Black Exterior
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hoeftm2002
New member
I had a 2004 4Runner before my current one that was black - I agree with the prior post saying it looks great - nothing looks better than a clean black car.
I also agree that it shows scratches very easy and you will never get it all the way clean - it's very hard to dry without streaks or water marks. I like a clean car and probably would not buy another black car after owning one.
fxoffroad
New member
I've owned four black vehicles and think black rocks. Typical nicks on the front bumper were easily corrected using touch-up paint and a toothpick to apply the color. Getting a detail and wax job once a year did the trick for me... abso-F'in-lutely dig black. Sorta wished I would of got a black 4Runner... but change is good.
absent like your would be 4Runner? Sorry couldn't resist. :boxer:
adoihcj
New member
It just takes up a lot of time to keep it clean. I can wash mine in the morning and then use some McGuire's spray to keep it smooth and within an hour or so after doing this, it's covered in dust already (especially this time of the year with all the pollen flying around - it's coated in green dust). The other problem with black is how it shows water spots. If you wash it in the sun, make sure you dry it off before the sun dries the water drops or you will stain the paint. Had this happen once already and had to use distilled vinegar to remove them.
Best thing to do with black is to buy a California Car Duster. As long as it hasn't rained the night before, I can use the car duster to take off all the dust.
I have a white Jetta and can go for weeks without washing it and it still looks fairly clean.
That's what I said years ago after my first black car, and several since. I resisted the idea of going with black for the T4R but finally listened to my wife and went for it. We now have two black cars and I love it. Mine have the same fine scratches and get just as dusty as everyone else's, but nothing looks better than black on a car IMHO.
Bottom line: if you really want black, get it or you'll regret it.
philsey
New member
I've owned two black vehicles, and fall into the "never again" category.
While they do look great when perfectly clean and polished, getting them there, and keeping them there was not worth the extra effort (for me). They show dust, dirt, and micro-fine scratches that most other finishes do not.
My present SR5 is BP, and I really like it, and receive many compliments.
While they do look great when perfectly clean and polished, getting them there, and keeping them there was not worth the extra effort (for me). They show dust, dirt, and micro-fine scratches that most other finishes do not.
My present SR5 is BP, and I really like it, and receive many compliments.
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BrianLSU
New member
I'm on my second black vehicle. I would have really liked a silver/tan combo but the black/tan looks very nice.
Here's a list of things to do if you have black;
1) Find as local gas station or car wash that has a touchless wash system. Most of these have a filtration system and really limit post wash spots. I spend $5/week and it takes 2 minutes.
2) Bring a microfiber cloth with you and when you pull out, dry it off immediately. They usually have a blower system but these don't completely dry the vehicle.
3) Use spray on wax, they don't have a powder flake and won't leave white residue.
4) Pick up some Turtle Wax ICE glaze. I just started using it and it's wonderful between waxes and does great on the black plastic.
Also, if you have spots, take clear vinegar and dilute it. Not sure to the mix but go over 50% dilution. Use this on a microfiber and wipe the area after with another cloth with water on it. It will remove hard water spots and isn't strong enough to harm the paint, do this before putting wax over the spots.
Hope this helps.
BTW, my wife has a silver car and can go months between washes and still looks good. Damnit...
Here's a list of things to do if you have black;
1) Find as local gas station or car wash that has a touchless wash system. Most of these have a filtration system and really limit post wash spots. I spend $5/week and it takes 2 minutes.
2) Bring a microfiber cloth with you and when you pull out, dry it off immediately. They usually have a blower system but these don't completely dry the vehicle.
3) Use spray on wax, they don't have a powder flake and won't leave white residue.
4) Pick up some Turtle Wax ICE glaze. I just started using it and it's wonderful between waxes and does great on the black plastic.
Also, if you have spots, take clear vinegar and dilute it. Not sure to the mix but go over 50% dilution. Use this on a microfiber and wipe the area after with another cloth with water on it. It will remove hard water spots and isn't strong enough to harm the paint, do this before putting wax over the spots.
Hope this helps.
BTW, my wife has a silver car and can go months between washes and still looks good. Damnit...
Yes, its a pain to keep clean. But mostly (for me) its due to the size, not the color. I usually get up very early on washing day to clean it before the sun gets to high or hot. Many times I end washing and drying the top half separately from the bottom to avoid the water drying on the vehicle. I find that keeping a good coat of wax or polymer on the vehicle helps shed the water quickly and minimize the water to wipe off.
Then again, it might just be a SUV thing for me. I have a black XJ, had a black 01 4Runner, and now have a black 10. I've never had a black non-SUV. Go figure.....
Then again, it might just be a SUV thing for me. I have a black XJ, had a black 01 4Runner, and now have a black 10. I've never had a black non-SUV. Go figure.....
kingpin748
New member
This is my first black car. I got so many warnings about buying a black car I started getting paranoid. Turns out it's not that bad. The little scratches do show up but its nothing a good wax can't fix. That along with a California Duster works great.
Black shows every flaw.
My T4R is a family car, so it has a lot of nicks and scratches from the young ones rubbing up against it, backpack zippers...you name it.
This would have drove me crazy with my old s2000 and STi, but I've come to accept that this is a truck...and a family truck, and it will never be perfect.
My T4R is a family car, so it has a lot of nicks and scratches from the young ones rubbing up against it, backpack zippers...you name it.
This would have drove me crazy with my old s2000 and STi, but I've come to accept that this is a truck...and a family truck, and it will never be perfect.
This isn't exactly true. When talking about the light specktrum yes black is the absence of color. But when talking about pigment, black is actually ALL colors.
Anyhoo, I have owned nothing but black vehicles and will continue to do so. They just look right!!
