Dark clored trucks

[SmokinGator]

Dark colored trucks

Hey All,



My deal fell through on the used Y2K (dealer sold it even though I'd put a deposit on the truck) so I'm back to looking at new again. Living in Florida and working in the agricultural business, I've always driven a white truck and planned on my new truck being the same or silver, if different. Now I've run across a dark blue (patriot?) 2500 with agate leather interior -- a truly beautiful truck -- and am seriously considering buying it.



My question, how well has the paint held up on dark colored trucks? I'm going to go all-out on this truck (SLT+) and plan on driving it for 4-5 years at a minimum, I know white is my best bet but I'm in love with this blue truck...





Thanks in advance for the replies.



Matt

 

[Dieselnerd]

My truck spends 4 months a year outdoors in Arizona. It's all black and the paint holds up just fine. Paint gets too hot to touch in the sun but doesn't have any damage. I think you'll be happy with the blue.

 

[.44 mag]

I bought one in Silver because I didn't want it to show the dirt. I was thinking seriously about the Patriot blue untill I saw a buddy's Durango. The color looks real sharp all polished and new. My buddy said it's a bear to keep it looking clean and that a little dirt just makes it look a mess. I'm not that great about washing trucks and such. I've had my silver one about two months now and love the fact that it looks great and nobody can tell how dirty it really is. It hardly shows the dust from dirt roads at all.

Thats just my opinion. Buy what makes you happy.



Hank

 

[Cooker]

Believe it or not Red is the color most prone to sun damage. I'd say you'd be fine with the blue. It may heat up the interior a bit more, maybe, just remember to tint the windows



-Ryan

 

[EMDDIESEL]

We had a dark blue Chevy truck that looks simialr to the Patriot blue as a work truck. The sun was not really a problem, its the usual dark color scratches that are. Justbe really careful where you park and what touches the paint because scrathches show up real easy. It is a really nice color though

 

[ftb87]

My father-in-law has a patriot blue truck... he says its a bear to keep clean and keep the scratch marks off the truck. However, he still loves his truck.



I personally like the white truck, I too have a slt+ with a tan interior... . its very sharp !



Frank

 

[SmokinGator]

Thanks for the replies folks.



I didn't include in the post but scratches are another reason I'm worried about the dark blue color. It seems that when you see a dark vehicle with scratches that white is the color underneath so it shows even more.



Also dirt roads are an everyday thing for me as I travel 4 miles out and 4 miles in everyday on a limerock road, not to mention the citrus groves and veg farms I frequent are all dirt roads. And Hank, I'm with you, cleaning is not my strongest suit -- although I'm doing better than ever with my current 1500.





Common sense is screaming at me to stay white or go silver but damn that truck is sweet...



Matt

 

[mikel]

We've got a patriot blue Durango. It's a beautiful color, but has to be the worst truck I have ever owned about looking dirty. I can wash this thing and then park it in the driveway and it'll get dirty just sitting there it seems... . It also shows scratches very easily.



Don't get me wrong, it's an awesone looking truck when it's clean, but it just takes alot of work to keep it looking good.





Good luck,

Mike

 

[Deezul1]

My 97 is black and in texas the sun always shines, the paint looks great no sun damage at all. I agree about the scratches and mine had quite a few when I bought it and I found a scratch kit at Pep Boys I think and it has about 6 different fat little crayon looking sticks and some rubbing compound in a tube. I have used the black crayon on 3 different dark colored trucks and the scrathes have all disappeared except for the real bad ones. The treatment lasts about 6/8 months or so, prolly depends on your wash routine but a good way to hide the pesky little marks that show up so easy

 

[QRTRHRS]

If I lived in Florida, I would stick with white. Color makes a big difference in comfort with this warm weather were having. I have had one black and one midnight blue truck. They do look good clean but by the time you get to the back bumper with the shammy, the front one has dust on it.

 

[SFord]

As you can see by my sig I have the very same truck you are thinking of buying. I too started out looking for a white over silver but when I saw this truck on the lot I immediately fell in love with the color of the truck and agate leather interior. Go for it, everyone has a white truck.

 

[SmokinGator]

SFord,



You're killin' me. I just got my mind set on the silver/agate when I read your post. That is a SWEET truck, congrats!! I see you've got it rigged out pretty good too, do you have pics posted anywhere?



You're dead on with all the white trucks, especially in ag. ... it just makes sense -- that white really wears well down here. I'm probably going with the silver, it takes the dirt about as well as anything.



But maybe I'll give that blue truck the last look!





Deezul1,



Does that crayon shine up with a good wax job? I guess the rubbing compound blends it in?







Matt ~~~,~~,~<

 

[illflem]

I also work in agricuture, dirt roads, mud and have been very pleased with my silver (driftwood) trucks. I pull up next to a dark colored Ram and it looks really dirty, my truck is just as dirty but you can't see it. Go for a light color unless you like washing your rig all the time.

 

[Lhotka]

If I'd buy again, I'd go with a lighter color. My blue truck chips like crazy and really shows the dings when it's clean. Take a look at the rocker panels of used trucks you see around town and compare the difference.

 

[GFoley]

Hi Smokin Gator,



I can comment specifically about SFord's truck. I saw it at our last meeting in Clermont. I am probably gonna follow suit on some of the front end accessories. The blue is really good looking.



I have one that is forest green and dirt and scratches are the same for any dark truck. I've got two nasty ones from my first Disney visit.



Someone posted a link to a dealer in OK that is listing a lol of 2001 trucks at no haggle prices. Try pasting this for a connection:

http://www.meltonsales.com/cgi-bin/melton.cgi?run=listproduct&key=Z2500



If is doesn't work look under the Product/Accessories Section for the thread. They had a lot of white trucks listed.

You cant go wrong with a Cummins under the hood!

 

[Rcpilotlv]

I have to agree with some other threads. That blue is very pretty but I know it will show a lot of dust. Thats why I chose silver for my new one. If ya get it just may need to be washed more...

 

[SmokinGator]

G,



I hoped to make that meeting in Cleremont but obviously didn't... hope to make the next one.



I'm trying to put together the scratches with the Disney visit, hmm... did your Ram become one of the rides?



I clicked the link from the other thread -- they've got some super deals. Was just mentioning to the wife that we might need to fly out there to bring a truck back. She basically replied something along the lines of "that sounds like something you'd do", but followed with "but if we did it, we could drive to Austin to see my sister". In-laws worth a couple grand savings?? We'll see, I really hope to find a good deal locally



Can't wait to find the right truck at the right price!

 

[SFord]

GFoley, Thanks for the compliment, yours isnt looking to shaby either. See you at the next meeting.

 

[SFord]

SmokinGator, If you bought the Patriot Blue you would have more bonding time with it while washing and detailing. It sure is a pretty color when its all cleaned up. Enough said, I'm gone.

 

[Great White]

Let's see if this works... ... Rich