Matte finish a new paint trend for cars?
daddyjt
Posts: 2,540
I’ve been in CA for a few months now, and I’m seeing this more and more. Cars and SUVs - mostly higher-end (BMW, Mercedes, etc)- that have a matte finish. It almost looks like primer, but it’s obviously professionally applied, and has a uniform finish (sheen) that’s not indicative of primer. The picture below probably doesn’t do the phenomenon justice, but it will give you the idea.
Is this a new thing? If so, what’s the point?
Is this a new thing? If so, what’s the point?
"Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
Comments
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Most of them are vinyl wraps but yes it is a trend. Personally I really like the look. A lot of companies are coming out with factory paint codes that are “less glossy” too. Look at the cement and cavalry blue colors that Toyota offers now. They’re sharp looking - so sharp that I bought a cement colored tundra.
Shawn
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it is a thing. I loathe matte finish almost as much as the "patina" look on classic car/truck restorations. Matte finish on wood however is my favorite.Home Theater/2 Channel:
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For a work vehicle or off roader, Matte all the way.
Not so much for other vehicles."The legitimate powers of government extend to such acts only as are injurious to others. But it does me no injury for my neighbour to say there are twenty gods, or no god. It neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg." --Thomas Jefferson -
The last custom bike I built was matte black. It was great because the sun-glare didn't blind me like a gloss-coat would often do.Don't take experimental gene therapies from known eugenicists.
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I really like those new Toyota colors they have. It's a refreshing look that reminds me of the old enamal paints from 40 yrs ago.
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Harley’s been do’n it for a few years . . . Overall, meh. Occasionally, they’ll offer one that pops
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Speaking of Toyota
I am baffled by two things.
1) Why they make Tacomas in a color that I can only describe as phlegm beige.
2) Why people buy them.
(I guess it's called Quicksand)
They're popular. Heck, I see more of those than the "cement" colored ones.
BTW, I had no idea that color was called cement. Next year, they'll probably have a color called "Rock".
Maybe that corona virus has come along just in time...
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The matte finish has been a growing trend for around 10 years or so on production cars. I think even Hyundai started offering it around 2012. It uses a different type of non-reflective clear coat over the paint but does still have a clear coat finish for normal durability. Toyota is still using standard glossy clear coat on their trucks but they don't put the metal flake in some of their paint colors so the look is more subdued.
The point with the matte finish is to make the car look different from ordinary. Nothing more than that. It costs more and may be more difficult to clean. -
Not a fan on most cars and trucks. However if you own a 4 wheel drive truck and do a lot of off roading I can see the advantages of a solid color paint as it's easier to match the paint if you need a repair.
As posted above, most of them are wraps.Yamaha RX-A2070, Musical Fidelity M6si integrated amp, Benchmark Dac1, Bluesound NODE 2i, Audiolab 6000CDT CD Transport, Parasound Zphono USB Phono Preamp, Fluance RT85, Ortofon 2M Bronze, Polk L600's, L400, L900's, RC80i's, SVS 3000 Micro, Audioquest Interconnects and Digital Cables, Nordost Silver Shadow Digital Cable, Cullen Gold and Crossover Series Power Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 12AWG OCC Speaker Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha Analog Interconnect Cables, Douglas Connection Alpha 11 OCC Custom Power Cable, Signal Power Cable, Furman PL-8C 15 Power Conditioner, Sony 65" 900F, Sony UBP-X700, Fios, Apple TV 4K, Audioquest Chocolate HDMI Cables. -
The matte finish has been a growing trend for around 10 years or so on production cars. I think even Hyundai started offering it around 2012. It uses a different type of non-reflective clear coat over the paint but does still have a clear coat finish for normal durability. Toyota is still using standard glossy clear coat on their trucks but they don't put the metal flake in some of their paint colors so the look is more subdued.
The point with the matte finish is to make the car look different from ordinary. Nothing more than that. It costs more and may be more difficult to clean.
Sort of like the trend first to, and then away from, black hifi components as "silver" faced equipment became passe.
Cameras went through this, too, although the correlation in the 1960s (and even 50s) was that black cameras were pro-grade.
https://icouldbeahero.blogspot.com/search?q=black+brassed+beautiful
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Every high line car make has this look today, and it can cost tens of thousands for the paintwork.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
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mhardy6647 wrote: »The matte finish has been a growing trend for around 10 years or so on production cars. I think even Hyundai started offering it around 2012. It uses a different type of non-reflective clear coat over the paint but does still have a clear coat finish for normal durability. Toyota is still using standard glossy clear coat on their trucks but they don't put the metal flake in some of their paint colors so the look is more subdued.
The point with the matte finish is to make the car look different from ordinary. Nothing more than that. It costs more and may be more difficult to clean.
Sort of like the trend first to, and then away from, black hifi components as "silver" faced equipment became passe.
Cameras went through this, too, although the correlation in the 1960s (and even 50s) was that black cameras were pro-grade.
https://icouldbeahero.blogspot.com/search?q=black+brassed+beautiful
Yes, color speaks volumes in camera gear:-)
"Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
As posted above, most of them are wraps.
The examples we see around in California (mostly BMW or Mercedes-Benz) are not wraps. They are custom ordered vehicles from the manufacturer.It uses a different type of non-reflective clear coat over the paint...
BMW Individual Collection
Mercedes-Benz Designo Edition
In the past, these vehicles would have special features, like upgraded leather in exclusive colors, exclusive wood trim options, deeper pile carpets, and exclusive exterior colors. The thing is, until one was inside the vehicle, it wasn’t obvious that this was no plebeian E-Class or 5 Series. Who would know that metallic black with a mocha chocolate pearlescent effect costs so much more than just regular old metallic black?!
These matte colors make it obvious that the car was custom ordered. I actually quite like them, but that’s just a matter of taste.Alea jacta est! -
I remember guys in California when I was living out there spraying the metal dashes on their convertibles with "wrinkle paint" which was the fad, and it actually wrinkled.
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mhardy6647 wrote: »Speaking of Toyota I am baffled by two things.
1) Why they make Tacomas in a color that I can only describe as phlegm beige.
2) Why people buy them.
(I guess it's called Quicksand)
They're popular. Heck, I see more of those than the "cement" colored ones.
BTW, I had no idea that color was called cement. Next year, they'll probably have a color called "Rock".
Maybe that corona virus has come along just in time...
I call the cement colored ones, floor and porch enamel gray. My uncle used to paint his front porch that color. -
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The first one...(kind-of)
Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
While we are on the topic (kind of), what’s with the other new(?) trend of stripping all of the identifier markings from a car/truck? I’m seeing cars that are obviously a Honda Civic, but all Honda badging has been removed. Same with trucks - F150 with all Ford and F-series monikers removed..."Conservative Libertarians love the country, progressive leftists love the government." - Andrew Wilkow
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
Debadging is popular with some people. On some cars, it removes clutter from the trunk/hatch, Subaru, for example, has up to four badges on the back end. However, most Subaru owners could care less. I notice it mostly on upmarket German brands.
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mhardy6647 wrote: »Speaking of Toyota I am baffled by two things.
1) Why they make Tacomas in a color that I can only describe as phlegm beige.
2) Why people buy them.
(I guess it's called Quicksand)
They're popular. Heck, I see more of those than the "cement" colored ones.
BTW, I had no idea that color was called cement. Next year, they'll probably have a color called "Rock".
Maybe that corona virus has come along just in time...
No Doc, that's baby **** green.
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I think those matt paint jobs only look good if you replace the windows with a diamond plate with slots cut in it. They need something like spikes too to really set it off.
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Doc, I guess I should have said do do?
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Matt finish w/spikes.
Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
And why car makers charge extra for a matte finish is beyond me. I hope this fad fades.
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Remember when "unleaded" gas first came out? It was higher then leaded gas even though it had one LESS stage to create.
Lead had to be added so why did it cost more for less production for the unleaded gas?
Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them. -
The other problem is the matte finish cannot be cleaned with normal methods. Some products damage the finish, and a simple scratch that could be removed with a buffer is a permanent mark that is there for life. Forget about matching the finish or blending at the body shop as well. The entire car needs a re-spray, and even then, it is never right again.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
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From a furniture perspective flat sheen top coats are a really stupid idea and a real PITA to repair. I can't imagine a flat sheen on a car is any different.Political Correctness'.........defined
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And why car makers charge extra for a matte finish is beyond me. I hope this fad fades.
When the matte finishes get old, do they get shiny?
Just curious...
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They get shiny from being rubbed/friction. I can't tell you how many dining room tables I've seen where the areas right in front of seats have turned from a flat sheen to a satin/semi-gloss sheen.Political Correctness'.........defined
"A doctrine fostered by a delusional, illogical minority and rabidly promoted by an unscrupulous mainstream media, which holds forth the proposition that it is entirely possible to pick up a t-u-r-d by the clean end."
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