As I mentioned while searching for my car black was not a color of choice . But I got to hand it to you who have one and keep it clean. I was in the market last year for a new pick up . During my search I came across a left over 2016 Chevy and was able to get $11K off the MSRP. Then I got a trade in of my 2007 pick up of $16K. Couldn't pass up the deal and even though it was black I bought it. As you could expect it doesn't stay to clean and it is outside all of the time. Used it to plow our snow last winter and will use it again this year. So fall is here and the leaves are falling. Took it for it's weekly car wash and had the usual leave stains left on the hood and roof. Took me 2 hours to clay the stains out and throw a coat of wax on it.
So for you who have black cars my hats off to your cleaning activities.

 

I had a black car, once. Never again, not even for free.

 

Both our XF and XKR are black and, living out in the country, find them impossible to keep clean even while parked inside the garage. Two days max and dust is already visible. Covering them under car covers don't seem to help either. My wife drives the XF and don't seem to mind it being dusty. I do mind and when I drive the XKR it starts with a wash. What saves me from all too frequent washes is the fact that I do not drive it much, at all.

On Sept 1st we purchased a new SUV in white. Still, a month and a half later, that car has not been washed because it still looks clean. Dust simply does not show over white color.

 

Me, too. My sentiments exactly.

 

I feel your pain. I wash mine put in back the garage...take it back it and it looks dirty. Would go silver or white next time

 

I just use the California duster between washes and occasionally a little bug remover.

I'm mystified by black wheels however. They're the latest trendy thing. I have to imagine they're a nightmare.

 

Gee, since black wheels look so ugly, especially on an XK, I always assumed that the owners just allowed brake dust to accumulate and never cleaned it off. Do you mean that people actually WANT wheels that look dirty all the time? If so, why?

 

You don't own a black car. It owns you.

Cheers
DD

 

My first black car is the Jag. I allways said to myself never a black car but here I am!:-D
Black is the most beautiful colour on any car when clean but as you say it's a lot of washing and waxing.:-)

 

I keep my black xk outside with a cover. A good wax and a California car duster is all it takes to keep it looking good between washes. For washing, cheap foam gun, 2 buckets of clean water, and quick drying with good clean drying towels for a spot free shine. What is bugging me more these days are small paint chips on the hood... Any good technique for fixing them at home?

 

It is a "hobby" to keep one black car clean.
it is a "lifestyle" to keep two clean.

No more black cars for me. They look really nice when clean. With the sun in Tucson, black is NOT a viable choice.

 

I agree, but when it's clean and polished, it looks SPECTACULAR!!!


Ken

2007 XK (Radiance Mica)
2012 XF (Ultimate Black)
Previously Owned: 2004 X-Type (Black)

 

I've had four 911s, one black. It was the best looking.
I've had four XKs, two silver, two black, including the current XKR. Yes, they're tough to keep clean and IMHO no, there isn't another color that looks better.

 

London Cabbies must feel cursed.
'You will drive others around and your car must be black and clean'
God has a sense of humor.

 

I've never really thought of the effort it takes for them before.

Here in the US the standards on Taxi's are a base line of not smelling like a flood damaged car just went into commission.

It takes a very sharp mind to qualify as a London Cab Driver, those guys are a different sort of person from the normal.

 

I have never thought about the cultural differences in that regard myself.
Right, the requirement for a cab here is that it must have done 400,000 miles as a used and abused police cruiser that absolutely cannot be sold to any other occupation. And the driver must be from another country where he has never owned a car.

I love our Ebony color, wasnt sure of at first. Its very rich and 3-dimensional, just like ebony keys. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebony

 

I prefer a white car. It always looks clean and fresh, even when fairly dirty.


Black cars look great when clean, but that doesn't last long. Plus here in the South, a black car with black interior will turn you into a French fry pretty quick!


I got the burgundy car - it was immaculate and is pretty. I still think I would prefer the white, though.

 

Speaking of heat, I really love the caramel interior here in the south, especially as fall comes in.

I wasn't a fan of black, but when I saw my car after it'd been brought back from inventory, I kinda knew I might be buying it.

My eyesight isn't the greatest, so while I know its the most difficult car to have look excellent, it also doesn't bother me as much if it is not.

The black *really* bakes anything that gets on it onto the paint. As a daily driver, the spring time, summer time, and general junk from the air do not make it easy.

I do find that when I get to stay in the country, and not the city, it just isn't as bad in what it acquires.

I wonder about getting an air filter for the garage? I'm surprised at the dust comments, I don't have that.

 

The problem here in the NE is at Fall the leaves land on the truck black paint and then it gets rained on and then sun dried and now you have an outline of the leave bled into the paint. These stain are a pain to get out even on a new paint job.

 

I feel for you.
Do the easy to do ceramic coat that I posted elsewhere. Not only will you not have this problem, but NE frequent rains will keep the car clean. Basically it repels anything water-based and what sticks is not sticking to the paint.

Plus on the truck you have only one horizontal panel that you can see, the hood, so put a clear film on the entire hood.