Matte paint care has changed since the first factory matte cars hit the road 15 years ago. The myths about matte, however, haven’t.
Consensus is the enemy of progress.
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Nowhere is that clearer than in how people talk about matte paint.
“You can’t use a microfiber towel on matte paint, you might rub it smooth.”
This is an actual quote from YouTuber Zack Pradel in his review of the 2025 Hyundai Santa Fe XRT on his Shooting Cars channel.
It’s not just wrong; it’s dead wrong. Dangerously misleading, even.
Myths like these get repeated so often people just assume they’re true. But the truth? Matte paint isn’t fragile. It’s not high maintenance. And YES, you can absolutely use a microfiber towel. In fact, that’s what we recommend.
So why are people still getting it wrong?
Because most car reviewers, dealership staff, and even some detailers are stuck in the past.
Matte used to be rare and misunderstood. But today? We’ve got ceramic coatings designed specifically for matte, and easy maintenance routines to match.
But myths travel faster than truth. And when something sounds cautious, people repeat it; no matter how wrong it is.
Matte Paint is Not High Maintenance
Matte paint is different, not difficult.
Sure, you don’t polish it like gloss paint. You don’t wax it. But that doesn’t make it fragile or fussy. In fact, matte finishes actually hide swirls and fine scratches better than gloss.
Why? It comes down to light reflection.
- Glossy paint reflects light uniformly, like a mirror. That makes any tiny scratch or swirl painfully obvious.
- Matte paint scatters light in all directions (diffuse reflection), so minor blemishes blend in. The surface stays consistent, even under harsh lighting.
So no, matte isn’t “more work”—it’s just misunderstood.
And yes, you absolutely can use a microfiber towel. Just make sure it’s clean and high-quality. If you scrub any paint aggressively—matte or gloss—you’ll leave marks. The trick is to protect it early with a matte-specific ceramic coating, then use common-sense maintenance.
You don’t need to be afraid of matte. You just need to understand it.
Jim Lafeber | Founder, Dr. Beasley’s
Matte paint care doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right products, maintaining your matte finish is easier than caring for glossy paint. At Dr. Beasley’s, we’ve spent over a decade helping drivers care for matte finishes the right way. And here’s a strong signal we’re on the right path: Hyundai includes our Matte Paint Prescription Kit with every matte-finished vehicle they sell. That tells you something.
Proving Matte Finish Care to Audi
When the 2017 Audi S8 in matte silver first arrived at VW headquarters in 2016, the Audi personnel were afraid to even wash it.
So I flew out, shipped our products ahead, and showed them—live.
“Can you use a wash mitt?” they asked.
“Can you dry it with a towel?”
“Can you wipe off fingerprints?”
Yes. Yes. Yes.
The car looked phenomenal. Even under showroom lights, the finish was flawless. Audi USA took notice and started offering our kit. They still do.
Shop Dr. Beasley’s on Audi Dealer Store
This is what I showed them: a three step process for matte paint care that anyone can follow.
How to Care for Matte Paint in 3 Steps
- Wash Gently – Use a pH-balanced, matte-specific shampoo like Matte Body Wash with a microfiber mitt. Rinse thoroughly.
- Dry Properly – Pat dry with a soft microfiber towel. Or use a blower for touchless drying.
- Protect Early – Apply a matte-specific ceramic coating like Matte Paint Coating or Matte Paint Coating Pro within the first weeks of ownership.
The ‘Experts’ Said It Would Fall Apart. It’s Still Gleaming Today.
In 2004, I had a custom sign made for Simon’s Shine Shop (where Dr. Beasley’s was born) with real 23k gold-leaf lettering.
When Car Wash Magazine evaluated the sign for an article on car wash signs, their panel of experts said:
“Too expensive. Too delicate. You’ll end up replacing it in a few years.”
Here’s how the sign looked 20 years later:
Still gleaming. Still solid. Still out front, despite brutal Chicago winters and scorching summers.
The experts? Wrong again.
More Times ‘Experts’ Missed the Mark
- Cars: A banker in 1900 called automobiles a “fad.” Henry Ford’s lawyer ignored him and made millions.
- Computers: In 1977, the CEO of Digital Equipment said no one would want a PC at home.
- Streaming: Blockbuster laughed at Netflix in 2000. Now, Netflix is worth billions. Blockbuster? One store left.
The pattern is clear:
People dismiss what they don’t understand. They cling to old rules. They mistake familiarity for truth.
The Pattern is Clear
Whether it’s matte paint, gold-leaf signage, or world-changing innovation, the majority often gets it wrong. They dismiss what they don’t understand. They cling to old rules. They confuse familiarity with truth.
Matte’s not high maintenance. It’s just misunderstood.
Jim Lafeber
It’s Not High Maintenance. It’s Just Misunderstood.
Don’t trust conventional wisdom. When someone tells you matte paint is “too much work,” just hand them a Dr. Beasley’s Matte Kit.
Because when you understand the surface, you care for it better.
Get the Right Care for Matte Paint Finishes
Protect your matte finish with confidence. Our Matte Paint Prescription Kit is trusted by OEMs for a reason.
Sources & Supportive Findings
1. Optical Science of Reflection
Specular vs. diffuse reflection is well-documented in surface physics. According to the Journal of the Optical Society of America, matte surfaces scatter light in multiple directions, reducing the visibility of surface imperfections.
Source: Oren–Nayar Reflectance Model — explains how matte surfaces minimize visual glare and mask texture defects through diffuse reflection.
2. OEM Statements on Matte Finishes
“Matte finishes better hide fine scratches and swirl marks but require special care products.” – BMW USA Owner’s Manual for Frozen Paint Finishes.
Source: BMW Frozen Paint Care Guidelines (PDF)
Hyundai also notes: “Matte paint hides minor defects better but requires dedicated cleaning products. Do not wax or polish.”
Source: 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Owner’s Manual, Section 7-51. (Can also reference video review quotes if needed.)
3. Paint Protection Film (PPF) Manufacturer Training
“Matte PPF masks many imperfections, but cannot be polished. Avoid gloss-building products.” – XPEL ULTIMATE PLUS STEALTH training module.
Source: XPEL Installer Training Materials (Stealth)
STEK also states: “Our DYNOmatte film enhances the vehicle’s matte look while minimizing the visibility of light damage.”
Source: STEK DYNOmatte Product Page
4. Professional Detailing Community Consensus
“Matte finishes are easier to keep looking good because they don’t show swirls like gloss. But you can’t polish out defects.” – Mike Phillips, AutogeekOnline forum, March 2017.
Source: Autogeek Forum – Matte Paint Discussion
On DetailingWiki: “Matte hides imperfections but is less correctable. Coatings for matte are essential.”
Source: DetailingWiki – Matte Paint Care Article
5. Real-World Experience from Dr. Beasley’s
Over the past 10+ years, Dr. Beasley’s has worked directly with OEM programs (e.g., Hyundai, Genesis, Audi and ICON 4×4), trained detailers globally, and developed matte-specific coatings like Matte Paint Coating Pro.
We’ve serviced matte BMWs, AMGs, and custom builds, collecting extensive before-and-after photo evidence of visual forgiveness without polishability.
Source: Dr. Beasley’s OEM support programs, installer training materials, and internal case studies.