WEIGH IN: Has MATTE Paint Gone From Insanely HOT To DOUCHEY In Record Time?

I remember the first time I saw matte paint. It was on a concept car. To be precise, it was the BMW Z4 Coupe Concept and it looked stunning with its silver matte finish. It accentuated the lines and made the car's design really POP.

It was special.

Soon the luxury automakers started offering matte finishes to the public. Of course, it came at a price. Sometimes they were part of special edition models or it had to be ordered exclusively. It was a rare thing you'd see on a Lamborghini or a Mercedes or a BMW.

Now though, thanks to the wrapping community, it's become a commodity that's widely available to the masses. This is a good thing as anyone can do it, BUT it also is a bad thing. Because when the masses come in, there's no question it can be used incorrectly or just look plain old awful. Sometimes folks get a little too carried away with their idea.

That said, we just wanted to know: has MATTE paint gone from HOT to DOUCHEY in record time?

Patronus - 4/8/2014 11:47:34 PM

+2 Boost

Yes.

nguyenvuminh - 4/9/2014 1:03:55 AM

+6 Boost

It was always douchey, lousy, ugly, tasteless, juvenile, etc.

cidflekken - 4/9/2014 1:25:47 AM

+1 Boost

The only cars I've seen it truly work on are the Mercedes CLS AMG and Lamborginis.

reaganeatbrains - 4/9/2014 2:10:33 AM

-1 Boost

is it any different than any other conceivable aftermarket product - from 20+ inch rims, to the Maserati fender vents?

At least in favor of the matte paint, the result is a more stealth look rather than a flashier look.

F1_Driver - 4/9/2014 2:57:16 AM

+2 Boost

Matte paint does not belong on any car but on spy planes when you don't want your reflections to be seen by your enemies.

amgs65 - 4/9/2014 1:12:54 PM

+1 Boost

Lighten up Francis.

HoustonMidtown - 4/9/2014 6:58:46 AM

+5 Boost

It looks like they forgot to finish painting the car - it looks like primer....

Agent00J - 4/9/2014 9:24:30 AM

+1 Boost

I always thought it was douchey.

-00J

gkearns56 - 4/9/2014 9:43:42 AM

+2 Boost

Sure - Lets take some exotic car and make it look like it's ready for the paint booth since it looks like primer. What a waste of such a beautiful car when I see this.

mre30 - 4/9/2014 10:26:55 AM

+3 Boost

It has definitely ALWAYS been douchy !

Holydude - 4/9/2014 3:16:55 PM

+1 Boost

I've sometimes confused matte paint with a dirty car from afar... come on, you know how have too!

scenicbyway12 - 4/9/2014 7:40:50 PM

+1 Boost

Slightly of topic, about a month ago, I appraised a E90 M3 that had been wrapped matte white. Is was worth about half of book.

scenicbyway12 - 4/9/2014 8:31:09 PM

+1 Boost

Rat's of = off

DTMFan - 4/10/2014 4:54:09 AM

+1 Boost

Looks rubbish on 99.9% of vehicles now, just as it always has.

leej - 4/11/2014 7:26:00 PM

+1 Boost

Matte paint was never HOT.