What`s up with black walls?

[Mike lambert]

I`ve tried but been unsuccessful at finding this answer, why does it seem that the trend in Europe and Asia is to paint the walls black? There has got to be a reason! Anyone else have an idea?

[TroyScherer]

I think is has to do with lightning and reflecting light to get proper optics. Same reason many polish paint in the dark with just a single light source.

[Mike lambert]

That makes sense, now, do I or don`t I ?

[Ronkh]

<---- No clue.

Guess I am a hack......

[TroyScherer]

That makes sense, now, do I or don`t I ?

To me the black looks cool. But I worry about trying to keep it looking good over time.

[Mike lambert]

I just don`t know why I can`t find a definitive answer?

[LEDetailng]

I think is has to do with lightning and reflecting light to get proper optics. Same reason many polish paint in the dark with just a single light source.

Seems like the logical answer.

We Americans are used to, white walls and mirrored ceilings

[kevincwelch]

My brother is a photographer. The black walls reduce reflective lighting and allow you to control the source and target lighting. White causes light to bounce everywhere - especially with spots or larger flashes. Perhaps more common is a neutral or slightly darker grey for walls.

[atgonzales]

Could someone post a pic of said painted black walls, please

[Lonnie]

So is this "black wall" thing for a work area environment or for a photo shoot environment??
I think TroyScherer is on to something about working in a darker environment for certain polishing techniques to view (see) swirls and buffer trails.

I only say this because even my wife, who is not a trained detailer by any means, can "see" swirls induced by bad buffing techniques in cars on dealer lots at night under less-than-bright mercury vapor lighting and it`s REALLY obvious. She has asked why this appears at night but during the day it seems to "disappear". It may be that bright lighting sometimes `washes" this out. I also had to explain that it is most likely caused by a detailer/vehicle prep technician using a rotary buffer with a wool pad, as the "swirl patterns` were quite evidently large and round. She said maybe it`s the wrong compound or polish as well, which to her credit, is somewhat true, as some dealers use glazes that fill, but a few days of sun and rain remove the fillers, exposing the swirls. Needless to say, my wife will point out newer vehicles that are badly swirled at stop lights or in shopping mall parking lots or even dealer used (oops; "pre-owned") car lots. That`s what happens when you are "educated and informed" by an OCD Autopian hobbyist husband. I cringe at putting a Scangrip Sunmatch Light in her hands and then have her talk to a car salesperson at night!!

[mobiledynamics]

I don`t have a POV on black walls, but to analogize to a degree....

Sometimes if I`m looking for something in the garage, and I ~just~ can`t find it, I will turn off all the lights and look around with a flashlight. It allows me to ~focus~ more in finding that item I just can`t seem to find....

[Accumulator]

Are we assuming that the black walls supposedly have some functional benefit, rather then just "being cool" the way some people think black stuff is?

Lonnie- The swirls stand out at night due to the "point-source illumination in an otherwise dark environment" thing. You can often duplicate it in a garage with a bare incandescent lightbulb in a ceiling mount and even a 60w can work fine (I`ve used that for swirl-spotting extensively).

The walls in my shop`s bathroom are mostly black, and I don`t see marring any better in there than I do anywhere else.

[Accumulator]

Are we assuming that the black walls supposedly have some functional benefit, rather then just "being cool" the way some people think black stuff is?

Lonnie & MobileDynamics- The swirls stand out at night/in a dark shop with that kind of lighting due to the "point-source illumination in an otherwise dark environment" thing. You can often duplicate it in a garage with a bare incandescent lightbulb in a ceiling mount and even a 60w can work fine (I`ve used that for swirl-spotting extensively).

I *always* inspect that way, only way I can spot minor flaws on colors like silver.

The walls in my shop`s bathroom are mostly black, and I don`t see marring any better in there than I do anywhere else.

[mc2hill]

At Mobile Tech this year Jason Rose mentioned the combination of black walls and gray floors was best for defect finding. I think that is what the Rupes studio looks like too.

At least I am pretty sure it was that combo...will review my notes and report back if that is not correct.

[rlmccarty2000]

Flat black or gloss black? Flat black would cut down on reflections. I just don`t like the idea of working in a cave. Seems like it would be depressing. I worked in several (too many) buildings that had no windows (for security) and absolutely hated it. Black walls would close in on me quickly. I think it would be a terrible work environment unless your last name is Dracula.