Is black the best car color?

[Qacer]

I was searching for replacement side view mirrors for a Toyota Corolla. The only place that I found the exact color was from a genuine Toyota store. However, this was priced significantly higher than the other brands.

For all these other brands, the colors they have are normally in black. If you want another color, you'd have to DIY paint the part with matching paint. I've tried my hand at this recently and the results were sub-par. I used a color matched spray paint with accompanying clear coat. The color was the same kind, but it still looks off.

Anyway, from a sparing perspective especially for exterior parts, black seems to be the ideal color as you don't have to do extra work to make it match visually.

 

[Crono]

For color matching, yes. My previous car was a black Mustang and it was easy. For my current car, a red Mazda 3, it took me 3 different purchases of a base and mid coat to get the exact color in order to fix a a scratch. It's still not perfect, either, I think I need to sand it a bit and try again.

The down side of black is the obvious increased amount of washing to keep it looking clean. Had to wash the Mustang every 2 weeks or it would look dusty, even with regular waxing and use of clay bar. I can go months without washing this car if I wanted to.

 

[basslover1]

Try eBay for second hand salvaged parts.

A lot of breakers yards these days post practically everything they have on hand on eBay. I've great great luck finding OEM parts I need and they're typically very affordable.

 

[Qacer]

Even with Ebay, I did not find the exact color. Actually, it's not a big deal since the paint on the car is coming off. It's time for a paint job soon.

 

[Carson Dyle]

Worst.

 

[jlee]

Worst.

Yeah, this..

 

[Jumpem]

There are all different kinds of black.

My vote for best color would be dark gray such as Subaru's dark gray metallic.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Junk yards. Every city has them. You pull or they pull.

 

[KeithP]

Anyway, from a sparing perspective especially for exterior parts, black seems to be the ideal color as you don't have to do extra work to make it match visually.

Black can have different shades and levels of darkness/depth. It is hard to see unless you have two different blacks side by side but there are very definitely differences.

Now, it might be less noticeable than trying to match other colors for people that don't have the skills and equipment required to paint properly but I think anyone that looks for it will still see a bad paint job.

-KeithP

 

[dguy6789]

Definitely one of the best colors

 

[agudo]

I personally say YES because Black associated with power, strength, and elegance, however for some people Black means mourning, death, and sadness

 

[jlee]

I personally say YES because Black associated with power, strength, and elegance, however for some people Black means mourning, death, and sadness

Black is the hardest color to keep clean on a car.

 

[gorcorps]

For matching? Sure

For desirability? Not even a little in my mind. Looks cheap IMO and shows damage easily

 

[KentState]

Isn't black or white the two most popular colors by a long shot? I know when I sold my V, the market was flooded with black cars and having a metallic red one turned out to be desirable.

I find the color nice on other people's cars, but it was the worst color I've owned. Never stayed cleaned, showed swirls easily and was always hot. Personally, red or blue is the only colors I will own.

 

[MongGrel]

Black is the hardest color to keep clean on a car.

+1

Gets very hot in warm climates too if parked outside during the day.

 

[TridenT]

Black sucks.

I prefer white for many cars. Anything that's bright and unfaded does well with me too. (Just not tacky)

 

[Berliner]

Why would you even want matching mirrors?

Black has to be one of the worst colors, just think of the heat.

 

[bryanl]

Black is the worst cover since it shows imperfections the most - dirt, dents, scratches - and makes the vehicle the least visible to other drivers. White is the best color for reflecting away heat and for safety except in snow, where yellow or orange is best.

 

[JCH13]

Hindsight being 20:20 - leave your side-view black. No one will notice or care.

I don't like black as a color for my cars because it gets dirty so easily. I have owned a black car before, no thanks. A gray with metallic flake FTW, they hide dirt MUCH better.

Black can have different shades and levels of darkness/depth. It is hard to see unless you have two different blacks side by side but there are very definitely differences.

Now, it might be less noticeable than trying to match other colors for people that don't have the skills and equipment required to paint properly but I think anyone that looks for it will still see a bad paint job.

-KeithP

 

[phucheneh]

The parts the OP is talking about are just bare plastic...even if it appears to have a slight sheen, it's not 'painted black.' You're supposed to paint it.

Black is the hardest color to keep clean on a car.

Not even 'keep clean' so much as 'make it not look like you scrub your car with pine cones.'

Black paint; turns this:

Into this:

 

[jlee]

The parts the OP is talking about are just bare plastic...even if it appears to have a slight sheen, it's not 'painted black.' You're supposed to paint it.



Not even 'keep clean' so much as 'make it not look like you scrub your car with pine cones.'

Black paint; turns this:

Into this:

haha, yeah.

 

[Throckmorton]

Plain white is best because it's easy to color match plus it reflects the sun and keeps the car significantly cooler when parked outside

 

[Midwayman]

Once you go black you never go back!

 

[inachu]

Once you go black you never go back!

Once you try Black Black then you will never go back!

 

[BUTCH1]

Worst.

Yup, I bought one, huge mistake, it's a solar adobe LOL..