Matt Finish Helmet polish \ wax

[Charliecloud]

With the increasing number of models available with a 'matt' finish what is being recommended to clean or protect the finish.

Having just brought a Schuberth SR1 in matt white I want to protect it's finish

Thanks

[trickywoo]

Pretty sure standard car wash soap and water is fine for cleaning.

For protection you'll need a special Matte Paint Sealant. Most of the car cleaning websites should carry a decent selection.

[SAS Tom]

It's going to turn brown/yellow. I see it all the time. I even thought that if I cleaned my matte arai every time I used it then it wouldn't stain/mark. It's already started to change colour after a few months.

[bogie]

have had matt black Shark helmet for 4 years now, just wipe it clean with Autoglym fast glass when I clean the visor....still looks like new ...

[Bengt Axel]

This might seem mad but my father claims that household beeswax furniture polish (in a spray can) works best!

[Mastodon2]

The world of motorcycle helmets is a few years behind guitars - a decade or so ago matte finishes were all the rage. Not such an issue with colours, but owners of matte black guitars found that after a while, they got dirty and could never really be cleaned to look like they did when they were new. I was looking at the Shoei Marquez helmet the other day, and while it's stunning I did worry that after a few months it would just look st.

[SAS Tom]

Mastodon2 said:

The world of motorcycle helmets is a few years behind guitars - a decade or so ago matte finishes were all the rage. Not such an issue with colours, but owners of matte black guitars found that after a while, they got dirty and could never really be cleaned to look like they did when they were new. I was looking at the Shoei Marquez helmet the other day, and while it's stunning I did worry that after a few months it would just look st.

Shoei's matte finish is rubbish. So rubbish the warranty doesn't cover it.

Arai's is about the best I've seen but still not amazing.

[CarsOrBikes]

I use furniture polish on everything bike, including the matt black Aprilia Factory side fairings, but also leather them off with plain hot water after every wash. Very hot water if I can.

[MrGman]

I always give my matte black shoei nxr a quick wipe over with a hot cloth of just water after use then finish with a quick spray of chemical guys matte detailing spray, still looks as new.
I think the answer is just keeping on top of it so you don't need to start scrubbing it to get the insects and general road grime off of it.

[gwm]

I've got the Marquez Shoei and have only used Muc Off visor cleaner and warm water to clean it. Still good as new, though I'll admit it doesn't see much bad weather (but does see plenty of bugs).

[moanthebairns]

Eh, thread hijack, what do you use to clean a matt finished bike? I need to get some stuff for my Dad to clean my street.

[bogie]

moanthebairns said:

Eh, thread hijack, what do you use to clean a matt finished bike? I need to get some stuff for my Dad to clean my street.

just car wash stuff n water, dry with microfibre towel. No smears, no polishing, not much else to do and why matt finish is great. more time to ride

[theshrew]

gwm said:

I've got the Marquez Shoei and have only used Muc Off visor cleaner and warm water to clean it. Still good as new, though I'll admit it doesn't see much bad weather (but does see plenty of bugs).

How the hell do you manage to ride in good weather and avoid death on your helmet.

Muc off visor stuff is real handy I keep a bottle and a cut off from a cloth in the boot :-)

[Yabu]

graphene said:

Can you get a matte clearcoat which will block the UV?

Plastidip

[gwm]

theshrew said:

How the hell do you manage to ride in good weather and avoid death on your helmet.

Yeah I don't, but just use the same Muc Off stuff. Seems to be ok so far, as I'm sure one of Muc Off stuffs big selling points is that it's PH neutral.