Attn: midnight black owners. Help requested.

[NCTroutHunter]

I’m looking to purchase a new 200 series. I have stayed away from the black ones, but there are as many black ones as there are others combined. I don’t mind it looking dirty, but I do mind scratches and swirls.

Any regret purchasing black? Any suggestions for keeping the exterior looking good?

 

[Zill]

If you hate seeing micro scratches and swirls, then I would stay away from black. Or plan on investing 5-8k in getting it paint corrected and PPF’d.

 

[stonepa]

I’m looking to purchase a new 200 series. I have stayed away from the black ones, but there are as many black ones as there are others combined. I don’t mind it looking dirty, but I do mind scratches and swirls.

Any regret purchasing black? Any suggestions for keeping the exterior looking good?

Other than the fact that it isn’t red or green, the black is great. Plenty of offroading, shrubs, car washes, etc. and, after 8 years of always sitting outside, paint still looks like new. I clay bar and ceramic coat it twice year. Perfect. Land Cruiser paint is good quality and doesn’t get swirls if taken care of.

 

[stonepa]

If you hate seeing micro scratches and swirls, then I would stay away from black. Or plan on investing 5-8k in getting it paint corrected and PPF’d.

Boy that isn’t my experience at all.

 

[PhuckItImDone]

I've honestly given up on it being pretty, ever.

 

[Sandroad]

I’m looking to purchase a new 200 series. I have stayed away from the black ones, but there are as many black ones as there are others combined. I don’t mind it looking dirty, but I do mind scratches and swirls.

Any regret purchasing black? Any suggestions for keeping the exterior looking good?

Based on your member name and photo, I'll guess you go into some backroads where you'll pick up pin stripes. Those will show on black, but the light ones can be erased with simple products like NuFinish Scratch Doctor. Or, since you don't mind dirty, just keep it dirty and pin stripes will be just part of the patina

 

[kcjaz]

2013. I have waxed at once in 2016. And clay barred it as spray waxed it after LCDC 7 in 2021 (got most of the pinstripes out). I had it professionally detailed and ceramic coated last year after LCDC8. Pics below re before and after. My point here is the paint is tough and minor scratches/pinstripes come out with effort or money even after years of neglect.

 

[PhuckItImDone]

In hindsight I would have vinyl wrapped the truck at the beginning and avoided the damage already done, but now that I'm this deep, I just try to avoid doing any more.

 

[2021 LC200]

I have found on black or very dark blue cars that a black marker pen works great for touching up scratches. Makes them hardly visible from most angles and real easy to do.

 

[CharlieS]

I drive it and don't baby it - I just live with the pinstripes. Vinyl wrap would be great, but is just too costly to justify.

 

[Desert Yeti]

vinyl wrapped mine for $1250

 

[777Gage]

I'd drive to Arizona to pay $1250 for a LC wrap - it'd be 4 times that in SoCal

 

[grinchy]

I have some pinstripes that are thru the clear and black. And plenty of hood rock dings which are down to metal.

I think a wrap would also have been penetrated by the trees that created the deepest pinstripes, fwiw. Most of them came from the last 1/4 mile of a completely overgrown trail.

Otherwise the black cleans up nice, and if you’re willing to sacrifice some clear, you can get it back to mirror shiny.

But I’m in the pinstripe lifestyle, and long ago stopped worrying about minor stuff like that.

 

[05ls430518]

How are you getting it wrapped for so cheap? I was quoted $5000-$7000 to wrap the entire truck. I also live in the cesspool that is NY so there is that lol

 

[Supra Turbo]

I personally only wanted a black Land Cruiser and wouldn't have even considered one if it wasn't black.

That said, the paint gets clayed, polished, and sealed (syn wax) on mine every 12 months. It's garage kept and rarely gets driven.

 

[CharlieS]

Sometimes I drive on trails that I probably shouldn't. Is there a support group
I should join. lol

 

[NCTroutHunter]

Good feedback - thanks everyone.

 

[Sud]

Good feedback - thanks everyone.

White 2018 LC just popped up in Greenville SC for sale. Assuming you are in western NC, it’s not that far. Don’t know how new you want.

 

[eatSleepWoof]

I’m looking to purchase a new 200 series. I have stayed away from the black ones, but there are as many black ones as there are others combined. I don’t mind it looking dirty, but I do mind scratches and swirls.

Any regret purchasing black? Any suggestions for keeping the exterior looking good?

I've given up on detailing, swirl removing, waxing, etc.

I got myself a membership at a local carwash and run the LX through it every time I'm passing through (which is often); sometimes the LX goes through once per day. The car wash does leave micro scratches/swirls in the paint, but it keeps the LX clean. Keeping the paint pristine while actively using the LX is simply impossible. If this bugs you, don't get black.

 

[AnyMal]

Just a note guys, PPF and wraps can destroy your paint.
I will personally advise against.