Cars with a matte finish are becoming more and more popular with drivers that want their vehicle to look luxurious and stand out on the road. In 2016, one in three customers requested a matte finish from a dealership in Canada, compared to one in five two years’ earlier.
Whilst these cars definitely make a statement, a matte finish comes with extra cost and requires a greater deal of care and attention.
If you pursue a career in the automotive industry, especially if you choose to specialize in auto detailing, you will need to know how to care for cars with matte finishes.
Read on to discover the pros and cons of matte paint cars.
Matte Finish Gives Car a Luxury Look
The main reason people choose a matte finish for their vehicle is because of the look. It normally appears on luxury cars, so instantly makes a car seem more high-end, even when applied to older, cheaper models. As well as this, 99% of cars on the road have a traditional glossy finish, so a matte car will instantly stand out.
A matte or glossy finish is applied with a clear coat. A traditional glossy clear coat is reflective and shiny, whereas the matte clear coat has millions of microscopic dimples that stop the material from reflecting light. A matte coat can be applied in any colour, but matte black is by far the most popular.
Drivers wanting a matte finish can choose between three options: true flat, satin, and gloss. True flat is probably what you imagine when thinking of a matte finish, whereas satin and semi gloss are both slightly more reflective.
Choosing a Matte Finish Adds Extra Cost
The high-end look of a matte finish obviously comes with a high-end price tag. Choosing a matte finish can add at least $2,500 to the cost of your car.
As well as this, drivers will need to invest in specialized cleaning products to maintain the coat, or use detailers with specialized training in the automotive industry. And if fading happens, a repaint can be very expensive.
If a driver wants to experiment with a matte finish without committing to this cost, however, there are some options on the market such as a matte vinyl wrap or a plasti-dip spray. Both of these give you the option to peel off the coat if you decide it’s not worth the extra maintenance.
Easier to Damage and Harder for Professional Automotive Detailing Teams to Repair
A matte finish might hide uneven textures, but it is a lot easier to damage. Bird droppings, snow, salt, and insect remains can all leave lasting marks on a matte coat if not dealt with quickly.
This is partly because of the quality of the coat, and also because you can’t buff or polish it to hide these marks as you would with a traditional glossy car. This means scratches or oxidation marks are far more difficult and expensive to treat.
Professional automotive detailing training will involve learning about paint surface repair and reconditioning, including how to protect and properly clean a matte finish coat.
You cannot use the same products on a matte coat as on a regular glossy coat because these often have polish or wax to add shine which would damage a matte finish. Instead, it’s important that you opt for products specially designed for matte coats that don’t contain harsh chemicals.
Detailers can also use preventatives like a clear coat with an additional sealant layer for extra protection. This can help to stop the car from fading when exposed to UV light or other road contaminants like salt and snow.
Are you interested in an automotive career like auto detailing?
Contact Automotive Training Centres Surrey to find out more!
