S p a r k y
New member
We love white at my house, 2004 white 4runner, 2009 white hyundi santafe, 1998 white cavalier (free work car, good MPG)
Which one, Black or White???
- Thread starter tjhaf2007
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We love white at my house, 2004 white 4runner, 2009 white hyundi santafe, 1998 white cavalier (free work car, good MPG)
brian.j
New member
I've never had a black car, but I've had a couple white ones. Both colors look great when they're clean and in good condition. As previously mentioned silver or gray vehicles can magically go for months or years looking fine with no washes (done it), even in heavily salted areas, but that of course isn't one of your choices. Salt and slush looks different but equally bad on both black and white. Summer dust probably looks a little better on white. Mud looks great on both.
Although black looks gorgeous when it's clean, and it's true the swirls do show up, they're... still okay. I think a cruddy (or worse, rusty) car looks worse in white than it does in black. It's not so much a question of which looks better clean, or is harder/easier to keep that way, but which one looks WORSE in real life conditions.
I too think the heat/cool related responses are worth serious consideration, depending on your primary use and anticipated future locations. Remember the heater uses no significant additional energy (only the fan), but the A/C is a noticeable factor in power and fuel draw.
Although black looks gorgeous when it's clean, and it's true the swirls do show up, they're... still okay. I think a cruddy (or worse, rusty) car looks worse in white than it does in black. It's not so much a question of which looks better clean, or is harder/easier to keep that way, but which one looks WORSE in real life conditions.
I too think the heat/cool related responses are worth serious consideration, depending on your primary use and anticipated future locations. Remember the heater uses no significant additional energy (only the fan), but the A/C is a noticeable factor in power and fuel draw.
SI2IS2T4R
New member
It depends...
If you wheel often, Yes, I agree.... WHITE would be better. It won't show the brush pin stripping as bad as black.
I have the infamous "Natural White" and to be honest, I get really irritated that I'm constantly trying to make that white shine. Like the above poster, I can attest that the natural white does not like to stay shiny for long, even after a good detail and attention to the paint with waxes, polishes, buffers. As been mentioned before, the Natural White lacks the typical clear coat layer that some of the other colors have.
If I would have had more time to shop for my vehicle when I did, I would have chosen Silver or Mica.
Some big pluses about white though..... White and Black themes work great! Black plasti-dip offsets the white paint well. Black rims look sic. Stormtrooper your vehicle!? Um, white and black with red accents is always a fav. And white is super inconspicuous.
If you wheel often, Yes, I agree.... WHITE would be better. It won't show the brush pin stripping as bad as black.
I have the infamous "Natural White" and to be honest, I get really irritated that I'm constantly trying to make that white shine. Like the above poster, I can attest that the natural white does not like to stay shiny for long, even after a good detail and attention to the paint with waxes, polishes, buffers. As been mentioned before, the Natural White lacks the typical clear coat layer that some of the other colors have.
If I would have had more time to shop for my vehicle when I did, I would have chosen Silver or Mica.
Some big pluses about white though..... White and Black themes work great! Black plasti-dip offsets the white paint well. Black rims look sic. Stormtrooper your vehicle!? Um, white and black with red accents is always a fav. And white is super inconspicuous.
Slowgoat
New member
White
No clear coat means it is easier to maintain honestly.
Since white has Ti oxide as its main pigment it is hard as hell, and doesn't scratch very easily.
No clear means that you can wet sand any scratch you do get then polish it all the way down to metal (or plastic).
Making white shine is overrated because you can't see depth in white paint. Some say polishing white is unnecessary at best and completely unrewarding at worst.
Black uses carbon for its pigment; think of how soft a pencil is. Makes sense why it is so easy to scratch, right? And because of its depth, every little scratch shows.
A detailer once told me after seeking advice for my black car, "nothing looks better than black when it's clean, nothing is harder to keep clean than black".
So if you dont mind polishing, get black.
If you're like me and hate paint maintenance and fooling with the scratches that come with going into the woods a lot, go with white.
Either way you'll be good!
No clear coat means it is easier to maintain honestly.
Since white has Ti oxide as its main pigment it is hard as hell, and doesn't scratch very easily.
No clear means that you can wet sand any scratch you do get then polish it all the way down to metal (or plastic).
Making white shine is overrated because you can't see depth in white paint. Some say polishing white is unnecessary at best and completely unrewarding at worst.
Black uses carbon for its pigment; think of how soft a pencil is. Makes sense why it is so easy to scratch, right? And because of its depth, every little scratch shows.
A detailer once told me after seeking advice for my black car, "nothing looks better than black when it's clean, nothing is harder to keep clean than black".
So if you dont mind polishing, get black.
If you're like me and hate paint maintenance and fooling with the scratches that come with going into the woods a lot, go with white.
Either way you'll be good!
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This is Dawg4runner white runner. I like the look of white, but I've been listening to Johnny Cash since I was 7 and he influenced my love for black lol. Either or get what you choose. I personally got what I thought was a black 4Runner in November but as my eyes got used to it I realized it was a galactic grey runner and I really like the galactic grey color haha
Ask10
New member
Hang on. Has Toyota gone to a single stage paint? Just because it's white and looks shallow doesn't mean it doesn't have clearcoat.
Another vote for white, but that's because I honestly think a chrome black vs. chrome white loses the "looks battle" (you said they were Sports right?). The chrome sticks out way too much and the silver wheels give a "cheap shine" in my opinion, where as the white they don't stick out as much.
However, black w/black grille and gunmetal accents is my much more bad ass-er in my opinion.
That having been said, I'd wait for a silver one honestly lol.
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Slowgoat
New member
There are a lot of arguments on the clear coat issue. I'm not 100%, but this email from toyota (if authentic) claims that unless it is metallic or pearl, it is single stage.
White is Single Stage w/no clear coat-per toyota [Archive] - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum
Mine is (I think I have super white??). Paint comes off easily when I rub or buff it. It's easy to take care of for me.
Also. Here is some great info about white paint that helped me tremendously when I got my white 4runner.
The Lesson White Paint Teaches Us - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum
White is Single Stage w/no clear coat-per toyota [Archive] - Toyota Tundra Forums : Tundra Solutions Forum
Mine is (I think I have super white??). Paint comes off easily when I rub or buff it. It's easy to take care of for me.
Also. Here is some great info about white paint that helped me tremendously when I got my white 4runner.
The Lesson White Paint Teaches Us - Auto Geek Online Auto Detailing Forum
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