Black VS White Car: Does The Colour Matter?

There’s no denying that car colors can be personal preferences. For some, only a black car will do. For others, a white car is a way to go. But does the color of your vehicle actually matter? Black vs white car?

When it comes to resale value, black and white cars are typically on equal footing. In fact, according to some studies, white cars actually have a slightly higher resale value than black cars. So if you’re looking to sell your car down the line, the colour shouldn’t be a deciding factor.

As for safety, it’s widely believed that white cars are more visible on the road and therefore safer. However, there’s no concrete evidence to support this claim. Each color of the car has its pros and cons. Let’s discuss this more in-depth.

Why are black cars better?

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If we follow statistics, black cars are believed to be fancier options than white ones. Sales of black cars have been increasing in recent years. In fact, one in five new cars sold in the U.S. is black. But why are black cars so popular? [1]

Black cars have always been seen as more prestigious than white cars. They are often seen as more expensive and associated with luxury. In the past, only the wealthy could afford black cars. But now, black cars are more affordable and within reach of the average person.

Some also say that black cars are more aesthetically pleasing than white cars. They tend to look sleeker and more sophisticated. 

Also, because a black car does not reflect light like other colors, a vehicle painted in black will maintain its gloss and shine the longest. It will be less likely to age and lose its shine over time. Also, as the sunlight is absorbed by black, scratches and paint swirls appear darker over time.

Speaking of black car disadvantages, the first thing coming on the black car owners is that they get stained easily. Any raindrop marks, nicks, scratches, or smudges are immediately visible on a black car. 

Also, black cars tend to be harder to notice in the dark, which could lead to severe accidents.

How To Maintain A Black Car Clean?

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If you have a black car, you can do a few things to help prevent it from getting too dirty.

  1. Rinse your car regularly. If you live in an area with a lot of trees, you’ll need to rinse it more often to remove tree sap and bird droppings. 
  2. Use a mild soap designed for cars. Be sure to rinse the soap off thoroughly to avoid streaking. 
  3. Wax your car regularly. This will help protect the paint and make it easier to clean.
  4. Avoid parking in direct sunlight. The heat can cause the color to fade and make the surface more difficult to clean. 
  5. Clean the interior regularly. A black car shows every speck of dirt, so keeping the interior clean is important. 
  6. Finally, consider using a clear car bra or paint protection film on the front of the car. This will help to protect the paint from rocks, road debris, and other potential hazards. [2]

 With a bit of care, your black car will look great for years.

Advantages Of A White Car 

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Although we mainly discussed the benefits of black cars, it does not mean a white car is the wrong choice. Of course, it also comes with various advantages.

A white car’s biggest advantage over the black one is its thought to be safer. White cars are more visible on the road, which can help you stay safe. If you’re driving in bad weather or at night, a white car is easier for other drivers to see. This increased visibility can help prevent accidents. [3]

Moreover, White cars tend to be cheaper than black cars because of the comparatively affordable cost of white paint jobs.

In addition, white cars tend to be associated with cleanliness. This is not to say that other colors cannot be just as clean, but a specific connotation comes with a white color itself.

In terms of practical use, white cars hide dust and stains better than black cars. If you’re the type of person who likes to keep a clean car, then you’ll appreciate that white cars don’t show dirt and stains as much as black cars do. This could further give the white cars the advantage of a longer lifespan – the less often you’ll have to clean your car, the longer it takes the paint to fade.

White cars don’t need to be washed as often as white cars as well. Again, a white car is a good choice if you like to keep a clean car but don’t have the time to wash it every week. 

These reasons make white cars more efficient and environmentally friendly than black ones, making them a more practical option.

Disadvantages Of White Cars

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Even though we mentioned that a white car hides dust well, the dirt is very much visible on it as well. With black cars, the situation is kind of the opposite. Yes, you’ll see dust specks even when you put the cleaning rag down, but a dirty and muddy road won’t make your car look like it’s been to hell and back. Meanwhile, white car owners can’t really say the same thing. 

Also, most cars on the market are white, and as you drive down the road, you can quickly find yourself surrounded by a long line of white cars. It can be hard to stand out in any way. 

This might not seem like a big deal until you are trying to find your car in a crowded parking lot. You must be careful not to pick the wrong white car.

How To Maintain A White Car Clean?

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Though the car wash does not differ according to the car’s color, a white car still needs a little more care to keep it deep-cleaned. Here’re a few tips.

  1. Park in a garage or carport whenever possible to protect your paint from the sun and elements.
  2. Hand wash your car often using a pH-neutral soap, meaning it has a seven on the pH scale. Higher or lower pH levels can damage your car’s paint. 
  3. Use a soft cloth or sponge to avoid scratching the paint. 
  4. Rinse your car completely and dry it with a clean, soft towel. 
  5. If you must wash your car in an automated car wash, choose one that uses soft clothes rather than brushes. 
  6. Wax your car regularly to create a barrier between the elements and your paint. 
  7. Touch up any paint chips or scratches as soon as possible to prevent rusting.
  8. Pay attention to areas that get the most sun or are most susceptible to dirt and grime, such as the hood, roof, and trunk. These areas will need to be cleaned more often.
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Black VS White Car Insurance: Is There Any Difference?

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Does the color of your car change how much it costs to insure? Yes, but not in a direct way. Auto insurance companies won’t use your car’s color to determine how much your premiums will be. They will, however, take into account how much the car costs and how much it would cost to do the paint job of your car. This can have a big effect depending on the vehicle and how many are available. 

Custom paint jobs, for example, will almost certainly make your car worth more, which means it will cost more to fix. This means that the insurance company will have to charge you more to cover your car.

 As of 2021, 35% of the vehicles on the road were white, while black was 20%. Also, cars with brighter colors are easier to spot, which makes them less likely to be stolen. 

Based on this, white cars will probably cost a little less to insure because they are more popular on the market, and when supply and demand are high, materials are accessible at lower prices. [4]

Black VS White Car Heat Absorption

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Another aspect that you might not have taken into consideration is heat absorption. According to research, black automobiles heat up more quickly than white ones and cool down more slowly, making it safe to conclude that the color of your car can affect how comfortable you are in the summer heat.

Colors, in general, are determined by the types of light they reflect. As a result, a blue automobile reflects all light except the blue portion of the light spectrum. The only exceptions are black, white, and silver. All visible regions of the spectrum are absorbed by black, converting light energy into heat.

It emits more heat as it absorbs more energy. On the other hand, white and silver behave in the opposite direction, reflecting all light sent their way. As a result, less energy is absorbed, and less heat is emitted. 

In short, this thermodynamic theory applies to all colors, regardless of the materials. If you’ve ever worn a black shirt in the summer, you’ll notice that it absorbs much more heat than lighter-colored clothing.

This is especially true in the case of automobiles. Because the car’s body is made of metal, which is a good conductor of heat, it can emit more heat than fabrics or other materials.

Furthermore, heat is distributed far faster in a dark-painted metal than in any different color. Lighter colors, of course, follow the exact mechanism, but they hold and disperse heat at a far slower rate than darker hues. 

According to studies, the white car reflects 60% of the sun while the black car reflects only 5% – the temperature difference can be as much as 20 degrees! 

Do Black Interiors Get Hotter?

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The color of your car’s interior has the same effect as its exterior, meaning that black dashboards, steering wheels, and seating get hotter than lighter colored materials with time. The actual argument in your home design revolves around the materials themselves. 

If you’ve ever bought a new automobile, you’ve probably been faced with the decision of whether to go with leather or cloth. Leather is typically considered a luxury component, whereas fabric is considered more of a standard. They do, however, have an impact on how hot your automobile gets. Because of its increased density, leather is a superior heat absorber and conductor than cloth.

For the same reasons, black cars can accumulate warmness and keep it longer in the wintertime, so if you wish to have a vehicle warmer in winter over a car cooler in summer, the black car could be your choice. [5]

Below we will share the models that look good only in black or only in white.

Cars That Look Better In Black

 

  • Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
  • Mercedes-Benz G-Class
  • Jaguar XJ
  • Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE
  • Land Rover Range Rover
  • BMW M2 Competition
  • Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge [6]

Cars That Look Better In White

 

  • Jaguar E-Type
  • 2016 Fiat Punto
  • 2016 BMW 7 Series
  • 2008 Mazda Miata
  • Smart Fortwo Cabriolet [7]

Read Also: Can You Wash Car With Just Water

Wrapping Up

In today’s society, people are bombarded with choices. In terms of vehicles, potential car buyers can choose from a wide range of colors, makes, and models. We have discussed several pros and cons for both black and white options.

However, at the end of the day, it’s still a matter of your preferences, so if you have dreamed of getting a luxury looking Chevrolet Corvette, no one will stop you from pursuing it.

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