Brilliant Black VS Phantom Black

[angina]

So I've been perusing these boards looking at people's rides, and I've been contemplating which version of black I should order for the S4. I've always owned white colored cars, but convinced myself that I want a black car, even if it means cleaning it every other day. The S4 just looks crazy in black with the silver mirrors and blacked out optics package.

Anyways, I haven't seen the Brilliant Black or Phantom Black in person, but based on what I can tell from pictures and people's comments, it looks like Brilliant Black has a more glossy, shiny look to it, while the Phantom Black is a softer, metallic black. I definitely like the glossier look cause it absolutely shines at night when it is "clean". The Phantom Black is definitely classier, but I think the Brilliant Black has this "sporty" look to it if that makes any sense...

Can anyone tell me if I am wrong with this observation? If they made a matte black custom color, I would definitely jump on that, but I think the phantom black color is a bit subdued (which I'm sure is why a lot of you have that color...)...

Pics of my favorite shots of the two colors:
Brilliant Black -


Phantom Black -

[vjma]

Phantom Black is a metallic black whereas Brilliant Black is not. That's basically the difference.

[Zed 2.0]

Personally, I'd have the brilliant black. They're both going to be hard to keep looking good but brilliant black really shines when it is clean. Phantom always looks a bit dusty.

[xtrema]

You can never tell from pictures.

I wasn't going to spend the extra $$ for Phantom until I compare them in showroom and under the sun.

The unique shine from the pearl effect of Phantom looks really sharp.

[GSS5]

You can't really tell unless you're less than a foot away under direct sunlight. That said, I actually wish I'd gotten phantom. It looks pretty damn nice from a foot away.

[MMIXR8]

My R8 is Phantom Black and it looks amazing when cleaned and freshly waxed. However, any black is a dirt and dust magnet and it's hard to keep in top appearance condition.

My 2010 S4, ordered six months after I got the R8, is Ice Silver - easy to keep clean.

[CAA]

I have Brilliant Black and as mentioned, when clean it looks like a million bucks. That lasts about 30 minutes and then it looks like one of the 20 year old pennies you find in your couch cushions......

[ChrisC]

I've had 3 b/blk Audis and my fourth is phantom. Phantom doesn't give you the reward of that glossy shine when just washed, but it doesn't show dust and water marks as much as b/blk. It's a lower maintenance "black", if there is such a thing. Personally I think p/blk suits the design of this car better. But there's no wrong choice. Enjoy!

[legbend]

I went with the Phantom Black because it hid the orange peel a lot better. The dealer had a phantom black s4 5 feet from a brilliant black a5. The orange peel was pretty severe.

[bcampbell]

I'm on my second Phantom. You may have noticed the pics I posted a while back (C/W black optic). And yes as most before me have said, they are hard to keep clean but I find that the rewards are worth the hard work. The other thing is the its well worth putting on at least 3 coats of a protecting polish. I hwve just the one coat on just now and plan to put on a second this weekend and a 3rd the weekend after. I have already noticed a difference from the finish that came from the factory in that there is less dust - a lot of it blows off. The stuff I used is called Blackfire Wet Diamond All finish Paint Protection (very impressive) I also went for Poorboys Wheel Sealant This is also quite amazing and I cant beleive the difference in the wheels after a week of use. They just seem to look cleaner.

So don't worry about the black. Now to the question of Metalic V's Solid. I paid the extra to get the metalic and am soooo glad I did. In the sunlight, its just to die for.

I also w

[L0U]

Brillant Black costs less

[xtrema]

I went with the Phantom Black because it hid the orange peel a lot better. The dealer had a phantom black s4 5 feet from a brilliant black a5. The orange peel was pretty severe.

That's the other reason of getting pb.

[BKNYCS4]

phantom

[nickcavalea]

i love both of the colors. i personally would go with the phantom but thats what i have on my S4 and my girlfriend has brilliant on her A4 and she wishes she had gotten phantom.

[Okan509]

I kind of like how clean the brilliant black looks when clean. I don't really like black though, it hides beautiful lines of this car.

Go for sprint blue!!!

[Irish311]

I'd go phantom...

[elegantlywasted]

What's orange peel?

[phantomblack]

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[SteveYem]

I've never seen Phantom Black in person, but I own a Brilliant Black S4 and I also have a Nissan painted "Magnetic Black" which is their take on the metallic black theme. (Also previously owned a Java Black Pearl Subaru). I like the Brilliant Black color more than the other two black metallic/pearl colors I have owned. It's a very true, deep black. You won't regret buying the Brilliant Black one and saving yourself $475 in the process. That being said, it tends to become a mess very easily when you get up close to inspect it. But from 5-10 feet away it looks great.

[DonVitalli]

I own a phantom black. Was going to go with brilliant until I saw the phantom in person, after that it was an easy decision. I love the depth the metallic flakes gives the paint, but it's understated when you step back. Like any black, you have to care for the paint often. The good news is if you're an enthusiast you enjoy waxing and washing your car anyway.

[VeryBadman]

I used to own a brilliant black and now own a phantom one. I would say both look amazing when clean but it's such a pain in the a$$ to keep them clean. Personally I like phantom black but if I were to buy a new one, I don't think I will want to get another black car though.

[jasonE30m3]

I had the same debate when getting ready to buy my car. I knew I wanted black but wasn't sure which one. I went to the dealer and checked out both next to each other. I was sold on the Phantom. In the sun I loved the way that the metallic looked. Has specs of blue and silver in it. really awesome. Plus I figured it would be a "little" easeir to keep clean.

You can't go wrong either way as long as you are ok with the upkeep of having a black car. For me it was PB that caught my eye.

[BenzH8R]

Brilliant Black

I've worked for Audi for over 10 years and still drool over a freshly detailed Brilliant Black car.

There's no question it's the prettier color of the two, IMO, but that beauty takes some effort to keep up with.

Phantom is still pretty, but not even close when it comes to shine and brilliance (hence the name).

If you can't have your car cleaned almost on a weekly basis you should go with Phantom because it'll hide the dirt easier (althought it's still black and will still look dirty).

I have a few BB clients who purchased the Mr HotShine unlimited car wash package and they love their choice.

[B8 S FOR]

Phantom. Doesn't show dings and chips as much as the Brilliant Black. Brilliant Black shows every single flaw.

[phillips2024]

i guess this is where i chime in and say brilliant black

[Kay87]

Phantom black looks soooo much better under the sun. Metallic is the way to go if you want the color to last. Plain black get dull after a few years.

[brooklyn86]

Phantom. Doesn't show dings and chips as much as the Brilliant Black. Brilliant Black shows every single flaw.

+1

I second this. Brilliant black, when perfectly cleaned, looks amazing, but I feel the Phantom Black looks better longer. Knew this because my previous car black color had the pearl effect to it as well and I really liked it.

Yes its more expensive but IMO it is worth it.

[Trench]

This is an old thread but I'll play. I went Phantom because it's a dark gray in natural sunlight. Brilliant is black, period.

[Wilbur]

Personally, I'd have the brilliant black. They're both going to be hard to keep looking good but brilliant black really shines when it is clean. Phantom always looks a bit dusty.

Brilliant WILL show swirls etc WAY more than metallic (Phantom).

[Brooklyn]

neighbors had a phantom a4; i have a brilliant s4. if i had to do it again, i would (a) never get black every a-fricking-gain; and (b) if black were my only option, go with the phantom.

[QuattroRocket]

My B6 was BB and my S4 is now Phantom and it was the right call for sure. The metallic gives it just a little sparkle in sunlight and over time I am convinced that the metallic fleck will help minimize the visible appearance of flaws and marks in the paint. I just posted fresh pics HERE !

[twolcott]

Both are great colors! Maybe this will help you![IMG][/IMG]
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[Deviruchi]

In the perfect light (florescent or a flashlight directly on the paint) I can see some very obvious scratches and swirling on my phantom black car.

But outside and day to day, I cannot even see the flaws. I'd have to really inspect it to notice anything at all.

Just my experience.

[Semmes12]

I love my brilliant black car because it is sooo sexy, but if I had to do it again I wouldn't ever buy a gloss black car again. I'm extremely anal about my car being clean and the swirl markings all over it kill me every time I look at it! They are impossible to keep from popping up time and time again. Therefore if your like me and these little things bother you when you use your car as a daily driver then I wouldn't get it.

[JeriQo]

heavy thread bump!

i have a brilliant black A4. long story short, my garage door closed in on it and left some scratches.
so rather than getting it fixed at ta body shop which would probably cost me more, i found an phantom black S4 trunk seller about 60 miles away.

would the difference be far off? look odd? or could it actually work?

[tar]

heavy thread bump!

i have a brilliant black A4. long story short, my garage door closed in on it and left some scratches.
so rather than getting it fixed at ta body shop which would probably cost me more, i found an phantom black S4 trunk seller about 60 miles away.

would the difference be far off? look odd? or could it actually work?

ask in the a4 forum where you belong and where people will be more open to cost cutting options like different colored bumpers ect.
to answer your question it will look stupid and wont match. way to much flakes in phantom.

[JeriQo]

ask in the a4 forum where you belong and where people will be more open to cost cutting options like different colored bumpers ect.
to answer your question it will look stupid and wont match. way to much flakes in phantom.

thank for your reply, mr. first class.

this is a live section where theres a lot of archived info. quit acting like a diva bitch online.

[Snowmonkey]

ask in the a4 forum where you belong and where people will be more open to cost cutting options like different colored bumpers ect.
to answer your question it will look stupid and wont match. way to much flakes in phantom.

r/gatekeeping anyone?

[JeriQo]

r/gatekeeping anyone?

lol yeah i dont get it.. we are all enthusiasts here..

[Jester2893]

heavy thread bump!

i have a brilliant black A4. long story short, my garage door closed in on it and left some scratches.
so rather than getting it fixed at ta body shop which would probably cost me more, i found an phantom black S4 trunk seller about 60 miles away.

would the difference be far off? look odd? or could it actually work?

It will be very off yes.