Light or Dark?

[k3ith]

Alright, so is this color a light color or a dark color? I am trying to determine which way to go with wax / sealer. I know, I know about doing a side-by-side comparison but often that just doesn't work for me. Certainly some of the problem is my eyes, but waxes also look different based on light, sun, shade, and even change after 12-36 hours.

I prefer deep over shiny and generally use polish and wax. But if this is a waste of time because it's a light color, and synthetics are going to make it pop, then i'll go that way.

So light or dark - what do you think? Maybe a neutral color that could go either way?

[KyleGates]

Re: Light or Dark?

Could always go with the tried and true combination of a sealant topped with a carnauba. You get the combined looks and added protection.

[k3ith]

Re: Light or Dark?

Could always go with the tried and true combination of a sealant topped with a carnauba. You get the combined looks and added protection.

I almost always use a sealant first for durability but when topped it looks more like the carnauba finish than the synthetic to me.

[k3ith]

Re: Light or Dark?

To clarify, although the reply above is appreciated, I am not really looking for a product or product combination recommendation for this car. I only gave the wax / sealant commentary for background. Really what I want to know is if this color specifically and this type of color generally is considered light or dark?

[Murr1525]

Re: Light or Dark?

Dont over think things....

If you have the products, try a panel of each, and see what you like.

[k3ith]

Re: Light or Dark?

Dont over think things....

If you have the products, try a panel of each, and see what you like.

Yea, i've got the products. I am sure i'll end up trying several over time. I have already tried a few and for some reason just can't seem to get this color to be eye catching. Sure, I can get it to look clean and detailed but that show car / enthusiast finish is evading me. In other words, "looks good" is the best I can get and I am not ready to settle. So as I was thinking about it and reading, I realized I didn't even know if it was light or dark.

[Chris Thompson]

Re: Light or Dark?

I vote light.

[Murr1525]

Re: Light or Dark?

That color just might not pop....

[k3ith]

Re: Light or Dark?

That color just might not pop....

Now don't go talking like that.

[ca2kjet]

Re: Light or Dark?

Looks like slate blue metallic. I would say it's more on the dark side of the spectrum but closer to neutral. I think the most you can get out of a color like that would be more shine.

[k3ith]

Re: Light or Dark?

I think Infinity called it Lakeshore Slate

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Light or Dark?

I would say lighter.

[Michael Stoops]

Re: Light or Dark?

There's a lot more to color that simply "light" and "dark". Just as there are many shades of gray between black and white, so are there many shades between light and dark.

What is the metallic content of this paint like? If it's heavy with flake then maybe a nice bright synthetic like NXT will make it pop like crazy.

What's most interesting about this thread, however, is your own admission that you can't always tell that much of a difference between carnaubas and synthetics - which tells us that maybe it really shouldn't matter all that much which product type you select.

Here's another car that's sort of inbetween light and dark (thishappens to be my weekend toy, by the way):



This color is never going to look really wet and deep like black or non metallic red, but it can shine very brightly and the metallic can be made to "pop" even though it isn't terribly high in metallic content. But from personal experience most of that comes from the prep work as I tend to vacillate between NXT Tech Wax and M16 on this car.

So, which do you choose for the QX? Well, is it a customer's car or your own? What is the ultimate goal with the finish, and what sort of prep is being done first? If you do a near complete defect removal on this big SUV and you want something that will look good and last a long time, go with NXT Tech Wax 2.0. If you want to really lavish the time on it in an attempt to achieve "the next level" then go over it with a pure polish first and then M26. Of course, if you think you're going to struggle to tell the difference when everything is said and done, and given the size of this vehicle, go with the NXT!

[k3ith]

Re: Light or Dark?

Thanks guys for all the messages. Nice toy Stoops and the paint looks great.

I've spent some time with the QX and unfortunately just can't tell much difference no matter what I do. I mean, it looks good, much better than when I bought it, but not great. It looks like I am just going to have to live with it (it's my daily driver).

Honestly, I think part of the problem is the chrome pops so much on the trim and wheels that it is making the paint look duller than it is. Just a bad combination from the manufacture I think. I guess I should have bought another color but when I saw it on the lot I figured the paint was just poorly maintained by the previous owner (2008) and I could restore it.

Oh well.