Wesley Snipes said it best: "always bet on black"
Regret buying Black?
- Thread starter LJOHNS
- Start date
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What I would recommend for a black vehicle, especially a new one or one that still has somewhat decent paint without too many chips/ scratches through the clear is a full vehicle PPF wrap.
I've been in detailing full time for not too long, just under five years for one of the most highly regarded shops in the Chicago-Schaumburg area, but the industry has changed completely in that time. Now you have thousands of DIY Youtube videos about everything from washing wheels to paint correction to installing a paint protection coating. Detailing in general seems to be more popular now with easier to use tools that take some of the risk or TLC out of an otherwise boring/manual labor intensive process. Products like Rupes polishers that operate on a free floating spindle assembly that give a much faster correction than an old school PC and 100X safer than a rotary. Products like Iron-X that reduce claying time by a huge margin, so on and so forth. These products and available knowledge/information have now made it possible for pretty much anyone with an interest in detailing to do a great/excellent job.
The other MAJOR shift I have seen over the years is with paint protection film (PPF) which is the other half of our business as with many upscale detail shops. Several years back, PPF was not common at all and was mainly installed on very expensive cars. 10 years ago when the only products available were Avery, old-school 3M, and old-school XPEL, you were basically covering the front end with a material that, for a lack of a better word, looked like crap. It was too thick, too dull and textured looking and was an eye sore even on a fresh install. The pre-cut kits had horrific coverage sometimes inches away from the edge or more. It was a very difficult film to install and was a one shot deal. Now, with self-healing film like XPEL Ultimate, Suntek, and Suntek Ultra it's a completely different story. Most people would never even know there is something installed unless you told them, especially true with the standard Suntek film that's often regarded as the most clear of all PPF brands.
The trend has steadily shifted from the partial front and full front installs, to full vehicle wraps especially on more expensive exotic cars. The local Porsche dealerships all offer it as well as the most expensive dealers. Not uncommon to see fully wrapped Ferrari/Lambo at any local cars and coffee. Our main PPF installer has wrapped both of his personal vehicles completely and they look amazing (Fully built JK and his daily driver Nissan Armada). Literally cannot tell anything is on there because he took the trucks apart and wrapped every edge.
We have dozens of customers that do this on their cars as soon as they take delivery from the dealership. Just wrap the entire thing and forget it. Cheaper ($4,000-$5,000) in the long run than to pay for a paint correction and coating every 2 years ($1,500-$2,000) and has the obvious benefits like complete protection from scratches, swirls, acid etching, most paint chips, etc. It really is the best thing you can do to your vehicle.
That's about the only way I'd "enjoy" owning a black vehicle. If it's fully wrapped, I don't have to walk on eggshells when I wash it. If you need to scrub a spot, go ahead, no harm done. Film is self healing and looks amazing no matter how you wash your car. Maintain the PPF (wash often to avoid bird dropping/bug gut splatter from etching, water spots, etc.), and you will get many many years of satisfaction out of the product all while completely preserving the original paint underneath.
I've been in detailing full time for not too long, just under five years for one of the most highly regarded shops in the Chicago-Schaumburg area, but the industry has changed completely in that time. Now you have thousands of DIY Youtube videos about everything from washing wheels to paint correction to installing a paint protection coating. Detailing in general seems to be more popular now with easier to use tools that take some of the risk or TLC out of an otherwise boring/manual labor intensive process. Products like Rupes polishers that operate on a free floating spindle assembly that give a much faster correction than an old school PC and 100X safer than a rotary. Products like Iron-X that reduce claying time by a huge margin, so on and so forth. These products and available knowledge/information have now made it possible for pretty much anyone with an interest in detailing to do a great/excellent job.
The other MAJOR shift I have seen over the years is with paint protection film (PPF) which is the other half of our business as with many upscale detail shops. Several years back, PPF was not common at all and was mainly installed on very expensive cars. 10 years ago when the only products available were Avery, old-school 3M, and old-school XPEL, you were basically covering the front end with a material that, for a lack of a better word, looked like crap. It was too thick, too dull and textured looking and was an eye sore even on a fresh install. The pre-cut kits had horrific coverage sometimes inches away from the edge or more. It was a very difficult film to install and was a one shot deal. Now, with self-healing film like XPEL Ultimate, Suntek, and Suntek Ultra it's a completely different story. Most people would never even know there is something installed unless you told them, especially true with the standard Suntek film that's often regarded as the most clear of all PPF brands.
The trend has steadily shifted from the partial front and full front installs, to full vehicle wraps especially on more expensive exotic cars. The local Porsche dealerships all offer it as well as the most expensive dealers. Not uncommon to see fully wrapped Ferrari/Lambo at any local cars and coffee. Our main PPF installer has wrapped both of his personal vehicles completely and they look amazing (Fully built JK and his daily driver Nissan Armada). Literally cannot tell anything is on there because he took the trucks apart and wrapped every edge.
We have dozens of customers that do this on their cars as soon as they take delivery from the dealership. Just wrap the entire thing and forget it. Cheaper ($4,000-$5,000) in the long run than to pay for a paint correction and coating every 2 years ($1,500-$2,000) and has the obvious benefits like complete protection from scratches, swirls, acid etching, most paint chips, etc. It really is the best thing you can do to your vehicle.
That's about the only way I'd "enjoy" owning a black vehicle. If it's fully wrapped, I don't have to walk on eggshells when I wash it. If you need to scrub a spot, go ahead, no harm done. Film is self healing and looks amazing no matter how you wash your car. Maintain the PPF (wash often to avoid bird dropping/bug gut splatter from etching, water spots, etc.), and you will get many many years of satisfaction out of the product all while completely preserving the original paint underneath.
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I bought black because it was the lowest mileage and best conditioned one i had found in 4 months so I bought it. I have done many trails in it and it shows when you are up close..... So many pinstripes but it looks great from 10 feet away.... Depends if that will bother you or not
The only reason I don't hate my LX being black is because it already had some bumps and bruises. It gets parked outside and I'm not willing to wash it twice a week to keep it looking clean, so I just let it be dusty.
I still don't take it through brushed car washes though.
I still don't take it through brushed car washes though.
I bought a brand new black Tacoma 4x4 back in 1998 and it was a nightmare to keep clean. Then again, I'm a little OCD about that kind of stuff so it may just be me.
I don't wash my cruiser much, so it seems funny to see so many people talking about a little dirt on a cruiser. I went to a meet up of Expo Portal people a while back, a week or two after I washed my truck, and had to listen to them incessantly make fun of me for being the guy with the clean truck! Personally I love seeing a little mud on the sliders and bumpers from my little adventures!
having two black other cars i REALLY didnt want to find the best deal on a black 100. I have ceramic coatings on both black cars, follow strict washing techniques and the circles drive me mad! Since my 100 was supposed to be the family fun car i absolutely wanted a color that hid them better and lowered my maintenance needs on the weekends. the 100 gets a simple 2 bucket wash, microfiber dry (not leaf blower like the black cars) and a spray on synthetic wax. an hours worth of work instead of 2. Finding an 100 that had a few love taps on the corners and minor scratches was actually better since now i wasnt trying to keep it perfect, just acceptable.
I have a black Tundra DD. I am not one of those super OCD types that freak out over swirls in paint but just keeping the paint clean looking is a chore itself. I will probably stick with white color for anything in the future if I have a choice.
I have a black Tundra, and I feel like it's already dirty by the time I put the hose up. However, I'm not as bothered by the way black shows dirt (and every other imperfection) as much as the hotness factor. Especially living in the south. Thankfully these trucks have solid AC's. A big factor is where your LC/LX will be parked during the day. If in a garage, it's not really a big deal either way.
I wouldn't let a deal fall through over the color, but would definitely choose white or silver if everything else was equal.
I wouldn't let a deal fall through over the color, but would definitely choose white or silver if everything else was equal.
At first i was like AGGHHH but then I was like I kind of dig it !!!
I like white trucks but I get more compliments on the black for sure.
I like white trucks but I get more compliments on the black for sure.
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^^^^^^^ That IS a good looking rig. Got be hot as hell (here is Texas) though. I've had several black vehicles and I love the way they look when clean and shiny. But lord...do they get hot in the Sun Belt.
Any plans to address the mismatched spare? Otherwise good looking rig.
Yes I am looking for a local set of lexus wheels. I have MOMO wheels that came with the truck but they are heavy and I like the stock wheels.
guardcompany
Shea
Best name on the forum
I found a 1999 LC with 151,000 miles on it two months ago. It was a mall runner for sure due to the door dings on both sides 
. However, it was mechanically sound with up to date maintenance. I let my buddy who owns a body shop work his magic on it. I also had him repaint the bumpers and side moldings from gray to matte black. Lots more mods to come. I am very happy with the color black on my LC.
. However, it was mechanically sound with up to date maintenance. I let my buddy who owns a body shop work his magic on it. I also had him repaint the bumpers and side moldings from gray to matte black. Lots more mods to come. I am very happy with the color black on my LC.
I bought a new black LC in 2004. I babied it, waxed it once per year and kept it in the garage. The paint looked like crap. I even paid a friend to wet sand the hood. Admittedly, Toyota paint was less than high quality in that era, but it was a very disappointing finish. I really blame the paint quality and not the maintenance on that one. I think the newer Toyotas have a better clear coat and seem to have a better luster to them. But, It did look amazing from 20 feet. I have a newer LX570 in Starfire Pearl (white) Stunning vehicle!
My Cruiser is Sonora Gold. The wife's 4Runner is black. Was initially looking for a black Cruiser. Sooo happy I chose the gold over the black one I found (condition,mileage,etc) but also my wife's truck gets noticeably hotter in the cabin just sitting in the sun and I have to think that the same goes for underhood temps. In addition the lighter color doesn't show scratches or dust nearly as much as the black.
Black and Tan is one of my drinks of choice!
IMO it depends on how OCD you are of keeping it clean. I have a buddy with a lifted black FJ that loves the looks of his scratches he calls them "trail marks".
IMO for the right $$ and condition any color will do.
Make sure you check out the stickies of "what to look for when buying a 100 series". Also check around the windshield for screws(improper install), clogged sunroof drains in rocker panel and rust spots before and after the rear wheel.
Anyone know if color effects the resale value?
IMO it depends on how OCD you are of keeping it clean. I have a buddy with a lifted black FJ that loves the looks of his scratches he calls them "trail marks".
IMO for the right $$ and condition any color will do.
Make sure you check out the stickies of "what to look for when buying a 100 series". Also check around the windshield for screws(improper install), clogged sunroof drains in rocker panel and rust spots before and after the rear wheel.
Anyone know if color effects the resale value?
