The Beginner’s Guide To Taking Care of Matte Paint

W ondering how you go about taking care of matte paint? You’re in luck. We’re partnering with a major OEM to include a Dr. Beasley’s Matte Paint Prescription with every one of their new factory matte painted vehicles, part of which includes a beginner’s guide to matte paint care.

In the spirit of spreading car care knowledge, we’ve reproduced this matte paint care introduction here for you to read. So whether you own a matte-painted vehicle or are just considering one, check out our do’s, don’ts, and care regimen to get a better handle on what taking care of matte paint looks like.

Matte Paint Care Recommendations

Do’s and Don’ts

Do…

• Practice preventative maintenance – Because matte finishes cannot be polished it is important to put down a paint protectant in order to prevent staining, etching, UV fading, and damage from environmental contaminants. Using Dr. Beasley’s Matte Paint Coating will protect the paint surface, preventing such issues from occurring.
• Handwash regularly – Regular handwashing is the most effective way to keep the surface clean. We recommend using the two-bucket method, or a handheld foamer to wash the vehicle by hand. A reputable detail shop can also wash the vehicle by hand, but make sure they are using car wash soap formulated specifically for matte finishes, such as Dr. Beasley’s Matte Body Wash.
• Remove contaminants between washes – If left too long on the surface bird droppings, insect remains, and water spots can bake onto the finish, causing damage to the protective coating and eventually the paint underneath. Using Dr. Beasley’s Matte Final Finish, you can easily wipe away these blemishes as you see them, preventing any damage from occurring.
• Use clean mitts and microfiber towels – It is important to use soft, clean microfiber towels and wash mitts when caring for a matte surface. Using towels with embedded particles and debris can abrade the surface, causing scratching and marring.
• Use products formulated for matte finishes – It might be tempting to use standard car care products you already have on hand, but a matte finish is a specialty paint job, and to care for it you need specialty products.

Don’t…

• Do Not wax or polish the vehicle – Introducing waxes or polishes to the surface can alter the look of the finish. Waxes, paint sealants and ceramic coatings are designed to add gloss to paint finishes. Using abrasive products such as a polishes, glazes, and compounds will cause shiny spots which are irreversible. By practicing proper maintenance polishing should not be necessary.
• Do Not use polishers/buffing machines – Using a rotary or orbital polisher will damage the finish.
• Do Not use an automatic car wash – Automatic car washes can damage matte finishes. Mechanized, spinning brushes at automatic car washes cause scratches and abrasions which cannot be removed.
• Do Not use products intended for glossy finishes – Regular car wash soaps can contain waxes, silicones, and optical brighteners, all of which are intended to enhance the look of the surface. On a matte finish these products will cause the finish to look blotchy and uneven. Avoid quick detail sprays and other cleaning products for the same reason.
• Do Not wash the vehicle with dish detergent – Dish soaps are not intended for use on paint surfaces. They can dry out the paint and are overly aggressive on protective products. Use Matte Body Wash to wash the vehicle.
• Do Not use rough cloths – Using terry cloth, paper towels, or other rough materials to wipe or dry the surface can cause unnecessary abrasion on the surface.

General Maintenance Regimen

First Steps – Wash the vehicle using Matte Body Wash. After rinsing off the suds inspect the vehicle for any stains or contaminants such as tar, tree sap, or overspray that did not come off in the wash. If needed, use Dr. Beasley’s Matte Paint Cleanser as a spot cleaner to remove these contaminants so the paint surface is prepped for the coating. Rinse the surface and go directly into applying Matte Paint Coating. Do not dry the vehicle before application. Matte Paint Coating should be applied while the vehicle is still wet. Apply Matte Paint Coating one panel at a time, removing as you go. Once applied the paint surface will be dry and fully protected. Dry the rest of the vehicle.

In Between Washes – Keep an eye on the paint surface for blemishes such as dust, fingerprints, or fresh bird droppings. Remove these with Matte Final Finish and a microfiber towel in order to keep the surface clean between washes and prevent staining. It is recommended to keep Matte Final Finish and a towel in the vehicle to touch up the finish when necessary. More stubborn contaminants such as tar, sap, overspray, or baked on insect remains will need to be removed using Matte Paint Cleanser. After using this product reapply Matte Paint Coating to the affected area as the cleanser can remove the coating in some instances.

Wash Schedule – Wash the vehicle every 2-4 weeks using Matte Body Wash. Your wash schedule will depend on how often the vehicle is driven, as well as weather and environmental conditions.

Coating Schedule – Matte Paint Coating is a durable nanocoating which will last up to 2 years with proper maintenance. If the vehicle is a daily driver, is regularly parked outside, or is exposed to a harsh climate it is recommended to reapply once a year to maintain coverage.

Not as hard as people make it out to be, right? Truth is, taking care of matte paint isn’t that much different than taking care of glossy finishes. While matte cars have their pros and cons, at the end of the day all you need are the right products and the right methods.