Rick,
My car originally had white panels, painted black. It was the driver's side that took abuse. Apparently the noodle-head drove with his arm out the window.
The grain was really messed up. I bought some used panels on E-Bay, and have been happy ever since.
It doesn't matter what color you buy, you can dye them with the SEM stuff. I went with the after-market panels too... I suggest not doing this if you can help it.
Hard plastic was all they were. Had to work to get them to fit too.
Mike