While Bosch’s black stainless steel finish is supposedly much higher quality than most manufacturers, I think scratches can be a real problem and impossible to repair. I don’t think you’ll be happy with that in the long run. I think it might be a good idea to try to match your cabinetry door style and color and get a paneled dishwasher.

P.S. Thats a Bosch 800…now almost 11 yo.

@darbuka,

Long story about paneling the appliances ... anyway, it has been 11 years since the current kitchen cabinets were built, laquer-painted, and installed. It is possible that I can have the new dw paneled by the same cabinet-maker -- but then I will likely need fresh paint across all the cabinets to make it match.

Might be worth asking your cabinet maker how much it would cost to have the cabinets painted to match a dw panel.

The black on black stainless is just a coating. Eventually, they all get scratches and discolor. Some people have had peeling, too. I’d avoid it, even on a higher end brand, like Bosch.

@darbuka,

Yes, my current dw is Bosch SHX7ER55UC, which was in the "800-plus" series.

I am disappointed to hear that there is a problem with the black stainless finish chipping.

I think the current panel-ready model is SHV78CM3N. The website says I will need to purchase a separate handle for the dw door. Appliance pull? or just a regular bar pull?

I'll reach out to the cabiinet guy next week. A problem with the lacquer paint is that it chips -- they sell the paint only to people in the trade; I cannot do the touch-ups myself.

I did not use an appliance pull on the dw. The dw, and my 32” pots and pans drawers have the same 10” pulls. Just the paneled SubZero FD fridge has appliance pulls.