A drive through paint design: matte paint

Cars are perceived visually, and so the type of paint used can help define a vehicle’s character and styling. Often, the colour of paint used can even help to highlight key features of a car’s exterior design.

This series takes a look at different paint types such as pearlescent, metallic and matte, innovations in painting technology such as self-healing paint and trends in paint colours.  

This week, matte paint.

What is it?

Matte paint has a flat sheen without a shine, unlike solid, metallic and pearlescent paints which give a glossy appearance.

How does it work?

Similarly to metallic paint, matte paint includes a base paint layer that is covered by a clear coat. The ‘flat’ appearance of matte paint originates from the type of clear coat used. On cars with a glossy finish, a smooth clear coat is used that reflects light to create the gloss effect. In contrast, on cars with a matte finish, the clear coat is rough with miniscule dimples and imperfections. These imperfections diffuse incident light to create a distinctive matte appearance.

Applications

Whilst matte paint is a growing trend, it is far less common than typical glossy paints and typically used on high performance sports vehicles. Not only is matte paint an expensive option, it requires specialised care and cleaning methods, and can be very difficult to repair if scratched.

Would all the effort be worth the look? Tell us what you think in the comments