How Ceramic Coating Can Help Preserve Matte Paint Finishes

Matte finishes are hugely on-trend, but they do require a slightly different approach to care and preservation from their glossy cousins. There’s the whole thing about not waxing, which—by the way—is true (don’t try it, you’ll end up with a nasty slimy mess) and that any scratches or damage are difficult and hugely expensive to repair.

Protecting matte car paint does, therefore, need careful consideration, and one of the most effective options is ceramic coating.

But… Won’t Ceramic Coating on Matte Paint Make It Glossy?

In a word, no. To understand why we need to look at what matte paint actually is—because, surprise, surprise, it’s not really a paint at all. Instead, it’s a carefully formulated coating that prevents light reflecting from the surface. 

A normal, glossy finish looks that way thanks to a clear surface coating that fills in all the teeny tiny dips and troughs that are naturally found in the paint pigmentation. This creates a smooth, mirror-like surface from which light reflects. A matte finish is created by leaving those imperceptible paint anomalies in place, although it does have a coating. This prevents the light from bouncing away, absorbing it instead and giving that gorgeous, flat, luxurious look.

True matte, satin matte, or semi-gloss matte finishes depend on the level of “filling in” of the paint surface. The more of the irregularities that remain, the higher the matte effect will be.

Once we know this, we can better understand that adding a ceramic coating over the top of a matte finish doesn’t change the reflectability of the surface, because those imperceptible paint peaks and troughs are protected from being filled in by the coating that’s in place. Instead, specially formulated matte ceramic coatings only serve to intensify the color depth. How much will depend on the thickness and viscosity of the coating—as well as the skill of the installer.

Right, Got It. What Else is Important About Protecting Matte Car Paint?

In a nutshell, everything. If you’ve already got or have researched matte finishes, you’ll know how expensive they are. So, you’re going to want to protect your investment. One of the greatest issues is that any scratches or imperfections can’t simply be corrected like you would with a glossy paint job. Spot paint correction isn’t generally possible—the only way to repair it is to replace the whole thing. 

Ceramic coating a matte paint finish can go a long way to preventing this unhappy scenario. It also comes with a host of other benefits, such as:

• The already mentioned increase in color depth.
• Has hydrophobic properties that help make the car easier to keep clean.
• Prevents paint fade from UV rays and other environmental issues.
• Provides a barrier from chemical attacks, such as tree sap, acid rain, and bird droppings.

Depending on the quality of a ceramic coating and how well it’s installed, it can provide excellent protection for many years. Yes, this might cost a bit. But, when you’ve shelled out mucho dollars for the perfect vibe, why wouldn’t you include the final matte finish car care step?

Mmm, OK. I’m Almost Sold. But Why Can’t I Do It Myself?

Yep, there is always that option. But… And it’s a big but…

Ceramic coating, be it on a matte finish or anything else, is an art form. It’s also a very meticulous process. Adding a ceramic coating onto matte paint is even more of a skill set. From choosing the right one (because, trust us, not all are made equal) to the careful steps needed for the ultimate installation, it really needs the professional touch.

DIY options are of a different grade to what a pro-install can offer. In addition, when you entrust a ceramic coating to professionals such as us (shameless self-promotion, yes, we know…), you’re guaranteed of:

• Our expert paintwork assessment to ensure the condition is right to add a ceramic coating.
• Careful paintwork prep, carried out in a semi-sterile and heat-controlled area.
• Years of experience in ceramic coating installation.
• A proven, well-established working timeline that takes anything from 48 hours from the paintwork preliminaries to curing, ensuring your vehicle is ready for full use once it leaves our purpose-built premises.
• Full insurance for your vehicle while it’s in our care.
• And, of course, a product-specific guarantee for the longevity of the coating.

Ready to find out more? Visit https://autosupershield.com/ or call us today for a no-obligation chat.