Magno Night Black Mercedes (matte finish)

[rakkvet]

I saw this at the local MB dealership. Has anybody heard if there are any products specifically designed to protect the painted finish on a car like this?




This car is amazing to look at in person.

[Twister]

Swissvax makes products for finishes like that.

I really don't care for that on a Benz though.

[FUNX650]

From Mercedes Benz:

Quote:
"In addition to offering an elegant and durable alternative to traditional high-gloss paint finishes, the optional designo MAGNO paint offers many additional benefits including a reduced susceptibility to minor scratches due to the light reflection properties of the matte finish, and it also hides minor dirt and dust better than traditional finishes".

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The only three suppliers/manufacturers of Matte-care-products for vehicles that I'm currently aware of are:

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From SwissVax:
SWISSVAX Matte Paint Products & M5 Matte Detail

-As we all know Matte paint finishes are fragile and cannot be detailed in the same way as regular paint finishes.
-Swissvax have developed a range of products especially formulated for matte paint finishes, extensively tested by the Lamborghini and Rolls Royce factories giving great results and no loss off the delicate matte finish. They are good for all MATTE finishes.

SWISSVAX Car Bath Opaque

-Special shampoo concentrate (500 liters of wash solution) developed for satin matt paint finishes.
-Effectively breaks the bond between the dirt and the paint surface for a perfect and effortless car wash.
-Prolongates the lifetime of your Swissvax wax finish and therefore is absolutely safe and strongly recommended for regular washing.


"Soft as rain water, Swissvax Car Bath Opaque is a highly-effective but paintwork- and wax-friendly shampoo concentrate which makes up to 500 liters of wash solution. It effectively breaks the bond between the dirt and the paint surface allowing you to perfectly and effortlessly wash your vehicle achieving best results with ease and in minimum time only. Avoids any impairment to the opaque look of the surface. Its pH-neutral formula prolongates the lifetime of your Swissvax wax finish and therefore is absolutely safe for regular washing. We recommend the combined use with the Swissvax Waschpudel or a Swissvax Wash Towel for the immaculate and scratch free car wash".

Swissvax Pre-Cleaner Opaque
-Pre-Cleaner spray specially developed for satin matt paint finishes (works also satin matt foils).
-Easily removes fat, bug tar, fingerprints etc.
-No impairment to the satin matt finish of the surface.

"Swissvax Pre-Cleaner Opaque spray was specially developed for satin matt paint finishes (works also satin matt foils) and easily removes fat, bug tar, fingerprints etc. with no impairment to the satin matt finish of the surface. Pre-Cleaner Opaque has to be applied before the first wax application and easily removes old wax and other residues and provides a smooth and perfect surface as an essential basis for the wax application. The application of Pre-Cleaner Opaque is an absolute must before the first wax treatment.
It is only possible to achieve a perfect finish and long term protection if the paintwork is perfectly pre-treated - preparation is key".

SWISSVAX Opaque Wax
-Premium wax specially developed for all satin matt paintwork types (incl. foils) with 40 Vol. % of pure Brazilian Grade One Carnauba.
-Offers your automobile's paintwork thorough long term protection against all kinds of negative immissions without damaging its satin matt appearance.
-Very easy to apply.
-Prepare the paintwork with Pre-Cleaner Opaque prior to the wax application.

"Swissvax Opaque wax is a premium wax for all satin matt paintwork types (including foils). Thanks to its formulation including 40 Vol. % of pure Brazilian Grade One Carnauba wax it offers your automobile's satin matt paintwork thorough long term protection against all kinds of negative immissions, bug tar and fingerprints.
Thanks to its proverbial ease of application and the perfect results it provides, Opaque is very popular both with private collectors and enthusiasts and professional users.
A wax container of 50ml is sufficient for 2 to 5 wax applications whereby we recommend you to wax your vehicle every 3 - 6 months meaning that one container of wax allows you to maintain your automobile investment for one or two years.

Before Opaque is applied, the paint has to be prepared with Swissvax Pre-Cleaner Opaque in order to ensure that the paintwork surface is perfectly clean and free of contaminations of old wax, acid rain, tar, insects and other remains. Perfect preparation is the key to the world famous Swissvax finish to ensure that the wax can perfectly bond to the paintwork surface.

SWISSVAX Quick Finish Opaque

-Quick detailing spray for satin matte paints for “in between times” representing the missing element between washing and waxing.
-Effortlessly, efficiently but gently removes dust, grease, dirt or bird droppings - without requiring water.
-Is absolutely safe for your wax finish and for all paint surfaces.

"Swissvax Quick Finish Opaque was specially developed for satin matt paint finishes (works also satin matt foils) and is the quick paintwork cleaner for “in between times” representing the missing element between washing and waxing. It allows you to have your vehicle in an as fresh waxed finish in just a minute or two: It effortlessly, efficiently but gently removes dust, grease, dirt or bird droppings - without requiring water. It is absolutely safe for your wax finish and for all types of satin matt paint surfaces.
Quick Finish Opaque is also your ideal and compact companion to carry in your automobile to always keep it in immaculately clean state and to be capable of removing harmful contaminations like bird-droppings or bug tar immediately once detected and before they manage to penetrate the sensitive paintwork.

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From Chemical Guys:

Matte Detailer for satin paint and matt clear bra chemical guys. The first matte paint , matte clear bra, and vinyl wrap spray detailer and UV coating protectant in one. MMD cleans and maintains matte finish surfaces while protecting the finish. Working backwards from OEM specs, MMD is formulated to clean, protect and prolong while retaining the original satin matte finish of paints, vinyl, matte vinyl and clear bras. MMD can be used after washing the vehicle with Meticulous Matte Paint Wash or used as a follow up detailer between washes. Uniquely formulated with UV light blocking agents MMD aids in protecting against premature aging of matte & satin paint jobs, vinyl wraps and clear bra finishes. The unique silicone and wax free formulation maintains and protects without in any way changing the original finish of matte & satin finishes.

USE ME:

-For matte and satin finish paints and clear bras
-Protectant & quick-detailing spray for satin matte paints, matte finishes, matte vinyl wraps.
-Works great on glossy paint as well and partial matte/glossy vehicle finishes
-Easily and gently removes dust, grease, grime, dirt and bird droppings
-Ideal as follow-up to wax or sealant coat.
-For all finishes and paint types

Matte and satin finishes require special care. Products containing waxes, silicone or surfactants with a high pH can permanently damage matte finishes.

MMD is formulated and developed for matte paintwork and vinyl wraps. MMD easily, rapidly and safely removes dust, grease, dirt, road film, grime and bird droppings delivering an even matte finishes.

MMD is also safe for all waxed and sealed finishes.

Use MMD to remove contamination like bird-droppings or bug tar immediately once detected and before they manage to penetrate the sensitive paintwork.

Matte Detailer for satin paint and matt clear bra chemical guys
-Removes Oily Residue
-Contains No Wax, Solvents or Silicone
-Safe for All Paint Systems
-Safe for all Satin & Matt clear bra finishes
-Safe for all glossy clear bra and paint finishes
-Adds No Gloss
-Works Best with Microfiber Detail Cloth

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From Dr. Beasley's

Matte Body Wash

Add 2 capfuls of Matte Body Wash to a bucket with Grit Guard and fill with water. The soap should foam up nicely, providing you with a cushion for washing your matte car. Start from the top of the car with a clean wash pad and make your way down. Flip and rinse the wash pad frequently to prevent trapped debris from coming into contact with the surface. When complete, rinse surface and dry with a microfiber towel.

Matte Paint Cleanser

Wash car with Matte Body Wash, and dry. Spray Matte Paint Cleanser on surface and immediately wipe dry with a microfiber cloth. Matte Paint Cleanser can remove Matte Paint Sealant, so do not apply to protected paint unless you plan on reapplying the sealant.

Matte Paint Sealant

Make sure surface is clean before applying Matte Paint Sealant. It's recommended to use Matte Paint Cleanser as a prep step before application. Rinse surface before applying. Matte Paint Sealant needs to come into contact with water in order to properly bond with the paint surface. Apply a small amount to an applicator and wipe onto paint surface, being sure to maintain even coverage. Remove sealant immediately after application, doing a small section of the paint at a time.

Matte Final Finish

Spray onto desired area and wipe clean with a microfiber towel. Matte Final Finish will not remove Matte Paint Sealant, and is perfect for use when paint is already protected.
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From another Matte-care website:

Matte or Satin Finish Paint
-If polished with traditional polishes the finish will become less matte and glossier over time; do not wet-sand or use conventional wax or use an automatic car wash that uses hot wax in the final rinse, as the flattening agents that cause the matte appearance, will become "levelled".
-The textured finish is accomplished by a diffused 30 degree reflection and are retained very close to the clear coat surface. By levelling the surface the light will be reflected evenly and result in a ‘shine’.
-Swisswax Opaque products for matte finish paint and vinyl wraps have been specifically developed (oil free) to ensure that they don’t change the appearance in matt paint or vinyl wraps.
1. Wash surface with Swisswax (SV) Opaque Car Bath
2. Prior to wax application the wrap needs to be totally free from oils and dirt. Clean all wrapped surfaces with SV Opaque Pre-cleaner.
3. Spray a 100% cotton micro fibre towel and apply to one panel at a time.
4. Wipe off with a clean 100% cotton towel
5. Apply SV Opaque Wax to one panel at a time, this wax will provide depth without adding a shine
6. Allow to dry for 10 minutes before buffing off and moving to the next section.
7. After the wax has out gassed and set-up, allow 2-3 hours and then buff the surface with a soft 100% cotton micro fibre towel
8. Use Quick Finish Opaque as a quick detailer to remove finger marks and smudges

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I'm sure there are, or will be, more products available for "Special care for Special finishes" (such as Matte) as the market demand for such finishes grows.

Just expect to pay more for these special products.



Bob

[Mike Phillips]

I'm sure there are, or will be, more products available for "Special care for Special finishes" (such as Matte) as the market demand for such finishes grows.

Just expect to pay more for these special products.



Bob

And do expect that keeping a uniform appearance on matte finishes to be a challenge since you can't really work on them, by work I mean compound and polish. About all you'll ever be able to do wash them and then apply some type of product that will either restore or maintain their richness of color.

From my experience talking to owners of cars with matte finishes while it may look cool most say they would not recommend it and would never choose the matte option again.

I think it looks cool myself but would never choose it for a finish because it's too complicated to work on if something happens to it. I think it's going to be a fad that comes and goes after enough people experience first hand that hassle of owning a matte finish on a new or nice car.


I've seen an increase in questions about how to take care of matte finishes or undo problems with matte finishes, (not a lot but a few), here's an example...

Help removing wax from my mate black truck


I have not used the Swissvax product but here's what I know when it comes to taking care of matte or flat finishes... you can't use anything that will dry white and what works best are products that tend to be on the oily side as these types of products will darken the finish and restore a rich appearance without turning white or creating gloss.

By the above criteria any current product or future products for matte finishes will be non-drying wax type products that are not really waxes like you normally thin of a wax or spray detailers.

I've read that a lot of people have good luck using Meguiar's Ultimate Quik Detailer on matte finishes as it will restore richness of color, it won't staining the paint white.


I met a local guy that painted his Camaro matte black and he regrets it and is planning on removing it and repainting using a normal paint. The reason he doesn't like it is because it's too complicated to work on, maintain prep for display, everything related to having a "special interest car".

Here's a picture of it from my list of potential TV cars for our show...

Cars for Second Season of "What's in the Garage" TV Show - Thread #3


Toby's Flat Matte Black 1967 Camaro with Twin Turbos...





I'd love to have it on the show since flat paints are new and popular trend but when it comes to showing a detailing tip about the only thing we can do is show something like the Meticulous Matte Detailer from Chemical Guys.

[rakkvet]

Thanks for the response guys. My first thought after hearing about this car was, how in the world does this get maintained. You'd never want to drive it in the rain, snow, dust or behind anyone else on the road.