How to Care for the Matte Paint on Your Hyundai

The term “shiny new car” has been used ever since there were new cars.  However, a recent trend renders that phrase unusable for at least a particular selection of new cars.  A matte paint finish is deliberately not shiny.  Instead of reflecting light, it diffuses it, which gives the impression that the car has its own light source and ironically makes it stand out specifically for not being flashy. Hyundai has multiple models with this type of paint finish, including the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6.  An important aspect for its customers to know is that many of the standard ways of washing and taking care of the paint finish change with matte paint. This post by Dick Smith Hyundai provides some of the basics on the subject.

Things You Should Not Do

The primary difference in the paint is that typical automotive finishes have a clear coat for their final layer, and most car cleaning methods are designed around it. A matte finish uses a different coating that defuses light, providing its unique “flat” finish. Scratches and abrasions are more visible and can occur easily with conventional washing and protection processes; thus, different care is required. Here are some typical car care actions you should not do with a matte finish:

• Do not use commercial car wash facilities or their shine enhancement products. Most car wash brushes, large mechanized “towels,” and shine enhancement products can damage matte paint.
• Do not use wax, detail spray, ArmorAll®, or any products made for standard paint. Use only products specifically developed for matte finish paint.
• Do not use products that are even mildly abrasive, such as polishes, glazes, or rubbing compounds.
• Do not use mechanical cleaners or polishers.
• Do not use terrycloth, cloth, or paper towels. Do not rub the finish vigorously; this will burnish the paint finish, causing a permanent shiny spot. Shiny spots cannot be removed.

Washing

To wash the vehicle, you should use a soap formulated for matte finishes. Some examples include:

• Swissvax Brand Opaque Products
• Dr. Beasley’s Brand Matte Series
• Chemical Guy’s Brand Meticulous Matte Products

You can probably find additional choices online and at your local auto parts store.

With the right soap, the washing process is similar to that of a conventional finish. You will have two buckets with grid guards at the bottom, one for your soap solution and one for rinsing. Use a microfiber cloth or mitt on the car’s surface.

Pre-Wash

1. If you plan to wash your wheels, do this first. Do not use the same wash mitt used to wash your matte finish to clean the wheels. Use separate microfiber cloths. Take care not to get any wheel cleaner on your matte finish. If this happens, wash and rinse this area immediately.
2. Pressure washing is recommended to remove caked-in dirt. Use a fan tip and hold it at least ten inches from the paint.

Wash

1. Pre-rinse the car with a hose or pressure washer to cool it and remove large pieces of dirt that can scratch the paint. Keep the hose handy for frequent rinsing.
2. Soak the wash mitt in the wash solution and wash the vehicle lightly, working in small sections. Then, use the hose to rinse the soapy section of the vehicle completely before moving to another section. After washing a section, always rinse the mitt first in the rinse bucket so that you always put a clean mitt in the washing solution. The goal is never to have any form of grit on the mitt when applied to the surface.
3. Continue washing each section and repeat the wash-rinse steps until the vehicle is clean.
4. Dry the vehicle using a clean, damp chamois, sponge cloth, or microfiber towel to dry it before it air dries. If a paint surface is starting to air dry, dampen the areas that you are not drying.
5. Do not use the same wash mitt used to wash your matte finish to clean the wheels. Use separate microfiber cloths. Take care not to get any wheel cleaner on your matte finish. If this happens, wash and rinse this area immediately.

Spot Cleaning

For spot cleaning, it is recommended that you use an alcohol-based window cleaner (not vinegar or ammonia-based), a specific matte paint cleanser, or a solution of 50% alcohol/50% deionized water. For stubborn sticky spots, use tar remover or road debris solvent.

1. Apply the matte paint cleaner to the cloth and surface to be cleaned; do not wipe a dry towel on the paint finish—a dry towel will damage the finish.
2. Soak the spot and allow it to soften.
3. Lightly wipe the surface in a light forward and backward motion; avoid circular motions, which can leave swirls in the finish. Rinse with water so the cleaning product does not stay on the finish.
4. Repeat, if necessary.

Protection

Avoid conventional waxes, as they can create abrasive lines that can leave lines from your hand application. Instead, use specific matte paint protection products such as Swissvax Opaque Matte Paint Wax, made specifically for matte paint, or Dr. Beasley’s Matte Paint and Sealant, both of which will protect the finish, making it easier to keep clean and prevent water spots from forming.

If you have further questions on cleaning and protecting your matte finish, we invite you to inquire with the car care professionals at Dick Smith Hyundai.