The ULTIMATE Guide to Matte Paint Care

How do you care for and detail matte paint finishes? After all, you can't apply wax or buff out scratches without ruining the look! Thankfully whether you're dealing with a Magno finish from Mercedes, a Frozen finish from BMW or an aftermarket paintjob, matte finishes are surprisingly easy to maintain — provided you're using the right products, of course.

In our latest video, Director of Success Chris Racana breaks down every aspect of matte finish care and demonstrates the recommended preventative maintenance regime focused on early ceramic protection. If you can follow these steps and keep up with occasional washes, your matte finish will stay looking new for years on end.

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Products Used:

▸ Matte Paint Prescription

▸ Matte Final Finish

▸ Matte Paint Cleanser

▸ Matte Body Wash

▸ Matte Paint Coating

▸ AdvanceCoat: Matte

▸ Matte Wheel Cleanser

00:00 Introduction
00:57 Why Matte Looks Matte
02:35 The Products You'll Need
07:05 Step 1 (Option A): Foam Cannon Wash
15:03 Step 1 (Option B): Two-Bucket Wash
20:41 Step 2: Safely Drying a Matte Finish
23:45 Step 3: Prep for Ceramic Coating
27:02 Step 4: Ceramic Coating
31:12 Bi-Monthly & Quarterly Maintenance
35:27 On-the-Go & As-Needed Maintenance
39:29 Wrap-Up & Final Thoughts

[TOakenshield]

Finally! One of the very few (if not only) detailers to rinse the prefoam. It astounds me how most will prefoam soak and then take their perfectly clean wash towels and solution over the dirty prefoam. Unbelievable.

[detailing]

Awesome video, Chris!

If I may add something, I have found that if you are using AdvanceCoat Matte on matte vinyl or paint protection film, the ideal way to apply it is to spray 1-2 sprays into a microfiber applicator and evenly apply to a section in the same manner as if you were applying matte paint coating, just without the water. Then take a pearl weave microfiber towel and level it, followed by a second microfiber towel for a final buff. Due to its much more porous nature than paint, this allows for even coverage with zero high spots. The finish you get will look like you just coated your paint again and is extremely smooth feeling. Hope this can help anyone out there!

[MrDogfishboy]

In the video you show the 2 ways to apply the ceramic coating, and left it wet. How do you wipe it off? Do you just use a micro fiber cloth and gently buff off, the same as the other applications?

[inoagaiwhodetails]

WOW GREAT VIDEO. EXCELLENT EDITING EXCELLENT HOST. EXCELLENT INFORMATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH

[alastairtreymaine]

Just ordered some of the matte coating here in the uk and enjoyed the video also. How ever the only gripe here was the lack of rinsing those mits more often especially on a matte car. Swirls and scratches.... Ooph. Overall great informative video

[jimji]

Great video you have convinced me to never ever get a matte finish on a car including my current favorite Kia EV6. That looks like about a $1000 wash and clean job you just did. Way too much work for me but great job.

[directorofsuccess]

Environmental factors play a huge role. Higher humidity = faster cure time
Arid climate = slower cure time
Generally, keep it dry for 1-2 days and “hands off” for 2 weeks and you are all good. After a few days it can get wet without worry. Just no touching for 2 weeks.

[MotoKDub]

Thank you Chris. I’m a weekend warrior DIY with my cars and just getting my first Matte PPF car so going down the rabbit hole.

My shop is putting Llumar Pinnacle tint and Matte PPF as well as a ceramic coat (do not know what brand)

So I want to know exactly which products I should use to clean and maintain it.

[adamaschoff]

In the beginning there is mention on how to treat car durning winter but it is never addressed? Any tips on winter detailing?

[MikeyBeeReel]

I didn't catch how you remove the ceramic once you mist and apply. Did I miss something?

[Ttamlin]

You start a video properly (and enthusiastically) using the phrase "... an absolute dearth of...", you get my attention lol

[enriqueborunda]

Chris, If I want to use an Iron remover and a Mineral deposit remover on the paint before the coating, Which one goes first ?

[PatrickBeeson]

Great info! When applying the matte paint coating, I understand you should avoid getting it wet for a week. But how strict should I be? If I keep it dry for five days and drive in the rain on the sixth am I ok?

[fabiobetancourt]

On Step 4, Minute 27, can you please explain or clarify what to do after applying the ceramic coating? My first instinct is to level it with two microfiber towels (two passes). Thank you.

[tonyhasstonyhass]

Very nice video. I have a question that I have yet to find an answer to. I have a matte black paint on my vehicle, and my dog enjoys going everywhere with me. As a result, there is dog drool on the paint of my rear doors. I have tried everything to get the drool marks off, but nothing seems to work. It essentially looks like drips of wax (shiny spots) randomly accross the doors paint. Do you have any suggestions on how to get it off? Thank you in advance for any suggestions that you may have for me to try.

[TOakenshield]

If you drop a mit, it's garbage. Not laundry for a later use (except maybe for wheels). Wasn't sure if the video said "now" or "not". But that's just me and I'm fanatical.

[silverguns]

Soooo I just recently found out about you guys since i just bought my first matte car. If I already applied mckee matte ceramic coating, could i still apply your product? 😅

[theamanbundela]

I have a Kia Sonet Xline Matte Finish. I live in Goa so its really hot and humid, plus the services for paint protection is definitely not up to par with what high quality services provide. Should I get my car ceramic coated, PPFed or something else? Or should I just maintain the car really really well?

[kylinturnbull]

After you applied the coating did you let it sit for a few minutes and then buff it off with a micro towel?

[RamonaWest]

Can you recommend a Foam Gun or Foam Cannon?