Is BLACK paint really that hard to take care of?

[Troll]

So, the cheapo Lightning got me thinking. It's black. I know a lot of you peeps here have black vehicles (and nice ones, too). I have always been of the old school thinking... "black's too hard to keep clean"... "black gets ugly swirl marks"... "black shows all the dirt"... blah blah blah.

Is it really that much harder to keep nice? Obviously, it will show more dirt and it will take slightly more effort, but is it really that bad???

Keep in mind, I'm not a professional detailer. I'm capable of washing and waxing with regular Eagle One or Maguires. I'm not going to do the 2-day, 6-step process.

Any thoughts, opinions, ideas or general flaming is appreciated.

[Martin0660]

"black's too hard to keep clean"... "black gets ugly swirl marks"... "black shows all the dirt"...:

Nailed it! all of the above.

Is it really that much harder to keep nice?:

Yes! Every time it rains on it, every time it's a little dusty, then gets dew, every time you look at it, it needs freaking washed. Even when washed, if you dont fully dry it, more freaking spots.

Obviously, it will show more dirt and it will take slightly more effort, but is it really that bad????

Yes! I hate my black car, really do. When it's clean, it freaking kills, but keeping it that way kills me.

Keep in mind, I'm not a professional detailer. I'm capable of washing and waxing with regular Eagle One or Maguires. I'm not going to do the 2-day, 6-step process.:

If you buy a black vehicle, and want it to look nice, you will become a damn detailer.

Any thoughts, opinions, ideas or general flaming is appreciated.

Avoid black cars / trucks if at all possible unless you really like washing / waxing. I have gone as far as considering two toning my car from a body line up to make the flat surfaces easier to keep nice.

I'm not bitter, but kill me if I ever buy another black car / truck

[u1arunit]

Bob pretty much nailed it! Either you leave it covered in the garage or it's dirty. No in-between..

[94svtcobra]

Black looks so damn sexy when its clean, it does show more dirt than some colors, but when its polished up, imo you can't beat it

[Troll]

WOW! OK, F that. I'm too freaking lazy for that chit.

[97LaserRed]

black sux!! my z is black looks good clean but nasty majority of the time

[crazylou]

shoe car thumbs up , daily driver thumbs down alot of up keeping... my bro has 69 chevelle 24yr old black laqure paint job looks awsome but a big chore 2 keep up with it...

[Mitternacht]

There were days I didn't even take my Mustang to work because it dewed and then the dew dried, leaving spots all over it. I wash my car 90% of the time before I decide to drive it. It shows everything during the day, but looks killer at night.

[yeahloh95]

i love black but its a pain to keep looking nice

[Stangman701]

Wow, I must be way less picky than you guys. All of my toys with the exception of my bike are black. If you clean it, keep it in the garage, and drive it on nice days(which I assume will probably be the case) then the main thing you'll have to worry about is dust which you can get off with one of those car duster things. The only color I would consider other than black would be DSG. That black L looks bad ass and it seems to be a great deal. I say go for it

[Blackcobraconv]

Bob pretty much nailed it! Either you leave it covered in the garage or it's dirty. No in-between..

U1agarageit knows

[PSPstang]

everyone has to own at least one black car in thier lifetime. thats usually all it takes.:)

[wick]

U1agarageit knows

So does Mr. Trailer... HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA



Anyways, my wife and I have always had black cars. If you stay on top of them they look great. Even in winter.

[laz2447]

My dad always gave me good advice. When I wanted a black car he told me it will look good when its raining and at night...other than that it will look dirty.

It all depends on the person who owns the car though. If you dont care that much than I wouldnt let it stop you. But I learned me lesson, the hard way...

[DMmustangLX]

my gt is black and when its clean its awesome , but then the next day its dirty . i personally don't mind the up keep for a black vehicle, my notch is a reddish orange and it stays pretty clean so i have the best of both worlds

[Slow01GT]

everyone has to own at least one black car in thier lifetime. thats usually all it takes.:)

I don't think I'd buy another black car. It does look great when its clean but if its a daily driver, that won't be very often.

[Inkdcountryboy]

black looks awesome clean.. ive had a few black cars..just a chore...

[Shadowstealth]

There are a couple of good things about black cars.... and there are a lot of bad things about black cars for sure! fords black is good to paint... "UA" is straight black and is easy to match if a car is good, to decently cared for ... you can pretty much panel paint a part if you need to... but if you dont take care of the clear coat on top of the base... it will dye back. the base underneath/clear and make it much harder to paint anything and sadly sometimes... even when you blend other panels.... but that maybe a lil extreme... it happend once at our shop about 8 years ago.. and bc of a new fender blend the pass. door... it didnt match... some guy was lucky to get his whole car painted.......

but a good buff job or polish job and coats of was... will keep it blinging! its just a color that you have to live with and treat it like its a kid... lots of tlc......

[coupeguy_black]

black cars are my favorite.