[contented]

I posted this on the appropriate subforum and it didn't generate much interest. So, thought I'd try here. Hopefully a wider audience can help me.

I'm pondering a color change in the upcoming years from BSM to Ferrari Blu Tour De France Opaco (matte). I have access to talented high quality paint services. It would be a complete teardown, etc. My question is one of care and long term durability. I'm a geezer who gets a great deal of satisfaction from washing, waxing and otherwise keeping my cars clean. In my area we get "love bugs" several times a year. They can require some rubbing/scrubbing to get off - a bad thing on matte finishes. Care of matte finishes is very different from normal clearcoats. All of this concerns me.

Does anyone have knowledge or experience w/ BMW Frozen paint durability and care or matte finishes in general? What are your thoughts. Would you do it again?

Thanks. Contented

[NoGuru]

I have never had a matte finish but if you were to invest in new paint, why not do some sort of clear protection cover?
They are almost not noticeable at all anymore unless you are looking for them.

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by contented

I posted this on the appropriate subforum and it didn't generate much interest. So, thought I'd try here. Hopefully a wider audience can help me.

I'm pondering a color change in the upcoming years from BSM to Ferrari Blu Tour De France Opaco (matte). I have access to talented high quality paint services. It would be a complete teardown, etc. My question is one of care and long term durability. I'm a geezer who gets a great deal of satisfaction from washing, waxing and otherwise keeping my cars clean. In my area we get "love bugs" several times a year. They can require some rubbing/scrubbing to get off - a bad thing on matte finishes. Care of matte finishes is very different from normal clearcoats. All of this concerns me.

Does anyone have knowledge or experience w/ BMW Frozen paint durability and care or matte finishes in general? What are your thoughts. Would you do it again?

Thanks. Contented

Well, I'm on my first car with Frozen Metallic Grey. I know you cannot use car washes and do not wax. You must use soap without wax in it. The ideal is not buffing the car. With that said, a good matte ceramic coating will provide longevity and ease in hand washing. It is holding up beautifully thus far, but I'm in the first month. Hope this helps.

[contented]

Originally Posted by TAZ007

Well, I'm on my first car with Frozen Metallic Grey. I know you cannot use car washes and do not wax. You must use soap without wax in it. The ideal is not buffing the car. With that said, a good matte ceramic coating will provide longevity and ease in hand washing. It is holding up beautifully thus far, but I'm in the first month. Hope this helps.

It does. Tnx much. There's just no question imho, frozen paints look awesome. But care and long term durability, I must admit, have me spooked.

I took the advice I'm always giving my wife i.e."Google is your friend". Lots of info out there, some old, some new on this topic. No shortage of pros and cons. The starting to become satin looking frozen black M5 Competition w/ 40k miles Youtube video gave me pause.

Still undecided.

[shiftdnb]

Have you considered getting a XPEL stealth paint protection film? It's more of a satin finish but with a fusion ceramic coating it could be perfect for what you want. Especially if you're already hand washing.

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by contented

It does. Tnx much. There's just no question imho, frozen paints look awesome. But care and long term durability, I must admit, have me spooked.

I took the advice I'm always giving my wife i.e."Google is your friend". Lots of info out there, some old, some new on this topic. No shortage of pros and cons. The starting to become satin looking frozen black M5 Competition w/ 40k miles Youtube video gave me pause.

Still undecided.

I hear ya. I was cautious about it too. Now that I have it, it looks sharp. After the ceramic coating, it got a little darker and in direct sun it takes on a titanium hue and the shadows are darker. A bonus was the first bug strike on the hood came off with pure ease. I couldn't be happier. Due your research because they are not all created equal and have a pro apply it. The 3 year warranty helps.

[DenverSteve]

I'm guessing that your "talented high quality paint services" would be the place to start with your questions on whatever specific paint you choose. No one here knows anything about what you might select.

[contented]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

I'm guessing that your "talented high quality paint services" would be the place to start with your questions on whatever specific paint you choose. No one here knows anything about what you might select.

I’ve had a number of discussions with the shop owner, manager, backup painter, etc who happen to be my son. He’s a fan and tells me the matte clear coats of today are much improved over just the last few years in terms of durability and ease of care. His personal truck is matte, receives little car other than the occasional washing, and still looks good after two years save a few small slightly shinier areas around door handles and places hands routinely touch. They use PPG waterborne paint systems and are trained in the latest materials and techniques.

The reason I asked here was simply to get an idea from those who have matte finishes and what they think and how they care for them.

[contented]

[QUOTE=NoGuru;27993981]I have never had a matte finish but if you were to invest in new paint, why not do some sort of clear protection cover?
They are almost not noticeable at all anymore unless you are looking for them.[/QUOTE

Some sort of PPF is a must. I want a color change. Currently have Xpel over front bumper, portion of hood and front fenders, mirror caps and rear bumper at boot over BSM. Can’t even see it unless one knows exactly where to look. Our second car with it. if I went matte I’d certainly cover the same area with their Stealth product if it was equally invisible.

I’m probably overthinking it but that’s me.

[XMetal]

I'm not sure why all the rage on "frozen" paint. Sure it's a new thing, but to my eyes, it always remind me of a rattle can paint job that lost it's clear coat finish. I've seen a lot of late models with matte paints that look so bad as if it's ready to head to the junk yard. May be I'm just an old geezer, but nothing beats a clear coat shine on any cars...and I think it's actually easier to take care of regular clear coat than matte paint. You can spot a poorly maintained matte car from a mile away.

[DenverSteve]

Originally Posted by XMetal

I'm not sure why all the rage on "frozen" paint. Sure it's a new thing, but to my eyes, it always remind me of a rattle can paint job that lost it's clear coat finish. I've seen a lot of late models with matte paints that look so bad as if it's ready to head to the junk yard. May be I'm just an old geezer, but nothing beats a clear coat shine on any cars...and I think it's actually easier to take care of regular clear coat than matte paint. You can spot a poorly maintained matte car from a mile away.

I don't know if there's any "rage" on matte-finished cars. Those that are around are presumably owned by people who like that type of finish. I've seen a couple that I like but it's not my cup of tea - which doesn't matter because no one forces anyone to buy or modify one unless it is their cup of tea. Now back to my tea.

[XMetal]

Originally Posted by DenverSteve

I don't know if there's any "rage" on matte-finished cars. Those that are around are presumably owned by people who like that type of finish. I've seen a couple that I like but it's not my cup of tea - which doesn't matter because no one forces anyone to buy or modify one unless it is their cup of tea. Now back to my tea.

Agreed. Just expressing my opinion and definitely not forcing my cup of tea on anyone

[Tommy-G]

contented you mention love bugs, what part of Florida are you in?
As for frozen, I know they make specialty products as far as soaps but have never heard of any sort of wax for them.
Here’s one example: https://adamspolishes.com/collection...matte-detailer

[contented]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

contented you mention love bugs, what part of Florida are you in?
As for frozen, I know they make specialty products as far as soaps but have never heard of any sort of wax for them.
Here’s one example: https://adamspolishes.com/collection...matte-detailer

I’m in the greater Leesburg area, northwest of Orlando. Re: paint selection, I get so much enjoyment out of washing, waxing, and otherwise detailing shiny paint that I’m hesitant to give that up. Mrs Contented tells me matte finishes are a fad and three years down the road I’ll be sorry. The geezer in me says she may be right. Who knows. Lots of time to ponder.

Thanks all for your thoughts and comments. Contented

[TrevorM3]

I've painted Matte clear several times now. Recently did my first overall about two years ago. Using PPG clear. Overall, Matte is PITA. I suggest ceramic over the finish. I suggest keeping it as clean as possible by keeping it garage kept as much as possible. No stains whatsoever. Less washing=better. Even the instructions on data sheet from PPG says too much washing overtime can affect the matte finish. Very interesting stuff. My father has a FG M5CS on order, will be interesting to maintain. But he's up for it.

[Tommy-G]

Originally Posted by contented

I’m in the greater Leesburg area, northwest of Orlando. Re: paint selection, I get so much enjoyment out of washing, waxing, and otherwise detailing shiny paint that I’m hesitant to give that up. Mrs Contented tells me matte finishes are a fad and three years down the road I’ll be sorry. The geezer in me says she may be right. Who knows. Lots of time to ponder.

Thanks all for your thoughts and comments. Contented

Fad, maybe so maybe no. I think the matte black is out. I feel like that got too much too fast and now it’s gone, but the other more subtle colors seems to be limited so they aren’t over saturated

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

I've painted Matte clear several times now. Recently did my first overall about two years ago. Using PPG clear. Overall, Matte is PITA. I suggest ceramic over the finish. I suggest keeping it as clean as possible by keeping it garage kept as much as possible. No stains whatsoever. Less washing=better. Even the instructions on data sheet from PPG says too much washing overtime can affect the matte finish. Very interesting stuff. My father has a FG M5CS on order, will be interesting to maintain. But he's up for it.

Are you a painter by trade or fun? Where are you located? I manage a collision center just north of Sarasota

[DomMuc]

there are some bmw care products for matte/frozen paint
83125A16477 prozen paint express wax
83122293949 frozen paint nano wax
83122285242 frozen paint shampoo
83125A16474 frozen paint cleaner

[FISH22]

I’ve had my Frozen White G80 M3 for almost 5 months now, 3600 miles. It’s been a lot of fun taking care of it and details. I’ve purchased most of my matte-specific products from Dr. Beasley’s. Top shelf stuff with the most research in matte finishes. The key is TONS of foam. I let her soak for quite some time. Then rinse, and foam again to lube for the wash.

It’s such a unique finish and really flows with the car. Maybe the honeymoon phase has worn off, but I don’t know if I’d buy a Frozen M car again. I do occasionally miss polishing and seeing results with a good shine.

[babaikram]

Regular weekly no touch washing with snow foam and get a Korean towel to dry, otherwise you would leave a mark. Use Dr Beasley products for protection. Ceramic coating makes it shinier and PPF is specialised, nobody able to do it in my local area in the NE of England

I have had my car for more than a year and no regret so far except the fact that I do the washing myself

[TrevorM3]

Originally Posted by Tommy-G

Fad, maybe so maybe no. I think the matte black is out. I feel like that got too much too fast and now it’s gone, but the other more subtle colors seems to be limited so they aren’t over saturated


Are you a painter by trade or fun? Where are you located? I manage a collision center just north of Sarasota

Trade. I'm in south FL.

Hows business up north?


Since we're on the topic of matte finishes, which ceramic can be used on it? I will be looking into this for the CS. A bit nervous having someone do this on a matte car, as we've never had ceramic done at all before.. So i need to find a shop i really trust.

[FISH22]

Originally Posted by TrevorM3

Trade. I'm in south FL.

Hows business up north?


Since we're on the topic of matte finishes, which ceramic can be used on it? I will be looking into this for the CS. A bit nervous having someone do this on a matte car, as we've never had ceramic done at all before.. So i need to find a shop i really trust.

Dr Beasley’s offers a matte ceramic coat. It’s of extremely high quality, an easy DIY, and does not change the finish. A little pricey though.. $500 for a one time use.

[Germanauto]

I think frozen/matte paint looks cool but I hear it's a lot of effort to maintain.