How to Care for Matte Car Paint

Most vehicles are vibrant, sleek and polished thanks to the metallic sheen of their high-gloss paint finish. While popular, not everyone is after that smooth, flashy look. Recent car paint trends have seen vehicle owners gravitating toward the understated, subtly elegant appearance of a matte finish. If you are one of those who prefers the matte look, then knowing the proper way to maintain it is essential.

Bugs, weather, road debris and improper maintenance can cause scratches or fading. Once this happens, it’s difficult to restore. Unlike a gloss finish, spot touch-ups are not possible with matte paint because it cannot be blended, and if it fades, the usual paint restoration process for high-gloss finishes won't work because matte paint cannot be buffed or polished. 

In this case, a costly re-paint would be necessary to fix the affected areas. Preventative maintenance is the best way to keep your paint looking fresh for the long haul. Here are some helpful tips for maintaining your vehicle’s matte finish:

The car wash process for matte car finishes

Matte finishes are delicate and easily damaged, so a gentle approach is needed when washing. Cleaning a vehicle with a matte paint job is a multi-step process, but when done correctly, it will look brand new for much longer.

Some helpful tools for washing your vehicle include: a pressure washer, paint degreaser snow foam, two buckets, microfiber towels, car shampoo, wheel cleaner and potentially an air compressor.

• Start with the stains: These finishes are prone to stains. To treat them, apply a paint degreaser to the stains, let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse with a pressure washer set to 1500 PSI or less.
• Apply snow foam: Snow foam is exactly what it sounds like— foam that looks like snow. It is primarily used to remove dirt and dust from your vehicle’s paint before washing the car. Apply the foam generously to your vehicle and wait four to five minutes for it to loosen up any dirt that stuck through the stain removal process, then rinse again.
• Hand wash the vehicle: Use two buckets, one with car wash soap and water, the other with clean water. Start by washing the chassis before the wheels to avoid dirt from the wheels contaminating and scratching your matte finish. 
• Washing the body of the car: When you are ready to move on to the body of your vehicle, dip a microfiber towel in the soapy water and gently wash it from top to bottom.  Do not swirl or move in a circular pattern as this could cause swirl marks in your paint.  When you have finished, rinse your vehicle for a third time. 
• No car washes: Avoid taking your vehicle to an automatic car wash, no matter how convenient it might be. The spinning bushes and bristles are not sensitive enough to clean a matte car without causing abrasions. The air dryers are also inconsistent which could cause streaking and water spots while leaving enough water to attract dirt and dust.

• Drying techniques: There are a couple of ways to effectively dry your vehicle without damaging the paint. A microfiber towel is an efficient, delicate way to remove any excess moisture from your vehicle’s surface. Be sure to use the softest micro-fiber towel you can find and gently remove the liquid. If you want to avoid physical contact with your vehicle during drying, consider using an air compressor. Start at the top and work your way down, focusing on crevices. The air pressure will remove any remaining water, leaving your vehicle dry and streak-free. To prevent scratches and scuffs on your vehicle, avoid using abrasive materials like paper towels or terry cloth for drying. Such materials can mar the surface, resulting in an uneven finish. Given the delicate nature of matte paint, these imperfections are both challenging and expensive to repair.
• Apply a protective paint coating: Unlike glossy finishes, matte coats cannot be polished or waxed. This will change your matte finish by adding gloss and creating irreversible shiny spots. Consider applying a non-glossy paint guard to help prevent UV damage, staining and etching. For vehicles stored in a garage, a matte paint coating can last up to two years with proper maintenance. For cars parked outside and used regularly, reapply the coating annually.