Metallic or White?

[Garratt]

We’re probably going to downsize from a coach built to a panel van conversion and I’m pondering colour choice between standard white and metallic. I’m leaning towards white based on the following considerations:-

• White will be cooler than a metallic in the summer sun, particularly the darker greys and blues;
• It shows the dirt less than a dark colour;
• It provides a better background for the manufacturers graphics.

Against this is the whole white van man syndrome, and the fact that most of the new stock and second hand vans are metallic. Would I be making a mistake if I went for white?

The van we like the most is the Rapido V55.

 

[Podney]

Good choice!
Personally I’d go for metallic as I’ve always found it to be good quality. But that’s on cars,our van is,guess what,white!

 

[Chockswahay]

Silver metallic! Not hot and not white!

 

[BILL 875]

Silver dont show the dirt either.
Bill

 

[obanvanman]

Silver or Metallic Grey.

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[Chockswahay]

Silver or Metallic Grey.

Nah!
My last van was metallic grey, it gets very hot in the sunshine and also gets dirty quickly

 

[Lenny HB]

White is much better for off grid camping, most people just take it for white van man parked up.
Also cheaper and easier to repair when you crunch it.

 

[john1953]

If it’s boiling hot outside it will be boiling hot inside whatever colour it is unless you ha ve air con, go for silver metallic , you surely don’t want to be mistaken for white van man .

 

[MyrtleGuru]

We went for green on our PVC -- better for wilding, as you don't stick out like a sore thumb. Minor downside is that we have to drive with the headlights on in the daytime down country lanes like the military do, so that we can be seen against the hedgerows by unobservant drivers.

 

[MillieMoocher]

Interesting how much metallic paint weighs - on our Hymer it adds an unbelievable 30kg straight out the payload....but we’ve still got plenty...

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[two]

In my mind, you're likely to end up with the wrong van if your priority is based on colour.

 

[carolyn]

Our current PVC is the metallic gold which we do like but we were looking at some of the new IHs at the Malvern show in white and thought they looked very nice. Hadn't crossed my mind that the paint would add so much weight. definitely don't like the dark colours. Very much a personal choice though.

 

[Lenny HB]

We went for green on our PVC -- better for wilding, as you don't stick out like a sore thumb. Minor downside is that we have to drive with the headlights on in the daytime down country lanes like the military do, so that we can be seen against the hedgerows by unobservant drivers.

Back in the 50's green cars attracted higher insurance premiums.

 

[Ralph-n-Bev]

We went for a metallic gold colour . But decided against colour matched bumpers sticking to the regular black ones when we chose our van to convert. We also had load of extras fitted in the factory too . It meant a lot longer wait for it being put together and shipped over. But we’re glad we did it.
We never bothered with any graphics preferring the plain look.

A couple of weeks ago when it was red hot , the outside temp on Ralph’s gadget was 27deg the temp inside ( we were out for the day btw ) was 28deg. So only 1deg higher that outside . Now the silver screen was on and the window blinds were up, but that was it.
No aircon or fans as we were out. That’s the hottest it’s got so far.
But we soon cooled it down once in.

So I’m sure the lighter colour made a difference. But the real difference , IMO, was the extra insulation Pug has compared to regular production line PVC’s.
Not only does it keep the heat in cold out in the winter . It definitely keeps the heat out in the summer too.

 

[dshague]

we found white very hard to keep clean .found the new blue van vert easy to keep clean ..

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[dshague]

other colors here if you want a change

 

[dshague]

 

[sonny]

There's been problems of metallic grey silver peeling on Peugeot and fiat vans.

 

[mikebeaches]

We wrestled with whether to choose white or silver metallic. Settled on the latter and very happy.

 

[Littlewheels]

Not everyone’s cup of tea but I think it's stunning.

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[Dorwyn]

We've had both, sliver doesn't show the dirt so much, it barely needs washing. The white van would soil on the first trip out after a polish (usually a heavy lorry coming the other way - remember rain?). Hot weather is hot, both reflect heat. Which colour do you prefer?

 

[SpeedyDux]

Silver. The neighbours think ours looks great.

 

[two]

White is rather common. An unusual colour would make it easier to find at a rally and less attractive to thieves.

If there was a non-graphics option, I’d go for that. We should get a discount for allowing free advertising space and to compensate for the extra hassle when cleaning.

 

[Lenny HB]

we found white very hard to keep clean .found the new blue van vert easy to keep clean ..View attachment 250465

We've had both, sliver doesn't show the dirt so much, it barely needs washing. The white van would soil on the first trip out after a polish (usually a heavy lorry coming the other way - remember rain?). Hot weather is hot, both reflect heat. Which colour do you prefer?

Don't see the logic of those statements doesn't matter what colour it is, driven in the same conditions they will attract the same amount of dirt, road grime & salt. By deluding yourself it doesn't need washing as often you are only shooting yourself in the foot and not doing the van any favours.

 

[Makingtrax]

View attachment 250510 Not everyone’s cup of tea but I think it's stunning.

Great if you support Man U.

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[Dorwyn]

Don't see the logic of those statements doesn't matter what colour it is, driven in the same conditions they will attract the same amount of dirt, road grime & salt. By deluding yourself it doesn't need washing as often you are only shooting yourself in the foot and not doing the van any favours.

Oh no, white shows dirt, silver doesn't so much. The dirt is still there, just is not so obvious. It's not logic, it's fact.

 

[two]

White just changes colour slowly,
Grey stays grey.

 

[Gooney]

View attachment 250510 Not everyone’s cup of tea but I think it's stunning.

Is that a Boy Scouts hall?

 

[Littlewheels]

Don't see the logic of those statements doesn't matter what colour it is, driven in the same conditions they will attract the same amount of dirt, road grime & salt. By deluding yourself it doesn't need washing as often you are only shooting yourself in the foot and not doing the van any favours.

Oh so your one those people who’s MH some years down the line is held together with the same Dirt,Road Grime & Salt that’s it’s collected over the years or do you occasionally give it a Sparkle

 

[Dorwyn]

Oh so your one those people who’s MH some years down the line is held together with the same Dirt,Road Grime & Salt that’s it’s collected over the years or do you occasionally give it a Sparkle

I think Lenny is saying the opposite?? It needs cleaning whether you can see it or not?

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