Your matte paint as good as new: tips, tricks, and products
Matte paints and wraps give your vehicle a unique look, but maintaining them can be quite a challenge. We often get asked about this. How do you safely remove dirt, stains, and insects without damaging the paint?
Unlike glossy paint, scratches, stone chips, or color differences can’t be easily polished or repaired. In this blog, we’ll guide you through the world of matte paints: from safe washing to protection and maintenance.
We’ll answer the most important questions about matte paint. Which products should you use? What should you avoid? And how can you keep your paint looking brand new for years to come?
Want to watch a video about matte paint or wraps with Tim and Johan? Click below.
Maintaining Matte Paint: A Challenge You Can Handle
1. Polishing? Forget about it!
With matte paint, polishing is a no-go. While you can easily fix glossy paint with a polish, this will cause gloss spots on matte finishes. Scratches or stone chips? You’ll have to accept them or, in the case of wraps, consider re-wrapping.
2. Safe Washing with Foam and Shampoo
Matte surfaces require a gentle approach. Start with a neutral foam, such as Valet Pro Advanced Neutral Snow Foam, applied with a foam lance or pump sprayer fitted with a foam nozzle. Foams with a slightly higher pH value carry a higher risk of drying out.
This loosens stuck dirt without the need for scrubbing. First, spray your entire car and let it work in. Then, use a residue-free shampoo without any gloss additives, such as Dodo Juice Born to Be Mild.
3. Removing Insects: Proceed with Caution
Insect residues need to be removed quickly to prevent permanent damage. Use a mild insect cleaner, such as Monello Ciao Insetti, and work in small sections. Avoid scrubbing. Ciao Insetti is also suitable for cars with stickers. Let the product sit for a short time, then wipe it off immediately to prevent drying and permanent spots and streaks. A quick wipe and you're done!
And once again: not on warm paint! Let the front cool down first, then start with the back. Try to remove insects as quickly as possible during a long drive, and park in the shade whenever possible.
Insects are acidic, and acid burns in. While you could polish glossy surfaces, that’s not an option for matte paint or wraps.
4. Dry Your Paint with the Right Tools
Never use a chamois or squeegee. A chamois has a high surface resistance, which increases the chance of scratches or stains. A squeegee only needs to encounter one grain of sand, resulting in a straight scratch. And you can't fix that on a matte surface.
Opt for a soft microfiber cloth like the Monello Peluche Verde Trio. It has low surface resistance, can be washed after use, and absorbs water much better. This prevents damage and ensures effective drying.
5. Remove Tar with Clay
Avoid aggressive tar removers. Instead, use a soft clay, such as Meguiar’s Smooth Surface Clay Kit or Bilt Hamber Auto Clay Soft. Clay creates minimal friction on the paintwork and has the least chance of causing gloss. It doesn't have an abrasive effect but rather a "rubbing" effect.
If you find the clay too firm, place a few pieces in a bucket of warm water. Work on small sections at a time. If you see streaks, stop immediately.
6. Tackling Stains and Smudges
For stains and smudges, use a detailing spray designed for matte finishes, such as Dodo Juice Dullicious Matt Finish Spray.
7. Protection is Crucial
To protect your matte finish, use pure products like a wax or sealant specifically designed for matte surfaces, such as Gyeon Q²M Cure Matte or Nanolex Si3D Matte Kit. This is because each matte surface reacts differently to protective products.
These provide long-lasting protection and make cleaning easier. Important: Always spray onto a cloth or pad, not directly onto the surface, and avoid using too much product—better to apply a little twice than to use too much at once.
Make sure your car is clean and grease-free, and be careful and precise when wiping it down. With a coating, your car will stay cleaner for longer, making it easier to clean and dry.
Windshield Washer Fluid
Which windshield washer fluid is best to use? You might think: Is it really that important? The answer is: Yes! Poor quality washer fluid can damage your matte surface (and your glossy one too). A high pH level and cheap ingredients can lead to rust and matte spots. So, which windshield washer fluid should you use? For example, the Screenwash from Autoglym!
“Just a Quick Rinse”
Never just quickly rinse off your car! Many people think that if there's a bit of dust on the car, it's best to rinse it off quickly. Don’t do it! Especially not with matte paint. Why? When your car is properly protected, droplets form and act like little lenses. So, when the sun hits them, the dirt from the water gets burned into the paint. The minerals in regular tap water can also burn into the surface. Even with osmotic water, you still get that droplet effect. We also advise against "dry driving" – the droplets collect sand and dust. And never dry the back of your car like that. In short: just don’t do it!
Maintaining matte paint isn’t rocket science, but it does require the right approach. With neutral foam, a gentle shampoo, mild insect removers, and protective coatings, you can keep your matte paint in top condition. Always choose products specifically designed for matte surfaces.
Now that you know how to maintain your matte paint or wrap, get started and become a true CleanRider!
