Maintaining Your Car's Matte Finish Done The Easy Way

We understand if you enjoy the striking texture of matte or satin car finishes that you've seen at auto shows or on the swanky new BMW that your neighbor is driving. Car matte finishes come and go with fashion. The style is regaining popularity and is increasingly being provided as a factory option, particularly on expensive cars. Some of their 2020 models come in matte finish versions from Lexus and BMW. There are several myths about matte surfaces being overly high maintenance, though. We're here to comfort you if you appreciate the look but have been put off by the upkeep.

Mattes Were Not Meant To Be Perfect

Let's first quickly define what a matte finish is. As opposed to the glossy, shiny finish you're usually used to seeing on cars, cars with a matte finish paint have a non-reflective appearance and a rough texture. The same application technique is used for both paints; the difference in appearance is caused by how the clear coat dries. As we previously discussed, matte finish paint has a terrible reputation for some reason, particularly in regards to how to maintain it. For instance, some individuals believe matte paint cannot be washed, cannot become wet (what? ), and cannot be protected from being dirty.

However, none of these are still accurate. The resilience of matte paint has increased recently, and it is now just as simple to maintain as a standard gloss finish. However, it still has its own specifications. Let's look at why they exist and what they are. Typically, primer, numerous coats of color, and clear coat are used in car paint jobs. As we previously stated, the clear coat is what distinguishes a matte finish from a standard glossy finish. The clear coat smooths out any flaws and gives the surface a glossy sheen. It is then polished and waxed to reflect light and give the surface depth.

Intentionally left imperfect, a matte clear coat has a texture that scatters light rather than reflecting it. To produce a haze throughout the layers, the clear coat also includes matting or texturizing chemicals. Any color can be used to produce a matte finish since the clear coat, not the colored layers, is where the matte effect is achieved. It's true that an uneven matte surface is more likely to acquire impurities, but that doesn't mean it can't be cleaned or protected. Some individuals think that typical impurities like bird excrement and dead insects quickly etch through matte clear finish and into the color. The experts dispute this. Even though it's best practice to get rid of contaminants as quickly as you can, especially biological waste like dung and tree sap, this doesn't necessarily indicate that your paint will be ruined before you come home from work.

Wash By Hand

But eventually, matte paint will etch. And if you're really concerned, you might be able to avoid some hassle by using a matte-specific protective sealant product. You simply cannot wash this car with your previous stock of car wash supplies. The safest choice is typically to use commercial matte finish products, but some owners prefer homemade solutions like a vinegar and dish soap mixture. In a manual provided to owners of Lexus matte automobiles, it is advised to use simply water whenever possible and a citric acid powder solution to get rid of stubborn pollutants.

However, matte paint will ultimately etch. And if you're truly worried, employing a matte-specific protective sealant product can help you avoid some headache. With your current supply of car wash supplies, you simply cannot wash this car. Although using commercial matte finish products is often the safest option, some owners prefer DIY alternatives such a vinegar and dish soap solution. It is suggested to use only water whenever possible and a citric acid powder solution to get rid of persistent contaminants in a guidebook given to Lexus matte car owners.

Spot Cleaning and Protection

Use matte-specific soaps and detail sprays once more for sporadic spot cleaning or dirt removal. With the exception of the harsh components that have negative consequences, they function exactly like their conventional equivalents. They can be applied as frequently as required. Use of a standard paste wax will destroy the matte finish by filling in surface flaws. Select sealant products made especially for matte paint; they provide comparable levels of protection. Because it can be applied to a wet vehicle, doesn't require curing, and doesn't leave the kind of foggy residue that wax can leave on trim and emblems, matte sealant is actually simpler to use than paste wax. Every six to nine months, the finish of a matte car needs to be sealed.

As long as tiny scratches, swirls, and etching don't penetrate all the way through the paint to the primer, damage like these can frequently be removed from a typical gloss finish by buffing. However, abrasive polishes and glazes will leave glossy areas on a matte car that will permanently change its surface. Because the surface is already uneven, very small scratches on matte paint typically don't show. That implies that a matte car doesn't require polishing. In addition, polishing actually makes a matte car impossible to shine since it gradually erodes the clear finish.

The truth is, you'll need a professional if a scratch or scuff appears in the clear coat or extends into the color. Visible scratches should be professionally repainted as opposed to being rubbed out or filled with the normal DIY methods. Any reputable body shop can handle bodywork that needs to be painted over. The choice to go with matte paint shouldn't be rushed, whether you're looking for a new vehicle or considering custom work on one you currently own. Thanks to the availability of higher-quality paints and care products, it's not quite as difficult as you may have heard — or as difficult as it once was. It does, however, take work.