Paint... that is the question

[ERG2008]

I am sorry about this but I just have no basis pioint to use except you guys.

Those of you with runners in Shadow mica (the color I have ordered), do you find them to be as prone to scratching and swerls as a black one, even if not how bad are they as this truck will be living between NM and CO? I take very good care of my trucks but I don

 

[dingo]

Hmmm...well, where to start. Honestly, I think Shadow scratches and swirls just as much as any other color. However, I do notice that it hides these scratches equally well as my titanium silver runner. Shadow Mica has an unusually high amount of pearl flake in it. In bright sunlight you will of course see the swirls and scratches (as with any vehicle). The Shadow Mica paint then turns a slight dark gray/forest green color. The scratches are so overcome with the pearl flakes in the finish that it hides them to a point. You still can see them, but not as bad as I thought. Really depends on the ambient lighting conditions. Granted mine is only a year old so I cannot say to a definite degree that it is better or worst than silver or even black. I haven't taken it off-road as roughly yet (that's what my SR5 is for). It also depends on how anal and careful you are at cleaning your truck. I usually wipe down the truck at night with detailer spray after every outting and sure, there are swirls from driving and toweling, etc. But that's what a DA polisher is for in the future, and with some good product and elbow grease it can look good for a lot of years. As an aside, I will NEVER let anyone wash my truck because they will never put the same care and effort that I will. Just wash, clay, seal, wax it (or whatever you prefer) and just roll with it. That's all you can do. Besides, scratches here and there add character.

 

[ERG2008]

Thanks fior the great response!

I have never seen a shadow mica in person so I am really just going off pictiures here so thak you very much for the indepth description of the paint!

I completly agree about scratches adding character, I have lived by that one with my other rigs!!

So here is the million dollar question: Which looks better the silver or the mica? : you have em both.

I have already ordered the mica so I am pretty sure I am sticking with it but I was just worried about the swerling.

Also I think you take much better care of your cars then i do, in respect to waching and drying. granted most places I am are on dirt driveways wich are a pain to wash on, I always take em into get washed... guess I am kinda lazy at times.

 

[dingo]

So here is the million dollar question: Which looks better the silver or the mica? : you have em both.

I'm very biased for the Shadow Mica so my answer will no doubt be highly subjective...

When I bought the Titanium Silver it was actually my second choice. My first choice was actually Galactic Gray back in 2005, however there were no SR5's with 3rd row seating in GG. The only one was in TS. That was ok since I like silver as well. When polished, sealed, and waxed it would gleam like nobody's business at night as it reflected the street lights and other headlights.

When time came to replace my maroon sedan I wanted something that reflected what I really wanted and that was the Sport. Luckily they introduced the newer Shadow Mica paint. I still liked GG but seeing SM in person blew me away. My wife thought it was black when we walked up to it in the lot. SM has some almost chameleon properties like GG depending on the ambient lighting. Under overcast clouds it does indeed look near black, in bright sunlight the pearl flakes pop like bats out of hell and the ever so slight forest green tint shows. In lower lighting, the paint is actually a dark charcoal which pretty much is what it always looks like. However, under bright artificial light is where it really kicks @ss. The color looks great even when dirty. Just my humble opinion.

So to answer your question, I would have to say (for me anyways) that I love the Shadow Mica over the Titanium Silver tenfold. Then again, dark gray charcoal has always been my favorite color. My wife and family always make fun of me because my wardrobe always has some charcoal color in it. Blue jeans and a dark gray top to some extent is my daily uniform. And don't worry too much about the swirling. It's just like death and taxes - unavoidable. If you don't want them at all then might as well not use the vehicle. Not very practical. Like I mentioned, that is what a good DA polisher and polish is for. To be fair though, I live in the SF bay area/NorCal so our weather is not as extreme as CO.

Anyway, congrats on the new truck and enjoy the hell out of it! :bigok:

 

[ERG2008]

Thanks again for another great response!

I have always had lighter colored trucks but feel in love with a friends 2005 black limited runner and have wantd one ever since. Everyone I know has been telling me NOT to get a balck one, they are all warning about swerls and damage from offroading and so on. But you are dead on, that is what a polisher is for down the road. I was actaully talking with my pops (father) last night and I mentioned how great my Tacoma looks (it is silver) he then remind me of how many times it has gone in the body shop and been buffed and painted (all damage has been done off roading it, no wrecks here).

So I guess as you said before.... Get what ya like! So SM it is. I have a pick up date of April 7th (actaully flying up to Denver from Santa Fe to pick her up and drive her back through the mountains to break it in right) right now as I am in Spain working until the 3rd.... long time to wait for something I want so bad.... cant wait to get her and post some pics!

Thanks again!