imjohnphan

Hey guys, I know this sounds like a stupid question. But I am on the verge of buying a 3GS used and was wondering if the paint color affects the longevity of the paint (due to heat)? I live in Houston, Texas and practically this whole summer highs are easily above 100F. The highs for the next 3 days are forecast to be above 100F. We all have silver color cars and typically keep the cars for a very long time.

Do you think an Obsidian paint color would be worse than Smoky Granite Mica? Or possibly Silver?

I really would like an Obsidian but would hate for the paint to fade say 7 years from now.

BinaryJay

Yes and no.

Heat doesn't really do anything to paint. It's already cured at incredibly hot temperatures at the factory. The only thing that paint doesn't like is UV exposure which you can get even more of in a snowy freezing place.

Black could possibly fade easier than silver but with modern clearcoat, regular application of sealants/waxes there is no reason it should ever be a problem within 7 years even if you did absolutely nothing to protect the paint. This is stuff you worry about if you have designs to be driving the same car 20 years later.

And Black looks way better than silver for those 20 years... :P Personally, I can't stand silver cars...

patricksr5

Black cars just need lots of attention but nothing prettier than a well waxed black car...the black just pops.

Ap1_Alan

iTrader: (1)

that depends how much of the 20 years the black car is clean

rominl

iTrader: (4)

the color itself makes no difference, the way you upkeep the paint condition does

imjohnphan

Thanks for the reassurance. Now time to decide between Smoky Granite Mica or Obsidian. It appears as though Smoky Granite Mica would be easier to keep clean but man Obsidian just looks really nice.

I also read some posts online that the Obsidian might be a single stage paint. Was there any proof against this?

I was just wondering about longevity because my 13 year old silver Lexus paint still looks beautiful.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

of course smoky granite is MUCH MUCH easier to keep clean. obsidian is just a pain in the butt, period. i have obsidian, i know

Mesca

iTrader: (28)

Can definitely attest to that! SGM is one of the easiest colors to maintain, since dirt tends to hide in the color. But I wouldn't change my Obsidian for anything!

lkapimp216

iTrader: (2)

Obsidian FTW!!!! Get a DA and some compound and polish with some paste wax and she ll be beautiful.

BinaryJay

I think Lexus used to use single stage paint for black but they no longer do that and it's clear coated just like everything else.

lexusaht

iTrader: (1)

I think it does matter. I live in Dallas, Texas. I see more black faded cars then white or silver color ones. I would never consider a black car with black interior in Texas.

krschee

Isn't that the truth. That's why I went with white. Then again, I'm planning on going back to California in the next year or two. Texas heat is just not sustainable at all.

imjohnphan

Were the cars that you saw faded Lexus cars or other cheaper cars? I was just wondering maybe Lexus uses higher quality paints or a better system to protect the paints.

But yes here in Texas the heat is pretty bad. I believe the next 3 days now are above 105F.

lexusaht

iTrader: (1)

I'm taking in general. the fading are usually the plastic parts,bumpers that started to have small cracks in paint with age. I had a 1990's supra in black that started fading in bumpers. at the time I did not have a garage. so it was in the sun all the time. try touching a white vs black car in 105 degree. white is cool to touch vs burning hot on black