What colors are best for expedition vehicles

[Martinjmpr]

anyone have an opinion on flat vs. glossy?

Well except for the Jeep "safari" (or was it "sahara?") editions of a few years back, you're not going to find many flat painted vehicles. Flat paint tends to show scratches and scars very easily and is difficult to touch up (any slight variation sticks out like a sore thumb.) The military uses flat paint to keep from showing a reflection on the battlefield but I can't imagine why an explorer would want a flat painted vehicle.

The only exception I can think of is this: If your vehicle has a big, flat hood then painting it flat black can keep it from reflecting into your eyes. My Montero was very bad about reflecting into my eyes and so I finally broke down and rattlecanned the hood flat black:

Sure it looked like hell but by that time the truck had about 140,000 miles on it and was 9 years old, so it's not like I was going to get top resale value for it anyway.

One final thing to consider is that if you are planning on traveling to any foreign country - especially any country that has had any sort of civil unrest - the last thing in the world you want is for your vehicle to be in any way mistaken for a military vehicle.

So if your destination is South America, Central Asia or almost anywhere in Africa I'd say go out of your way to make sure people know your vehicle is not military - maybe a shocking pink paint job with flowers and rainbows and kittens all over it.

 

[Spikepretorius]

I've been stuck on this YELLOW for quite a long time

Yellow attracts insects.

 

[go4aryd]

Although choice of color is highly subjective - and appropriately so, there is good reason for some choices. If you spend time in white conditions, white (and probably silver as well) is the worst color for visiblity. No one can see you coming if they are blocked from your lights. Bright colors are safer in this type of environment.

Likewise, white is typically the easiest to spot from the air in all regions - except for snow covered ground - then it blends in all too well.

I guess I just need a different color for every trip! :arabia:

 

[Rallyroo]

I guess I just need a different color for every trip! :arabia:

Now you have a reason to justify having multiple expedition rigs.

 

[astn]

I like Desert Tan in flat, think Gulf War era Humvees. It does not get too hot or show pin stripping much. It also blends well in to the environment, giving you a serene, peaceful feeling every time you look at it

Actually the military paint (CARC) is wonderful stuff, if it weren't so damn cancerous. I don't think you can source it, but it holds up well to just about everything (except an 18 y/o private).

From the standpoint of color I'd be worried about any military-ish color though, especially in Mexico and central america. I made the mistake of wearing "U.S. Army" P.T. shorts while driving cross country through Mexico, compared to the other trips I felt I spent roughly 50% more time at each checkpoint (military and police) while they searched my truck, and got several comments from various policia about being in the military. I should've just changed, but I didn't on principle--but I made real efforts to keep all of the military-looking or -surplus stuff in bags and out of sight for future trips.

That's not to say that I wasn't part of the problem myself, if it weren't for the goatee and belly most people would probably assume I'm still in the service, especially when confronted with any sort of authority. So your mileage may vary, I just know that I didn't like having people tear apart all my stuff every hour or so looking for contraband.

Austin

 

[Mc Taco]

IMHO the factory color doesn't matter, just the amount of trail dust and mud splatters from your trips that count.

 

[SOAZ]

So if your destination is South America, Central Asia or almost anywhere in Africa I'd say go out of your way to make sure people know your vehicle is not military - maybe a shocking pink paint job with flowers and rainbows and kittens all over it.

Evil kittens? With lazer beems attached to their heads?

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Not just White...................

"ExPo White"...........!

It's all over da net.........

..........haven't your heard?!!:ylsmoke:



....................:arabia:




.

 

[davegonz]

I'm partial to the Desert Bronze Metallic on my 100.