The Art of Matte Paint and the Magic of STEK DYNOmatte Protection

Mercedes AMG E63 S Final Edition - Full Body DYNOmatte

The Making and Application of Matte Paint

Matte paint, unlike its glossy counterpart, does not reflect light, giving it a flat and non-shiny appearance. The secret to this unique finish lies not in the paint itself, but in the clear coating applied over it.

A typical car paint job includes primer, several layers of color, and a clear coat. For a glossy finish, the clear coat fills in any imperfections to create a smooth surface, which is then polished and waxed to reflect light and create visual depth.

Unlike a gloss finish where you can level imperfections and restore the finish you can't do this with matte paint.

However, for a matte finish, the clear coat creates small dimples in the final coating instead of filling and leveling the paint. This prevents the paint from reflecting light, thus creating the dull or matte finish.

The Pros and Cons of Matte Paint

Matte paint offers several advantages. It bestows upon your vehicle an extraordinary appearance, one that less than 1% of car owners can claim to have. It hides minor imperfections such as minor swirls, and opens up a world of customization possibilities. However, matte paint is harder to wash and maintain.  Polishing to remove swirl marks and scratches will permanently damage the finish resulting in a muddled and uneven finish.

The Magic of STEK DYNOmatte Protection

While matte paint offers a unique look, it requires special care. This is where STEK DYNOmatte paint protection film comes in. This film offers hydrophobic and self-healing properties with the aesthetics of a smooth matte finish. It turns any car’s paint into a sleek satin finish, allowing the metallic flake in your OEM paint to still show through.

The primary purpose of DYNOmatte is to prevent rock chips and scratches from reaching your paint. It goes further than just stopping scratches, though, with a self-healing topcoat that allows light swirls and scratches to self-heal and level out. This is particularly beneficial for matte finishes because once your factory matte paint is scratched, there is no way to correct it or spot repair.  In fact, a small scratch will many times end up with half or more of the car getting repainted in order to get the finish to match.

BMW M5 Competition - Full Body DYNOmatte

With DYNOmatte, you get to keep your OEM paint in perfect condition with less effort, all while enjoying the look and feel of having a matte finish. It is hydrophobic, self-healing, and puncture-resistant, and comes with a 10-year warranty manufacturer warranty.

When not performing a full body wrap in DYNOmatte we recommend applying a Ceramic Coating. At minimum we recommend protecting the front end and high impact areas with film. For the rest of the vehicle a ceramic coating can be applied. This will negate the need for wax, make the exterior paint hydrophobic and provide easier maintenance while helping preserve the factory matte finish without adding gloss. 

From Gloss to Matte

DYNOmatte isn't just for protecting matte paint but can also be used to change your glossy finish to a matte finish. This allows you to change your factory color to matte and protect the original paint at the same time. You also get the hydrophobic finish for easier maintenance. If you were considering the matte paint option for your vehicle you may consider a DYNOmatte wrap instead.

Rivian R1S Limestone - Full Body DYNOmatte

What you should consider before choosing matte paint for your car:

Pros:

• It gives your car a rare and extraordinary look, as less than 1% of car owners have matte paint.
• It hides minor imperfections such as swirl marks, as they are less visible on a matte surface.
• It allows you to customize your car with different colors and effects, as matte paint can be applied over any base color.

Cons:

• It is harder to wash and keep clean, as dirt and dust tend to stick to the matte surface more easily.
• It is impossible to polish, as polishing would remove the dimples and make the paint glossy.
• It is more expensive and less durable than glossy paint, as it requires more layers and special products to apply and maintain.
  

Cadillac Blackwing Electric Blue - Full Body DYNOmatte

The Protection and Enhancement of STEK DYNOmatte

If you have matte paint on your car, or if you want to achieve a matte finish without changing your original paint, you might want to consider using STEK DYNOmatte paint protection film. This film is a thin and transparent layer that covers your car’s paint, offering several benefits:

• It protects your paint from rock chips and scratches, which are more noticeable and harder to fix on matte paint.
• It has a self-healing topcoat that allows minor scratches to heal and level out by themselves, keeping your paint smooth and flawless.
• It turns any paint into a satin matte finish, enhancing the appearance and feel of your car.
• It preserves the metallic flake of your original paint, allowing it to still show through the matte film.
• It is hydrophobic, meaning it repels water and dirt, making your car easier to wash and clean.
• It is puncture-resistant, meaning it can withstand impacts and abrasions, keeping your paint intact.
• It comes with a 10-year warranty, meaning you can enjoy its benefits for a long time.

Metropolitan Detail Paint Protection

Matte paint, with its unique look and feel, offers a distinctive aesthetic for car enthusiasts. However, it requires special care and protection. With products like STEK DYNOmatte paint protection film, maintaining the beauty and integrity of matte paint becomes a breeze, allowing car owners to enjoy the best of both worlds. Schedule your vehicle today!