4 Tips for Choosing Your Car’s Paint Color

A car’s color may seem like one of the least important decisions when you’re in the market for a new ride, but it’s not as frivolous a concern as it appears. Your car’s color is not only an aesthetic concern, but a practical one. There’s a fair bit of science and reason that go into what color paint job will be best for your vehicle, so consider the following before you select a hue for your next purchase.

1. Black is a Chore

No paint color will be more stunning on the curb than a freshly washed and waxed black. But the truth is that your own car is more likely to look like a dust ball than an intimidating matte black Nissan 350Z. Dirt and debris are easiest to see on black paint, so if you’re going to go for a black paint job, enter with the knowledge that you’re going to have to wash and buff your car at least weekly. It may be worth it for the most aesthetically minded, but it’s far from practical.

2. Bugs Love Yellow

It sounds like an urban legend but it’s science fact: bugs are more attracted to yellow cars. The reason is simple: many flying bugs, like bees, can see the color yellow but can’t process many other colors. Unfortunately, the average bee can’t tell the difference between your lemon yellow Honda Fit and a delicious flower. Bugs in search of nectar will instead collide with your ride, resulting in a sticky mess. Skip yellow if you live in an especially bug-friendly region.

3. White Will Get You Ticketed (Probably)

According to recent estimates, 19 percent of all traffic citations in the United States are given to white cars, which is considerably more than the color people most associate with speeding: red cars. For whatever reason, a quarter of the driving population choose white cars, only to account for nearly a fifth of speeding tickets. If you’re wary of tickets, or if you’re prone to going a bit over the speed limit, steer clear of white paint jobs.

4. Style or Function?

Not all car paint costs the same. Some paints, especially specialty colors limited to a single make or model of car, will cost significantly more than a common color like tan or gray. It’s not just super high-end paint jobs like the Mercedes-Benz Alubeam custom paint (costing a reported $12,000). Many cars offer special or custom paint options that, while interesting, may drive up the price of the vehicle. When price is a major concern, look into your different color options to see which is least expensive. You may end up saving hundreds, if not thousands of dollars.

The color you choose for your car is both a practical and a personal matter. You’ll have to decide whether looks are more important than economy and practicality. Of course, with proper maintenance, there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy a stunning paint job that elevates a luxurious ride to a sublime automative experience.