The non-glossy finish of matte paint is becoming increasingly popular on cars. It used to be reserved for exclusive, expensive models but more common cars such as the Cupra Formentor are available with it from the factory. But to keep it looking its best, you need to regularly clean matte paint with the right products.
There isn’t anything too complicated about the process. You can use some conventional car cleaning products – the key is knowing which ones. And matte paint needs cleaning more often, as well. That’s because it’s not quite as tough as conventional paint and can be damaged by things like tree sap and bird droppings. The latter in particular should be cleaned off as soon as possible.
Matte paint and why it needs special care
Matte paint absorbs more light than a regular glossy finish, which results in the muted appearance that makes it so desirable. The effect is achieved with a top surface that’s rough and textured under a microscope. You can feel it when running a hand over the paint, as well. Glossy paints feel much smoother in comparison.
In order to maintain the matte look, it’s vital to protect the finish. Abrasive polishes and paste waxes can compromise it and need to be avoided. Paste wax is quite thick and acts as a kind of filler, covering the textured finish with a smooth layer. Abrasive products damage and wear away the coating. The solution is to use a spray wax or ceramic coating. These liquid protectants still protect matte paint, but are applied in a much thinner coating that follows the texture of the finish.
How to clean matte paint
1. Clean the wheels
Always begin cleaning your car with the wheels. They’re usually the dirtiest, most difficult to clean part of a car, so it’s best to get them out of the way first. Our testing shows that the best wheel cleaner is Bilt Hamber Auto-Wheel. It’s a universal wheel cleaner that’s pH-neutral and therefore won’t attack the finish on the wheels.
Spray it on, then wait for a few minutes for the colour to change, which indicates all the much and grime has lifted off. Scrub all parts of the wheel thoroughly with a wheel brush then rinse thoroughly. Repeat the process if needed. If you want to go the extra mile, apply some wheel sealant wax and tyre dressing to finish the wheels off.
Parkers' top-rated alloy wheel cleaner
We tried the cleaner on a variety of wheel and the end result was a clear level above the competitors. The appearance and feel of the wheel were incredibly smooth and spotless after cleaning. It’s a bit pricey, but after trying it out it's easy to see why.
Pros
- pH-balanced formula means no risk of damage
- Gentle but incredibly effective wheel cleaning
- Minimal agitation required
Cons
- Strong smell
- Trigger design could be better
| Volume | 1,000ml |
| pH level | 7 |
| Recommended dwell time | 1-5 minutes |
| Reactive to brake dust? | Yes |
| Consistency | Gel |
2. Apply snow foam
Dirt and grime are abrasive and can therefore cause damage to paintwork if you start scrubbing away with a microfibre cloth or sponge as the first stage. Instead, it’s better to first loosen muck and lift it away from the paintwork before you go to work with the shampoo.
Snow foam does exactly that. You don’t need to touch the car at all because snow foam is applied and then rinsed off using a pressure washer with an appropriate lance. Our testing reveals that Bilt Hamber’s Touch-Less snow foam is currently the best on the market. It’s thinner than other snow foams, but that drags more dirt off the paint.
Parkers' top-rated snow foam
Our testing showed it's not the thickest foam on the market, but that's a good thing for cleaning - the thinner foam more effectively dragged dirt off the car. The runnier mixture reduced the dwell time possible, but the car's paintwork was left by far the cleanest. It's quite simply the best snow foam you can buy.
Pros
- Fantastic cleaning ability
- Good value for money
- Fully biodegradable formula
Cons
- Not the thickest foam
- Irritating instructions
| Volume | 1,000ml |
| pH level | 12 |
| Biodegradable | Yes |
| Extras | Rust inhibitors, wax safe |
3. Apply car shampoo
Having rinsed off the snow foam, using car shampoo is much easier. The snow foam pre-wash also means you can carry out a deeper clean. With matte paint, it’s crucial to use a pure shampoo that doesn’t contain any waxes or protectants. That’s because they effectively fill in the paint’s textured finish.
The best car shampoo we’ve tried recently is the Bilt Hamber’s Auto Wash (there’s a theme developing here!). In our testing, it proved able to cut through a really thick layer of dirt in just one pass. A wash mitt is best for applying car shampoo because it won’t pick up grit as sponges do.
Parkers' top-rated car shampoo
However, it took just a single swipe of the wash mitt to consign the dirt to oblivion. We can't stress enough how easy it made the car washing process, and the quality of the finish was a level above all its competitors. Afterwards, the car looked like it had a professional valet. Nothing else was needed, and that's a valuable time-saver.
Pros
- Effortless wash despite hard mud
- A small amount goes a long way
- Paint felt really clean afterwards
Cons
- Plain scent and packaging won't appeal to all
- It isn't quite as good value as other shampoos
| Volume | 500ml |
| Washes per bottle | 100 |
| pH level | Neutral |
| Shampoo type | Highly concentrated |
| Scent | Waxy |
4. Optional: apply contaminant remover
Contaminants such as tar and tree sap can still cling to a matte paintwork even after a round of snow foam and shampooing. Specialist contaminant removers are great for spot cleaning stubborn grime. Make sure you read the instructions and use an appropriate cloth as directed. We think the Gtechniq W7 Tar and Glue Remover is the most effective product currently available.
Parkers' top-rated tar remover
Pros
- Quick and easy to use
- Doesn't attack wax or polish
- Can be used on many substances
Cons
- Doesn't smell so good
- That's it, really
5. Apply spray wax or ceramic coating
By this point in the process, you car’s matte paintwork should be spotlessly clean. To check if it is, run your hand over the car: the paint should feel smoother than before, even soft. If so, it’s time to apply some liquid wax.
Unlike paste wax, liquid or spray wax can be applied to wet bodywork. Simply coat the car with the spray wax, then rinse it off. As the water runs off the car, it moves the wax around, ensuring it’s evenly applied. You can then dry the bodywork with a drying towel. We the best spray wax you can get is Auto Finesse Glisten, which is quick and easy to use.
Parkers' top-rated spray wax
It contains solvents that smooth imperfections in a car's bodywork and work with the waxes to achieve a top-quality finish. The only downside is that it needs reapplying every month. That may not be an issue if you clean your car that often, but isn't ideal if you've devote that much time to it.
Pros
- Produces an excellent finish
- Easy to use
- Can also be used as a pot cleaner
Cons
- Finish doesn't last very long
- Therefore you car needs cleaning for often
And that’s it. Your car’s matte paintwork should be looking it’s best for at least the next month. Just make sure you keep on top of it and clean it regularly. You should with any car, but matte paint car suffer more than most through neglect. On a separate note, you should also declare to your insurer if your car has matte paint. Your premium may end up costing a bit more because it’s difficult and expensive to repair matte paint.
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