"To Matte or Not"
Trends come and go. Many of them don’t stand the test of time, but one trend in the automotive industry that has been going strong for the past few years is a matte finish paint. It can be one of the most expensive options on a car, but It’s stunning and definitely unique. However, with that beautiful finish comes more maintenance than most want to bother with.
When a client is considering a matte finish, one of the questions I get asked the most is "how hard will it be to maintain"? And honestly, it won’t be easy unless you invest in some paint protection products! As soon as the natural oils from your hands touch the matte paint, they will leave fingerprints, they are definitely harder to clean, and they're more visible than on gloss, pearl or metallic finishes. There are matte cleaning kits available, but they are only temporary. Here are some of my suggestions for a maintenance-free matte finish.
When clients are considering a matte finish, I often ask them if they plan to keep the car long term. If not, I would suggest a temporary matte finish wrap. Car skins can often look like the paint, while saving half the cost! This way, they get the look they wanted, but when they go to sell the car, the wrap can easily come off to display a finish with a more universal appeal. However, some clients are not okay with a wrap - they feel that there is no replacement for the real deal, and must insist on the actual matte finish paint. I must admit, I’m a bit of a purist myself, and there’s really no comparison for the beauty of a matte finish paint. It’s gorgeous, and if you find yourself leaning that way, I would suggest a full matte finish stone guard. Back in the day, dealerships would only stone guard the front clip, mirrors and rockers, but nowadays, when it comes to a matte finish, we suggest covering the entire car. Brace yourself….It’s expensive. It can cost as much as $8K for the right clear coat to be installed properly, but this way you can protect your paint from oils, sap, bird droppings…you name it….it’s protected. By adding the stone guard, you’ll also never have to worry about matching the paint if you get a stone chip. Mattes can be near impossible to colour match, so if you’re dead set on ordering a matte finish paint, I would be sure to have the extra cash set aside to pay for stone guard. At the end of the day, you’re protecting your investment and you’ll be able to drive without concern.
Basically, if you choose to order the matte finish paint, it’s a 'go big or go home' mentality: you’re going to spend as much as $16K for the paint itself, and you’ll need the stone guard to go along with it or you might find yourself questioning your original decision. Regardless, whatever you choose to do, it’s going to turn heads all over town. This is one stunning trend that I’m happy to welcome for years to come!
I hope you enjoy this week’s video! This week, I'm showing 2016 Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 Spyder in Nero Nemesis. The paint alone costs $15,400 and is one of the most expensive options available for this car. It's a beautiful car - you have to see it!