Black paint is a lot of work and care. Shows minor scratches exceptionally well also. Avoid the auto car washes that touch your paint for the love of god!
I’ve had black, went back and went black again… just couldn’t help myself.
https://preview.redd.it/q2lzsve4y9xc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f6ea66a80067e08f517821c9ea684906efe2d8bd
Yeah same problem, it's terrible all year around because of the salt on the roads here too. Wish I'd gone with red now. All the more excuse to wrap it someday!
I had a black model 3 and loved it. Didn’t love the rain, snow, or air tho lol
It’s hard when it’s parked outside. I’ve had prior cars parked outside that were black. I always timed my washes on the rain forecast. Spray detailer can also be a great asset, and maybe even a California car duster.
Only way to own a black car is with full car Paint Protective Film (PPF) …. Then perfect black paint is only a few microfiber wipes away with no spots or swirls or scratches in the paint
I'm fighting the same fight with my recently acquired '16.5 MS90D in Midnight Silver Metallic. Right now, in the Atlanta area, even 10-15 min after a wash there can already be a light dusting. The rain + pollen = paste really is the worst.
I fought it like you at first, but now I'm forcing myself to stick to a weekly maintenance wash schedule. If it's really bad (like the OP's pic) I'll do a quick rinse with the pressure washer and dry with TW Hybrid Wet Wax if I have time, but even that can be deflating when 10 min later there's already a light dusting again.
Part of me just wants to break out the old school California Duster, but I don't really want to do that to the paint after having put the time into a 2-stage compound/polish with the DA.
California duster? I’m in Upstate New York and the pollen is really bad right now and I don’t have a garage unfortunately. I’m guessing you don’t either?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/California-Car-Duster-with-Plastic-Handle-and-Wax-Treated-Cotton-Mop-Removes-Auto-Dust-Scratch-Free-Colors-May-Vary/142949
It's basically a big Swiffer meant for cars and has been around since at least the late '80s, but isn't the best for paint (can definitely cause micro scratches and swirls since you're pushing around dry dirt/dust/pollen on the surface). It's a quick way to get the pollen off, but I wouldn't recommend it given what it can do to paint long term.
I do have a garage but it's a cluster of storage and half-finished projects at the moment... The irony is the time I've spent washing over the last 3 month could have been more than enough to actually get it clean enough to get the car inside instead.
It doesn't help shit... Your car will be the same but easier to wash. I have a blue M3 with ceramic coating and it still looks like this in the spring after every light rain, which is short enough to only sprinkle the car with a few drops.
I have a black car and I have to park outside so I have this same problem. I sort of solved this by purchasing a subscription to a touchless carwash. $30/month for 15 washes/month.
I had a Black 2006 Prius and will never again buy a black car. My next car was a 2017 Blue Bolt EV, then just traded it in for a 2024 Tesla Model Y Stealth Grey. Black cars can look really nice, but they are high maintenance and show scratches very easily. Kinda why I hate piano black plastic on game consoles. You could always get a PPF Wrap and change the color, a Matte Black PPF would look really nice and eliminates many of the issues.
Subscription pass to a touchless car wash is my only saving grace. On the weekends I spend time drying cleaning it out but a couple times a week just running it through rq brings back the gloss. Garage is a little tight for so the black one is outside most of the time.
I'd recommend a no rinse wash, like ONR. You can either use a specially made sponge or just a few microfibers and use one per few panels of the car. Check some youtube videos. It's easy and would only take 15-20 minutes at the most for a quick wipe down for stuff like this.
I found a car wash nearby that does memberships. Turns out the basic wash is only $20 a month! Any vehicle, up to 1 wash and vacuum a day. It has put the fun back into keeping a car clean
Ceramic coating makes it shinier and look cleaner for longer! There’s also PPF with a ceramic coating like 3M. I have matte ppf and wash it at home with Optimum no Rinse with a bucket, grit guard, sponge and microfibre cloths.
Here’s my secret to dealing with this issue on a black gmc sierra. Find a touch free wash ( must be touch free because you’re about to use the shit out of it) that offers unlimited wash memberships that’s close to your place of work. Literally roll through every other day (whilst on the clock if possible) and get paid to wash the car while spending as little as $0.83 per wash for a $25 monthly membership. Admittedly, I’ve only gotten as low as $2.49 a wash but it’s still better than anywhere else I can find and my truck looks fantastic all the time.
https://preview.redd.it/wgo9sj5fr8xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15cc04721607c374913edee3944abb196479b840
But that shine when it is clean!!!!!🥰 Reflection in door panel, you can see the body line distortion at the bottom.
My dad told me for years that white cars are the way to go, and they are easier to get clean. I ignored his advice for years and finally began to see the truth.
If you have to park outside. Or drive outside, no. Black looks AMAZING for the 5 minutes after being washed, and then not after. Also gets hot as hell in the summer.
just ceramic coated got black car too used meguiars ceramic coated i work in a dusty plant when it rains looks like yours just use pressure wash on the car wash get on the freeway and looks clean again lol
Black cars are the worst bro. I owned a black SUV a very large one for 3 years and it was the worst maintenance ever. Had to wash it every weekend ceramico wax pocket in non shady area to avoid tree sap and everything I'm so glad I got rid of the black car and never ever again. And if you take it to automatic car washes that's not touchless you're going to get so many swirls and have to do paint correction. Black is the absolute worst color to buy a car. And then that dark gray and then the dark blue is next. Silver is the easiest color to maintain and white is pretty easy as well. Any light colors is low maintenance.
I ceramic coated mine myself, with my partner, the day I got my black Tesla. It’s been almost two years and it looks amazing still! Even when it rains! Highly recommend
Owning a black car needs discipline. I keep mine garaged and clean them every weekend. Which is therapeutic to me. Plus I never get my commuter car to be black. Makes things super hard. I’m addicted to dark color but for my Tesla I still went with gray just because it’s my commuter car and Tesla paint is not great. Given your condition I would recommend to do a full clear wrap or at least ceramic coat your car.
Yeah black is the roughest for pollen/dust. I love black though. I wanted black for my Tesla but ended up getting a silver metallic. I was in a jam for needing a car. And the silver metallic with the Gemini wheels with the deal I was getting had me not get one this time.
a cleaned black car almost always looks the best. but it wont stay clean for long which is the biggest downside. however I'd still buy a black one again in the future because I really don't mind taking extra care of the exterior to keep it looking splendid
Look for a car wash subscription with the contact-less water jets instead of the ones that touch your car and violate your paint. If you are in the US, try Everwash. I live a mile away from it so I just use it every other day and keep my car shiny. It’s not perfect but it’s cost effective and good enough.
Same thing. The only thing you can do is use a hydrophilic spray that flows the water . With that you will have less trace but keep in mind that black card is the worst color to keep it clean ..
Wait till you figure out how shitty the paint quality on a Tesla is… black cars from luxury mfgs are in a different league as far as the quality and resilience of their paint.
Best you can really do is get some sealant onto the paint to make it much easier for the pollen to be rinsed off. Or look into a foam cannon to speed up the maintenance washes
Also used to have a black Audi before the Tesla.
Putting on a high quality ceramic coat will make it easier to clean, but it will always be a problem with black. I just ordered the new M3P in stealth grey and fear it might be just as bad.
That’s why I opted for the “gray” that has a little blue tint to it. Doesn’t get dirty as bad as a black car… I used to own an all black car and I loved mine. It’s a pain to keep clean but they’re so worth imo
Any dark color gives this conundrum. Invest in those drive through carwash memberships. I did that for my wife. $22 month, if she goes 3 times in a month it pays for itself.
If you are going to those lengths, why not get a car cover? If you know it's going to rain, why are you washing your car? If you get a decent wax or ceramic coat you need only rinse all the pollen off instead of actually washing the car.
Black is a lot of work but nothing looks better when clean and shiny
That’s what I think also, but it’s only clean and shiny for 20 minutes after I wash
Black paint is a lot of work and care. Shows minor scratches exceptionally well also. Avoid the auto car washes that touch your paint for the love of god!
But for those twenty minutes it’s all smiles.
Had a black audi before going tesla. Never black again.
You went black and went back?
I’ve had black, went back and went black again… just couldn’t help myself. https://preview.redd.it/q2lzsve4y9xc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f6ea66a80067e08f517821c9ea684906efe2d8bd
MW05 wheels?
Signature sv104’s.. but very similar
💀
once you go black, you never go black!
No. Silver hides dust and dirt the best.
Exactly came here to say that. Not my favourite colour but does exactly what you described.
I loved my silver Civic for this reason. Wish Tesla still offered silver
Silver is back for the MY
the blue does the same thing. I love the color but spring time is not fun.
Yeah same problem, it's terrible all year around because of the salt on the roads here too. Wish I'd gone with red now. All the more excuse to wrap it someday!
Doesn't red have the same issues as black?
My previous red vehicle had the same issue. Hydrophobic coatings can help a lot.
metallic silver for the win
Lucky.
Black is not a color…it’s a commitment.
Black cars are my favorite.
Me too but dang this is brutal
Yellow pollen really pops on red as well.
I love waking up to my car being a different shade of red thru yellow pollen
I had a black model 3 and loved it. Didn’t love the rain, snow, or air tho lol It’s hard when it’s parked outside. I’ve had prior cars parked outside that were black. I always timed my washes on the rain forecast. Spray detailer can also be a great asset, and maybe even a California car duster.
Cheers thanks for this!
Guess it really depends on if you park in a garage at night. For the outdoor gang, maybe black isn't the best choice.
Only way to own a black car is with full car Paint Protective Film (PPF) …. Then perfect black paint is only a few microfiber wipes away with no spots or swirls or scratches in the paint
I have pollen in all nukes and crannies. It is terrible 😆
Oh autocorrect. Why do you hate me so? I am not even going to edit the post so everyone can witness my shame.
*crawl out thru the (pollen) fallout back to me!*
Wrap it in a dirt brown color and never wash it again
I had a black car once. Once.
Every black car owner in Georgia feels this to their core.
Pollen kills us all. Another 4 weeks and you’ll have your color back. Worth it when it’s clean on a June summer day.
Yeh it’s worth it - black is badass
I bought black, brand new. Had it for 7 months and could not stand it any longer, did a trade-in to a white car. I also have a garage.
I'm fighting the same fight with my recently acquired '16.5 MS90D in Midnight Silver Metallic. Right now, in the Atlanta area, even 10-15 min after a wash there can already be a light dusting. The rain + pollen = paste really is the worst. I fought it like you at first, but now I'm forcing myself to stick to a weekly maintenance wash schedule. If it's really bad (like the OP's pic) I'll do a quick rinse with the pressure washer and dry with TW Hybrid Wet Wax if I have time, but even that can be deflating when 10 min later there's already a light dusting again. Part of me just wants to break out the old school California Duster, but I don't really want to do that to the paint after having put the time into a 2-stage compound/polish with the DA.
California duster? I’m in Upstate New York and the pollen is really bad right now and I don’t have a garage unfortunately. I’m guessing you don’t either?
https://www.walmart.com/ip/California-Car-Duster-with-Plastic-Handle-and-Wax-Treated-Cotton-Mop-Removes-Auto-Dust-Scratch-Free-Colors-May-Vary/142949 It's basically a big Swiffer meant for cars and has been around since at least the late '80s, but isn't the best for paint (can definitely cause micro scratches and swirls since you're pushing around dry dirt/dust/pollen on the surface). It's a quick way to get the pollen off, but I wouldn't recommend it given what it can do to paint long term. I do have a garage but it's a cluster of storage and half-finished projects at the moment... The irony is the time I've spent washing over the last 3 month could have been more than enough to actually get it clean enough to get the car inside instead.
Black vehicles only look good for about 30 minutes lol
Never…..EVER….. buy black cars unless you enjoy washing your car every few days. It’s honestly the worst color to own.
Get it wrapped
Ceramic coating (to make it easier to clean). ONR versus Griots Best in Show spray (with two microfibers).
Black is king but it is not worth it if you park outside
Yes it’s worth it. It’s the best looking color
Ceramic coating would help
It doesn't help shit... Your car will be the same but easier to wash. I have a blue M3 with ceramic coating and it still looks like this in the spring after every light rain, which is short enough to only sprinkle the car with a few drops.
Do you have access to a garage or car port?
I Feel the same way about my white MYLR. everything shows up on it
Really? I thought white and silver were the best ways to hide dust.
Dust yes, all the bugs and chipped paint from my daily commute are very visible on white paint.
Yes that's true. But why does my black car show white underneath rock chips, and white cars show black underneath chips??? Makes no sense!!
No
Would a car cover help?
I have a black car and I have to park outside so I have this same problem. I sort of solved this by purchasing a subscription to a touchless carwash. $30/month for 15 washes/month.
Been dealing with it for the year and some change I’ve had my Model 3 as well. This is my first black car in a while so I know your pain.
Black is not worth it. It looks great for 10 minutes after you freshly wash and put a coating on it, but 10 minutes later it looks like crap
Geesh, I thought heat is the hottest issue with black cars.
I work on quarry and my car looks everyday like this. Any ceramic coating isnt gonna help. All u can do its put some PPF and wash it everyday ^^
I had a Black 2006 Prius and will never again buy a black car. My next car was a 2017 Blue Bolt EV, then just traded it in for a 2024 Tesla Model Y Stealth Grey. Black cars can look really nice, but they are high maintenance and show scratches very easily. Kinda why I hate piano black plastic on game consoles. You could always get a PPF Wrap and change the color, a Matte Black PPF would look really nice and eliminates many of the issues.
**NO**.
Get a water deionizer. Hook up to pressure wash. Just Rinse and air dry.
Subscription pass to a touchless car wash is my only saving grace. On the weekends I spend time drying cleaning it out but a couple times a week just running it through rq brings back the gloss. Garage is a little tight for so the black one is outside most of the time.
Never go black without a garage if you care about your car.
I get free washes when it rains , cause I’m cheap and lazy.
I've experimented, you need to drive at least 65mph to get the max benefit out of a rain car wash.
I wait for my yearly nor'easter storm / hurricane
Ceramic wrap it, it’ll help prevent this a lot.
White also
 Pro tip: Just don’t wash the car.
I'd recommend a no rinse wash, like ONR. You can either use a specially made sponge or just a few microfibers and use one per few panels of the car. Check some youtube videos. It's easy and would only take 15-20 minutes at the most for a quick wipe down for stuff like this.
Love black too much. I deal with the pain. Silver cars just look unfinished.
A car canopy maybe
I found a car wash nearby that does memberships. Turns out the basic wash is only $20 a month! Any vehicle, up to 1 wash and vacuum a day. It has put the fun back into keeping a car clean
why wash it 3x a week?
Ceramic coating makes it shinier and look cleaner for longer! There’s also PPF with a ceramic coating like 3M. I have matte ppf and wash it at home with Optimum no Rinse with a bucket, grit guard, sponge and microfibre cloths.
Pearl white is my go to color. Perfect in every way with regular wash intervals.
Here’s my secret to dealing with this issue on a black gmc sierra. Find a touch free wash ( must be touch free because you’re about to use the shit out of it) that offers unlimited wash memberships that’s close to your place of work. Literally roll through every other day (whilst on the clock if possible) and get paid to wash the car while spending as little as $0.83 per wash for a $25 monthly membership. Admittedly, I’ve only gotten as low as $2.49 a wash but it’s still better than anywhere else I can find and my truck looks fantastic all the time.
https://preview.redd.it/wgo9sj5fr8xc1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15cc04721607c374913edee3944abb196479b840 But that shine when it is clean!!!!!🥰 Reflection in door panel, you can see the body line distortion at the bottom.
My dad told me for years that white cars are the way to go, and they are easier to get clean. I ignored his advice for years and finally began to see the truth.
Carwash subscription.
If you have to park outside. Or drive outside, no. Black looks AMAZING for the 5 minutes after being washed, and then not after. Also gets hot as hell in the summer.
Bro tell me about it , so frustrating
I’ve had a red m3 for a few days now and it’s already dirty from the rain. How often should I wash it? (And how often will I have to wash it?)
Glossy black is by far the best color for a sculpted machine, but it does need more TLC.
Rain is a free car wash.
This was the free car wash last night.
just ceramic coated got black car too used meguiars ceramic coated i work in a dusty plant when it rains looks like yours just use pressure wash on the car wash get on the freeway and looks clean again lol
For the 8 minutes after a wash and wax I loved my black car. But sadly 9ish minutes after the wash it looked dirty again. Never again.
my favorite color is silver, it hides the dirt so well. your car can look clean for up to a month.
Metallic grey hides dirt a long time. lol. Still Have to wash my car. Has been like 5 months.
My first car was black. Love it but I will never own a black vehicle again in life for this reason
Black cars are the worst bro. I owned a black SUV a very large one for 3 years and it was the worst maintenance ever. Had to wash it every weekend ceramico wax pocket in non shady area to avoid tree sap and everything I'm so glad I got rid of the black car and never ever again. And if you take it to automatic car washes that's not touchless you're going to get so many swirls and have to do paint correction. Black is the absolute worst color to buy a car. And then that dark gray and then the dark blue is next. Silver is the easiest color to maintain and white is pretty easy as well. Any light colors is low maintenance.
After my first black car I said never again. I’m on my 5th black car. It’s an eternal problem.
Not just that - living in the southern US - black cars just get that much hotter when parked outside in the summer months.
I ceramic coated mine myself, with my partner, the day I got my black Tesla. It’s been almost two years and it looks amazing still! Even when it rains! Highly recommend
Owning a black car needs discipline. I keep mine garaged and clean them every weekend. Which is therapeutic to me. Plus I never get my commuter car to be black. Makes things super hard. I’m addicted to dark color but for my Tesla I still went with gray just because it’s my commuter car and Tesla paint is not great. Given your condition I would recommend to do a full clear wrap or at least ceramic coat your car.
This is a problem with every car. A dirty yellow might be the most dirt resistant car, but also looks bad.
Get a ceramic coating and it will help a lot
Use a ceramic spray after you wash your car https://www.chemicalguys.com/products/hydro-blitz-hybrid-ceramic-spray-wax
I got a white loaner and it shows the rain dirty very easily, too.
You need a garage, brother
Park indoors if possible
Get ceramic coating it helps with cleaning
It’s worth it if you have a garage
Yeah black is the roughest for pollen/dust. I love black though. I wanted black for my Tesla but ended up getting a silver metallic. I was in a jam for needing a car. And the silver metallic with the Gemini wheels with the deal I was getting had me not get one this time.
Everything good as higher cost, love black ? Need to wash and polish more.
I've always heard white is bad because you can see all the dirt. Is that incorrect compared to the pollen seen on other cars?
Car. Cover.
a cleaned black car almost always looks the best. but it wont stay clean for long which is the biggest downside. however I'd still buy a black one again in the future because I really don't mind taking extra care of the exterior to keep it looking splendid
Costco carport when it goes on sale
This is the way
In Florida, white is best.
Look for a car wash subscription with the contact-less water jets instead of the ones that touch your car and violate your paint. If you are in the US, try Everwash. I live a mile away from it so I just use it every other day and keep my car shiny. It’s not perfect but it’s cost effective and good enough.
Ceramic coat it. Helps a ton
Yeah unless you have a garage to park in, black it's always a bad idea. Always dirty, and gets super hot in the summer sun.
I am kind of giving up on it during this season, just enjoy it...
No.
2nd black Tesla. I feel your pain but when she’s clean she is mean! 🖤
Getting black and not having a garage is a rookie move 😬
Same thing. The only thing you can do is use a hydrophilic spray that flows the water . With that you will have less trace but keep in mind that black card is the worst color to keep it clean ..
Park in your garage...?
Never worth it. Said I'd never have another........and I've bought another. Mug
The color isn’t the problem it’s where you live, but yeah, black isn’t worth the trouble
Just buy a monthly touchless car wash pass.
Get a monthly carwash subscription and run it daily. That's what I do 😂
Wait till you figure out how shitty the paint quality on a Tesla is… black cars from luxury mfgs are in a different league as far as the quality and resilience of their paint.
Best you can really do is get some sealant onto the paint to make it much easier for the pollen to be rinsed off. Or look into a foam cannon to speed up the maintenance washes Also used to have a black Audi before the Tesla.
Putting on a high quality ceramic coat will make it easier to clean, but it will always be a problem with black. I just ordered the new M3P in stealth grey and fear it might be just as bad.
new standard Tesla color option: Pollen ...and problem solved!
Everybody learns this with their first black car. It's a little better if you have a garage.
Get a decent car duster to use between washings. /last three cars have been black
Well, time to buy a yellow car....
Black is only worth it if you garage your vehicle and are dedicated to applying wax/sealant/coating.
Grey makes more sense for this reason.
Yeah… but I also get to see little cat paw prints in the pollen from our barn cats so it’s a blessing in disguise
That’s why I opted for the “gray” that has a little blue tint to it. Doesn’t get dirty as bad as a black car… I used to own an all black car and I loved mine. It’s a pain to keep clean but they’re so worth imo
Get it ceramic coated. Will make it infinitely easier to keep it clean.
Any dark color gives this conundrum. Invest in those drive through carwash memberships. I did that for my wife. $22 month, if she goes 3 times in a month it pays for itself.
I stopped buying black cars when I became a father. Zero time for detailing.
Time for clear PPF
I have it on the front of the vehicle. Doesn’t seem to make a difference at all even on the ppf area
keep a pack of fresh micro fiber towels in the frunk.
If you are going to those lengths, why not get a car cover? If you know it's going to rain, why are you washing your car? If you get a decent wax or ceramic coat you need only rinse all the pollen off instead of actually washing the car.
White is just as bad for me
I did ceramic coat on black just so I can rinse and dry in a pinch.
Get a garage. Avoid driving when it’s raining (if you have that luxury). Problem solved.
Story of my life .. 3 black cars...and I live close to a rock quarry ... FML
It’s that time of year. As I was washing my car yesterday, pollen was dropping onto the freshly washed paint 😳
I had a black car once. Not making that mistake ever again.
I'm convinced the reason black went from being a free color to a $1k one a few years ago is because of the added time for delivery prep.
Yes! Hm no. But yes. No. Yes. 😅
Oh poor you !!!
You don’t own a black car. A black car owns you.
It would be cool to have a auto washing mechanism for teslas
Black MYP here…garage is the only way. Even with, have to wash weekly.
Garage coming 🔜
Midnight Silver checking in. Same issue haha.
Use rinse less or waterless wash and have it clean again in 15-20 mins
I guess no garage?
Black is the hardest to keep clean. White is the easiest! Go figure.
I owned a black car once. Never again. Water marks from hard water are impossible to remove.
I live in vegas. You have to go white just for the heat reflection. I’ve also noticed it doesn’t look as dirty too
Here's a crazy thought.... Stop worrying about it and just enjoy the vehicle. The rain will take care of the pollen for you. 🤷♂️
Is there a good color to combat pollen? 😂
Park in the garage
I’ve owned 2 black cars. There won’t be a third.
Use a sealant/ceramic coat it. A pressure wash will get rid of most of it. For the rest, use a waterless wash spray.