The Low Down: Matte & Low-Gloss Clearcoats

February, 10th 2026

In the hands of an experienced painter, a smooth matte finish can elevate a vehicle from transportation to true craftsmanship. Once limited to high-end customs and specialty builds, matte and low-gloss finishes have firmly entered the mainstream. In recent years, demand has surged among OEM designers and refinishing customers alike, driven by a desire for independent styling and a clear shift away from traditional high gloss looks.

For today’s refinish businesses, this evolution presents both opportunity and responsibility. Matte finishes require precision, consistency, and education from application to its long-term care. Shops that invest early in the proper products, processes, and training will be best equipped to deliver reliable results while protecting both finish quality and their reputation.

Matte Application:

From a process standpoint, applying a matte or low-gloss clearcoat closely follows the same steps as a traditional high-gloss clear. The vehicle is properly sealed, the basecoat color is applied, and when it’s time for clear, a premium matte clearcoat from PPG simply takes the place of a gloss finish.

Where matte finishes set themselves apart is in their increased sensitivity to application variables, making consistency, control, and the right process critical to achieving the desired result.

Best practices for applying matte or semi-gloss clears include:

• Apply the first coat of clear as a medium-wet coat, allowing it to flash to a consistent, uniform dull appearance before moving forward. Any uneven gloss at this stage can carry through and show up as blotchiness in the finished surface.

• Apply the second coat as a full wet coat. After a 5–10 minute flash, follow with a controlled drop coat to promote even texture and uniformity across the panel.

• Allow the final coat to fully dull before baking and curing to ensure consistent results.

Cleanliness is critical to a premium finish. Booth conditions, equipment maintenance, painter preparation, and surface preperation play a larger role with matte finishes than they do with traditional gloss. Dirt, dust, or other contaminations cannot be polished out without permanently changing gloss levels, making discipline and attenion to detail essential to protecting the matte finish look.

Understanding Gloss Control: Why the Matte Band Guide Matters

One of the most common challenges with matte finishes is gloss variability. Even with the same product, results can vary due to application technique, temperature and airflow, hardener and thinner selection, and equipment setup.

This is why PPG’s Matte Band Guide is a fantastic tool to take advantage of. The guide reflects the natural gloss variation seen in OEM matte finishes and accounts for real-world refinishing conditions. It is not about chasing a single gloss number. It is about staying within the acceptable visual range.

Even with recommended matting agent ratios, test panels are strongly encouraged. The Matte Band Guide should be treated as exactly what it is, a guide that supports consistency, not a replacement for process validation.

Post-Refinish Reality: Matte Finishes Require a New Care Mindset

A matte or low-gloss finish delivers a unique visual impact, but it also requires special care. Unlike high-gloss clearcoats, matte finishes diffuse light rather than reflect it. Once damaged or burnished, the original appearance cannot be restored through polishing or buffing.

That makes customer education just as important as proper application.

Key care guidelines from PPG’s Matte Finish Care Guide include:

DO NOT:

• Use waxes, polishes, detail sprays, or products designed for glossy finishes

• Use abrasive compounds, glazes, or mechanical polishers

• Use commercial car washes with brushes or finish enhancers

• Use terrycloth, paper towels, or aggressive wiping motions

• Rub the surface vigorously or wipe in circular motions

DO:

• Remove contaminants like tar or insect residue by soaking and gently wiping with a soft applicator

• Hand wash using a soft mitt and products approved for matte or low-gloss finishes

• Use clean microfiber towels and alcohol-based glass cleaner for light surface cleanup

There are also specialty products designed specifically to protect matte finishes. When used correctly and tested first in a hidden area, these products can help reduce water spotting and make ongoing maintenance easier without altering gloss.

Staying Ahead of the Curve

As matte and low-gloss finishes continue to gain traction, the shops that succeed will be those that pair premium clearcoat systems with training and clear documentation.

PPG’s matte clearcoat offerings, supported by tools like the Matte Band Guide and Matte Finish Care Guide, give refinishers the resources they need to deliver consistent results while setting proper expectations after the vehicle leaves the booth.

At ColorVision, our team closely monitors emerging finish trends and invests in ongoing training so we can deliver proven best practices and dependable technical support to you. With matte finishes, equipment maintenance, painter preparation, and overall vehicle cleanliness carry greater weight than with traditional gloss finishes. When finishes become more specialized, experience, preparation, and education become real differentiators.

To learn more about training and guidance on applying matte and low gloss clearcoat systems, reach out to your ColorVision sales or technical representative.