Black paint, not so good?

[Woz]

I've always wanted a black car. I don't care how hot they get, I reckon black is the easiest way to get a tough looking car.

However, there's that one comment that everyone always makes. The one that never fails to set me shaking in my boots.

"Black shows everything!"

Herein lies my drama...

I've now got the black XC Cobra-looking front spoiler on my Landau, and I've painted all around the grille sections black, and it's quadrupled in toughness. The bloods flowing, the cranks are turning and that dusty little lightbulb up above is starting to glow, even if just dimly.

But I'm still not sure. I've been tossing up paint ideas for a while and I can't quite work out what to do. But I do know that a black Landau would be something I could find myself being very happy with. The biggest problem being that with me being so young and possibly a little foolish, I really want to get my hands as dirty as I can on this car and try to do as much as possible myself. Including the body work. Now, there's not a chance that I'm gonna have the panels spot on when I'm done. I won't give in until they're close enough to look the goods, but they're not gonna be perfect. I don't doubt that. But I still want a black Landau.

My question is this... Plain and simple... Just two short, simple words...

Satin black?

I was thinking matt black, but that was only between the "ummm" and the "uhhh". So after quickly dismissing that idea, I thought about other options. Gloss black or metallic black or whatever it is that everyone's got isn't even really an option. But what else is there? What will look the goods while still hiding any imperfections?

I want this to be a fairly eye-catching car, so it's gotta look alright. Therefor, matt black is out of the question. But what can be put on a car that will still get some serious attention at events and whatnot, while hiding the weld lines and ripples of an amatuer car builder?

[Outbackjack]

hey Dude, do ya black paint as much as you want. We have two black cars, my wife drives a black Fiesta, I have a black BF XR8. Just be prepared to wash them a bit more often. And really with air con these days, who cares how much warmer they are. Paint and enjoy!!! Cheers, Brian.

[Lukeyson]

as owner of 2 black cars aswell, i agree they look dead sexy, and are a pain to keep clean.
IMO matte black looks like you hand painted it, go a nice metallic black with a dark blue speckle

[Woz]

I wash my car plenty anyway. When my XB wasn't always trying to upset me, it was getting washed twice a week. Keeping it clean won't be a problem. It won't be out on the road all that much anyway. I intend on building a big, heavy, fuel guzzling pig.

Why not? All you old blokes got to have yours. :Reverend:

[Outbackjack]

God bless heavy, fuel guzzling pigs!!

[TTNOS8]

Just go gloss. you won't do that bad a job.

It'll still look sweet. like suggested, go a metallic flake, or a pearl to draw the eye to something other that the bodywork.

Who's gunna see the bodywork anywyay when you fly past?! ;)

*pigs flying* ?? lol

[jcxr]

WOZ , go 4it , my black xr6 5 speed manual tows around my 67 xr drag come streeter, and looks da goods

[jcxr]

But i also love flat black tough streeters

[Woz]

Originally Posted by jcxr

WOZ , go 4it , my black xr6 5 speed manual tows around my 67 xr drag come streeter, and looks da goods

Are you a Victorian, JC? And by any chance did you tow that XR up to Springnats last year?

[Falcon Freak]

Black paint does not like bird poo. In summer I have found that the heat the black paint attracts speeds up the poo 'eating away' at the paint. Soon as you see bird poo on a black car you need to wash it off immediately.

FF

[XD 351 Ute]

Originally Posted by Woz

I intend on building a big, heavy, fuel guzzling pig.

Why not? All you old blokes got to have yours. :Reverend:

I'm not that old, and I've still got my fuel guzzling pig!

Ed

[trick_xd]

Woz I had a ZK it was ONIX black with all the chrome and it Looked tuff and fast and that was when it was still parked . hahah

narr m8 do it they look good and with chrome trims Big FAT chrome wheels and a Motor to match . Who is going to complain about a few imperfections

[Woz]

Originally Posted by trick_xd

narr m8 do it they look good and with chrome trims Big FAT chrome wheels and a Motor to match . Who is going to complain about a few imperfections

I will. I'll know they're there. _2:

Originally Posted by XD 351 Ute

I'm not that old, and I've still got my fuel guzzling pig!

That comment actually seems to have gone down a lot better than I expected it to. :monkes:

What does everyone think about this polyester 'spray-on-bog' stuff? I hear good things. A coat of that, then hit it with hi-fill, then paint any colour you want and nothing should show through. Anyone used that? Good stories, bad stories, opinions that fit either aforementioned category?

[MYVYSS]

Once you go black you will never go back.........Mines black and even for a Holden..I love it as said you just need to wash it a little more often....

[BLKFPV]

3 black Fords here ..... never go back

[EA2BA]

the other problem with blacj is the car better 100% perfectly straight, every tiny little imperfection will stand out and detract from your achievemnt of rebuilding the car otherwise.

I love black cars, alomost painted the EA black actually, so not trying to put you off, just some food for thought.

[I bleed ford]

Black is definitely the toughest looking paint and mate, i'd rather sweat and drive something i loved rather than settle. Air con solves that prob any way. dead straight panels are the major isue with black paint but we all love our cars so that wont be an issue!

[Rev28K]

I have 2 black cars. When clean (rare) and straight they look great. They are also a great way to hide an ugly-looking car.

Door dings show up something shocking. For race cars black isn’t so good – shows up light weight ripply fibreglass. Wish I had’ve thought of that before the race car got painted black.

[Woz]

Originally Posted by EA2BA

the other problemwith blacj is the car better 100% perfectly straight, every tiny little imperfection will stand out and detract from your achievemnt of rebuilding the car otherwise.

Other problem? That was pretty much the basis of my whole post.

Did you read it at all?

[EA2BA]

Originally Posted by Woz

Other problem? That was pretty much the basis of my whole post.

Did you read it at all?

yes, but isnt it nice to have your thoughts shared and backed up by other people as well.

my suggestion would be to find a good pic of one, post it in photoshop forum along with a list of colours you would like to see in, something ford I suggest.

there was a ford deep blue in the EF i think, it pretty much looked black but wasnt.

[Mark351]

Are you wanting to be Top 20 at Summernats? If no, then a few imperfections should not deter you from having a black car if you like the colour. Sure, it can be a pain, but I'll be damned if isn't THE best colour when it's washed and waxed. Get the new Meguiars Tech Wax, or other 'black enhancing' waxes and make it that bit better as well.

[Blackbute]

Didnt HENRY say it best ...

[thefargo]

3 black cars here. 2 I keep clean, one always dusty, all look mean in black.

[AUIII XR8 MAN]

Well if Ford can do a factroy black with it look in good out the factroy, then as someone who will put a lot of pride into their ride is going to come out looking A1. Go for it & best of luck doing yourself proud.

[svo347]

My ED is 12 years old and it still looks hot
http://fordforums.com.au/vbportal/fo...ad.php?t=32194

[nang3]

mate black will look sweet.. i had hte same dilemma in choosing a phoon and i ended up going for black.. looks sweet as, does get pretty hot though..

if you are worried about keeping it clean, get some good polish like Zaino and a claybar and give it a thorough detail.. then you only need to high pressure spray it once or twice a fortnight

[Kingsley]

The only other downside of black, particularly matt black, is heat absorbtion. Ever tried putting your hand on a matt black car that's been out in the sun for a while? Other than that, blacks tough!!!

[Stinger]

Gotta go black mate. Makes anything look tough... (well most things). Sone chips show up something fierce but who cares when you have the street cred !!

[Iphido]

Black cars also reflect less light back, sometimes this means less IR laser light from a Police speed gun. Black cars are harder to pick up from a distance and they have to target your headlights or number plate or chrome.

Its been said that a late model Camaro with no front plate and its popup headlights down is extremely hard to pick up with a laser gun.

So there are benifits.

[kaytonk]

chassis black, and be prepared for people to not see you on the road, i now have a dark green car, and drive with the lights on constantly, but still have idiots try and drive through me