vinuneuro

Some of the Specialized carbon bikes refer the to frame finish as 'tint.' An example is the 2015 Diverge Expert. They call is Satin Silver Carbon Tint. I've seen it in person and you can clearly see the carbon weave through. Is this just a matte paint? It looks great but I'm concerned about the long-term durability of a finish like this and wondering if there's even a clearcoat.

Maelochs

Pretty sure Specialized isn't going to cheap out or mess around with the finish on their bikes ... nothing to gain and too much to lose.

Likely it is called a "tint" because it is not a thick, opaque layer of paint, but a translucent layer---as you say, the carbon weave shows through. Possibly this is done to emphasize the structure, to announce that the bike is carbon---sort of an in-between step between the bare carbon look some favor, and the fully painted look most manufacturers use.

I am absolutely sure they use whatever clearcoat is needed to protect the paint and the carbon---what would they gain by leaving out important steps and leaving their product vulnerable to UV and such?