What is more durable, matte or gloss paint?
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What is more durable, matte or gloss paint?
Hello all,
I am in the market for a new bike, and it seems there are a wealth of gloss and matte paint finishes. My questions it this, what is more durable (rock chips, cleaning, and possible "uh oh" falls) matte or gloss?
I have not settled on a bike just yet, but considering a CAAD 12 of Emonda ALR if that helps.
Thanks,
RH
I am in the market for a new bike, and it seems there are a wealth of gloss and matte paint finishes. My questions it this, what is more durable (rock chips, cleaning, and possible "uh oh" falls) matte or gloss?
I have not settled on a bike just yet, but considering a CAAD 12 of Emonda ALR if that helps.
Thanks,
RH
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I never thought you would have to pay attention to matte like that. Well I think I made my choice this, I want to ride my bike more not clean more. Clean though, yes.
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Plus you can do touch up easily with gloss.
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I have both... gloss hands down.
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natural titanium
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Gloss paint jobs probably provide more layers of protection, but I think matte bikes look better longer.
The luster on gloss fades over time, plus matte frames do not suffer the issues of chips or scratches as much. The issue with matte frames is they often start to get a satin finish in areas with a lot of sweat.
The luster on gloss fades over time, plus matte frames do not suffer the issues of chips or scratches as much. The issue with matte frames is they often start to get a satin finish in areas with a lot of sweat.
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Anyone getting a custom frame or looking to repaint an existing frame should look into Cerakote, which is a ceramic coating that is baked on. The colors are matte, but if you have your frame finisher custom blend a color with the glossy white you get a nice pearl finish.
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Gloss paint jobs probably provide more layers of protection, but I think matte bikes look better longer.
The luster on gloss fades over time, plus matte frames do not suffer the issues of chips or scratches as much. The issue with matte frames is they often start to get a satin finish in areas with a lot of sweat.
The luster on gloss fades over time, plus matte frames do not suffer the issues of chips or scratches as much. The issue with matte frames is they often start to get a satin finish in areas with a lot of sweat.
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Gloss will last longer, and is easier to repair. Matte finishes are usually slightly thinner than their gloss counterparts.
A matte effect finish is achieved by adding in a 'matting agent' to the clear coat. Matting agents are similar to talcum powder, and the matte effect happens when the drying solvents are evaporating away during the curing process. Those solvents bring the matting agent to the surface and deposit it there, giving you that effect.
The matte finish also will turn glossier as it is rubbed, revealing the gloss clear coat underneath it (the matting agent is really only on the surface, not below it). Plus, matte finishes are porous, as the matting agent has technically 'perforated' the surface to achieve it's effect. This means that matte finishes tend to absorb oils and sweat. Also, you can't polish out a scratch in a matte finish; doing so just makes the area shiny again.
A matte effect finish is achieved by adding in a 'matting agent' to the clear coat. Matting agents are similar to talcum powder, and the matte effect happens when the drying solvents are evaporating away during the curing process. Those solvents bring the matting agent to the surface and deposit it there, giving you that effect.
The matte finish also will turn glossier as it is rubbed, revealing the gloss clear coat underneath it (the matting agent is really only on the surface, not below it). Plus, matte finishes are porous, as the matting agent has technically 'perforated' the surface to achieve it's effect. This means that matte finishes tend to absorb oils and sweat. Also, you can't polish out a scratch in a matte finish; doing so just makes the area shiny again.
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I made the mistake of buying a matte motorcycle helmet. An order of magnitude harder to keep clean than any other helmet I owned. Of course a bike would not get the kind of bug debris you get on a helmet, but it was enough to keep me from buying anything matte since.
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Depends what you mean. Others have discussed the durability of the finish, but the durability of paint itself is its ability to stay adhered and protecting whatever it's on - to not chip or peel or BE scratched or abraded (as opposed to whether it SHOWS scratches and abrasions). Sheen is just a superficial quality, and doesn't really have anything to do with the durability of the paint.