Matte Paint

[Van Shrider]

I honestly thought that the car at the reveal with the matte paint was kick ass. It was the finish that I was thinking about going with for my model 3. Then I stopped by the Tesla showroom tonight and when I mentioned the matte paint the rep started naming all types of issues that can arise.
So I did a little research... Before you choose to go with matte finishes, you might want to research it a little also.
Here is one of the lists of things I found.
http://www.detailxperts.net/blog/2016/01/04/car-paint-problems-5-things-know-matte-painted-cars/

 

[garsh]

Very useful info. Thanks for the link.

 

[CliffClaven]

Thanks, good info. Personally, I have always thought of matte finish as a fad that will expire at some point. I am partial to gloss finish only (perfect paint job and car for me would be a 1966 2 door hardtop GTO in deep candy apple red).

However, for the model 3, wife is hoping for the white diamond pearl color option like the model S has for a choice.

 

[hobowankenobi]

Having done some professional painting....can tell you that (at least back in the day) matte finishes are chemically less resilient, and are harder to clean and keep clean. Used to be more prone to absorbing more damaging light (UV, etc) too....think fading colors.

Unless this is no longer true, I would never want it on anything that needs to resist damage, be scrubbed clean, and general overall tuffness and longevity. Like cars, bikes, floors, etc. The shinier, the better to resist anything that will try to bind to it, like bugs, tar, tree sap. Not to mention keeping it slippery with waxing.

Looks very cool though.

 

[JeffinAZ]

I honestly thought that the car at the reveal with the matte paint was kick ass. It was the finish that I was thinking about going with for my model 3. Then I stopped by the Tesla showroom tonight and when I mentioned the matte paint the rep started naming all types of issues that can arise.
So I did a little research... Before you choose to go with matte finishes, you might want to research it a little also.
Here is one of the lists of things I found.
http://www.detailxperts.net/blog/2016/01/04/car-paint-problems-5-things-know-matte-painted-cars/

Thanks--I was thinking matte also...

 

[Cahoobie]

A guy at a Mercedes dealership told me matte vehicles absolutely must be garaged.

 

[Dan Detweiler]

Matte paint...not my cup of tea, but that's just me.

Dan

 

[Banknote Wine Company]

Thanks for the link. I'm convinced matte is not for me!

 

[Scott]

 

[Skione65]

I've got a Matte Black Carbon Fiber road bike that I Cycle with that I love. I'll upload a photo when I can. It's an awesome look. Fairly low maintenance finish. I DO use a specialty formulated "Matte" paint wash on it and protect the paint with a specialty Polymer sealant from UV rays. The matte finishes are more susceptible to UV Ray degradation. I have noticed that you MUST be careful with cleaning/polishing because if you 'rub' too hard or too much in the same spot the 'Matte" finish turns "Shiny" and then your screwed so to speak- i.e. No more Matte in that spot! I'm assuming cars are the same as they don't use clear coat which would defeat the Matte purpose finish.
I have an area on the control neck where the stem of the front stearing is housed that has been rubbing slightly by the break cables that is getting slightly shiny or less matte. I've remedied this by zip tying (black) the break lining "away" (so it doesn't rub the matte) from the neck. Some bikers put clear 3m tape over the matte in that location to protect wear on the matte paint but that in itself creates a shiny look and defeats the matte purpose so I don't use it! The bike has small enough surfaces where any of these areas are hardly noticeable unless you know they're there.....the 'large' surface areas of the car though where you have a 'sea' of Matte, i.e. the hood could be a different story as these areas develop.
All that being said, I love the look on a car (menacing!).... However I'd NEVER get a Matte finish Auto. Way too finicky. They are cool tho! Whoever buys one let us know how they fare.


Ski

 

[TrevP]

Kids like matte finishes and they achieve this through those silly vinyl wraps. But matte paint is *very* touchy to maintain on a car. It's essentially a rough clear coat. Any rubbing of the clear coat will cause it to gloss up and ruin the paint!!

This is of course, if Tesla's pain finish, is the same as BMW's "Frozen" matte finish.

 

[MJBull13]

I honestly thought that the car at the reveal with the matte paint was kick ass. It was the finish that I was thinking about going with for my model 3. Then I stopped by the Tesla showroom tonight and when I mentioned the matte paint the rep started naming all types of issues that can arise.
So I did a little research... Before you choose to go with matte finishes, you might want to research it a little also.
Here is one of the lists of things I found.
http://www.detailxperts.net/blog/2016/01/04/car-paint-problems-5-things-know-matte-painted-cars/

By far the sickest paint and wheels I saw at the reveal was the metallic red.
Am I going to pay thousands extra for that paint and wheels? Hell no.
The only options i may spring for are a bigger battery, supercharging, and maybe later on autopilot.

 

[teslaliving]

I like the matte black look but wouldn't get it in paint. I'd do a matte paint protection film if I wanted the look.