I clean the car cannot prevent this, then it is just a matter of time. At some point I will get the rear done...but at 8 degrees car just is sitting anyway for now.

 

[tarta]

PPF in japan is quite expensive.
I gave up on PPF.
After the car gets swirls or marks, I will ask professional to remove them.
I think that’s cheaper than PPF.

 

[djprov431]

Update... touch less wash and air / microfiber dry are a must. I also have buffed the car twice, which is the only way to get rid of any swirls that slip by. I'm really trying not to ppf, but I've also landed a few small rock chips on each rear quarter and lower door skirt. Maybe ppf is inevitable, then I can not care as much!

 

[B r I a n]

A ceramic coating is more than fine to keep swirls to a minimum.
I am not a fan of PPF.

 

[tarta]

Thanks all.
I have already ordered ceramic coating on my DV emira.
What I most worry about is chipping front glass by tiny rocks.
For this issue, If my car gets rocks at front glass, I’ll ask professional to repair glass by using resin something.

 

[frazzer]

I have ppf on the windscreen - kept it chip free so far.