Why are so many cars today painted black, white, silver, gray? Is it cheaper for the manufacturers?

[raccoon]

There are still some bright colored cars out there but not like there used to be.

[dalton99a]

1. Paint manufacturers have lost the recipes for other colors

[spooky3]

33. Several manufacturers charge extra for pretty paint

Such as royal blue, red, etc.

[Aristus]

2. Maybe brightly-colored cars get targeted too often for traffic violations than more subdued-colored cars.

My last two cars have been gray. I call it "Northwest Camouflage", because of our frequent gray, rainy days. I haven't been the subject of a traffic stop in around fifteen years.

[Ritabert]

7. That's my guess.

[PCIntern]

48. We have a bright red MX-5 Miata

When you’re sitting in the car going 65 it feels like 105. We have never been stopped by any LE and Lord knows, I’ve been doing 71 in a 65 numerous times and the NJ Statie just passes me without a look or incident.

[Frasier Balzov]

3. And ebony interiors.

Less likely to show stains?

[spooky3]

34. I wanted a gray interior but it wasn't available--the black

Gets extremely hot in summer.

[2naSalit]

41. Does the manufacturer...

Charge a membership fee for the AC? That would be a reason for nothing but black interiors.

[spooky3]

44. Not when I bought the car. Nt

[doc03]

43. Same here I had a gray interor in my last

car only black was available in my new on. Black looks good when clean but it shows every spec of dust and is hot.

[Bluestocking]

51. I have a black dog

Wish I had a black interior

[FemDemERA]

59. Way too hot!! My last car had a light grey interior and I loved it's lightness

But my current car is an all black interior. My wonderful family got me some lovely seat covers at Christmas so at least I don't have to be surrounded by the hot, dreary, black.

[Ocelot II]

4. I intentionally bought a turquoise car so I could find it in parking lots

among all the black and white and gray ones.

[spooky3]

35. I have a red one and agree with you. Nt

[SheltieLover]

5. From what I've been told, this has always been the norm in Memphis region

Prob squeezing more pennies out of consumers, but such measures also contribute to feelings of hopelessness & depression. Dulls the senses & emotions.

Reminds me of the movie "Pleasantville," before color is introduced.

Also, none of the new cars have nice paint. They are all flat paint, no metal flake in paint.

[dalton99a]

29. +1. It's about color coordination - sky is gray, road is gray, car is gray

[SheltieLover]

42. It's so humid here, the sky is always gray

[Mopar151]

52. Mazda has the colors!

And some pretty cool metallics, with deep clearcoats!

Unfortunately, they are difficult to repair , and need some extra maintenance to look sharp!
I suspect that some of the "flat colors" we see are really beat up clearcoats. Rubbing compound, ultra fine "sandpaper", and other tricks can revive old clear coats and single stage paints, and can put new paint jobs into " incredible " territory.
I've learned a good bit about high end paint work from Robby Layton on YooToob. "Howling wolf garage" is a a good.resource for more utilitarian paint and body work.

[SheltieLover]

55. Cool about Mazda!

I'm not in the market for a new pladtic pos car though. We have 3 older Civics & a 1990 Legend.

We prefer real engines & steering, brakes, & throttle mechanically connected.

Thx for the resource! I'll pass along to gs, the car guy & resident IT dept.

[Jerry2144]

6. I think two main reasons

1. Current fashion or fad has boring colored cars.
3. People think those boring colors have more resale value when it’s time to see the used car. If they think a flashy color won’t give as much value when selling that car, they won’t buy that color new. So manufacturers don’t make flashy colors because they think people don’t want them.

It could also be a camouflage thing. One boring gray SUV looks the same as another and won’t catch a cop’s eye for a ticket

[Ritabert]

8. I have a white car. It's cooler in the sun and is fairly visible.

What I don't get is this new fascination with cars painted "pavement gray" which are harder to see.

[a kennedy]

10. Mine is also white. Funny story.....coming out of the store, I swear there were 6 white SUV's all parked

one right next to the other……I laughed to myself and found mine in a snap cause mine was the only one that had black door handles, all the others were white. Love my car.

[Ritabert]

12. They do all look alike. We have a carrier on top which helps.

[Intractable]

53. I have a white SUV.

So does everyone else in the supermarket parking lot.

[Ritabert]

57. True.

[lame54]

9. The color of my car is...

Smoked Paprika
True story

[Lifeafter70]

16. Nice color choice

https://www.reddit.com/r/CorollaHatchback/comments/1h4iqyr/smoked_paprika_hatchbacks/

[rsdsharp]

21. I had one painted Inferno Red Pearl.

My current car is Sonic Silver. Either silver has a sound, or sound has a color.

[underpants]

32. Wine

That’s what it says in my registration

[Greg_In_SF]

11. Colored

paints cost more.

[MineralMan]

13. I have two white cars.

Why? Because that's the color they were when I bought them. That was the color the dealer had available when I was looking for a new car. Before that, I had a black one. For the same reason. Black cars suck. they're hot in the summer and look dirty so much faster than light colored cars.

I often watch the traffic on the 4-lane arterial street that goes by my house. Black, white, and gray or silver are the overwhelming colors on the cars that go by. Apparently, that's what people are buying these days. A few blue or red cars are mixed in. Bright colors do not appear to be popular right now.

Manufacturers make more cars in the colors consumers are buying. So that's what's on the lots. Few people these days seem to be placing special orders for cars of other color.

Who knows why? Not me, but the car makers seem to know what their customers want.

[haele]

31. If you're leasing a car, you get the cheap color.

White and Silver/grey are pretty bulletproof when it comes to maintaining the paint job over the lease should you get a scratch and don't want to get dinged on the turn-in. Black can also be easily matched
All that being said, if you're buying a new car with a fancier color, even if it's off the lot, you're going to pay anywhere from $700 to $2k more. While a cool color or finish your skin generally starts about $500 more.
If you want that cool lavender rainbow mirror or pearlescent skin on your compact sedan, it's going to cost you $3k or 4k more, while trying to get the paint job will cost twice that much. But you can always remove the skin and have a pretty decent paint job remaining that will improve your sale price when it's time to sell or turn in.

[Torchlight]

14. I'm guessing resale value and fleet purchases primarily.

(companies would rather have neutral colors, I'd think). Dirt, water spots, etc. are more difficult to see on the myriad shades of grey, as well as hiding scratches better. And I'm presuming the high-saturation colors are more expensive and more trouble to keep consistent across batches.

(this is all guesswork on my part)

[Brother Buzz]

15. I'll paint it any color as long as it's black - Henry Ford

Ford painted Fords black because black paint was cheap and it dried fast.

I noticed a new trend in auto paint: Nonmetallic solid color. They are stunningly beautiful, but they seem to show dirt faster than metallic paint.

[jmowreader]

40. There was more to it than that

The original Model T paint was actually varnish - not "automotive varnish" but the same kind they sold at hardware stores. The particular varnish they chose had to be tinted in dark colors, so black was chosen.

"Dried fast" is laughable...even though black varnish dried faster than other colors of varnish, it took a month to paint a Model T.

In 1914, Ford installed a paint drying tunnel. The new varnish they used on the cars contained asphalt...so, it was still black even though it took one hour per coat to dry it now rather than more than a day.

In 1926, the Model T was available in colors thanks to the good people at DuPont. DuPont figured out how to convert nitrocellulose to a sprayable liquid. The lacquer so created could be colored in...well, just about anything you wanted....so now Model T Fords could be many colors. I don't even wanna think about how many explosions they had in their paint shop because nitrocellulose, which is normally a solid, is converted to a sprayable liquid by dissolving it into a blend of acetone and toluene. This paint was called "Duco." You old guys are currently thinking, "where have I heard that before?" Yup, you got it: they experimented and learned the dissolved nitrocellulose would also work as glue if it wasn't diluted as far as they need to in order to make paint, and "Duco Cement" was born.

True story: Modern nail polish was invented by the wife of a GM executive. Apparently, one day after GM started lacquering cars he came home and told his wife about the wonderful new paint they were using on their cars - it dried fast, it was very glossy and if it got on your skin it wouldn't hurt you. She got him to get her a little bit of it, and painted her nails with it. It turned out to be as good on fingernails as it was on cars and she thought other women would buy it. She found someone who sold products in little bottles with brushes in the cap, and got them to fill these bottles with red car paint.

[LogDog75]

17. I've been looking at buying a new car

Probably because of customer research. Dealers aren't going to order unusual car color just to have it sit on the lot unsold. I did a quick internet search and according to Edmund's these are the colors by percentage customers like:

White - 26%
Black Sliver - 22%
Grey - 19%
Silver - 14%
Blue - 9%
https://www.edmunds.com/most-popular-car-colors/

For me, I like the blue color. It's not flashy, boring (like white or black), and after it's waxed it shines beautifully.

[Xavier Breath]

18. Do with it what you will, but here's what Copilot said when I asked why car colors are so boring:

Its sources are in black.

Modern cars predominantly feature dull colors like black, white, and gray due to consumer preferences, dealer practices, and market dynamics.

Shift in Consumer Preferences
Over the years, consumer preferences have shifted towards neutral colors. Studies show that buyers often perceive these colors as safer and more appealing for resale. Neutral colors are less polarizing, making them a popular choice among consumers who want to ensure their vehicle appeals to a broader audience.
Consumer Guide Auto

Dealer Influence
Car dealerships play a significant role in the colors available on the market. Dealers tend to stock vehicles in colors that they believe will sell quickly, which often means opting for the most popular neutral shades. This practice is driven by the need to minimize inventory costs and avoid vehicles that may take longer to sell, such as those in less popular colors. As a result, manufacturers respond by producing fewer vibrant colors, leading to a cycle where dull colors dominate the market.
Consumer Guide Auto

Practical Considerations
There are practical reasons behind the preference for neutral colors. Lighter colors are generally easier to keep clean, as they do not show dirt and grime as easily as darker shades. Additionally, neutral colors can enhance a vehicle's resale value, as potential buyers often prefer these shades for their perceived safety and versatility.
MotorSnitch

Design Trends and Technology
The design process itself has also evolved, with many designers relying heavily on computer software. This reliance can lead to a homogenization of designs, resulting in cars that look similar and feature less creative color palettes. Designers may prioritize efficiency and marketability over bold aesthetics, contributing to the overall dullness of modern car colors.
Daily Mail

Conclusion
In summary, the prevalence of boring colors in modern cars can be attributed to a combination of consumer preferences for neutral shades, dealer practices that favor quick-selling colors, practical considerations regarding maintenance and resale value, and the influence of technology on car design. As a result, vibrant colors have become increasingly rare in the automotive market.

Sounds logical to me.

[EX500rider]

26. "Lighter colors are generally easier to keep clean, as they do not show dirt and grime "

They mean easier to keep dirty, not clean.

[KT2000]

19. Flat gray is popular

To me, they look like the Navy trucks from back in the day - very utilitarian.

[DBoon]

20. I wanted a red car

When the dealer told me red was $4000 extra, I settled for silver

[senseandsensibility]

22. My car is burgandy

I happen to love that color and it was color of my first "new" car. But later I did gravitate towards white an silver because I thought they were easier to keep clean. Didn't show the dirt as much, basically. We seldom get rain here in CA so dust and various spots are an issue. Anyway, I am finally back to burgandy and loving it.

[Sogo]

23. My car is red, and I will want that color for my future cars for the simple reason that other drivers SEE a red car.

I've almost pulled out in front of gray cars more than once. They were almost invisible!

[oberle]

61. I have always had red cars

They are easier to find in a parking lot.

[hunter]

24. People buy brightly colored cars when they are optimistic about the future...

... duller cars when they are not.

That's my hypothesis for what it's worth.

Personally, I've only bought a new car once, when I was young and wild with a future so bright I had to wear shades. It was brightly colored.

Since then I've only bought used vehicles and I don't pay attention to the color -- only that the vehicle is structurally sound.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

45. No, that's hemlines. Hemlines go up or down with the stock market.

I think I learned that at Trump University Skool of Bidness.

[Jose Garcia]

25. Least common denominators

Those colors are the least objectionable to car buyers.

[Cirsium]

27. It evolves

I was in the industry for years. The public's taste in colors changes, the car manufacturers respond to that. I don't think cost is an issue.

[bucolic_frolic]

28. One color, one cost.

Never have to change the paint liquid.

If silver prices hold up silver paint might go away. Cost, cost.

[jmowreader]

30. A few reasons

Reason 1: the two cheapest colors of car paint are black and white, and by extension silver and gray. Black, because it uses carbon black as its pigment, is the cheapest of all. Unlike house paint, where all colors are the same price, different colors of car paint have different prices. It's all in how much the pigments cost: darker pigments require more processing and more ingredients to make them UV-stable.

Reason 2: the least expensive paint to apply is white because it doesn't show flaws. Light colors like silver and gray are similar. Black is REALLY hard to get to look right because it shows everything, but the price of the paint is low enough to make up for it.

Reason 3: people are afraid of color. As a graphics professional I've known this for decades. They are scared as hell of color, especially bold color. The psychology is people are scared of other people thinking negatively about them if they use color, so they go with the flow and don't use it. People paint their homes bland colors, both inside and out. They wear clothes in muted colors. They wear simple jewelry that's just silver or gold without any other colors on it. They don't get their hair colored in wild shades even if they want to. They wear very soft makeup shades...they'll wear red lipstick because they think "lipstick is supposed to be red" - and be terrified every time they put it on - but their eyes are always done in very soft, muted shades. OF COURSE their cars are going to be in dull, muted colors! I have put companies' corporate colors on print jobs and had the customers get scared that there was "too much color" on the job.

Reason 4: because it's cheaper to paint cars those four colors and people are afraid of color anyway, manufacturers make most of their cars in these forgettable colors. I drive a Volkswagen Tiguan, and when I bought it new I told the sales manager I didn't want a black, white or silver one. (They found me a red one.) I was informed at that time that Volkswagen divides Tiguan production into four batches: one-quarter of them are black, one-quarter are white, one-quarter are silver and the rest are divided up among every other color they make.

[flvegan]

36. Color is often more expensive, paint harder to match.

Most carmakers charge for colors outside the ones mentioned and/or need to be custom ordered. They're also risky to keep on the lot. Someone just coming to get 4 doors and an engine may simply just take the "cute white one" or "slick black one" that's there to drive off today. There's also a perception about resale value being risky. Yes for bright orange or deep purple (maybe, I love those two), but not likely for a blue or red. Lastly, many folks just want to be anonymous drivers not getting any attention by driving a Gotta Have It Green version.

[Lifeafter70]

37. Smoked paprika

Hubby lame54 may say it's his, but I'm the one it's registered to

?si=VebGTqh2prjNBAOZ

[OC375]

38. Seemed Cool at the Time?

Same reason everyone painted all the wood trim and walls in their homes white, got grey carpet, stainless appliances, and started painting their houses black. I blame HGTV.

[ForgedCrank]

39. It really

amounts to nothing more than popular tends. Mfg's will charge you more for less popular colors because it costs more in low volume.
Not unlike you, I miss the 90's colors myself. I like loud colors, Orange, Yellow, Red, etc.
I like solid colors that are really deep, I am not a fan at all of metal-flake paints that is in most car colors now. It's unusual for a car to have solid color without the flake in it.
At one point it was really bad when every single car seemed to be silver about 20 years ago, it was terrible. How bland and boring

[LearnedHand]

46. More about the grayscaling of car colors

Why 80% of cars in America are now white, black, or gray (and why it’s changing)

Cars Are Half as Colorful as They Were 20 Years Ago

I totally want an orange car, but it’s not offered in the car model I drive.

[raccoon]

62. Thanks for the links!

[doc03]

47. I have an Urban Gray Pearl Honda CRV. I really like

it, it has sort of a blue tint to it. Had to pay $455 for it though. I think red is several hundred more.

[EX500rider]

49. Subaru Outback in Azurite Blue Pearl is what i have

[spooky3]

50. Very pretty nt

[Norrrm]

54. "any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants, so long as it is black."

https://historyfacts.com/science-industry/fact/model-t-fords-were-all-black/

Model T Fords were all black because the paint dried faster.

According to his autobiography, Ford announced in 1909 that in the future, “any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants, so long as it is black.”

[ProfessorGAC]

56. It's Not Cheaper

The amount of pigment in paint is a miniscule cost compared to the polymers & solvent.
Car makers do a lot of market testing & black, white, silver & wine red must test highly.
They could make a chartreuse car, but if nobody wants it, they wasted their money making it.

[3catwoman3]

58. I'll be in the market fora new car in the next year or so. If I keep it as long...

...as my current car, a 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe, it might be my last car, seeing as I'll be 75 in April. So, I really don't car about an unconventional color being a potential resale problem. I'd like to get a Subaru Forester because if the safety profile. I don't like any of the current colors.

I don't want a red car, not because I don't like red, but because red is so associated with the current administration. My husband, a fellow Democrat, thinks I'm being ridiculous. I didn't wear anything red during the first TSF administration, and am doing the same this time around.

I recently saw a car in my rear view mirror, no idea what make, that was a stunning robin's egg blue. I would so drive a robin's egg blue car.

Maybe Subaru will have a few more color choices by 2027. A few years ago, they had a soft sage green that was very attractive.

[VGNonly]

63. I have a 15 Forester.

I think it's called mint green, could be the sage you like. I've had another Forester and an Outback all green. Foresters now have a medium green, a medium blue and a bronze; not in the white/gray/black spectrum or red.

[3catwoman3]

64. I've had one Forester before my Hyundai, in the dark green color, which I really liked...

...but it was a pain in the ass to keep clean. Showed every speck of dirt and dust. We live in the greater Chicago area, so lots of road crud in the winter. One day, when leaving work, I couldn't find my car, which made no sense, because I always parked in pretty much the same place.

It was so covered in dirt, salt, etc, that it looked pale gray instead of dark green, and I was looking right past it.

I know there is a green color Forester right now that I think they call Autumn something or other. I'm a nurse (retired now, but still think like one and always will), and the color look like bile to me - not appealing.

[canetoad]

60. Never thought it was a good idea

To paint a ton or two of fast moving metal the same colour as the road it's on.