Dark clored trucks

[Great White]

Re: Dark colored trucks

Originally posted by SmokinGator

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

Matt, When my wife and I saw the Patriot Blue it was a done deal. The paint seems to be ok for chips and such. Does require frequent washings to keep the gloss up. Sigh, My first truck with leather (Agate SLT+) and loving it! We ordered this one from the factory DEE/ETH, NO cab lights or snowplow! Rich

 

[SFord]

Great White, That is an excellent specimen of the Dodge CTD. I must say its a good choice of colors. Can you provide more info (Sig).

 

[Deezul1]

The crayon touch up blends in real well on light scratches like brush where you can see the white underneath but it isnt gouged deeply. You cant see the touchup unless you know where to look and catch it just right. No rubbing compound is needed and wax just seals it better. My other truck had a whole bunch of little chips where somebody B4 me let a tarp blow in the wind and beat up the paint and you couldnt see it after the crayon treatment

 

[JGabl]

crayons?

Ummm... What's the 'crayon treatment'?~~Jim

 

[JGabl]

never mind...

Figured out about the crayons... BTW, I work construction(UNION sheet metal worker) and Brite Silver is the best color Ive owned. Had the same exact dilema, Blue or Silver. Wished we had bought Patriot Blue on our 2000 Caravan, bought silver. Came time to buy truck a year later, bought silver! Even brought a blue one home! Silver's easy to keep clean, hardly shows scratches, and changes colors depending on the light. My long-winded 2cents... Jim.

 

[Great White]

OK, so I fixed the signature. Not to mention another picture of MY favorite color! Rich

 

[SmokinGator]

Great White,



Very nice truck. The dealer also has one like yours, I'm thinking about it too as the silver will take the inevitable chipping better.



Thanks Jim,



I'm about 98% on the silver. If I lived in a less rural place and drove on the asphalt all the time the Patriot Blue it would be -- without a doubt (and for the next 5 years or so I will think about what-if) -- but I've got to go with what makes sense, especially for the $$$ I'm about to drop.



SFord,



Thanks for the input, I know that's a great lookin' truck your driving but ... see above I'll look forward to seeing you and your truck at one of the meetings here in FL.







Be ,



Matt

 

[SFord]

SmokinGator, everyone has thier own desires, thats the reason they make so many diffferent colors, but one thing is common and that is as long as it has a cummins under the hood. Will be looking for you at the next meeting in that new silver CTD. Good Luck. ... ..... Steve

 

[Cobra]

Smokingator

You will see by my signature that I have a Patriot blue/silver. I am kinda fanatic about washing the thing so maybe i aint one to give advice. I can tell you it is the nicest looking truck I have ever owned and I have had a bunch. I wouldn't worry much about the hot weather tho, cause my truck has an a/c that will make most passengers bring a jacket along. Ahh you know, color for a truck is a personal thing, but I truly love my patriot blue good luck what ever you decide.

 

[JGabl]

SmokinGator,

Here's a pic. of my Silver truck at dusk... .....



Jim

 

[JGabl]

and in the sun...

 

[CumminsPower98]

I had a white car and was really impressed with how well it hid the dirt. I was hoping to get a white truck but found my present red one instead. I fell in love with the color and don't mind being different than my two friends who have white Dodges. Like everyone is saying the darker colors are a killer to keep clean.

 

[SmokinGator]

Thanks for the pix Jim, that silver is really sharp. I never thought about the color "change" under light conditions but that's pretty cool.



BTW, the dealer in LaBelle just got several trucks in with the new "almond" (not proper name but too lazy to look it up) color. It doesn't look to bad, the paint is very much like the silver pearlcoat -- light color with metal-fleck look. The dealer called me to come look at it, it'll make someone a nice truck but it's really not my style at this point. I'm anxious to see the new graphite color in person -- that oughta be sweet.





Cobra,



Do you have a special wax or other tricks to keep your truck looking great?



Down here the citrus industry is battling a disease called citrus canker that can be spread by vehicles and other equipment. Disinfecting via a spray rack as you enter & leave the grove is now law (first offense $1,000 fine if caught bypassing or otherwise not disinfecting), the active ingredient in the spray is quaternary ammonia. So not only do you wind up with a constant film of soap on your truck but the dust immediately sticks, leaving you with a constantly dirty truck. Believes me it sucks. I was worried about the finish on my 2 yr old white 1500 but a recent buff job made it look brand-spankin' new so I'm not too worried about ruining my new truck.



Another note of interest regarding the spray. The Dodge dealers are making out like bandits on third brake/cargo light replacements down here. It seems the quat ammonia is making the lens cover brittle, they break at the screws and blow off leaving the bare bulbs exposed and a place for leaks. You guessed it -- no replacement lens cover, only the entire light (easy to change) -- at $65-70 a pop. I know guys that have put on 3 and 4 of these within the last two years!

 

[Cobra]

Hey Great white

How did you get a picture of my truck?

 

[Great White]

Just good taste in color! Rich

 

[Cobra]

SmokinGator

I don't have any special wax. I wash the truck every time I use it, and I use a spray on wax and cleaner made by Honda for their motorcycles. It is sold in MC shops and the vehicle does not have to be clean when you spray it on. Spray it on a dirty bike, car, or truck and wipe it off. Vehicle is clean and shined. I wash my truck first but you don'r have to. :

 

[Pogodually]

Smokin Gator, As GFoley said , SFord's truck is sharp, a real nice ride. If you are going to Texas and driving I-35 to Austin to see your S-i-L, then check out CHAPRELL DODGE, in ADA, OK 800-880-2427, they usually have a great supply of trucks in your color. There is also a couple of dealer on I-45, north of Houston, around Madisonville, that used to carry a good supply of your favorite color at real great prices. Another dealer is in Bonham, TX. with some great prices. Maybe someone can check the Dallas Morning News for a phone number



Good luck and hope to see you at the next meeting



Dick Floyd

 

[David Brown]

Hey Smokin Gator,

White is the color to stay with, dirt don't show and it does tend to be a bit cooler. IMHO

 

[RT66DOC]

Get WHITE - no muss, no fuss.



My '96 (white) has lived at 6500 ft. in sun-drenched New Mexico [340 days of sunshine a year] all its life. I've never had a garage big enough for it so it sits in the sun ALWAYS. [won't even fit in the indoor garage at work]. I just took another look at it out in the driveway and it still looks brand new despite the fact that I haven't made time to wash it for over six months



FYI, In 1987 I bought a new BLACK Porsce 911 - It was really, really sharp and I loved it but I traded it for a white '88 after 9 months because it drove me NUTS trying to keep it clean. I mean really NUTS.



BTW, most silver cars and trucks I see around here are faded after a couple years; the ones with crappy paint jobs actually PEEL.



I remember reading somewhere that white vehicles are at least 15 degrees cooler inside than dark ones. Why do you suppose Bedouins trot around the Sahara on their camels all wrapped up in white sheets?



Get WHITE... my $. 02



P. S. If you gotta have blue -->blue interior looks pretty good in a WHITE truck.

 

[ScooterH]

color

My wife has a blue BMW about the same shade as the patriot blue. She thought it was the worst car she ever had as far as showing dirt until she bought a cranberry PT Cruiser. Personally I now buy high visability colors. Orange Freightliner, Red Dodge. It helps keep some people from pulling out in frount of me on 2 lane roads.