Which Porsche Black to go for? - Page 3 - Porsche General - PistonHeads UK

I’ve got a car on order and I’m trying to decide whether to go for standard black or jet black metallic. I’m told by the OPC that standard black is a "blacker" black and I prefer the sound of this, but they also say it scratches more easily. It’s not too practical for me to visit the OPC at the moment to look at colours. So I’d be interested in people’s opinions on the two Porsche blacks with regard to looks, durability, resale value, etc. Maybe somebody has a good photo of the two blacks next to each other? Thanks, TSS

Solid black looks amazing when shined up well, however metallic black is much less work to get a perfect finish. Sorry no photos as, GT Silver, (my choice) is much better if you prefer a low maintenance car...

Not sure if this helps at all? Has various photos of the different models and colours - could open side by side? https://www.rennbow.org/colorwiki

Taita said: Not sure if this helps at all? Has various photos of the different models and colours - could open side by side? https://www.rennbow.org/colorwiki Thanks, but unfortunately it doesn't really help as all the photos are taken in different conditions so in some of them both blacks look the same and in others they look different but not the same difference every time. Really one photo of both blacks together in the same light conditions would be good.

Does it matter ? Just get one, Black Porsches Matter!

PS.. like the ‘Gulf’ colours on the tractor thingy.

I would go non metallic black. It is harder work to clean and keep scratch free. Make sure the dealer does not prep the paintwork. Take it to Nick at SL Restorations in Crawley to carry out any paint correction and then have the car ceramic coated. My non metallic black Hellcat still looks great after 5 years

Mariosbt said: PS.. like the ‘Gulf’ colours on the tractor thingy. Those are Lamborghini colours! Lamborghini painted their tractors is blue and orange from 1960 onward. Gulf didn't copy them until 1967!

Jet Black Metallic when clean looks fantastic - had it on 2 Porsche's now. I was put off non-metallic black by OPC - takes too much work to keep tip top.

Phooey said: Jet Black Metallic when clean looks fantastic - had it on 2 Porsche's now. I was put off non-metallic black by OPC - takes too much work to keep tip top. Thanks Phooey, those photos are really helpful. Much as I really want a black black I'm beginning to veer towards metallic as the car will be a commuter (if I ever start commuting again!) and I really can't be bothered to be detailing it every week.

TSS said: I’ve got a car on order and I’m trying to decide whether to go for standard black or jet black metallic. I’m told by the OPC that standard black is a "blacker" black and I prefer the sound of this, but they also say it scratches more easily. It’s not too practical for me to visit the OPC at the moment to look at colours. So I’d be interested in people’s opinions on the two Porsche blacks with regard to looks, durability, resale value, etc. Maybe somebody has a good photo of the two blacks next to each other? Thanks, TSS I specified my old Cayman R in black and had the same debate that you did. Settled on flat black and it looked superb. Freshly detailed, it's a deep inky black. But I'm the first to admit that it's a second job keeping it looking good. If you're not garaging it, it's unforgiving and will show everything. Touching in stone chips on flat black is a bit easier in my experience too. Assume the OPC means swirling versus scratching? Cleaning is as contactless as is possible - snowfoam, two buckets, big wookie mitts. But I'd still find a few swirls.

Jet Black Metallic with some nice wax on it for me Saj

Mutema said: I specified my old Cayman R in black and had the same debate that you did. Settled on flat black and it looked superb. Freshly detailed, it's a deep inky black. But I'm the first to admit that it's a second job keeping it looking good. If you're not garaging it, it's unforgiving and will show everything. Touching in stone chips on flat black is a bit easier in my experience too. Assume the OPC means swirling versus scratching? Cleaning is as contactless as is possible - snowfoam, two buckets, big wookie mitts. But I'd still find a few swirls. That one looks superb, the metallics look slightly faded in comparison imo. Presume the flat black is also easier if you ever need a colour match / blend in.

Another vote here for Jet Black. Lovely flake in it. Get a decent detailing job and it will continue to look fab.

Don't do it! Black looks good for about half an hour, whatever the weather. Never again!!

DJMC said: Don't do it! Black looks good for about half an hour, whatever the weather. Never again!! I say this and after a few years always break this rule - I’ve now ended up with not one, but 2 black cars. Coincidentally, one is Jet Black Metallic and the other is Flat Black. Unfortunately, neither are currently with me or I’d take a photo side by side to help the OP - really sorry. One is currently having film and ceramic coating (& a few decals for good measure) applied; it will be interesting to see if this improves maintainance? Edited by RSVP911 on Wednesday 12th August 22:02

Maybe just one pic would have illustrated well enough...

A non-metallic black is the best colour on any car... for about 5 minutes. When the paint is good and it's clean it just looks amazing.

Maxym said: Maybe just one pic would have illustrated well enough... I have coffee sprayed all over my screen now. Thanks!!!

Schmed said: That one looks superb, the metallics look slightly faded in comparison imo. Presume the flat black is also easier if you ever need a colour match / blend in. Yes, as I said, easier to touch in any chips. I have a Festool de-nib tool and a drop feed fineline applicator. With some care, it's bodyshop standard. Same tools and method they use anyway.

julian987R said: On the R thread, I was in the same debate. Cayman R in Basalt Black (or wait for a Flat/Gloss Black to come up for sale) Considering the rarity of the car in the right spec, I went ahead and purchased it and I love the Metallic Basalt Black. I am aware it is different to your black, but I suspect you are going through the same dilemma I went through...as yes, in intense sunlight or showrooms with a gazillion watts of LEDs it can appear not a true black, which is what threw me off...and might be throwing you off with the Jet Black Metallic, but even in the sunny conditions of the weather of late, it just looks lovely and glossy in black. Since buying it two weeks ago, I haven't wash it yet and up until todays rain, it has stayed looking immaculate. I do think non-metallic black is lovely, but as I say metallic really adds a classy dimension to it. Makes it feel really premium A good view of the Jet Black Metallic is on TGETV's collection video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YzGt5abcfbA Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 12th August 22:20 Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 12th August 22:23 The only way to accurately judge the colour is to use a diffused light source with a daylight balanced (neutral) bulb/LED. In photography, you use a viewing booth to judge colour and these are typically supplied with a daylight balanced diffuse panel. Getting two swatches from a dealer and viewing under one of these is first prize. Why dealers don't do this is an oversight. At Porsche Exclusif in Germany, they cater for this which deeply impressed me with their thoroughness and attention to that level of detail. If you find two vehicles next to each other in the two blacks and the lighting conditions are the same, then that's the best you can hope for. Comparing photographs on screen with all the variations in colour reproduction that come from different computers/monitor, the dynamic range of the source image, the light it was shot in/time of day, whether it was edited and contrast pushed etc etc It just makes judgement totally arbitrary and subjective to the point of being worthless with so many variables. I've never bought a black car since the R. I've been fortunate enough to have been able to do PTS on the Porsches I've owned since but I've gone for flat colours because I think it suits GT body styles. But I always think Porsches with more dramatic styling look best with flat colours. Subjective view but this was triggered when I saw the 997 GT3 press car in Riviera Blue.

Mutema said: The only way to accurately judge the colour is to use a diffused light source with a daylight balanced (neutral) bulb/LED. In photography, you use a viewing booth to judge colour and these are typically supplied with a daylight balanced diffuse panel. Getting two swatches from a dealer and viewing under one of these is first prize. Why dealers don't do this is an oversight. At Porsche Exclusif in Germany, they cater for this which deeply impressed me with their thoroughness and attention to that level of detail. If you find two vehicles next to each other in the two blacks and the lighting conditions are the same, then that's the best you can hope for. Comparing photographs on screen with all the variations in colour reproduction that come from different computers/monitor, the dynamic range of the source image, the light it was shot in/time of day, whether it was edited and contrast pushed etc etc It just makes judgement totally arbitrary and subjective to the point of being worthless with so many variables. I've never bought a black car since the R. I've been fortunate enough to have been able to do PTS on the Porsches I've owned since but I've gone for flat colours because I think it suits GT body styles. But I always think Porsches with more dramatic styling look best with flat colours. Subjective view but this was triggered when I saw the 997 GT3 press car in Riviera Blue. Forget it. go work it out yourself. Why are you asking us if you are just going to criticise those offering advice. Was just trying to sympathise with the dilemma over Black Metallic or Non-Metallic. Go away and work it out yourself

Just had a one on one comparison with my flat black (41) with a friends basalt black metallic. I really prefer the deep look of the black tho the metallic, tbh. Will it get dirty? Well yes. Wash it! (I even do it more often than not in the drive through wash street...)

Mutema said: Yes, as I said, easier to touch in any chips. I have a Festool de-nib tool and a drop feed fineline applicator. With some care, it's bodyshop standard. Same tools and method they use anyway. Do you have a link to these things - sound very interesting - thx

julian987R said: Good. Serves you right. Was trying to show close ups of metallic black and to be helpful. Deleted post. What a bunch of ungrateful people you 911 fanatics are. Have a sense of humour. You did post a hell of a lot of similar pictures. It was a mildly sardonic comment which arrived at the end of a 10 page scroll of your images on my phone. No offense intended to you though. I also happen to prefer mid-engine so no fanatic here.

julian987R said: Forget it. go work it out yourself. Why are you asking us if you are just going to criticise those offering advice. Was just trying to sympathise with the dilemma over Black Metallic or Non-Metallic. Go away and work it out yourself I'm a little confused as to why ire this is directed at me? I'm not the person who posed the question or asked for help in the first place.

RSVP911 said: Do you have a link to these things - sound very interesting - thx No problem, this is the denibber: https://www.festool.co.uk/accessory/497525---lzk-h... and this is the painting tool: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07GXZ9GPJ/ref...

julian987R said: As if it was a ten page scroll. Ridiculous reply. I have a small screen. It might have been 12 actually. Post them again and I can verify.

Mutema said: julian987R said: As if it was a ten page scroll. Ridiculous reply. I have a small screen. It might have been 12 actually. Post them again and I can verify.

Mutema said: No problem, this is the denibber: https://www.festool.co.uk/accessory/497525---lzk-h... and this is the painting tool: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07GXZ9GPJ/ref... Thanks - think I need to google some user guide videos - look like things that I’ll use and make things even worse - way above my skill level

RSVP911 said: Thanks - think I need to google some user guide videos - look like things that I’ll use and make things even worse - way above my skill level Before I went near a car, I did a few tests on an old enamel sign. I made a few mistakes - overloading with paint and so on but you get a feel for it quite quickly. The Festool is good for trimming the inevitable high spot you get when you dot a tiny chip. It's not for everything. Using the dropper makes a huge difference but it ultimately depends on the type of chip you have - I have fine sable hair artist paint brushes which I use for certain nicks. When you get the technique right, it's really satisfying. Check out AMMO NYC - I discovered the dropper through him via a detailing site link and think there was a video. Detailing World also a good source. Festool have product videos but if you come across the US ones, TURN DOWN YOUR VOLUME, THEY'RE SUPER ENTHUSIASTIC! :-) If you look for paint overruns, you'll find videos which give you the technique. I thought it was just for paint but it's a really versatile tool and being tungsten carbide, is very durable.

Use a toothpick to fix stonechips. As to the original question, I'd go for Spinal Tap Black .

Mutema said: RSVP911 said: Thanks - think I need to google some user guide videos - look like things that I’ll use and make things even worse - way above my skill level Before I went near a car, I did a few tests on an old enamel sign. I made a few mistakes - overloading with paint and so on but you get a feel for it quite quickly. The Festool is good for trimming the inevitable high spot you get when you dot a tiny chip. It's not for everything. Using the dropper makes a huge difference but it ultimately depends on the type of chip you have - I have fine sable hair artist paint brushes which I use for certain nicks. When you get the technique right, it's really satisfying. Check out AMMO NYC - I discovered the dropper through him via a detailing site link and think there was a video. Detailing World also a good source. Festool have product videos but if you come across the US ones, TURN DOWN YOUR VOLUME, THEY'RE SUPER ENTHUSIASTIC! :-) If you look for paint overruns, you'll find videos which give you the technique. I thought it was just for paint but it's a really versatile tool and being tungsten carbide, is very durable. Cheers

Orangecurry said: As to the original question, I'd go for Spinal Tap Black . I would if it was available. I'll ask my Porsche salesperson, but I think they're too young to know what that is...

They need to learn. There's none more black.

Orangecurry said: They need to learn. There's none more black. Yesthey do. And how about an enhanced Sport Chrono Package with an additional driving mode: Range, Normal, Sport, Sport Plus, Individual and Eleven. I'll write to Stuttgart and suggest it :-)

...and some extra sustain on the exhaust note. Someone at the BBC IT dept. has a sense of humour. All of the virtual volume controls go to eleven.

Jet Black Metallic on my Macan. It looks dark grey in some lights and brilliant when freshly polished/washed. However, personally I wouldn't choose it again. Edited by Rich_AR on Saturday 15th August 16:35

I’ve had two Black cars, and never again. Given the choice - metallic, reflects the light much better. Flat black requires too much hard work and shows every mark. However, Black is popular - Mercs (taxis?), Range Rovers (drug dealers?), London cabs, funeral directors........ Also have similar problems maintaining dark navy blues, although agree, touching-in stone chips is much easier on dark colours.

I have a Jet Black Cayenne and a flat black RS and both are equally nice..Flat black needs a top end paint correction with PPF and/or Ceramic coating to hugely reduce the maintenance work..

Koln-RS said: I’ve had two Black cars, and never again. Given the choice - metallic, reflects the light much better. Flat black requires too much hard work and shows every mark. However, Black is popular - Mercs (taxis?), Range Rovers (drug dealers?), London cabs, funeral directors........ Also have similar problems maintaining dark navy blues, although agree, touching-in stone chips is much easier on dark colours. Glad I am not the only one that judges a car by its colour lol

SOLID

The blackest Porsche in the world! Called Musou Black, this paint is said to be the darkest water based acrylic paint in the world https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ei9l9pHmcFY&t=... Edited by julian987R on Wednesday 6th July 20:32

Any chance of a daytime photo?

Mariosbt said: Any chance of a daytime photo?

Mariosbt said: Any chance of a daytime photo?

Mines Jet black. Once you’ve had a black car, you swear never, ever, ever again. And then do it again. Just had it paint corrected and he told me ‘good luck’… Good old silver is the best for maintenance - but I just hate the way the front bumper never matches after a respray no matter how many I’ve looked at …. It’s a pain - but ceramic coatings and PPF definitely help.

julian987R said: It looks like it’s been freshly flocked to my eyes 😅

MD707 said: Mines Jet black. Once you’ve had a black car, you swear never, ever, ever again. And then do it again. Just had it paint corrected and he told me ‘good luck’… Good old silver is the best for maintenance - but I just hate the way the front bumper never matches after a respray no matter how many I’ve looked at …. It’s a pain - but ceramic coatings and PPF definitely help. Mine is solid black, which probably isn't far off Jet black. I love how deep and inky it is. No doubt Metallic Blacks/Basalt Black might look more 'classy' to some folk, but solid/Jet is more 'classic' in my opinion. I much prefer black to be as black the Spinal Tap album cover.

Deep Black Pearl PTS - gives you an indication of the colour in bright sunshine. Edited by JPCGT on Thursday 7th July 15:41 Edited by JPCGT on Thursday 7th July 15:42

My balsalt black 997.1 Swirl city in the right (wrong) light. So hard to keep clean, but when it is...