Matt Paint .

[grumpy52]

Always thought it was just for the Rat Rod / Look crowd , then started noticing a few of the higher performance Merc saloons were sporting matt black paint schemes now seeing matt colours on all sorts . Have I missed something , a new trend perhaps or have I been in hibernation.

[davepoth]

Mercedes do have a "frosted" finish which looks matt. Everything else (including a lot of Mercedeses) will be wrapped, I'd guess.

[Brainpox]

Matte finishes have been around a fair while. Quite rare though as they tend to be offered only on a handful of models, and are a pain to maintain.

It's a finish that's used instead of a clear coat to reduce light reflection. If you get a scratch or acidic bird poo you can't just buff it out as you'll end up with a shiny patch.

Aftermarket finishes are usually just wraps so the paint underneath is preserved. Ford used it on the Focus RS500 as well. Probably a more practical solution really but doesn't look so great on an £80k Merc.

[davhill]

Cars with a flat finish are nothing new.

[Cold]

I painted my Series 11A Land Rover matt black. I've got a Polaroid of it somewhere.

[Spydaman]

I couldn't decide what colour to paint this and it was the cheapest option while I made up my mind.

[grumpy52]

My bangers and stock cars were in matt paint back in the late 70s .
Chassis black and contract yellow , the yellow of the lines for parking restrictions .
Then painted my CF tow van in the yellow with a black stripe , it looked so good ! Not .

[thebigmacmoomin]

Brainpox said:

Ford used it on the Focus RS500 as well.

The Focus RS500 is actually gloss black with a matt black wrap from the factory. There are some that have taken the wrap off theirs aswell.

[Brainpox]

thebigmacmoomin said:

The Focus RS500 is actually gloss black with a matt black wrap from the factory. There are some that have taken the wrap off theirs aswell.

That's what I meant, probably could have said it a little better though!

[Valgar]

The matt paint helps you identify the local drug dealers

[LuS1fer]

It's an old trend and it looks rubbish....oh wait, IMHO.

[ruhall]

M. Benz have had at least one matte option in their Designo range for approx 10 years, maybe more.

It used to be c£3,500 extra; I was tempted once but the additional care, special washing requirements, touch-up difficulties etc eventually put me off. MB now market a special 'matte paingt care kit', at a suitably cheap price

[shakotan]

It's not matt, it's satin.

Matt has no sheen at all, it would be like looking at a car that is wrapped in fabric.

[shakotan]

Here's a Corvette that has been wrapped in matt black, note the lack of sheen/light reflection on the body.



The roof I presume is either painted or wrapped in satin.

[Agent XXX]

4C at the F.O.S back in 2011

[Atomic12C]

No matter what car its on, matt paint just looks hideous.
(IMO of course)

[unpc]

Atomic12C said:

No matter what car its on, matt paint just looks hideous.
(IMO of course)

Agreed.

[unpc]

Spydaman said:

I couldn't decide what colour to paint this and it was the cheapest option while I made up my mind.

What is that by the way? It's gorgeous despite my dislike of matt paint.

[mr alan]

unpc said:

Spydaman said:

I couldn't decide what colour to paint this and it was the cheapest option while I made up my mind.

What is that by the way? It's gorgeous despite my dislike of matt paint.

I was about to ask the same, that has lovely lines

[Oldandslow]

unpc said:

Spydaman said:

I couldn't decide what colour to paint this and it was the cheapest option while I made up my mind.

What is that by the way? It's gorgeous despite my dislike of matt paint.

VW Beetle
(Bonito)