White Cars

[mis3]

White cars are getting more and more popular.

After years of rain and sun, does modern white paint turn yellow? Would regular waxing and maintenance help?

[Shawn T.]

Re: White Cars

Yes. Waxing and maintaining will help to keep that white paint as white as possible. In fact, if it is a daily driver, I would give it a Colorx treatment once a month to keep that paint clean.

The white paint will not turn yellow but the dirt on and in the clear coat may dirty the finish giving the appearance of yellow. Some light oxidation of the clear coat may also contribute to this discoloration. A little UC would be able to clean that right up though.

[Bill Davidson]

Re: White Cars


I think this photo says it all. This was simply from never washing the vehicle.
It took an aggressive compound to restore this. Regular washing and waxing would have preventing this from happening.


This is my work truck (2 years old). I has never been waxed, but it was washed at least once per week.
As you can see, it is very white.

[EPHIOS]

Re: White Cars

Yes. Waxing and maintaining will help to keep that white paint as white as possible. In fact, if it is a daily driver, I would give it a Colorx treatment once a month to keep that paint clean.

The white paint will not turn yellow but the dirt on and in the clear coat may dirty the finish giving the appearance of yellow. Some light oxidation of the clear coat may also contribute to this discoloration. A little UC would be able to clean that right up though.

I agree. It's not the base coat, but rather the clear coat that is contaminated. Use some clay and paint cleaner, it should help out the situation.

[Murr1525]

Re: White Cars

There is a nice article at Autopia, if it is ever working again, called "A Lesson from White Paint".

[Kornercarver]

Re: White Cars

I don't think white cars are difficult to keep clean and shiny. They also don't seem to exhibit any signs of yellowing if they are kept cleaned and waxed. Here is a picture of my 1992 Dodge Stealth taken in 2005. That would make the Stealth 13 years old when the picture was taken. I no longer own the Stealth but I wish I did.

[Tuck91]

Re: White Cars

I love clean and shiny white paint.

[mis3]

Re: White Cars

Different car manufacturers have different names for their white cars; Alpine White, Arctic White, Metallic Diamond White, Pearl, Starfire Pearl, etc... Some manufacturers offer metallic white as an option for $1500.

Is there any difference in appearance? How about white and metallic white?

[Tuck91]

Re: White Cars

Summit White.

[David Fermani]

Re: White Cars

Keep in mind that clearcoat paint isn't totally clear and has a yellowish tint that alters the actual color of the basecoat.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: White Cars

I treat it as any other color. Do the prep work and the results will be great.

[Orca]

Re: White Cars

From the last ten years of owning a white car, I've come to the conclusion that a regular cleanse (with a cleaner wax or dedicated paintwork cleanser) is of paramount importance. More regularly than with other paints.

[gto_don]

Re: White Cars

Gotta love white trucks. My daily driver 2000 Toyota Tundra.

[mis3]

Re: White Cars

From the last ten years of owning a white car, I've come to the conclusion that a regular cleanse (with a cleaner wax or dedicated paintwork cleanser) is of paramount importance. More regularly than with other paints.

So, white cars do need more attention, more wash and wax than other colors. This is not an issue for me. I do maintain my car regularly.

My current car is silver and this is probably the easiest color to maintain.

[Orca]

Re: White Cars

White can still look good even when it dulls. It's not until you use a strong cleanser or cleaner wax that you realise how much glory you've lost. Use such a cleaner more frequently than you would on other colours - I tend to go three months at the most. Every eight weeks, or so, I cleanse down and re-wax.

I trust that makes sense.