I would like to consider black for my next Lexus in a year or two. But every time I see a black ES 350, it doesn’t seem to have that squeaky clean, glass/ice gloss to it that most new luxury cars have. The Lexus black paint seems flat, dull and murky. First, I thought it was because the cars weren’t clean. But even in the showroom, the black Lexus pain seems dull.
Is it me or is that the way Lexus black typically appears to the eye?

 

Lexus has two blacks (that I know of). Obsidian and Caviar. Obsidian is straight black, and Caviar has metal flake in it. Not sure if one might look cleaner/ glossier than the other. Black is also the hardest color to keep clean.

 

My 2007 was obsidian and I was told back then that it was not clear coated. I don’t know for sure.

I only hand washed, top to bottom, left to right, no circular motions.

It was beautiful in the 4 years I had it but was high maintenance.

I would not buy another black car.

 

Yes, obsidian is just black and the Caviar has these metal flakes and it looks pretty good.




It has to be clear coated.

 

Man, just reading your post I think you're setting yourself up for years of torture, trying to keep a showroom-shine on a black car.
My wife's RX is black, and I'm so glad it's not my daily driver, cuz every time I look at it I only see imperfections - where "normal" people would see a really clean, shiny car.
We're obsessive about these machines for sure, and black paint can bring us to the brink of insanity. Proceed with caution, my friend!

 

I don't know if they use it anymore but paint code# 217 Stargazer Black Metallic might be what you want.

 

You'll be riding in the back of a shiny black car when you check out... Don't buy one now as you'll be disappointed with the maintenance and deterioration... I spoke to a Lexus rep at the NYC auto show last week and he told me that Atomic Silver is #1...

 

My 2021 ES 350 is Atomic Silver but that color is no longer available on this model.
thirty years ago I bought a gorgeous new black Chrysler Imperial. Fully loaded, sumptuous maroon leather interior that put our living room to shame! You are right, I was constantly keeping it clean, as who wants to drive a magnificent car with its sheen diminished by dirty rain stains. But boy oh boy, when it was cleaned and polished, it was fit for the President himself!
The current black Lexus paint just doesn’t seem to have the high shine that that car did. But now that I’m reminded of the effort involved in keeping it clean (as my cars always are), I think I’ll take the white instead. It doesn’t show the dirt nearly as much.

 

I think that white or maybe a pearly white is a good choice. Maybe for my next one...

 

Phew! Anxiety levels returning to normal now.
Good talk, everyone. Crisis averted!

 

Sleep well tonight peeps.

 

For me, my next car is either White or atomic silver, no matter how beautiful the darker color s are. My Nebula Grey ES is gorgeous when I wash it for about 2 hours. After that it look like crap. The White RX on the other hand, is alway good. Not that classy and striking as the darker colors, but I don't have to wash and wax it 6 times / week just so it doesn't bother me..

 

I had two black cars. Metallic flake on a Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit. And a true deep black on a Volvo. It'll only look clean the day that you wash it (or if you keep it garage kept with no dust particles in the garage).

It bothered me a lot. The car looked amazing when clean but it quickly got dirty. I spent a lot of time keeping the car clean and looking back now, it was a hassle.

My next car has to be a dark gray, silver or white. It'll hide the minor scratches and the dust won't be visible.

 

I think pearl white is one of the very best looking colors for this car, especially on pano-roof cars where it becomes a two-tone.

That said, my last car was an Acura in metallic black, and I think the negativity is overblown. Do you have to stay on top of keeping it clean? For sure. But if you do, it looks badass. And it has other advantages, too: It conceals the body seams for a clean, sleeker look. And as the car ages and gets boo-boos large and small, it's MUCH more forgiving of imperfect touch-up. Hell, I disguised gross injuries to the rear bumper with a mix of substances that literally included shoe polish, and no one was any the wiser.

 

Agree 100%. Would only own white, silver or atomic silver. Our pearl white 2023 NX 350h and 2017 RX450h could go a month and seven rains and not look dirty. Plus no swirl marks. Love the atomic silver. When you see the color you know it is a Lexus. Love how the color changes shades depending on the light. It does show slightly more dirt than the white or silver. Friend has a 2023 NX 350h atomic silver which I detailed and see everyday. Have noticed the atomic silver shows more dirt than the pearl white. It is still a good color for not showing but.