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Just like joining any elite club-- owning a black vehicle isn't for everyone. I'm sure my co-workers think I'm nuts when I park my black 4Runner at work and bust out the multi-layer all-weather cover. But, while their rides are baking under the sun all day, mine is cool, protected and clean.
You either can do what's required or you cannot. There is no in-between.
Last edited by Patriot10; Sep 6, 2017 at 09:02 PM.
When it comes to cars, black isn't a color...it's a career choice!
Put it my time as a black car owner with a pair of black Trans-Ams, the last a 2002 Firehawk that I used to show a lot. Won with it quite a bit, but wow was that a lot of work to keep black pristine, or close to it.
Nothing like a clean black car. Problem is that by the time you put up the cleaning supplies from the wash, its seemingly "dirty" again before you even move it.
Originally Posted by Patriot10
owning a black vehicle isn't for everyone....You either can do what's required or you cannot. There is no in-between.
I am considering going with black and chrome wheels in the future, I'm just wondering how difficult is it to keep clean and can you still see the lines of the car ? Thanks!
I still remember one of the first C7s that I saw years ago--Black with chrome wheels and Kalahari interior. Really a classic look!
[QUOTE=DWS44;1595521354]When it comes to cars, black isn't a color...it's a career choice!
I changed careers for good in 2000. Gave my 15 year old black 318I to my daughter, got a silver Mercedes and have owned silver cars since.
Silver pops when it's dirty, but glistens when it's clean. Black accents add to the charm. Black IS beautiful, but my "career" in silver has been devine.
JamieJT,
Sounds like you have never owned a black vehicle. I had one and swore no more. I had a second.... a minivan, looked great clean..... I swore never again after that land yacht.
I've owned 7 black vehicles, along w/ almost every other color under the rainbow, and every time, I swear I'll never buy another black one, but then I do because it seduces me.
Ceramic coatings and PPF have made things a lot easier to live w/ black. All I have to do now is power-wash w/ CR Spotless, purified water and blow dry. 20 minutes and done w/ no swirls or water spots. It's a near daily-driver too.
I just traded a Black '17 GS on a White '18 Z06. I have had several Black cars and they look fantastic all cleaned up, but are an awful lot of work! My '17 GS was a chore to keep up and it seemed like I spent more time cleaning than driving it. My White Z06 is the exact opposite. If you are willing to put the effort in then go Black. If not...White or Silver are the easiest to keep up.
I decided to commit -- yes, commit -- to black. The inescapable fact is: Nothing looks better than black when it's clean. Get a ceramic coating to protect from swirls, learn how to clean your car, and you're pretty much badass all the time.
I changed careers for good in 2000. Gave my 15 year old black 318I to my daughter, got a silver Mercedes and have owned silver cars since.
Silver pops when it's dirty, but glistens when it's clean. Black accents add to the charm. Black IS beautiful, but my "career" in silver has been devine.
Ironically, when I finally traded out of that black career, it was for a silver vehicle. Gone mostly between silver and gunmetal shades ever since, with a few bright blues like JSB mixed in for good measure.
Every night before I go to bed I wipe down my Black ZO6 ......every morning before work.... in my work parking garage I wipe down my Black ZO6.....when I leave work to drive home or wherever I wipe down my Black ZO6....might give you an idea of what you might be dealing with to own a Black C7......does not bother me for 1 second....that's just me though....its a pride and respect thing for me!
P.S. Black with chrome is so classic!! Really nice!!!
Black is beautiful. But there is no way I'm putting anything close to the effort above into keeping a car clean. Silver is the way to go if you like the color. I do so that's what I buy.
My first C7 was black, black accents, and black wheels. Stunning when clean! Had to wash it after every drive. Now with my white Z06, I still clean it but I don't HAVE to clean it. Makes a huge difference in my love of the car.
Perceptions are a funny thing. I always thought my white cars looked far dirtier from 20 feet away than my black ones. I could write "wash me" on the rear end after every drive and see it clearly. The black ones from 20 feet away look clean even when they're dirty.
But, mine are always daily-drivers, and I sure as hell don't wash them after every drive. I'm also not in the garage examining the dust on the surface up close.
Black magnifies imperfections/dust/dirt more than other colors I have owned. When perfectly clean I think black is my favorite.
The other thing about black, depending on where you live is that it is also the hottest color. I owned a black car one time while I lived in Florida and never again.
No question black is amazing though when clean and it also has a slimming affect on the Corvette. I would not say not to a black one if you love the color. Silver cars, by far, are the best at looking good when dirty. My other car is silver and I can go much longer on washing it than our other cars as it hides the dirt the best.
I have seen black C7's on dealers lots with bad orange peel and it appears solid colors do not smooth out as well as the metallics. Black is popular but it doesn't bring out the lines of the car like the lighter shades.
I am considering going with black and chrome wheels in the future, I'm just wondering how difficult is it to keep clean and can you still see the lines of the car ? Thanks!
Black is a love it/ hate it thing.
I love the way it looks, but some hate the extra cleaning required.
I have three black vehicles;
My 2015 Corvette Black/ Black rims.
My 2015 GMC Denali Black/ Black rims.
My wife's Cadillac XT5 Black/ Silver rims.
My relaxation and "hobby" is keeping the fleet looking good -to others, this would be a huge burden.
Today, with dusters and quick spray detailing waxes, it is a little easier to keep the shine, but it all depends on if you enjoy doing that sort of stuff more often than may be required with another color.
Actually, ceramics and PPF make it quite easy to keep a black car clean and swirl free. It used to be a lot harder. Usually no car wash soap is required. Spray off with clean water, blow dry or wipe down and done.
