Why is a car's oil dipstick black in colour? Wouldn't it be better white?

At least VW's seem to be and my previous cars to have jet black dipsticks which you struggle to see the oil level against.





Wouldn't it be much easier to take a reading if the dipstick was made from white metal... so the oil contrasts vividly from an easier reading.





Possible problems that might be put to me: If you can get a white metal... or a specially high-temp painted white dipstick.. with the markings for high and low say in bright red... perhaps the oil would stain the white dipstick.





Surely we have the technology to make it white and keep it white even from prolonged sitting in an oil sump/environment.Why is a car's oil dipstick black in colour? Wouldn't it be better white?
The dipstick has to be clean metal, as paint can come off and damage the engine.





Used oil is supposed to be black or very dark in colour - that proves it's doing its job.





If you know of a white metal that can be used for a dipstick, then patent the idea, there's a fortune to be made.





Having said all that, I've never heard of anyone having trouble reading a dipstick (I certainly don't) - you must be the first!Why is a car's oil dipstick black in colour? Wouldn't it be better white?
The oil in your engine should be a golden colour,easy to see against a dark dipstick.If the oil is black it's probably time for an oil change.
all of mine are raw metal meaning no paint sounds like yours is burned or something
Many dipsticks are a Matt black as clean oil shows up better on them than silver of the unpainted stick
My oil dipstick is yellow and my trans dipstick it red so I thunk Hyundai already did what you are wanting. The metal paty is plain metal against which the liquid shows clearly. They even angle portions of the dipstick to make it easier to read.
The oil dip stick rod is usually just plain metal tarnished by the heat of the engine and the temp of the oil. The handle can be any color you want. If you paint the rod there is a chance that you could lock up the engine, reason being is that the paint can come off and go on to the cylinder stay there and when the piston comes down and sticks to the ring and snap the piston ring, which causes the broken piece to hit the connecting rod and starts a chain reaction that could cause the engine to throw a rod of damage the oil pump which would lock the engine.
paint it and stop moaning
Ive had loads of cars and mine have all been just metal. If it were painted, it would then be plastic coated (The paint would have to some kind of gloss or vinyl) and the oil wouldn't stick to it. Give it a really good wipe with some kitchen roll and then check in good daylight.
Good idea party girl...maybe its because men who designed it didn't think about such things...