FourT6and2

Everything I've read and been told says not to use clay bar on matte paint. Is this correct? Been calling around, looking for shops for PPF, and one such place says they clay bar every car before applying PPF. Even matte cars. Just looking for some additional info, thanks. I asked the shop about it but they said they've never heard anything about not doing it.

xbox

Can you imagine trying to clay matte paint - LOL!!!!!

Clay wouldn't glide and you would never be able to clean the surface from any adhesion marks.

Big no IMO.

FourT6and2

That's what I thought... Seems weird that an installer says they clay bar matte painted cars.

thebishman

If you use a detail spray designed specifically for matte paint finishes and used it liberally, I’m pretty sure the clay bar would glide over the surface just fine. Certainly to get the best adhesion and optical results you want the paint to be as contaminant free as possible prior to the PPF install.

Bish

xbox

Optical results are always gonna take a back seat with a matte finish - also, clay bar marring would be irreversible on matte, so I wouldn’t risk it?

Vic55

I have a matte cleaner spray and a matte detailer spray... that and some Matte paint soap and water- thats all you need.

Ive got 2 matte cars now and both really are quite easy to maintain.

FourT6and2

Right, I think I understand that part. But I'm looking for a shop to do PPF install. One shop in the area someone here recommended told me they clay bar a matte car before PPF install. I told them that sounds strange and I asked if that was an issue on a matte car. And they said no, they've never heard of it being an issue. I'm not an expert in this area so I'm just asking about the clay bar. I'm guessing I should pass on this particular installer... I also asked them if they remove trim pieces and emblems and whatnot when they do PPF and they said no, they install right over the top of everything (vents, grills, emblems, etc.). That was also a red flag.

thebishman

do you have them protected with PPF, Vic?

how durable has the RS7 paint been since you’ve owned it if not ‘covered’?

Vic55

I have xpel stealth on both but not the whole car, just the parts that face a potential rock chip as the paint cant really be touched up. So far the paint is amazing on the RS7 (got it in June) but my cars are never out in the elements over night and I dont put a ton of miles on them. What also matters is where do you drive and what is the traffic like. There are freeways out here I absolutely will try to avoid like the 60 and parts of the 10 where trucks are all over and kick rocks. So far, knock on wood, my car is clean but I can tell where a rock hit the PPF and I just wipe it and the scuff is gone.

I do think but looking at both my E63S in Night Black Magno and the RS7 in Daytona Matte Gray Effect, that the Audi has better paint quality. This is via the naked eye.

Vic55

IIRC there is a matte clay bar that is safe. Im sure they would not steer you wrong but stranger things have occurred. My installer who has done:

Ferrari FF
Bentley
Porsche Turbo
M5
M4
RS7
C63S
R8
E63S

never used a matte bar, he has some other chemicals to completely clean the paint of debris pre install.

benzbell

My GTR arrives in CA on 12/11 - tracking it on marinetraffic.com and it's on the Noble Ace. Being it's GHM. I've heard conflicting information on what to use to dry matte paint. Some say microfiber cloth is fine and others say no. What do you use? Can you use a high quality real chamois?

Vic55

I only use Micro Fiber... so does my PPF guy. Zero issues.

thebishman

Chemical Guys have some great info on how to care for matte paint and 'Stealth' type films. I just purchased some of their detail spray for matte paint/films and some of their specific carwash.

Bish

AMG 17GT

Sounds like they are filling you up with installer talk designed to make you think process is more elaborate and time consuming (most of us have never clayed) before they hit you with bill.....

xbox

True, I just "learned to clay" on my wifes GLC Coupe, as it got a dusting with white spray paint, which didn't go well on a Selenite Grey car

Very easy, quite idiot proof and the post polish results are great

okbarnett

Matte paint cars are this:
normal base coat paint, any color in the rainbow, with matte clear coat.
Normal paint cars are this:
normal base coat paint, any color in the rainbow, with gloss clear coat.
The matte clear coat has additives that are derived from talc. It makes it hazy.
The down side of matte is anything you do to it, anything you rub it with makes it shine. So dont ever rub it with anything aside from soft cloths, etc. The best thing to do is wash it with non silicone additive car wash, Or wash off stains with cleaner like 409, simple green, etc. And also wax and grease remover is safe to use. You cant put anything that contains silicone or anything that says 'shine' or 'glossy' on it.
And the best thing you can do is put matte / stealth clear bra on it.

thebishman

I received a reply from ‘The Chemical Guys’ yesterday stating do not use a clay bar on the matte paints. So another informed source saying no.

I’m wondering who at Premier mentioned using a clay bar to condition the paint prior to PPF install on a matte car. Someone in the front office who didn’t know the difference, or an installer who was having a TIA? Not like them to make a mistaken comment like that.

Bish

FourT6and2

I didn't get a name. He also told me they put the PPF film right over all the trim pieces (like the vents on the hood), the side vents/spears, the rear emblems, and so on. Sounded weird to me... Thanks for the recommendation, but I'm going to find a different shop.

AMG 17GT

Posting here just to give a shout out to my Detailer in Atlanta who just spent 8 hours polishing and coating my car. No it’s not matte, but I didn’t want to start another detailing thread. Unbelievable job and my car is now a mirror. He can after 20 years do any paint treatment.

So so if your looking for a guy that won’t kill you on the latest ceramic call Bennie @ Apogee detail 404-849-8187.

pbaylog

I've been very happy with the Dr Beasley's suite of products. You might want to check them out - they also have how to videos on their website. Microfiber cloths are just fine, but I swap them out frequently to make sure they are clean. I also use the Matte sealant twice per year. Like Vic said, these finishes are very easy to maintain and just love how the matte shade appears in different lighting conditions. That Night Magno is gorgeous with those flakes of silver, red and green in it. Haven't seen the GHM up close yet.

okbarnett

If you ever want to turn a matte car glossy, all you have to do is buff it. It will change it to a normal glossy finish.

just1zero

That's funny, Chemical Guys used my Designo Cashmere Magno (Matte) CLS 63 S Model in a video on how to clay and wax matte finishes.

http://www.chemicalguys.com/Celeste_...ax_p/n_027.htm

That's my car being waxed and he clayed it right before he applied the wax...

AMG 17GT

“Let’s pop open the pot”

thebishman

Surge

Clay is an abrasive. You never want to clay matte paint, or you will make it shiny.
Generally, most people use clay way too often, forgetting it’s an abrasive. Look at Ammo NYC’s YouTube tutorials.