This might be the most challenging decision you will ever have to make in your life. If you are getting a new set of wheels or grille and prefer a darker color, it’s easy to settle on either black chrome or gloss black.
Both look amazing and blend well with a wide range of car paints. For those of you who don’t have some detailing experiences, it can be hard to tell these two finishes apart, especially during daytime when there is a lot of light outside.
If you are struggling to choose between these two, this article will explain the key differences and help you make the best choice.
Before we start, you must understand that both finishes look amazing. And the option you will go with mostly depends on your preferences and taste.
What is Black Chrome?
Black chrome is simply a darker version of chrome. It is still as shiny and mirrored as ordinary chrome, but it is a pigment darker than what most of us are accustomed to.
A black chrome plating entails a coat of chromium chemically formulated to have a black color.
Black chrome allows you to balance modern black finishes and the good old-fashioned chrome. It’s made for chrome lovers who want a unique finish than those commonly found on our roads.
A black chrome finish is uncommon and creates depth. It can change depending on the lighting conditions.
Being a darker chrome version, black chrome will have heads turning wherever you go. Compared to other colors of chrome, black chrome is the most unique.
You can apply black chrome to nearly everything in your car. From wheels bumpers to grilles. Black chrome can be electroplated on your vehicle if you want.
For this finish to retain its shine, you are advised to layer it with a clear coat. When it comes to getting this finish on your car, you can opt for a deep black or light smoky chrome.
Both look excellent, and you will have to see what each offers before choosing. Before looking at gloss black, you should know that black chrome is a new trend in the auto world.
If this is something that fascinates you, then you should give it a try.
What is Gloss Black?
Gloss black can be defined as a rich dark black. In other words, this is ordinary black, only that it’s shiny. It is the exact opposite of matte black, which is dull and flat.
Unlike matte black, gloss black is very visible and will show any imperfections on the surface. Besides that, a gloss black finish is more memorable and will draw attention.
There was a time when many car owners were into matte. However, when that trend faded away, the majority returned to glossy black.
There are plenty of things to love about gloss black. First is the shine. It reflects very well and can blend with most car paints. If you want to achieve a dramatic look, you should go with gloss black.
How Are They Different?
• Black Chrome is a Darker Version of Chrome, and Gloss Black is Shiny Black
This is the most significant difference between these two finishes. The first one is a darker version of chrome. Therefore, it is mirrored and shiny.
On the other hand, Gloss black is a shiny version of black. Both are shiny, but they are entirely different finishes except for being black. If you examine these two colors deeply, you will be able to tell them apart.
• Gloss Black is Darker than Black Chrome
If you compare the darkness in these two finishes, you will see that gloss black has a rich and deeper hue of black. That shouldn’t come as a surprise because chrome is silverish and shiny.
When darkened during electroplating, it may turn black, but the hue won’t be as deep as gloss black. Depending on the intensity of darkness you want in a color, you should either go with the light or deep dark variant.
• Black Chrome Looks Much Better than Gloss Black
When you factor in chrome’s shine and mirror effect, the black chrome looks so much better than gloss black. When comparing these two, it’s almost the same as comparing an original to an imitation.
Gloss black tries to be as shiny as black chrome, but you can’t compare the intensity of the shine that chrome offers.
The glow from gloss black comes from paint, and it’s no match for black chrome. Because of that, black chrome has more fans than gloss black. Those who go for gloss black most likely want to get a finish as close as black chrome.
• Black Chrome is More Delicate
Between these two, black chrome requires more special care and attention since it is delicate. This has nothing to do with the color but more with the material. Chrome is bound to get scratched.
Even if it is layered with a clear coat, you can’t prevent scratches from developing on the surface. Black chrome has to be polished regularly to get rid of these scratches.
Regarding gloss black, it is more resistant to scratches. To create a gloss black finish on a surface, you have to paint and clear coat it. The benefit of having paint instead of chrome is that it’s much easier to touch up.
You don’t need to polish or engage in a lot of maintenance. As you make your choice, you need to evaluate how much time and effort you are willing to put into taking care of either option.
How Are They Similar?
There are a bunch of similarities between these two. They include;
• Both have a Shade of Black
The only common factor between these two is the shade of black on both gloss black and black chrome. Black wheels and grilles will always look better compared to any other color.
Black is unique and blends well with various car paints. This shade of black makes these two finishes resemble one another.
• Both have Some Gloss/Shine
Other than the dark colors, the other element that makes these two look similar is the gloss or shine. Even though chrome has a richer gloss than its counterpart, both have a decent shine.
If you are the kind of car owner that heavily considers gloss, you can get it from either gloss black or black chrome.
• Both Look Great
At the beginning of this article, we said choosing between black chrome and gloss black is tough. The reason for that is both look so good. They look the same, and you can’t say one looks terrible.
If you have to choose, it will be a matter of preference and not one having a terrible finish over another. Even though some people may lean more towards black chrome, you must physically compare both finishes before concluding.
That’s the only way you are guaranteed to choose the color that will meet your expectations.
What’s Better about Gloss Black?
A gloss black finish comes with many advantages over black chrome.
First, it doesn’t scratch easily. Even if it does, you can always touch it up with some paint.
If it were black chrome, you would have to use a lot of elbow grease in polishing it. And you can’t be sure that this will work effectively.
The other advantage of gloss black is that it combines a rich black hue which looks quite impressive. Even though it may not be as shiny as black chrome, gloss black creates a deep dark finish that will look great with any car paint.
What’s Better about Black Chrome?
On the other hand, Black chrome has its fair share of perks. It’s a unique version of Chrome that will have heads turning wherever you go. Black chrome is an excellent choice for chrome lovers who prefer a unique shade.
It enables you to explore all the benefits of black wheels while still retaining the mirror reflection of chrome. It’s a bit harder to maintain than gloss black, but this should be your top choice if you care a lot about aesthetics.
Who Should Get Gloss Black and Why?
Gloss black is a cost-effective alternative to black chrome. It’s perfect for those who want a dark hue and some shine on their wheels. Gloss black looks decent, and it’s easier to maintain.
If you don’t like how shiny chrome is, you will love the medium level of gloss provided by this finish. Gloss black is ideal for car owners who are bored with the old-fashioned black wheels. By adding some glow, it will make your wheels look fancy.
Who Should Get Black Chrome and Why?
Black chrome was explicitly made for chrome lovers who are after a unique finish. This option allows you to balance the conventional black wheels and that extra touch of chrome.
The chrome’s mirror shine will make the wheels or grilles seem more dramatic and fancier. Black chrome is an excellent choice for most car owners because of its uniqueness.
If you settle on black chrome, make sure that you clean and polish it regularly to remove scratches and contaminants.